Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is to host historic seaplane flight displays on Windermere this September.
The Lake District spa hotel will work in partnership with the flight crew of Waterbird, a replica of the prototype seaplane that first flew from Windermere in 1911.
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa will serve as the take-off station for the aircraft.
Subject to weather conditions, the seaplane’s demonstration flights will take place on the evenings of 4 and 5 September 2026.
In preparation for the Wings over Windermere displays, Waterbird will taxi along the shoreline to the resort’s waterfront.
The aircraft will then take off from the water in front of spectators on Low Wood Bay’s lawns and fly at heights of up to 100 feet.
Displays will begin at 6.45pm on both evenings.
A flypast by an aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is also scheduled to take place between 5.15pm and 5.45pm on 4 September.
There will also be a flypast from another seaplane, the Aviat Husky, with the displays supported by a professional commentator.
After each display, spectators and aviation enthusiasts will be able to meet the Waterbird pilot, chief engineer, flying display director and event organiser.
Guests will be invited to speak with them about the seaplane project in the conference centre at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa.
This year’s Waterbird pilot is Lieutenant Commander Chris Gotke, a serving Royal Navy pilot and graduate of the Empire Test Pilots’ School at Boscombe Down, where he leads fixed-wing operations.
Ben Berry, Managing Director of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, said: “Seaplanes are a big part of Windermere’s heritage and my late grandfather Michael Berry OBE had a passion for the Short Sunderland flying boats.
“He even went as far as fitting out a boat of his own with sonar equipment in a bid to track down the wreckage of the Sunderland aircraft scuttled on the lake at the end of World War II.
“He was also involved in a campaign to establish commercial seaplane operations from the lake to boost tourism.
“I know he would have taken immense pride in seeing Waterbird flying in front of the resort and our overall support for the project.
“That’s just one reason the team and I at Low Wood Bay are so proud to be supporting the Windermere Waterbird flying displays with our event hospitality, lakeside accommodation, conference facilities and safety boat cover from our watersports activity centre.”
Ian Gee, Chairman of the Lakes Flying Company Ltd, added: “Having stayed at the spa resort last year, we got into talks with English Lakes Hotels about the potential for making the lawns of Low Wood Bay the main vantage point for this year’s flight demonstrations.
“We’re looking forward to these flight displays with a great deal of excitement and anticipation, especially in light of the venue’s historic interests in seaplane aviation and of course the Berry family’s connections with water speed records.”
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Low Wood Bay was at the centre of proposals to introduce seaplane services on Windermere.
Michael Berry OBE was involved in a campaign to establish commercial operations from the lake.
A Tiger Moth seaplane landed at the hotel’s waterfront in 1979, while a four-seat Cessna also visited in 1983.
However, plans for a water taxi service connecting Windermere with regional airports, alongside scenic leisure flights over the Lake District, did not progress.
The September displays will bring that aviation heritage back into focus, combining historic flight, resort hospitality and Windermere’s visitor appeal.
Associated Articles
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa Welcomes Back Acclaimed Artist for Summer Exhibition
Provides direct Low Wood Bay context, highlighting how the resort is using culture, hospitality and guest experiences to attract visitors and strengthen its destination appeal.
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa Welcomes Back Acclaimed Artist for Summer Exhibition
National Space Centre Celebrates 20 Years of Star Wars Weekend
Adds relevant visitor attraction and experience-led event context, showing how specialist venues are using immersive programming, family engagement and cultural interest to drive footfall.
National Space Centre Celebrates 20 Years of Star Wars Weekend
Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort Completes £2m Investment Programme
Provides wider resort event programming context, highlighting how destination hotels are investing in guest experiences, outdoor events, leisure facilities and memorable stays.
Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort Completes £2m Investment Programme
