Families in Luton can once again enjoy pedal boat rides on the lake at Wardown Park, marking the return of a popular activity that had been absent from the site since 2004. The service, run by Wardown Leisure Boating, is now available for visitors to use during weekends and school holidays throughout the 2026 season.
The return of the boats follows extensive improvements to the area, supported by a £274,600 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded to Luton Borough Council in November 2023. This funding has helped restore the historic boating lake, which remains a central feature of what the council often refers to as the jewel in the crown of Luton’s parks.
In addition to the lake improvements, the restoration project included work on the site’s iconic suspension bridge. Originally built in 1908, the bridge is widely regarded as one of the shortest suspension bridges in the country and has undergone maintenance to ensure its preservation.
The pedal boat service features a fleet of 10 boats, each with the capacity to carry up to two adults and three children. The park itself has a long history, having been purchased by the local authority in 1904 and opened to the public in 1906.
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