Bus and shuttlebus
£3 bus fares cap
All bus fares are capped to £3 per single journey, why not give the bus a try for scenic adventures? Even in autumn and winter many bus services still run in our most popular valleys, including Borrowdale, Langdale, Grasmere and Coniston and core services such as the 555 through the heart of the Lake District, 599 Bowness to Grasmere and x4/5 Penrith to Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington. Visit Stagecoach or Traveline to plan your journey.
Buses and coaches
National Express runs coaches to Lancaster, Penrith and Carlisle where you can catch an onward bus connection into the Lake District.
Stagecoach buses operate around the Lake District. Visit their website for maps, timetables and details of bus and boat trips and open-top bus tours.
Paddy's Lake District adventure
Trains
The West Coast mainline runs to the east of the Lake District, connecting Oxenholme (which is near Kendal), Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow. A direct train runs from Manchester to Windermere. Local trains from Oxenholme call at Kendal, Staveley and Windermere. There is also a route following the Cumbrian coastline. Search and book trains across the UK at Trainline and and Europe at Omio.
Steamers and boat cruises in the Lake District
Taking a cruise is a great way to experience our beautiful Lake District. Combining a one-way cruise with a bus, walk or cycle is great way to travel around a lake in one day. The following four lakes have passenger boats with multiple stops:
Coniston
- National Trust Gondola stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Brantwood, Lake Bank Jetty.
- Coniston Launch stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Waterhead, Brantwood, Sunny Bank, Lake Bank Jetty.
Cycling
We have electric and mountain bikes to hire in the Lake District; for example Hawkshead to Coniston Boating Centre with suggested quiet and off-road routes including to the Western shore of Windermere and Langdale valley. For details on electric bikes with route ideas for half and full day rides visit our cycling page below.
Walking
Whether you’re visiting the Lake District for the first time or looking for an accessible way to explore, there’s a walk for everyone. Explore Miles Without Stiles, a collection of 50 easy access routes or try a guided walk, where volunteers share new routes on gentle paths.
Driving to and around the Lake District
- Park and explore, ticket for 1 day parking/bus travel across the Lakes.
- Hire an electric or pay as you drive car, to explore in a sustainable way.
- Try a lift share to enjoy a shared journey.
M6 runs to the east of the Lake District National Park:
- Take J36 and A590 for the southern end of the Lake District.
- Take J40 and A66 or A592 for the northern end of the Lake District.
Average journey times:
- London and the south east to the Lake District: 5 hours.
- Manchester to the Lake District:1.5 hours.
- York to the Lake District: 2 hours.
- Kendal to Keswick:1 hour.
- Windermere to Keswick: 40 minutes.
- Kendal to Wasdale:1.5 hours.
Check out our Lake District page for Sat Nav codes but beware of following Sat Nav at all costs on small country roads. Alternatively, see car parks across the Lake District.
