THE LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

Getting to and around Lake District National Park

Nestling in the North Western corner of England in Cumbria, the Lake District National Park Has got plenty to offer to visitors. It has one of the most stunning landscapes in England, with majestic peaks towering over glacial lakes, large areas of woodland, the coast and picturesque market towns. This area also caters for a number of outdoor pursuits: you can climb some of the highest peaks in England: Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Great Gable, wander around the lakes, cycle on dedicated cycle routes or quiet lanes, take a boat across one of the lakes, or if the weather turns nasty, visit Wordsworth's Dove Cottage or the Aquarium with the underwater view of Lake Windermere.

All of these are accessible to visitors coming to the Lake District without a car. In fact, given the levels of heavy traffic in the summer months, and parking problems and compact nature of the mountains, the public transport user in the Lake District can get around far more easily than most car drivers - and at less cost to the environment.

Empty Roads: The Lake District - Car-free access to Youth Hostels.

Ravenglass Railway

Cycling in the Lake District

B4 Network Map: Bus, Boat, Bike and Boots

The largest of the UK's National Parks, the Lake District is one of the best served by public transport, with a busy railway branch line from Oxenholme off the West Coast main line to Windermere, and the scenic Furness and Cumbrian Coast lines to the west and south.

Windermere, one of the most popular centres to explore the National Park, lies on a dense network of connecting modes of transport. Regular boat services ferry visitors across the lake to the Lakeside Aquarium, and also to the network of quiet woodland paths nearby. A 599 open top bus connects Windermere railway station with Grasmere, Brockhole, Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. From Windermere station, the Lakeslink 555 bus service (Lancaster-Kendal-Ambleside-Grasmere-Keswick - Carlisle) runs through the heart of the Lakes. Popular stops include the tourist centre of Keswick, from where you can climb Skiddaw and Blencathra. The bus also passes close to the foot of Helvellyn.

Another great way to the mountains of the Lake District is the narrow gauge steam Ravenglass Railway, which enables access to fells around Eskdale. The railway is paralleled by a traffic free cycle trail - there is even a cycle hire at Ravenglass station and the railway can carry bikes.

The Mountain Goat minibuses provide public transport service in summer between Hawkshead and Coniston Water. The buses run approximately every hour from late morning to mid afternoon on weekends and Bank Holidays, and daily in July, August and September. The buses have been equipped with bicycle carrying trailer/rack, and the service has been integrated with the Lake Windermere cruises to Hawkshead, and with the Coniston Launch ferry services. Both ferries also carry bikes on their roofs. The minibus and boat route has been integrated with a network of walking and cycling routes, known as the B4 (Boat, Bus, Bike and Boot). For a miniguide leaflet, containing a map and the timetable call Mountain Goat on 015394 45161.

Go LakesCumbria Tourism

English Lakes

Fares and Tickets :

Leisure Tickets: Stagecoach North West Explorer tickets - unlimited travel on Stagecoach North West buses (main Lake District operator)in Lancashire and Cumbria Adult 1 day Ł8.50; Family 1 day £17, (2 Adults + up to 3 children). Day tickets are available on the bus, others from most travel & tourist offices - details 0870 608 2 608

Lakes Day Ranger. One day's unlimited travel on rail and bus services between Lancaster, Heysham, Sellafield and Windermere and a cruise on Lake Windermere: Adult £11.20, Child £5.60, Family £21.50.

Details or ring 08457 48 49 50 or 0870 608 2 608.

Freedom of Lake Windermere - valid 24 hours - adult £13.25, child £6.65, family £34

Useful Contacts:

Timetable: Getting Around Cumbria and Lake District Timetable contains all bus, train and boat services in the National Park. Available from all TICs and National Park Centres, but in case of difficulty ring Traveline - 0870 608 2 608

See also To and Through Cumbria Public Transport Map and Guide (free) and the free Lakeland Explorer (Stagecoach) booklet with suggested self guided walks, tourist information, boat services etc.
For planning a trip to and from the Lakes try The Cumbria and North East Journey Planner web site.
Best Places to stay without a car: Ambleside, Windermere, Bowness, Keswick.