Getting around the Lake District without a car

Many people assume that you need a car to get around the Lake District. Whilst it can certainly be convenient, it’s far from necessary. Indeed, not only is it possible, but it’s also a rather enjoyable way to explore the region, not to mention environmentally friendly. And, in addition to reducing your envrionmental impact, you’ll also avoid the difficulty of navigating unfamiliar, winding roads as well as parking challenges and so on.

In this article, we demonstrate how it’s possible to get around the National Park without a car but, before reading on, you’ll need to think about where to base yourself. And, whilst we’re a little biased, of course, we think Kendal is a great option. Not only is there a bus and train station in the town, but there’s also the mainline station of Oxenholme the Lake District close by (3 miles away, and accessible via the Windermere branch line). What’s more, if you’re without a car, you’ll most likely want to have things like shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants within walking distance, and by basing yourself in a town, you get to tick all of these boxes.

Public transport options in the Lake District

Here we explore some of the most common forms of public transport in the Lakes – buses, trains and taxis.

Buses

The 555 Stagecoach bus runs through the heart of the Lake District, from Kendal to Keswick, stopping Staveley, Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and Thirlmere en route. It runs at least every hour (sometimes more frequently) from around 7am until around 7pm and can of course be used in conjunction with other services. The open-top 559 Stagecoach is another fun way to see the Lakes; it operates primarily between Bowness and Grasmere, but the earliest trains on the service also begin from Kendal, and the latest ones terminate in Kendal, extending the route that little bit further.

In addition to these services, there are shuttle buses in places like Wasdale and Buttermere, as well buses in Ullswater and out of the National Park towards Hadrian’s Wall.

What’s more, throughout 2024, a single bus fare on most routes in England outside of London will set you back a mere £2, as part of the government’s Help for Households campaign, so this can make getting around the Lake District by public transport very affordable indeed!

Trains

Running along the eastern side of the county is the West Coast mainline route from London to Scotland, with stops at Lancaster, Oxenholme the Lake District, Penrith and Carlsile. Note that not all trains stop at all these stations but from Lancaster, you can catch the Barrow line that takes you through Arnside, Grange-over-Sands and Ulverston in the south of the county, whilst services from Barrow wil take you up Cumbria’s west coast. From Oxenholme the Lake District, you can take the Windermere line, which passes through Kendal, Burneside and Staveley. And from Carlisle, you can traverse the northern side of the county until it, too, reaches the west coast at Maryport. With the exception of the service to Windermere, the trains don’t take you into the heart of the Lakes, but they will take you to other locations where you can join up with the bus network or take a taxi.

Taxis

Taxis are fairly easy to come by in the Lake District, but it is not like London where you can just hail a passing cab. You typically need to call and request one. Don’t make the mistake of assuming they are as plentiful as in the big cities, though, especially if you’re in a small village. It’s usually best to book your trips well in advance to avoid disappointment. You won’t always be able to just call and have one arrive within 10 minutes. Companies like Lakeside Taxis operating out of Kendal and Windermere have an app which you can download. This lets you see the cost of a journey you plan to make, as well as book it in advance.

Lake District boat services

Let’s not also forget that you can get around the Lake District by boat! There are services on four of the main Lake District lakes – Windermere, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Coniston Water.

Windermere

Windermere Lake Cruises is actually classed as the most popular attraction in Cumbria due to its visitor numbers. You can hop on or off at Bowness, Ambleside or Lakeside, enjoying cruises that last anything 45 minutes to 3 hours. There’s a variety of tickets to choose from, and these can be combined with attraction tickets also. Or you can opt for their Freedom of the Lake ticket which gives you unlimited boat travel for 24 hours on all their routes.

Windermere also has a fixed chain car ferry – on which foot passengers can travel, too – that runs from Ferry Nab just south of Bowness-on-Windermere to Far Sawrey on the western side of the lake where you can enjoy a lovely shoreline walk that takes in Claife Heights and Strawberry Gardens.

Derwentwater

Keswick Launch offers year-round scenic cruises on Derwentwater, towards the north of the Lake District National Park. It circles the lake, stopping at several jetties, allowing passengers to hop on and off to explore surrounding attractions such as the Lodore Falls or the tranquil village of Grange-in-Borrowdale. With panoramic views of the fells and wooded shorelines, it’s an immersive way to experience the beauty of the area. The company also offers rowing boats for hire.

Ullswater

Ullswater Steamers is a heritage boat service that has been cruising the waters of Ullswater for over 160 years. These traditional steamers, now modernised with quiet engines, glide along the lake’s crystal-clear waters between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s popular with walkers who can combine a cruise with hikes along the Ullswater Way.

Coniston Water

Coniston Launch offers an informative way to explore the serene beauty of Coniston Water, one of the less-crowded but equally stunning lakes in the Lake District. Both circular cruises and self-guided tour options are possible with stops key locations such as Brantwood, the historic home of John Ruskin, and Torver. These quiet electric boats allow visitors to peacefully glide across the water, taking in views of the Old Man of Coniston and the surrounding woodlands.

Also, on many of Cumbria’s lakes, you can of course learn to sail, or hire boats, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards.

Guided tours

Small guided tours can be another great way to explore the Lake District. You won’t have to worry about driving, or too much planning. You can just leave yourself in the capable hands of an organised operator. One of the most popular of these is Mountain Goat Tours, established in 1972, who are based out of Windermere and visit a number of locations across the north of England. Their Ten Lakes Spectacular, which can start from Kendal, is a full-day tour which takes in beautiful scenery, historic houses, food and drink, and some amazing viewpoints. Or you can book a private tour with them to ensure you see exactly the sites you want to see, on your terms.

Walking around the Lake District

Of course, don’t forget you can see an awful lot on foot! There are some lovely town-to-town hikes that take in some of the Lakeland fells, circular walks and plenty of short, accessible walks, too. Longer hikes such as Catbells, Helvellyn and Coniston Old Man can all be reached without a car.

Cycling around the Lake District

And there’s cycling too, of course. Whether you’re a road cyclist or a mountain biker, there’s lots to explore. Road cyclists may like to ride around some of the lakes or take on some of high mountain passes, whilst mountain bikers will enjoy the tracks and trails at Grizedale which cater for a variety of abilities. You can hire bikes there, too.

And for the really fit, there’s the Fred Whitton Challenge, a 112-mile charity sportive around the Lake District, which is held in honour of the late Fred Whitton who was a great advocate for cycling in Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the Lake District

So, there you have it… I hope this guide has shown that traveling around Cumbria and the Lake District without a car is not only feasible, but can in fact actually enhance your experience. By using public transport, taking scenic boat rides and walking along the Lake District’s many public footpaths, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and tranquillity of the area. This also allows you to take things slowly when you vsiit, appreciate the landscape, and experience the Lake District in a more authentic and sustainable way. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, it’s entirely possible to have a hassle-free, memorable trip to the Lakes without the need for a vehicle.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.