The Lake District attracts over 15 million visitors each year. Most tourists travel by car, and the small, winding roads of the National Park can often be heaving with traffic. There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy a trip to the Lake District without a car – read on to find out how.
Do you need a car to get around the Lake District?
The short answer is no! The Lake District has plenty of great bus and train connections that will whisk you to almost all the main locations.
You can easily get around the Lake District by public transport, whilst the endless network of hiking trails ensures every inch of the National Park is accessible on foot.
How to get to the Lake District without a car
Getting to the Lake District without a car is straightforward. Most people visiting the Lake District car-free will arrive by train or bus.
There are connections to the Lake District from all major cities in mainland Britain. Travelling by public transport is one of the best ways to visit Britain sustainably.
Can you get to the Lake District by train?
You can absolutely reach the Lake District by train. There are several stations which act as gateways to the Lakes:
- Windermere train station is the closest station to the ‘heart’ of the Lake District and is just a short walk from the shores of Windermere itself. There are direct trains to Windermere from Manchester and Lancaster via Kendal.
- Oxenholme train Station is perfectly placed on the West Coast Main Line and will connect you with services to Windermere and the North Lakes.
- Penrith train station is located towards the north of Cumbria. It is an excellent location for reaching Ullswater or Keswick.
We recommend these three stations for most people travelling to the Lake District by train. However, for those looking to reach the West Lakes, there are many stations along the Cumbrian Coast Line that connects Barrow-in-Furness with Carlisle.
Travelling from London to the Lake District without a car
The best way to get from London to the Lake District without a car is by train. The most popular route from London to the Lake District is London Euston to Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line.
From Oxenholme, you can take the train or bus to Kendal, Windermere and beyond.
Travelling from Manchester to the Lake District without a car
Manchester is surprisingly close to the Lake District. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to travel from Manchester to Oxenholme. There is also a direct train from Manchester to Windermere, which takes roughly 2 hours.
Can you get to the Lake District by bus?
It is possible to get to the Lake District by bus, especially if you live nearby. For anyone based in the North West, the 555 bus travels from Lancaster to Keswick via Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere.
If you are travelling from elsewhere in the country, we recommend booking a National Express coach from your nearest city. National Express coaches travel to Lancaster, Penrith and Carlisle. From here, you can easily connect with local bus services in the Lake District.
Walk or Cycle to the Lake District
The Lake District is famous for outdoor pursuits. Walking, hiking and cycling are some of the most popular things to do whilst visiting the national park. For those with time and energy, it is possible to get to the Lake District on foot or by bike.
If you are a hiker, several long-distance trails start and finish in the Lake District. For example, Alfred Wainwright’s classic Coast to Coast walk cuts right through the heart of Lakeland, whilst the Dales Way reaches the shores of Windermere.
How to travel around the Lake District without a car
Once you have reached the National Park, it is easy to travel around the Lake District without a car. There are five main ways to travel car-free around the Lake District:
- Bus
- Train
- Boat
- Cycling
- Hiking
Travel around the Lake District by bus
Bus travel is the easiest way to explore the Lake District without a car. There are a number of bus companies running regular routes across the Lakes:
- Stagecoach offers the most comprehensive bus route around the Lake District. The 555 and 599 are our favourites, cutting northwards from Windermere to Keswick. In particular, the 599 is an open-top service perfect for a summer’s day.
- Mountain Goat provides a seasonal route – the 525 – from Windermere to Hawkshead, allowing travellers to combine a trip on the lake with a journey into the heart of the national park.
- The National Park authorities offer several free shuttlebuses in some of the Lake District’s most popular and remote areas. For example, the free shuttle service from Wasdale to Wasdale Head is perfect for hikers looking to tackle Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain.
Travel around the Lake District by train
Although the train network in the Lake District is significantly smaller than the bus network, it is still possible to reach certain areas by train:
- The most convenient train station for the majority of travellers is Windermere. The route calls at Kendal and the village of Staveley before arriving at Windermere. There are no trains further into the heart of the Lakes from here, but Windermere offers a vast range of tourist infrastructure and activities. You will also be able to connect with bus services such as the 555 to Keswick.
- The Furness Railway and the Cumbrian Coast Line take you up the west coast of Cumbria. From Lancaster, you can easily reach classic resort towns like Grange-over-Sands, or explore the dunes near Ravenglass. Cumbria’s coast is little explored and can offer magnificent views across to the peaks and fells of the West Lakes.
- There are a small number of heritage railways that transport visitors through short sections of the Lake District. Our favourite is the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway. This narrow gauge railway connects with the main station at Ravenglass and transports visitors as far as Dalegarth. There is excellent walking from Dalegarth, and a trip on the railway can make for an excellent car-free day out in the Lake District.
Travel around the Lake District by boat
Of course, no trip to the Lake District would be complete without getting out on the water. As well as the myriad of boat hire points, where you can rent everything from a small electric boat to a kayak or canoe, there are several ferry services for visitors to use:
- Windermere Lake Cruises offer a network of ferry routes connecting different points on Windermere. You can choose from many ticket options, including unlimited boat travel for 24 hours via the Freedom of the Lake ticket.
- The Ullswater Steamers transport visitors the length of Ullswater. This service allows hikers and paddleboarders to leave their cars behind, hop on a steamer to one end of the lake, and make their way back via footpaths or the water.
- Coniston Launch provides a service for visitors to Coniston, hopping between different jetties under the dramatic shadow of the Old Man of Coniston.
Cycle around the Lake District
The Lake District is a paradise for cyclists. Winding roads through moody woodland, dramatic mountain passes, sweeping vistas – you name it, the Lake District offers it.
The National Park actively encourages visitors to explore by bicycle. There are several bike hire locations, where you can rent a mountain or electric bike for a half day or full day.
If you are lucky to have longer to enjoy the Lake District by bike, several long-distance cycle routes offer visitors a fantastic multi-day experience.
Hike around the Lake District
Last but not least, the Lake District is one of the best places in Britain to hike. There are numerous routes to choose from, whether you are looking for a short lakeside stroll or an epic day out in the mountains.
You can enjoy many of the Lake District’s best hikes without needing a car. For example, you can access the trail up Helvellyn straight from a stop on the 555 from Windermere to Keswick.
We think the best way to enjoy a car-free visit to the Lake District is to combine the options. Take a train to Windermere, hop on a bus, and then head off into the hills on a hike.
Best places to stay in the Lake District without a car
If you are staying overnight in the Lake District without a car, there are a number of places that we recommend. These have been chosen for their proximity to the main public transport routes and some of the best hiking and attractions in the National Park.
- Windermere: An icon of the Lake District, with an endless supply of activities to enjoy – particularly out on the water. Easily accessible by train or bus, with a whole heap of accommodation and restaurants.
- Ambleside: At the northern tip of Windermere is Ambleside. Busy in the summer, this little village punches above its weight when it comes to hikes and public transport connections. The 555 and 599 buses are particularly useful.
- Grasmere: Home of the famous Grasmere gingerbread and the resting place of William Wordsworth, Grasmere is perhaps the best village in the Lake District for visitors looking to combine the outdoors with the culture and romance of the Lakes. Like Ambleside, it is well-connected on the 555 and 599 bus routes.
- Keswick: In the shadow of gigantic Skiddaw is the small town of Keswick. Perfect for exploring the North Lakes, Keswick can be accessed by bus from the South or East – particularly useful for visitors arriving by train to Penrith. It is also home to some of the most sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District.
- Grange-over-Sands: Whilst this coastal village lies outside the heart of Lakeland, Grange-over-Sands is supremely straightforward to get to. There are bus connections to Kendal and beyond, whilst the train station has regular services to Lancaster. Grange-over-Sands enjoys spectacular views across the vast waters of Morecambe Bay, and has plenty to offer visitors by way of accommodation and eateries.
We hope you have enjoyed this guide to exploring the Lake District without a car. We would love to hear of any other places in the Lakes which we should include in this list.