Cross Lakes Experience is a way of getting around the popular central Lakes using buses and boats. Find out more with our Cross Lakes Experience page.
This campaign is delivered by the sustainable tourism charity, Nurture Lakeland (opens in new window). It helps local guest accommodation businesses produce bespoke car free holiday mini-guides for their visitors. More information is available at: Fresh Air is Free (opens in new window).
This bus service operates from Keswick in both clockwise and anti clockwise directions taking in Portinscale, Catbells, Grange, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter Forest. This bus serves several spots where parking is a particular problem including the foot of Catbells. Since 2009 parking restrictions have been introduced at the foot of this very popular mountain. So many cars were parking here that they were blocking access for buses and emergency vehicles. The restrictions are vigorously enforced so the bus is now the best option for people wanting to climb Catbells.
This small scale “park and ride” scheme has certainly reduced pressure and parking problems at some popular visitor destinations, but it is not ideal. Parking is in the centre of Keswick which is already very busy and is also quite expensive for a whole day. The bus service is good but there can be a long wait if you miss one and there is no provision for people who are stranded if the last bus is full! We are working hard to solve these problems.
The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and helping those who live and work here. Our staff include rangers and field workers, advisers at our visitor centres, planners, ecologists and event organisers.
