Help us look after this spectacular landscape by leaving the car at home and choosing alternative ways to explore the national park. We are encouraging people to walk, cycle, travel by boat, rail or bus when exploring the Lake District.
From sitting back watching the landscape go by on a train to connecting with the National Park by boat, let the journey be part of your adventure!
The Lake District is in the North-West of England, with Manchester to the South and Carlise to the North.
Make the journey part of your adventure! Arriving by boat, bus or bike helps reduce traffic and parking pressures and means you can enjoy more views and some stress-free, sustainable travel.
Catch the free shuttle bus from Cockermouth to the beautiful Buttermere valley. Spring bluebell timetable 7 May - 5 June. Summer timetable starts 23 July.
Park at Keswick Rugby Club and get 15% off travel on Keswick Launch for access to Cat Bells, Derwentwater lakeshore and the fells beyond. Direct shuttle service to Hawes End for Catbells as well as the regular stops around the lake. Available all summer.
Shuttle bus from Keswick to the foot of Catbells, runs throughout summer holidays.
The Wasdale shuttle bus is back for summer 2022 after a great trial last year. Regular buses from Netherwasdale and connecting with trains from Ravenglass to take you into the dramatic Wasdale valley and Wastwater.
Take a group of upto 5 on the Ullswater bus all day, from Penrith through to Glenriding, for just £17.
Take a group of upto 5 on the 78 Borrowdale open top bus and on the 77 Honister Rambler route, for just £17.
For just £18 park in one of five car parks in the Central Lakes area and take any bus in the Central Lakes Dayrider zone with Park and Explore.
Ride the bus all day, and enjoy a cruise on either Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston Derwent or Derwent water with combined bus and boat tickets.
We've got electric and mountain bikes to hire at two locations in the Lake District; Hawkshead and Coniston Boating Centre. With suggested quiet and off-road routes including to the Western shore of Windermere, along Elterwater and even into the stunning Langdale valley, cycling is the perfect way to see the Lake District with no parking problems!
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
Search and book trains across the UK and Europe at Omio
National Express run coaches to various towns in the Lake District from all over the UK.
Plan your journey at Stagecoachbus.com
Or download the Lakes by Bus pdf guide, with maps, timetables and details of bus and boat trips and open-top bus tours, it has everything you need to explore the Lake District.
There are many companies offering you the chance to sit back and watch the scenery, with half day, full day and bespoke tours around the lakes and fells. Take a look at our Minibus tours and bus explorer tickets page.
Taking a cruise is a great way to experience the beautiful Lake District views. Combining a one-way cruise with a bus, walk or cycle can be a great way to travel around a lake in a day.
These lakes have passenger boats with multiple stops:
Windermere Lake Cruises - stops at Lakeside, Ferry House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere Jetty, Bark Barn Pier, Wray Castle, Brockhole on Windermere and Ambleside.
Windermere lake guide shows piers, jetties and towns around the lake
Ullswater Steamers - stops at Glenridding, Aira Force, Howtown and Pooley Bridge.
Ullswater lake guide shows all piers, jetties and boat routes
National Trust Gondoloa - stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Brantwood and Lake Bank Jetty.
Coniston Launch - stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Waterhead, Brantwood, Sunny Bank, Lake Bank Jetty.
Coniston Water lake guide shows all piers, jetties and boat routes
Keswick Launch - stops at Keswick, Ashness Gate, Lodore, High Brandelhow, Low Brandelhow, Hawes End, Lingholm and Nichol End.
Park and Sail - park at Keswick Rugby Club for just £4 a day and get 15% off Keswick Launch tickets. The best way to reach the West side of the lake and Cat Bells, where there is very limited parking.
Derwentwater lake guide shows all piers and jetties
Our cycling in the Lake District page has details on taking bikes on buses and boats, as well as places to hire mountain and electrict bikes with route ideas for half and full day rides.
Cycling in the Lake District
Walking is a wonderful way to explore the Lake District landscape.
Try our Miles without Stiles routes, a collection of easy access routes suitable for all.
Book a guided walk, let our volunteers introduce you to new routes on gentle paths.
Walking in the Lake DistrictThe M6 runs to the east of the Lake District National Park:
Check out our sat nav codes for places in the Lake District but beware of following the sat nav at all costs on small country roads
See car parks across the Lake District
Things to know before you go, tips to plan a great trip and help us look after the landscape you love.
We've cosy holiday cottages, quirky boutique hotels, friendly bed and breakfasts and luxury hotels.
Our commission helps keep the National Park special: Browse and book Lake District accommodation online
