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Millions of people visit the Windermere area each year. The A591 is one of the main routes into the Lake District, and there are car parks close to the lake shore. Or ditch the car in favour of the bus, train, cycle, boat or just your own two feet!
Buses stop at Windermere train station, Troutbeck, Waterhead, Ambleside, Lakeside and Newby Bridge. Frequent buses are:
Windermere train station is the end of the branch line and has direct trains which run as far south as Manchester Airport. You can transfer at Oxenholme The Lake District (near Kendal) on the main West Coast line to the Windermere branch line. Oxenholme to Windermere takes approximately half an hour.
The train station is about a mile and half from the lake, which takes about half an hour to walk. Or you can catch the #599 bus.
Try out pedal power for a whole new perspective of Windermere! Hire bikes from:
There is now a network of traffic free paths in the Windermere area including the Windermere West Shore trail between Ferry House and Wray Castle.
A car ferry links Ferry Nab on the eastern shore of Windermere with Ferry House, Far Sawrey on the west. It's a handy shortcut for Hawkshead, Grizedale forest and Kendal.
It is a drive-on, drive-off service where car passengers stay in their cars and an attendant comes round to collect the fare once the ferry is moving.
There are 18 spaces and it is a popular service so do expect queues during busy periods, especially in the summer.
For more details, download Cumbria County Council's leaflet The Other Shore: The Windermere Ferry - check out Cumbria County Council website.
Take to the water to truly experience Windermere. The many different options and tickets allow you to hop off, walk back or just sit back and watch the mountains, woodlands and islands unfold before you. To plan your own voyage of discovery, take a look at Windermere Lake Cruises.
If possible, please try to leave the car at home and use public transport to help keep the Lake District special.
If you're heading off into the rest of the National Park, keep an eye on the fuel gauge. In some of the more remote areas, filling stations are few and far between.
This page is brought to you by the staff of Bowness Bay Information Centre.
We can help you with booking accommodation, tickets or attractions. See us on the south side of Bowness Bay, home to Bowness Information Centre.
