Lake District Map and Bus Routes
The Lake District is the perfect place for family fun, surrounded by breathtaking views! Whether it’s strolling along easy trails, enjoying a boat ride on the sparkling lakes, or cycling through peaceful countryside, there’s something for everyone. Kids will love visiting the Beatrix Potter Museum or saying hello to creatures at the Lakes Aquarium. Feeling adventurous? Try kayaking, climbing, or even zip-lining! And after a day full of excitement, you can relax with a picnic or a treat at one of the cozy tearooms. It’s all about making special memories together!
GETTING TO THE LAKE DISTRICT
Taking the train – trains from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh all stop at Oxenholme from which you can get local trains and buses to the Windemere station.
The train journey from London is approximately 3/4 hours. From Manchester and Edinburgh or Glasgow about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Most other regions of the UK require changes at main line stations.
Bus – National Express runs a service to Penrith from main line bus stations.
Car – this is probably the easiest way to get to the Lake District as there are several motorways from different areas of the UK which all take you to this area.
GETTING AROUND THE LAKE DISTRICT
By Bus – Stagecoach runs the bus network all through the Lake District and has extensive coverage through all the main towns.
There are 5 key routes within the area all of which accept pay as you go – all fares are capped at £3 (Jan 2025) or buy a day rover for as little as £10. You can even combine a bus and boat ticket and enjoy a boat ride on Coniston, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere. 
Stagecoach have a app where you can buy your tickets and check the timetable in all the major towns.
By Car – Driving around the Lake District is a fantastic way to soak in the stunning scenery and explore at your own pace. How long it takes depends on your route and how often you stop to take in the sights. A simple loop through popular towns like Windermere, Ambleside, Keswick, and Grasmere is around 60-80 miles. If you stick to driving, you could do it in 2.5 to 3.5 hours, but honestly, you’ll want to stop and explore—this is a place to enjoy, not rush!
If you’re planning a full day of exploration you can stretch the route to include Borrowdale, Buttermere, and Ullswater, with highlights like Honister Pass and Kirkstone Pass. This longer route is about 100-130 miles and takes 5-6 hours of pure driving.
Driving here is part of the fun, but do remember some roads are narrow, especially in the more remote areas, and summer can bring heavier traffic. It wouldn’t be the UK if the weather didn’t turn during the day, we all know we can have sun, wind, rain and fog within 24 hours. That’s the beauty of taking the car having an entire, suitable wardrobe in the boot.
Some popular driving routes are –
Keswick Loop via Buttermer and Borrowdale – 23 miles
Whitehaven to Silloth – 26.7 miles
Grasmere to Windermere via Ambleside – 8.8 miles
Windermere to Ullswater via Kirkstone Pass – 17.1 miles
Keswick to Grasmere – 12.3 miles