Travel to the Lake District
Located on the North West Coast of England, the Lake District is accessible by a variety of transport methods including:
Rail
With a comprehensive rail network, the west coast line of the UK rail service serves the eastern edge of the Lake District, stopping at Kendal, Penrith and Carlisle, with easy connections to major UK cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. UK train services face little disruption generally, running on time – but is worthwhile checking before you travel. Booking tickets in advance is often cheaper, and will guarantee you a seat on trains which can sometimes get full during peak hours.
For all the help you need to plan your train journey to the Lake District try www.thetrainline.com Or call national rail enquiries on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50.
Typical journey times by rail from:
• Manchester – less than 1 and 1/2 hours
• Birmingham – less than 2 and 1/2 hours
• London – less than 4 hours
• Newcastle – less than 3 hours
• Edinburgh – less than 4 hours
Road
There are plenty of motorways and major A roads to take you by car to the Lake District, with many offering stunning views along the way. Be wary of smaller roads in storms and during snowfall as some are liable to be shut depending on their size.
For detailed journey planners and regular travel updates, try motoring organisations like The RAC www.rac.co.uk or The AA www.theaa.com
Typical journey times by car to the Lakes from:
• Manchester – approx 1 and ½ hours
• Birmingham – approx 2 and ½ hours
• London – approx 5 hours
• Newcastle – approx 2 and ½ hours
• Edinburgh – approx 4 and ½ hours
Air
The main connecting airport to the Lake District is Manchester, from which you can travel by road or rail to the Lake District with ease. But Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool, Humberside and Teeside Airports will allow you to pick up a connection to the Lake District with ease.
Coach
Coach services are slower than other methods of transport, but often provide an easy “door to door” service that allows to you reach areas of the Lake District quickly and conveniently.
For more information on Lake District coach services, www.nationalexpress.co.uk will provide information and booking options, or alternatively, phone +44(0)8705 0 80 80.
Typical coach times from :
• Manchester – approx 3 and 1/2 hours
• Birmingham – approx 4 and 1/2 hours
• London – approx 7 and ½ hours
• Newcastle – approx 4 hours
• Edinburgh – approx 6 hours
Sea
For Northern Cumbria and the Lake District, there are ferry links from Belfast and the Isle of Man to Lancaster; from Belfast and Dublin to Liverpool; and from Northern Europe to Newcastle and Hull. From there, public transport links and road networks can take you into the heart of the Lake District.
More information regarding UK ports and their destinations can be found at Ferry Crossings
And during your stay…
Whether you rent a car to explore the wider reaches of the Lake District, take advantage of the local transport links or sample the delights on foot or by bike along one of the numerous walks and footpaths, there are plenty of ways to get around the Lake District and take in the stunning scenery. Please check local sites and guides for bus timetables and walks of your particular area of stay.
