Visiting the Lake District by Train: What You Need to Know

Oxenholme Station: Gateway to the Eastern Lakes

Arrive at Oxenholme Lake District to start your experience of the Eastern Lakes in style. With frequent services arriving from places like Preston, Manchester, and Glasgow, you’ll enjoy a scenic journey by train into the Lake District. To get to Oxenholme, take Northern and Avanti West Coast services from Newcastle to Oxenholme in 2 hours 15 minutes.

Whitehaven Station: Coastal Town

In the West of the Lake District, you can access the national park from Whitehaven, a port town on the north-west coast. Hop on a train from Lancaster or Carlisle for easy access to the Western Fells. From Carlisle to Whitehaven takes around 2 hours 15 minutes on direct services with Northern.

Climb the Wainwrights

With some of the most dramatic scenery in England, the Lake District welcomes millions of visitors each year to climb its many peaks and mountains. To guide hopeful hikers, Alfred Wainwright’s ‘Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells’, first published between 1955 and 1966, offers detailed information on 214 fells across the region, from accessible strolls like Catbells to serious climbs like Scafell Pike and Hellvelyn.

Visit cultural attractions and museums

Since 2017, the Lake District has been designated a World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape. As well as the stunning scenery perfect for outdoor adventures, the national park has everything you need for rainy days and more laidback days out by train. Visit Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House, to learn about the beloved author’s history and creative inspirations. Or take a trip to Ravenglass Railway Museum, with its abundance of relics, models, and photographs that tell the story of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

With scenic bus routes, ferry crossings and open-top buses with audio commentary, travelling around the Lake District without a car enhances your national park experience. A comprehensive local bus network connects major hubs such as Keswick, Kendal, Windermere and Penrith, while tourists often opt for the 599 service, an open-top bus between Kendal and Grasmere with commentary about the local area.

Boat trips are, unsurprisingly, a popular choice in a region with so many incredible bodies of water! Taking the boat across lakes such as Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater, and Derwentwater, is an enjoyable method of transport, as well as getting you from A to B quicker than many car routes.

For campsites surrounded by majestic peaks, the Lake District has an immense array of unforgettable options. Get out in the open and never stop exploring the stunning landscape. From back-to-basics to well-managed, high-facility sites, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of options. 

If luxury is more your thing, the national park has an abundance of glamping experiences, characterful cottages, and luxurious lodges to suit every taste and budget. From family- and dog-friendly accommodation to cosy pods, perfect for romantic getaways, the Lake District has what you’re looking for! Why not try Ambleside Manor, a grand Victorian building in one of the Lake District’s most popular locations?

When is the best time of year to visit the Lake District?

Every season has its charms, but there’s something special about Summer in the Lake District! Long days, wonderful weather… and the perfect time to get outside and explore with the whole family. Many attractions are open throughout the year, but some open only in the peak months, so you won’t miss a thing! 

What to pack on your car-free trip

Visiting the Lake District by train is a simple and effective way to get back to nature and spend lots of time in a beautiful national park. Pack wisely for your trip, with comfortable shoes and waterproofs both essential items! While exploring the national park, you’ll likely want a water bottle, and if you plan to stop for a takeaway coffee at one of the Lake District’s many cafes, remember your travel mug too..

Respect your national park surroundings

There are easy ways to protect nature and wildlife in the Lake District. For example, it is best to stick to pre-marked paths and take your litter away with you, to follow the principles of Leave No Trace.

Find out more at Visitor Centres

You can find visitor centres around the Lake District, especially in popular tourist hubs like Keswick, Windermere, Coniston, Ambleside, Ullswater, Cockermouth, and Penrith. Head into any local information point for helpful advice on your trip, including tips for activities and ideas to make the most of your experience.

Buy Cheap Train Tickets

Buy cheap tickets from TrainPal when you book your trip to the Lake District in advance. Look out for Off-Peak fares to save more on your journey, and add a Railcard to reduce your fare by a third: choose from 16–25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together, and Family & Friends Railcard, depending on your eligibility. Whatever you plan to do on your trip, make it cheaper with affordable train tickets from TrainPal.

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