Getting about in Keswick and surrounding areas
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The popularity of the North Lakes inevitably puts pressure on all our scenic roads and car parks especially in the peak holiday periods. Even if you have arrived by car you will find there are many alternative forms of transport to use during your stay.
By Bus
With a timetable and a little planning you can reach very many places by bus. As walkers you can use the bus to complete a linear walk without the necessity of having to return to where you left the car. You can step on a bus to explore the beauty of Borrowdale or cross the Honister Pass for the breath-taking views of Buttermere and Crummock Water, returning to Keswick through the gentle Vale of Lorton and over the Whinlatter Pass with its Visitor Centre and Osprey CCTV screens. The Osprey outdoor viewpoint above Mirehouse is only a few minutes bus ride from Keswick.
Alternatively you can follow beneath the Helvellyn chain to Grasmere, then to Ambleside, Windermere and beyond to Kendal. Often this ride will be by double decker - the scenery is better from the top deck than from the back seat of the car. The market town of Cockermouth and the fell village of Caldbeck are also accessible by bus.
Penrith to Workington - Service X4 X5
This service runs from Penrith bus station via Penrith railway station to Keswick and then continues to Cockermouth and Workington. It also services the villages of Threlkeld, Thornthwaite, Bassenthwaite and Embleton.
View Penrith to Workington Timetable »
Lakeslink - Service 554, 555, 556
This service runs from Lancaster to Carlisle via Kendal, Windermere railway station, Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick.
View Lakeslink Timetable »
The Honister Rambler - Service 77/77A
A seasonal bus service operatesfrom April to October in both clockwise and anti clockwise directions taking in Portinscale, Catbells, Grange, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter Forest. Download the map at the bottom right of this page.
View Honister Rambler Timetable
The Caldbeck Rambler - Service 73/73A
The Caldbeck Rambler is a seasonal (April - October) circular route from Keswick to Caldbeck. Service 73 runs via Applethwaite, Mirehouse and Dodd Wood, Bassenthwaite village, Uldale and Ireby to Caldbeck and returns to Keswick via Hesket Newmarket, Mungrisdale, Threlkeld and Castlerigg Stone Circle. Service 73A operates the same route in reverse.
View the Caldbeck Rambler
The Borrowdale Rambler - Service 78
This service runs from Keswick to Seatoller via Derwentwater Lakeshore, Lodore, Grange in Borrowdale and Rosthwaite.
View the Borrowdale Rambler Timetable
Keswick to Ullswater Connexion - Service 208
Daily service 3rd June - 9th September
Weekend Service only until 2nd June and from 10th September until 27th October.
View Ullswater Alba Travel timetable
NEW BIKE BUS - Windermere - Whinlatter via Keswick
A new bus service linking the north and south lakes for road and mountain bikers. The specially converted buses are able to carry up to 12 bikes and riders. The service will run at weekends and Bank Holidays until the summer holidays when a daily service will be introduced from 16 July to 31 August.
Over 60s Bus Pass
The pass is valid for free transport on buses in Keswick and the Lake District.
By Launch
Why not see the spectacular scenery around Derwentwater from one of the Keswick Launches. With seven stops around the lake it provides the excellent starting or finishing point to your walk.
View Keswick Launch Timetable »
By Bike
Your bicycle, or one hired locally, is an excellent way to explore the area. Several long distance cycle routes pass through the area, notably the C2C 71. Some stretches of these routes have alternatives so that you can, for example, ride out from Keswick through Threlkeld almost to Penrith and back along The Old Coach Road to St John's in the Vale and so back to Keswick For the family the old railway line route from Keswick to Threlkeld is an excellent choice.
Catbells by Bus, Boots or Boat
The beautiful Catbells, on the western shore of Derwentwater, has always been a magnet for walkers. But Catbells' popularity, boosted by recent TV coverage, is causing severe parking and congestion problems on the narrow winding approach road at the foot of the Fell. Emergency vehicles, the Honister Rambler bus, and vehicles with trailers are often finding it impossible to get through parked cars. Cumbria County Council is urging walkers to use BOAT, BUS or BOOTS to access the fell.
New restrictions in the form of double yellow lines will prevent parking on the C2057 Grange to Portinscale Road and on the lane to Skelgill.
Why not follow Julia Bradbury's example and use the Keswick Launch, or take the Honister Rambler Bus which runs between Easter and October/November. Or why not walk to Catbells on the beautiful footpath through Lingholm Estate from Portinscale or Keswick - and perhaps catch public transport back?
