Getting about in Keswick and surrounding areas
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 Taxis
Contact Davies Taxis on 017687 72676 for all your transport needs around Keswick
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.
Penrith-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 operates from Easter to October in both clockwise and anti clockwise directions taking in Portinscale, Catbells, Grange, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter Forest. Travel through one of the steepest passes in the region.
View the 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.
Lakes Hopper - Service 555
You can now get a Lakes Hopper Open Topper* bus directly from Carlisle to the heart of the Lake District.
The 554R has 2 connections in the morning and late afternoon to take you from Carlisle to Keswick and return. You will then be able to stay on the Open Topper as the 555R right through to Bowness Pier, or hop off in Keswick, Grasmere or Ambleside and hop back on when you have explored all the sights - it's easy with a Double Hopper ticket!
The 554R/555R runs on Saturday, Sunday & School Holidays
On School Days and College Days the 555R will run, in between school times, from Keswick Bus Station all the way through to Kendal Bus Station and all stops in between.
View the timetable operated by Reays.
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?
