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Top 10 ways to see the Lake District without a car


If you are planning to explore the Lake District without a car, there are plenty of other transport options to get you around the region. Whether you opt for a boat, a bus, a train or a combination of all three, you will find all the Lake District attractions within easy reach. Here are our top 10 ways to get around the Lake District without a car:

1.Travel by Ullswater Steamers
Travel by Ullswater Steamers
Ullswater was once known as the Dark Lake, and has been a major influence on the work of famous poets, including William Wordsworth, when he lived nearby. Ullswater is also home to a vast range of wildlife, including squirrels and red deer, which live in the local woodland and fells.Ullswater runs alongside Helvellyn, the third largest mountain in England, and the Ullswater Steamers allow visitors to combine a lake cruise with some of the most spectacular walks in the lakes.You can purchase a round the lake pass and receive a voucher to travel with Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway for half price during the 2010 season. Special concessions are also available for adults.For more information, see:www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk or contact enquiries@ullswater-steamers.co.uk.

2.The famous Windermere cruises

The Windermere cruises operate every day throughout the year, from Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside, except Christmas Day. The whole trip takes three hours, but passengers can hop on and off wherever they please. Local attractions include the World of Beatrix Potter at Bowness, the Ambleside Museum, and a host of small towns and villages dotted around the lake. Parking is available near the main jetties, and recommended parking is situated at Ambleside and Bowness.For more information, e-mail info@windermere-lakecruises.co.uk or check out www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

3.The Coniston Launch

The Coniston Launch allows visitors to take themselves back to the 1920s. This unique ferry runs a regular service to seven jetties where passengers can hop on and off. The solar-electric powered ferries offer an environmentally friendly way of being transported around the lake, and an informative crew will keep you informed throughout of local places of interest.The launch runs throughout the year, with restricted sailings, subject to weather in December and January.
For more information, contact: info@conferry.co.uk or check out www.conistonlaunch.co.uk.

4.The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

This unique steam railway runs a daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside during the season, which runs from 27th March to 31st October, 2010, Monday to Sunday, 10.40am to 4.15pm. Travelling through the Leven Valley, passengers can enjoy the rural splendour of the region, and also enjoy lunch or a snack at the station restaurant. You can also visit the engine sheds, the souvenir shop and picnic area, plus enjoy the steam and diesel train exhibitions.For more information contact: l.hr@btconnect.com or check out www.lakesiderailway.co.uk

5.The famous Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Every locomotive, including the River Ert, which is the oldest working 15 inch gauge engine in the world, travels around 6,000 miles per year. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway attract thousands of visitors every year, and cafés and gift shops are situated at each end of the line. If you are feeling energetic, you can hire a cycle or enjoy one of the walking trails at your destination.Opening times vary, according to the season, and all the facilities are open when the trains are running.For more information, check out the website: www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk or e-mail: steam@ravenglass-railway.co.uk.

6.The Fellsman steam journey

The Fellsman offers visitors a unique steam-hauled journey over the Settle to Carlisle railway, on board the Fellsman vintage train.Departing between July 28th and September 8th, 2010,operating on Wednesdays from Lancaster, Preston, Bamber Bridge, Blackburn, Clitheroe and Long Preston, and also offering visitors a full day travelling through the Yorkshire Dales, over the Ribblehead Viaduct, this is one of the most popular train journeys in the county. Visitors also have time to sightsee in  the towns of Appleby and Carlisle. It is possible to reserve seating for dinner.For more information or to book online with a discount, e-mail reservations@statesmanrail.com or visit  www.statesmanrail.com

7.The South Tynedale Railway journey

Buy a ticket in the Victorian station building and enjoy an incredible journey with scenic countryside in the South Tyne Valley. All trains are hauled by preserved stream and diesel engines, and the return journey takes you to Kirkhaugh in 45 minutes. If you want to explore Kirkhaugh, you can take a later train back. You will find refreshments and a gift shop at Alston Station. For more information, including times and prices, check out www.strps.org.uk or e-mail: strps@hotmail.com

8.Buses from Windermere

You can take buses from Windermere to almost anywhere in the Lake District. Services to and from Windermere include:

• Coniston Rambler 505 Windermere - Ambleside - Hawkshead - Coniston.
• Langdale Rambler 516 Windermere - Ambleside - Dungeon Ghyll.
• Kirkstone Rambler 517 Bowness - Windermere - Glenridding.
• Kentmere Rambler 519 Ambleside - Windermere - Staveley - Kentmere.
• LakesLink 555 Lancaster - Kendal - Windermere - Ambleside - Grasmere - Keswick - Carlisle.
• Open Top Experience 599 Kendal - Windermere - Ambleside - Grasmere.
• 618 Ambleside - Windermere - Ulverston - Barrow.
• X8/X9 Preston - Windermere - Ambleside - Grasmere - Keswick. (summer service only).

For more detailed information, check out: www.traveline.org.uk or enquiries@traveline.demon.co.uk

9.Keswick buses

Keswick is also a must see region if you are visiting the Lake District for the first time. This popular market town attracts visitors from all over the UK with a vast choice of attractions, and things to see and do.  Bus services to and from Keswick include:

• X4/X5 Workington - Cockermouth - Keswick - Penrith.
• Caldbeck Rambler 73/73A Carlisle/Keswick - Caldbeck - Keswick.
• Honiston Rambler 77/77A Keswick - Buttermere - Keswick.
• 78 Keswick - Seatoller.
• 74 Osprey Bus Whinlatter -Dodd Wood
• 86 Keswick - Portinscale - Keswick.
• Ullswater Connexion 208 Keswick - Patterdale.
• LakesLink 555 Lancaster - Kendal - Windermere - Ambleside - Grasmere - Keswick - Carlisle.
• 888 Newcastle - Alston - Keswick.
• X4 Penrith - Keswick - Workington.
• X5 Penrith - Keswick - Workington.
• X8 Preston - Windermere - Ambleside - Grasmere - Keswick.

For more information, access: www.traveline.org.uk

10.Cockermouth buses

If you plan to visit the birthplace of William Wordsworth, or explore the fascinating attractions in and around Cockermouth, local bus services to and from the town include:

35 Workington - Cockermouth - Slatefell.
36 Workington - Cockermouth - Keswick.
58 Cockermouth - Maryport.
217 Cockermouth - Cleator Moor.
219 Cockermouth - Cleator Moor.
263 Maryport - Workington - Cockermouth - Buttermere - Ennerdale.
600 Carlisle - Cockermouth.
949 Cockermouth - Lorton - Buttermere.
951 Cockermouth - Aspatria - Fletchertown.
X4 Penrith - Keswick - Workington.
X5 Penrith - Keswick - Workington.

Wherever you decide to explore in the Lake District, you can find most attractions within easy reach of a bus station, a train station or a boat jetty. You can even combine local transport with some of the Lake District´s most famous walking routes, and wherever you are staying in the lakes, you won´t be far from the action.

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