We're really pleased to be able to tell you about these new initiatives for helping people get around the Lake District without so much reliance on their own car:

Park and explore by bus

Park and explore the Central Lakes by bus for just £18 for up to five people. Enjoy the freedom to explore the Lake District by bus with inclusive bus and parking tickets.

All day parking and unlimited bus travel within the Central Lakes zone for up to five people travelling together for only £18.

Simply pay at the ticket machine on the day of travel, (card payments accepted) and pick up two tickets, one for your car and another to show the bus driver. Then leave your car behind and explore the Lakes by bus.

Park and explore in one of the following car parks:
• Braithwaite Fold (Bowness) Sat Nav LA23 3HB
• Waterhead (Ambleside Pier) Sat Nav LA22 0ES
• Low Fold (Ambleside) Sat Nav LA22 0DN
• Stock Lane (Grasmere) Sat Nav LA22 9SJ
• Broadgate Meadows (Grasmere) Sat Nav LA22 9TA
• Hawkshead (village) Sat Nav LA22 0NT
• Coniston (village) Sat Nav LA21 8EH

Find out more on the Stagecoach website.

For bus timetables across Cumbria see the Cumbria County Council website

Summer shuttle buses and offers 2022

Here is a brief summary of sustainable travel funded by the Tactical Visitor Management Group this year:

Buttermere shuttle

Spring Bluebell service, free bus from Cockermouth to Buttermere weekends and bank holidays until 6^th June, operated by Hoban’s Travel

For full details see www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/buttermereshuttle

There will also be a summer shuttle through the summer holidays. Timetable and costs to be confirmed but will be added to the website as soon as they are available.

Wasdale Shuttle

Starts 28^th May and runs from Ravenglass and Gosforth on its first and last two journeys to link with trains on the Cumbrian Coast Railway. Operated by Sim’s Travel. Free of charge Timetable and dates operated can be found here: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/wasdaleshuttle

We’ll be preparing more information on walking and cycling in Wasdale to back this up.

Cat Bells Shuttle

This service is to be run by Stagecoach to add extra journeys between Keswick and Cat Bells to the 77 timetable at peak times. It will run from daily from 23 July to 4 Sept at normal fares of £2.30 adult single, £4.00 return. www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/catbellsshuttle

Special offers on group tickets

Following a successful trial last year we are working with Stagecoach to offer reduced group fares in the Ullswater and Borrowdale valleys on the existing frequent bus services. This offers a substantial discount for all day travel on all Stagecoach services in the area for up to 5 people taking it down from £24 to £17 throughout July and August. We’ll do a special offers page on our website which this can link to. The Lake District National Park Authority is working with bus companies to offer special offers which will be released through the summer, watch their, and our, social media accounts for more details!

The Lake District National Park Authority transport page 

A new Park and Sail Service on Derwentwater - To Cat Bells and Squirrel Nutkin

We’re delighted that the Park and Sail venture between Keswick Launch Company and Keswick Rugby Club launched last summer returns for summer 2022.

The service will help reduce the need to drive to get to the west side of Derwent Water, where severe parking issues near popular walk Cat Bells have prompted controversial plans for a new car park.

People parking at the Rugby Club’s car park will get a discount voucher for the launch so that they can start a day out with a relaxing boat trip on the lake, making the journey part of their Lake District experience. We need more of these kind of alternatives, instead of measures encouraging even greater reliance on cars. We wish the service every success!

Find out more on the Visit Keswick website.

Electric bike Charging 'stations' in Cumbria

A recent collaboration between the Bicycle Mayor of Cumbria and Climate Emergency West Cumbria groups has resulted in an expanded list of venues that offer a top up battery charge for your e-bike whilst you are out and about in Cumbria. Wherever you choose to explore with your electric bike we thought it might be useful to know where there are charging points available around the county, and there's a handy map view too.

See bike charging points on the VisitCumbria website.