Lake District Itinerary by Public Transport (Bus 555) 🚌⛰️
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If you’d like to explore the Lake District but don’t want to drive or have to deal with parking, then taking the bus is an excellent option.
This 30-mile journey connects historic towns, lakeside villages, and stunning walking trails—all accessible without a car.
🚌 Don’t want to plan the trip or drive?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I highly recommend the Lake District Rabbie’s tour.
It’s a British tour company that I’ve used several times and I absolutely loved the tour of the Lake District with them.
The guides are fantastic and they even made a playlist with local music.
Lake District by Public Transport (Bus 555) Itinerary Summary
Recommended Time: ⌛ 2 to 4 days
Bus Fare: 🚍 £3 per single journey
🗓️ Stop 1: Kendal
- Try the famous Kendal Mint Cake 🍬
- Walk along the River Kent and visit Kendal Castle 🏰
- Sample local beers at craft breweries 🍻
🗓️ Stop 2: Windermere
- Hike up to Orrest Head for panoramic views 🥾
- Walk to Bowness-on-Windermere
- Visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction 🐰
- Take a cruise on Lake Windermere 🚤
🗓️ Stop 3: Ambleside
- Visit Stock Ghyll Force waterfall 🌿
- Browse local shops and stop at a café ☕
- See the quirky Bridge House, one of the smallest in Britain 🏠
🗓️ Stop 4: Grasmere
- Sample treats at the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop 🍪
- Visit Dove Cottage, home of William Wordsworth 📖
- Walk to Sour Milk Ghyll waterfall and explore Allan Bank (National Trust) 🌄
🗓️ Stop 5: Keswick
- Browse the outdoor market and visit the Derwent Pencil Museum ✏️
- Stroll around Derwentwater, with views from Crow Park and Hope Park 🌅
- Catch a show at the Theatre by the Lake 🎭
Total Distance: 🚗 Approx. 30 miles
Recommended Time: ⌛ 2 to 4 days
📸 Photos & Info are located further down. Keep scrolling to see all these places. ⬇️
This Bus 555 Lake District itinerary is perfect for travellers without a car who want to experience lakes, waterfalls, history, and local flavour—all at their own pace. 🧳🌿📸
Get the FREE Lake District Itinerary by Public Transport (Bus 555) Map!
Additional Information & Highlights
📍Kendal
📍Windermere
Located about 1/2 mile from the Lake, Windermere is an excellent starting point for walks.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Go up to Orrest Head (the views over Lake Windermere are breathtaking). The hike is 4.5km long and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete.
– Get a meal in one of the local pubs
📍Orrest Head
Orrest Head is one of the best easy hikes in the Lake District. It boasts spectacular views over Lake Windermere as well as pleasant parts through the woods.
🥾 Hike Details:
– Circular hike
– 4.5 km long
– 1 hour 20 minutes
– Starting point: Windermere Train Station
Details of the hike available here.
📍Bowness-on-Windermere
Located on the shores of Lake Windermere, it’s the largest town in the Lake District.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Cruise on Lake Windermere (tickets can be booked here)
– Visit St Martin’s Church (free)
– Visit The World of Beatrix Potter
– Shopping in the local shops
📍 The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
📍Ambleside
Situated at the northern end of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is a beautiful market town with historic landmarks and a waterfall.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Visit the Bridge House (National Trust)
– Walk to Stock Ghyll Force (1.6 km – 30 to 45 minutes)
– Visit the Stagshaw Garden (National Trust)
– Go on a cruise from Ambleside Pier
– Visit the Ambleside Roman Fort
📍Stock Ghyll Force
A beautiful waterfall in Ambleside
🥾 This is a short 1-mile walk which takes about 45 minutes From Ambleside town centre, head to Stock Ghyll Lane and follow the signs to the waterfall.
It’s a beautiful woodland walk.
📍Grasmere
An absolutely stunning village, once home to William Wordsworth, and where you can find the world famous The Grasmere Gingerbread.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Get gingerbread from the The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
– Go to Wordsworth Daffodil Garden
– Visit Dove Cottage and The Wordsworth Museum
– Go to St. Oswald’s Church
– Visit Allan Bank
🅿️ Parking: Stock Lane Car Park (pay and display) is very convenient but it can be very busy in summer or on a sunny day.
📍Keswick
A beautiful market town on the shores of Derwentwater.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Walk through Hope Park and on the shores of Derwentwater (make sure to go to Friars Crag)
– Go to the Theatre by the lake
– Visit the Derwent Pencil Museum
– Go kayaking on Derwentwater
– Visit Keswick Museum
– Go canyoning
🅿️ Parking: Lakeside Car Park and Bell Close Car Park are good options.
