Let's Go Car-free - Discover a World of Culture

Stagecoach bus on the lakes road at Thirlmere. Photo: Stagecoach.

Bus routes really do not get much more scenic than the Stagecoach 555 service through the heart of the Lake District.

From south to north along the route from Lancaster to Keswick you’ll enjoy the splendour of lakes and mountains, with the added bonus of knowing that centuries of Lakeland heritage are within easy reach.

Travelling by Train

Take the Avanti West Coast, Northern or TransPennine Express to Lancaster Station, and walk town through the town to the Bus Station to pick up the 555 service. If you do not want to take in Levens hall you can travel through to Oxenholme the Lake District and change for the connecting Northern operated Lakes Line service to Windermere. Connect with the 555 from Windermere train station.

Morning

Levens Hall & Gardens
With all the glorious scenery to come as you head north, heritage enthusiasts shouldn’t neglect the southern end of this route.

If you join the 555 at Lancaster or Carnforth, be sure to stop off at Levens Hall. Located five miles south of Kendal, it is a spectacular Elizabethan house, surrounded by jaw-dropping horticulture. It’s also home to the world’s oldest topiary gardens: this surreal and unique collection of shaped trees
dates back to the 17th Century. There’s also the intriguing history of the hall itself to discover - it was once gambled away in a game of cards! The 555 northbound service stops a 5-minute walk from the hall, and the southbound service is directly opposite. The hall and gardens are open for visits until 6th October.

Brunch/Lunch

Before resuming your journey, it’s time for lunch – and where better for refreshment than the hall’s Levens Kitchen (open all year). It was declared Best Newcomer in Cumbria Live’s Food and Drink Awards in 2020.

Late morning/ Early afternoon 

It’s time to resume your journey and experience the scenic glory of the heart of the Lake District, with so much for heritage enthusiasts to discover on the 555 route.

Just a couple of stops along the 555 route towards Kendal, you will find yourself in striking distance of yet another historic jewel: Sizergh Castle.

Sizergh Castle

This beautiful medieval house with extensive gardens is home to one of the finest examples of Elizabethan artistry in the Inlaid Chamber with its intricate panelling. The chamber was a sign of the political aspirations and wealth of its original Tudor owners. Sizergh Castle is a 20-minute walk from the Brettagh Holt stop.

However, stay on the bus a short while longer and you will soon be in the Lake District. Getting anywhere on this route really is part of the joy, with the journey a huge part of the experience.

You will head through the bustling market town of Kendal before moving on to Windermere where you can catch regular connections down to Bowness and the waterfront. Then it’s on through Ambleside, Rydal and into Grasmere.

Wordsworth Grasmere

Here, leave the bus at the Daffodil Hotel stop for Wordsworth Grasmere, which includes Dove Cottage – the humble home William Wordsworth and his family lived in from 1799-1808.

Its gardens and the museum dedicated to his life and poetry have had a multi-million-pound investment to make them Cumbria’s newest “must-see” attraction. Tour the cottage, immerse yourself in the museum and wander through the garden-orchard that Wordsworth called “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.

If you fancy even more history and heritage, you could also head to the National Trust’s Allan Bank. It’s a short 10-minute walk up the hill from the centre of the village. It was also briefly home to Wordsworth and his family; and to the founder of the National Trust, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley.

National Trust - Allan Bank

Hop back on the bus and head over Dunmail Raise, along the wooded slopes of Thirlmere, and on to a truly wonderous and scenic end of your journey. the fells that stunningly frame Derwent Water, and mark your arrival in the bustling Lakeland town of Keswick.

You can spend a full day exploring Keswick and the surrounding area. The Derwent Pencil Museum explains more about the area’s graphite mining industry, and the development of pencils across the years. Don’t miss a visit to the museum shop: a must for artists of all ages. With the beautiful Theatre by the Lake in town, there is much for culture lovers to enjoy.

Take a Round Trip

See even more of the Lake District’s stunning scenery by taking the X4/X5 bus to Penrith Railway Station, where you can connect with Avanti West Coast Services.

Top Tips

• Public Transport - Travel by Avanti West Coast, Northern or TransPennine Express to Oxenholme the Lake District and change for the Lakes Line to Windermere. At Windermere Train Station catch the Stagecoach 555 service.
• Travelling with Dogs on Public Transport - When travelling by train, dogs are generally allowed on board. However, we recommend checking ahead for guidance on how to travel with your dog. Dogs are allowed to travel on Stagecoach buses at the discretion of the driver. Please be aware that the driver will consider things like if there is already another pet on the bus when making their decision. Assistance and guide dogs can travel at all times.
• Accommodation and tourist information:Go to www.visitlakedistrict.com for lots of information on places to stay and things to do.
• Useful Walking Maps: OS Explorer OL 7