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Travel by Bus and Explore on Foot with walks along the Lake District’s 555 Bus Route

If ever a bus route was made to leave you flabbergasted at the sheer number of choices to alight and enjoy a stunning stroll through spectacular landscapes – it is the Stagecoach 555 service between Kendal and Keswick. If you are travelling from North Lancashire this service conveniently starts in Lancaster and calls at Carnforth.

Arriving by train? Alight at Oxenholme the Lake District and change for the connecting Lakes Line service to Windermere. You also have the option of alighting at Kendal to explore this historic market town, before catching the 555 service from its centrally located bus station.
 

Morning

If you are travelling from Lancaster, be sure to stop at Levens Hall (there’s a bus stop directly outside) and enjoy a walk through the Deer Park, which in autumn is cloaked in colour. After your stroll visit Levens Kitchen in the grounds of the hall, which serves delicious homemade cakes and hot food. The Hall and its famous topiary gardens are open to visit until 6^th October.

Hop back on the 555 (the north bound stop is just over the bridge) and continue your journey north. Almost every stop between Kendal and Keswick offers the opportunity for a memorable walk. And where better to start than the village of Windermere.

Get off the bus at the Windermere Railway Station stop and you are just moments away from the walk to a viewpoint which first ignited the Lakeland passion of Alfred Wainwright – Orrest Head.

From the station bus stop you have to cross over the busy A591 to find the track up to Orrest Head which is marked by a sign.

It’s a steep but pleasant stroll which will take around half an hour to reach the summit. And for the effort put in – the views are simply stunning. It’s a little leg stretcher that gives you sweeping views over the waters of Windermere and the surrounding fells.

From there, you could head out on longer walks or simply head back down into Windermere on the same route and resume your journey on the 555. Other stunning walks await on the journey.
 

Lunch

Continue your journey towards Ambleside. If you are looking for a nice spot for lunch, brunch or just a drink while enjoying waterside views – you might step off the 555 at the Waterhead Inn stop. There are pubs, cafes, shops, even the chance to hire your own self-drive boat for a little jaunt on the water. Waterhead is a short, 15 minute walk from Ambleside’s centre; or a few stops on the 555 bus.

Ambleside is the bustling Lakeland town at the northern tip of Windermere. It also offers the opportunity to enjoy a walk to see the beautiful Stockghyll Force. From the village centre, walk to the former Barclays Bank building in Market Place. The road just before the bank bends behind the building to the left and uphill, signposted ‘To the Waterfalls’. Within 10 minutes you should reach the beautiful waterfalls called Stockghyll Force.

The path is well signposted to make the route a circular walk and can be extended to take up to 1.5 hours (depending on how many times you stop to take photographs!). Return to the village by retracing your steps and explore the wonderful array of historical buildings from Ambleside’s milling heritage.

From the centre of Ambleside, you can pick up the 555 to travel on to Keswick or return to Windermere and Kendal.
 

Top Tips

Appropriate clothing can make all the difference. It is important to be warm, comfortable and dry when out exploring so make sure you have the appropriate kit and plenty of layers.

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:

Visit our accommodation page for lots of information on places to stay and things to do.

Weather:

The weather in the Lake District can change quickly: clear morning skies can rapidly give way to rain, sleet or even snow so be prepared! Changes in weather can dramatically alter the difficulty of a route so please consider this before setting off.

Useful Walking Maps: OS Explorer OL 7