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Go Car Free and Explore the North Lakes by Bus and Train
Hop on the train or bus and head for Penrith. It is around a three-hour train ride from London and just over an hour from Glasgow on a direct Avanti West Coast service; or just over one and a half hours from Edinburgh with TransPennine Express.
Penrith is the perfect place from which to explore the North Lakes. If you are staying over, many places will keep your bags for you ahead of check in.
Morning
Upon arrival at Penrith Railway Station, step on the X4 Stagecoach service and enjoy a stunning journey through the Lakeland fells to Keswick. If you arrive early in Penrith, why not explore the ruins of the town’s 14th century castle, which are located in a public park close to the railway station.
The bustling market town of Keswick is located between Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite. You may be surprised to learn that Bassenthwaite is the only true ‘lake’ in the Lake District! It lies between Keswick and Cockermouth, and is the only body of water to claim this prestigious title.
Leave the bus at Keswick, where you could easily spend the day exploring the local shops and cafes; and discovering museums and attractions like the Derwent Pencil Museum and The Puzzling Place – an attraction filled with optical illusions. Keswick is also a great place to enjoy an easy stroll: follow Lake Road down to the peaceful shores of Derwentwater and take in the majestic views across the water to Cat Bells. Theatre by the Lake is nearby and offers the opportunity to pause for coffee or catch a matinee, before taking a Lake Cruise on Derwentwater.
Lunch
Follow Lake Road back into town where you’ll find numerous places to eat lunch. There is everything on offer from fish & chips to relaxing lunches in 4-star hotels.
Afternoon
September through to the end of October is the perfect time to see the Lake District clothed in the spectacular colours of autumn. From Keswick bus station, catch the X5 service through to Cockermouth and enjoy the wonderful reflections of the heather covered mountains in Bassenthwaite’s tranquil waters.
Cockermouth is the gateway town to the Western Lake District and plays host to a number of special events, like Taste Cumbria food festivals in September and December. It’s also home to Wordsworth House and Garden: run by the National Trust, it’s where the poet William Wordsworth spent his childhood. Today it’s open to visitors, who can explore the house and idyllic gardens.
Top Tips
Public Transport
Travel by Avanti West Coast or TransPennine Express to Penrith (North Lakes) and catch the Stagecoach X4/X5 service to Keswick.
Travelling with Dogs on Public Transport
When travelling with Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express, you can take up to two domestic pets for no extra charge. Please check the guidance on their websites.
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.
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Itinerary Items
Product Information
Penrith
Penrith is a bustling market town of sandstone buildings, renowned for its wealth of specialist shops offering an interesting choice of goods.
Penrith Castle
Penrith
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the Nevilles and Richard lll. Set in a municipal park opposite the railway station.
Derwentwater
Derwent Water is a local beauty spot that is frequented by walkers who hike around the eastern shore of this quiet lake.
Bassenthwaite Lake
Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, and 70ft deep and home to the rare vendace fish species.
Keswick
Keswick is an attractive traditional small market town, which offers a variety of attractions, friendly shopping and a range of local delicacies.
The Pencil Museum
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
The Puzzling Place
Keswick
An interactive world of optical illusions including illusion rooms, holograms and interactive exhibits to amaze the whole family, young and old! Do you believe your eyes?
Theatre by the Lake
Lake Rd, Keswick
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays and has won multi-starred reviews.
Lake Cruises on Derwentwater with Keswick Launch Co.
Keswick
Keswick Launch offers 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater. Rowing boats and motor boats are also available to hire.
Wordsworth House and Garden
Cockermouth
Step back in time to the 1770s and experience William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s childhood home. Whether you meet the maid-of-all-work or a knowledgeable 21st-century guide, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains) run fast and frequent trains from London, Birmingham and Glasgow to the Lake District, serving Oxenholme (South Lakes), Penrith (North Lakes) & Carlisle.
Stagecoach Buses
We're Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire and we provide bus services in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Keswick, Morecambe and West Cumbria.
Itinerary Distances
| From | To | Distance * (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Penrith (54.66541,-2.75498) | Penrith Castle (54.66271,-2.75493) | 0.27 |
| Penrith Castle (54.66271,-2.75493) | Derwentwater (54.57154,-3.14924) | 24.63 |
| Derwentwater (54.57154,-3.14924) | Bassenthwaite Lake (54.65085,-3.21812) | 8.9 |
| Bassenthwaite Lake (54.65085,-3.21812) | Keswick (54.60041,-3.13767) | 6.88 |
| Keswick (54.60041,-3.13767) | The Pencil Museum (54.60387,-3.14194) | 0.43 |
| The Pencil Museum (54.60387,-3.14194) | The Puzzling Place (54.60117,-3.13951) | 0.31 |
| The Puzzling Place (54.60117,-3.13951) | Theatre by the Lake (54.5956,-3.13947) | 0.56 |
| Theatre by the Lake (54.5956,-3.13947) | Lake Cruises on Derwentwater with Keswick Launch Co. (54.59482,-3.1405) | 0.1 |
| Lake Cruises on Derwentwater with Keswick Launch Co. (54.59482,-3.1405) | Wordsworth House and Garden (54.66364,-3.36889) | 14.93 |
| Wordsworth House and Garden (54.66364,-3.36889) | Avanti West Coast (54.30503,-2.72154) | 52.07 |
| Avanti West Coast (54.30503,-2.72154) | Stagecoach Buses (54.45765,-3.01455) | 22.94 |
| Total Distance * | 131.98 miles | |
| Estimated Journey Time | 4.25 hours | |
* Approximate distance by road
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