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A Car Free Adventure Itinerary in the South Lake District

Home to lakes, mountains and stunning natural landscapes, Cumbria is the perfect place for an adventure. We’ve got you covered with this car free itinerary around Windermere, which takes in beautiful walking and cycling routes.
 

Travelling by Train

Take the Avanti West Coast Mainline Service to ‘Oxenholme, The Lake District’ train station. From here, connect to the Northern Lakes Line to Windermere to begin your adventure.
 

Day 1

Drop your bags off at your accommodation (there are plenty of options in Windermere and nearby Bowness-on-Windermere), before beginning with a walk to Orrest Head for stunning views across Windermere and the Lakeland fells.  There is also an accessible route to the top, as part of the Miles Without Stiles initiative.

Then, head back down to Windermere for a spot of lunch – choose from places like The Café at Lakeland and the Lamplighter Dining Rooms; or grab some food to go from Booths supermarket next to the train station. From here, hire a bike with Total Adventure Bike Hire, located just a few minutes from the train station. A variety of bike options are available, including e-bikes; mountain bikes; and gravel bikes. They are happy to advise on cycling routes around the area, to suit a range of abilities.

After a busy day spent exploring the local area, it’s time to get some sleep. Windermere boasts a range of accommodation options, from cosy B&Bs to hotels and self-catering options – so you can choose the one which works best for you.
 

Day 2

After a hearty breakfast at your accommodation, hop on the Stagecoach 555 bus to Brockhole, where you’ll find treetop adventures with Zip World Windermere. There are a range to choose from, with something for ages 3+. Adventurous types can opt for the Full Treetop Trek, which ends in a thrilling 250m triple zip to the shores of Windermere. There’s also the Mini Treetop Trek for an easier option, great for less confident adventurers; and Treetop Nets, which are suitable for ages.

Enjoy your chosen adventure, before refuelling with lunch at Brockhole’s on site café.

After lunch you can catch the 555 bus to Rydal, where a gentle walk awaits around Rydal Water and Rydal Caves. Then, it’s time to head home: return to Windermere on the 555, before catching the train back to Oxenholme and then connecting with your homeward service.
 

Top Tips

Public Transport

Travel by Avanti West Coast 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 with Avanti West Coast, you can take up to two domestic pets for no extra charge. Please check the guidance on their website.

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.

Useful Walking Maps: OS Explorer OL 7