Cumbria’s Lake District is a dream.
Located in England’s northwestern corner, the Lake District National Park is one of the most popular getaways in the UK. You’ll find the same stunning castles and ancient market towns as you would elsewhere in England — but only here will you find the longest and largest lakes in the country.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get to the Lake District from London without a car.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Tonywestphoto. Image Location: Lake District, England
Can you go to the Lake District by train from London?
Yes, you can go to the Lake District from London by train with absolute ease. London Euston is your starter station: hop on the train and ride to either Penrith or Oxenholme. Then, from Penrith, go by bus to Keswick. From Oxenholme, you can take the train down to popular Windermere.
Which train station is the best in the Lake District?
We think many will agree that Oxenholme is the best train station in the Lake District. You can access it directly from London Euston, which is a huge convenience. It connects to Windermere; which, again, convenience comes in clutch when all you want to do is relax without having buses and taxis standing between you and lakeside leisure.
What is the most visited place in the Lake District?
Windermere is the most visited place in the Lake District — and we’re not shocked by this news. It’s accessible via the Northern rail network, which has 500 stations and covers around 20% of all of the UK’s railway stations. In and around Windermere, visitors take boat rides, hike, golf, take a spa day, visit the Windermere Jetty Museum, fish, dine, and take their kids to The World of Beatrix Potter.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Ashley Cooper. Image Location: Windermere, Lake District, England
What is the closest station to Lake Windermere?
Try to contain your surprise: Windermere is the closest station to Lake Windermere. The Northern Line runs to Windermere, but the train station isn’t right on the lakeshore. You can access the lakeside with a lovely half-hour stroll or by taking a quick bus ride.
Which towns in the Lake District have train stations?
Though not directly in the Lake District National Park, Carlisle, Lancaster, Oxenholme, and Penrith are some of the train stations that act as gateways to the Lake District. Within the Lake District itself, Windermere, Kendal, Burneside, and Staveley, among others, have train stations. Make sure to check out a Lake District train station map to see which stops are served by rail.
Does Keswick have a train station?
No, Keswick does not have a train station, which means you’ll need to take an extra step to figuring out how to get around the Lake District without a car. Keswick is deep in the Lake District just off the shores of Derwentwater. This market town is a gorgeous place to visit on vacation, so don’t let the lack of train travel stop you from taking the bus or taxi from Penrith into Keswick.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Daniel Bosma. Image Location: Buttermere, Cumbria, Lake District, England
How much is a taxi from Penrith to Keswick?
The bummer about Keswick not having a dedicated railway station is that you’re forced to get there on wheels. A taxi would cost anywhere between $50 and $65. We’d recommend just catching a bus connection instead — it’s much cheaper.
Where do trains from Oxenholme go?
Three train routes run from Oxenholme: the Northern Line, Avanti West Coast, and the Transpennine Express. The Northern Line from Oxenholme goes into the Lake District to Kendal, Burneside, Staveley, and Windermere. In the opposite direction, trains from Oxenholme go to Carnforth, Lancaster, and Preston (Lancs).
The Avanti West Coast line runs all the way from Glasgow Central to London Euston via Oxenholme, while the Transpennine Express rolls from Oxenholme to Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester, among other cities.
How often do trains run from Oxenholme to Windermere?
Trains run from Oxenholme to Windermere around 17 times per day. The first train departs Oxenholme at 5:17 AM and the final train leaves Oxenholme at 9:22 PM. It’s only a 9-mile distance so a direct train gets you there in 20 minutes or less.
How much is a taxi from Oxenholme to Windermere?
Costs for a taxi from Oxenholme to Windermere range between $35 and $45 dollars. The price may be more or less than that, but this is a good estimate to have in mind. Of course, you could also just catch the train at Oxenholme, ride it for 20m, and step off Windermere and only pay around $10.
But, who are we to tell you how to save money?
(If you do want us to tell you how to save money, download the Trainline app now and buy the cheapest train tickets across the UK available.)
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Pucci. Image Location: Haverthwaite, Cumbria, England
