Ullswater, in the Lake District is the most accessible lake by rail, bus & car. You are only 3 hours by train from London and 10 mins drive from junction 40 on the M6. We also have plenty of options for travelling around either by car, bus, bike or even boat!
Getting to Ullswater by Rail
Ullswater is the closest lake to a mainline railway station in the Lake District. Just 3hrs from London Euston and 1hr 50 mins from Manchester Airport Ullswater it has to be the most accessible of all the lakes!
Penrith rail station is served by Avanti and Transpennine Express trains direct from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh with regular stops during weekdays and weekends.
Penrith is also served by the National Express Coach services with journeys by day and night with the overnight express being one of the fastest coach journeys.
Times & Fares:
National Rail >>
The Trainline >>
Transpennine Express >>
National Express >>
Getting around Ullswater by Bus
Stagecoach 508 Bus (Penrith – Patterdale)
The regular 508 bus service runs from Penrith railway station & bus station to Pooley Bridge, Aira Force, Glenridding, Patterdale and in the summer some journeys continue over the dramatic Kirkstone Pass to Windermere. An open top bus operates throughout peak periods where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the lake, mountains and rural life around the Ullswater Valley.
Stagecoach 208 Bus (Keswick – Patterdale)
The direct 208 bus service from Keswick operates during holidays and weekends with stops at Aira Force, Glenridding & Patterdale.
Fares & Times:
Getting around Ullswater by bike
Pick up the Biking around Ullswater Cycle leaflet from an information centre or take a look at the routes on the Eden Tourism website to plan your route around quiet roads or bridleways of Ullswater.
Why not cycle from home and combine a train journey to Penrith with a tour of the Ullswater valley stopping off at one of the many excellent cafes, pubs & restaurants or stay overnight to really make the most of your journey.
Bike hire:
Lake District Cycling >>
Ullswater E-Bikes >>
Arragons Cycle Hire >>
Getting around Ullswater by boat
The Ullswater Steamers are the perfect way to explore the valley, with a year round boat service to Pooley Bridge, Glenridding, Howtown and Aira Force, this is the ideal for trying one of the beautiful walks in the area including the Ullswater Way
The Ullswater Steamers offer so much more than a boat ride with the history of Ullswater, links to Arthurian legends, Wordsworth “Daffodils” & Donald Campbell.
For timetables, special offers and events visit the Ullswater Steamers website.
Walking around Ullswater
From gentle lakeshore ambles to scaling the dizzy heights of Hellvellyn, England’s third highest mountain , there is a walk to suit everyone in the Ullswater valley.
Created in 2016, the Ullswater Way, is a stunning 20 mile walking route that can be walked in either direction around Ullswater. You can start from any point and walk the route in sections using an open top bus or “Steamer” to start or finish your journey!
Visit Lake District National Park website for more details of routes and equipment, or call into Glenridding Information Centre for advice and maps.
