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Is 2 or 3 days enough for Lake District by bus in summer ?

Posted by on

I am planning for a trip of around 2 weeks - 4 weeks for England and Scotland but after much reading I really can't decide on how many days I should allocate for Lake District, unlike the major cities where I can gauge how much time I need to see what I want to see. I must decide and plan well before the trip as it can affect my days to other parts of Europe. I expect the Lake District to be a highlight of England for me as most of the other places are more city-like. I probably don't have time for Cotsworth and Cornwall but I may go to Isle of Skye but that's Scotland.

I will be using just bus or ferry and my own 2 legs; no car, bike or bicycle. I can hike for hours as long as the scenery and weather is pleasant. I will travel in late June, I believe the day will be long enough for me to cover many places every day day. I can do it along the way coming from Manchester and go Glasgow after that or the other way north to south. Initially I am just thinking of 2 days there; will it be enough to see the best parts ?

Can someone advise or suggest a simple itinerary relying on buses ? Is a 1 day ferry pass necessary ? Shall I base and sleep in one place for more ? I don't mind the inconvenience of shifting everyday from one place to another if it can save me time. My luggage is light and I travel alone.

Thank you.

Posted by
3398 posts

We've taken many holidays in the Lake District only using public transport. You take the train from the south to Oxenholme and then the public bus to your destination. We always base ourselves out of Keswick because it's less crowded than some of the other towns and many of the buses we want to take link through the town.
By bus you can easily get to most good hiking in the Lake District. We have hiked over Helvellyn to Ullswater and taken the bus back in a day. You can also take a bus out to Buttermere, walk up to the top of Haystacks and down in an easy day and then take the bus back. From Keswick you can hike up Skiddaw, or to the top of Walla Crag or even Blancathra, which are all very nice. These can all be extended into longer walks as well. There are endless possibilities in the area.
3-4 days in the Lakes will be sufficient time to get to know the area and whet your appetite for more! We go back regularly and never get tired of it or exhaust all of the hikes in the area because there are so many!

Posted by
6713 posts

I agree with Anita that Keswick would be a good base, with lots of hikes nearby, the Castlerigg Stone Circle, and a boat that runs around the shore of Derwentwater so you can get off, walk awhile, and get back on farther down the shore. Here's some info about busses and other transportation in the area, note that bus 77/77A makes a useful circuit.

Are two days enough? Depends on your interest and other priorities. Using public transportation will slow you down and tie you to schedules. Weather will have a lot to do with how much you enjoy (or not) the Lake District, and with just a couple of days you've gotta hope they're good. You said you were planning a 2-4 week trip, so clearly you have a flexible timetable at this point. And you said the Lakes could be a highlight since your other places would be more city-like. I'd say all that means you should allocate more than two days to the Lake District (not necessarily limited to Keswick either, there's a lot to see south of there). But it's your trip (obviously), I just hope you don't try to cover too much ground (all the way to Skye?) and spend too much time riding trains and buses. Have fun planning!

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