Train help asap

Hopefully isn31c will see this and be along to help, but in the meantime it looks as though there are pretty regular buses from Penrith to Kesick - Penrith to Keswick bus

Originally I was going directly to my HF Holidays N. Lake District holiday home but I am staying at the Rivendell Guest house in Keswick for 2 nights before. I looked at my old notes which said train from Waverley to Penrith.
This train arrive in Carlisle at 16:00
But wow the scenery is amazing!!

A bit more detail. Your train arrives Penrith at 1621. There is a bus from the railway station in Penrith to the bus station in Keswick. It departs Penrith rail station at 1650 and arrives Keswick at 1730. If your train is early you might even make the previous bus which departs at 1620. Bus details here

It doesn't seem any quicker going via Carlisle as far as I can see - but I am not a public transport expert!

Dumb question but I don’t have time to look it up.
Can I use cash for the bus or should I get a ticket online?

There are buses from Carlisle to Keswick but the one you could catch would actually get you to Keswick later than if you stayed on the train to Penrith and got the bus from there. Here's the page if you want to check. I reckon I would stay on the train to Penrith.

I actually have no idea about bus tickets as I don't usually travel by bus. According to the Stagecoach website you can use contactless to pay on board up to £30. Alternatively they have an app. Payment details here

Skyegirl thank you so much. I see where it says I can pay on the bus. I’ll probably stay on until Penrith. I’m not in a hurry and the scenery is breathtaking. I appreciate your help!

Good luck! Hope you make it safely and have a great time in the Lake District.

Yes you can use Cash on the bus, or Contactless- the fare is £2. If the train is on time you stand a fair chance of being on the 1620.

You will miss the last bus from Carlisle at 1600. In any event Penrith is easier as you would have to walk from Carlisle Rail Station to Bus Station.

Isn31c Thank you. I don’t know why I panicked. I appreciate your help. I’m staying on the train until Penrith and catch the bus. Have my phone and watch set for contactless payment.

The bus for the 1620 departure at Penrith is currently on time on it's way to Penrith on the A66- it is a double decker, registration VX62CVW.

The bus for the 1650 departure at Penrith is currently on time and is sat at Keswick Bus Station now waiting departure to Penrith at 1540, registration PX60BFA

isn31c

My god you are helpful!! Many thanks!!
Hopefully I’ll make the 1620. The train seems to be clipping along pretty well.

PS- for the Rivendell ask to be set down at County Corner- (the stop before the Bus Station) and opposite the war memorial/Cenotaph.

The bus comes off the A66, down a hill to a T junction, turns left down a hill (Chestnut Hill), past the Twa Dogs Inn and the Fire Station, alongside the River, then a sharp right turn at a 4 way junction with the Cenotaph on your right. That is your stop. Lots of people get off there- you will not be alone! More often than not it has to pause at traffic lights directly before that stop.
I actually usually get off there, rather than the Bus Station unless my connection is tight.

It is about Car D or E which stops closest to Penrith station exit as you are on a 9 car train.

In most of the US we don’t have public transportation so this is very helpful. Certainly keeping my stress level down. This is the first leg of my first solo trip.

It would help if I looked in the right direction- the 1650 bus is PX13DMO- It is a brown liveried Stagecoach Gold double decker.

You missed the 1620- I've just seem him on GPS leave Penrith Railway station just as you passed Long Ashes.

No rush, get yourself a coffee from the cart outside the station.

Final update.

I figured I’d miss the 1620.
Thanks for the bus description so I know what I’m looking for.

The ruins by the bus stop are very interesting

That is Penrith Castle, which at one stage was the home of Richard, Duke of Gloucester- the later Richard III- https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/penrith-castle/history/