Getting to Windermere
Windermere is not as easy to get to as more urban areas of the U.K. With careful planning most places are easily accessible, but the easiest way to travel is by car or by train directly into Windermere centre. When travelling by train or bus ensure you check the times prior to travel, and also check the return journey.
By Air
Nearest Airports
(travel times by car):
- Manchester - 1.5 hours travel
- Newcastle - 2 hours travel
- Glasgow - 2.5 hours travel
- Blackpool - 1 hour travel
By Train
From Scotland, the Northwest, the Midlands, and southern England:
- Virgin Trains travel to Carlisle, Penrith and Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line.
Changes can be made at Lancaster for travel on the Furness Line to Barrow-in-Furness.
From the North East:
- ARRIVA Trains Northern travel to Carlisle, where changes can be made for south and west Lakes.
From Yorkshire:
- Transpennine Express trains stop at Windermere and Oxenholme, while ARRIVA Trains Northern travel to Carlisle and Kirkby Stephen.
View Windermere Railway Station on the Windermere map
From North Wales and Greater Manchester:
- First North Western trains operate to Windermere, Oxenholme, Ulverston and Barrow, where changes can be made for Carlisle and west coast stations.
By Road
From the South:
- The M6 runs through Cumbria. Take junction 36 for the south and west Lakes, junction 40 for Penrith and junction 43 for Carlisle.
From the North East:
- Take the A69 from Newcastle.
From Scotland:
- Take the M74/A74 from Glasgow
- Take the A7 from Edinburgh.
Travelling times from key cities (by car):
- Manchester - 1.5 hours travel
- London - 5.5 hours travel
- Edinburgh - 3 hours travel
- Newcastle - 2 hours travel