Travel Information
Getting to Ullswater:
Penrith is only 15 minutes from the north end of Ullswater, this small market town is a national transport hub for both main Rail and Road routes, so it is easy and direct to access.
(For direct travel instructions to each of our UKInbound members, please refer to their websites).
Getting here by Train:
The nearest Train station is Penrith (North Lakes), (PNR).
Mainline services run from London, (direct 3 hrs, with Virgin Trains).
Manchester, 3hrs 15 mins.
Glasgow, 3hr 45 mins.
Edinburgh, 3hrs.
Newcastle, 3hrs 30 mins by train.
Journey times and prices may vary according to the time of day; please check with National Rail Enquiries on http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search.
Penrith Station only has one entrance and exit, Platform 1 for Southbound trains is at the front of the station, Platform 2 for Northbound trains is accessed by a subway under the tracks to/from Platform 1. Left Luggage and Eco-friendly Car Hire is available from here too, visit this link for details: www.nationalrail.co.uk/sations/PNR/details.aspx
On arrival at Penrith, please follow the instructions for buses and taxis given below.
National Rail Passes: If you are not driving around the UK, we would suggest that you purchase BritRail Passes before you leave home. The Britrail GB Pass covers England, Wales, and Scotland, from £140 a standard adult ticket; The Britrail England Pass covers England only, from £117 per standard adult ticket. There are concessions for over 60 and under 25. Children under 5 travel free, and one child travels free per paying adult, up to 15 years of age, children 5-15 will otherwise need a pass too. These passes are much cheaper than paying per journey – but remember they must be purchased before travel as they are posted to your home address. For full information about the passes and where to buy:
www.visitbritainshop.com/world/travel-and-transport
Getting to Ullswater by Bus:
The Bus Stop for the 508 bus from Penrith to Windermere, which runs along the West side of Ullswater – the station only has one entrance and exit so you can’t miss the bus stand which is on the left at the front of the station car park.
The 508 bus from Penrith Rail Station to Windermere, which runs along the Ullswater valley is Pooley Bridge £4, Glenridding £5.20
(Prices are approximate and for single journeys. Travel times to Pooley Bridge 20 mins, Glenridding 40 mins).
For bus timetables, please visit: www.stagecoachbus.com
Getting to Ullswater by Taxi:
There is a Taxi rank at the front of Penrith Station; there is only one entrance and exit so you can’t miss the taxi stand.
The guide price for taxis from Penrith to Ullswater is Pooley Bridge £15, Glenridding £35
Getting here by car:
Manchester, (107 miles) is 1hr 50 mins to drive.
Glasgow, (123 miles) is a 2hr drive.
Edinburgh, (126 miles), is 2hrs 20 minutes to drive.
Newcastle, (85 miles), is 1hr 40 mins to drive.
(Distances depend on your exact location, and travel times may vary according to traffic)
Junction 40 of the M6 motorway which is the main route from North to South UK is 15 minutes away at Penrith, as is the East to West route of the A66. The A69, an alternate route from Newcastle follows Hadrian’s Wall and joins the M6 at Carlisle junction 43. From there head South to junction 40, for Penrith and then Ullswater.
Once at Penrith you have a choice of 2 routes to Ullswater: Both routes are 5.5 – 6 miles to the North end of the Ullswater, taking 15-20 minutes. Both are two lane country roads.
From the M6 and A66 from the West Lakes take the A592 at the roundabout by the Rheged Visitor Centre, this brings you directly to the lakeside. For Pooley Bridge and the east side of the lake turn left, for Glenridding and the east side of the lake, turn right.
From the A66 from the East at Penrith take the A6 left turning to Eamont Bridge, then right at the roundabout on to the B5320 to Pooley Bridge. From here you can access either side of the lake. There is no through road on the east side of the lake.