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Lakeslink (555)

The Lakeslink (555) service runs between Lancaster and Carlisle, travelling through the heart of the Lake District and its amazing scenery.
From the busy market town of Kendal the bus soon reaches the village of Windermere. Here connections can be made (every 10 minutes in the summer) to take you down to Bowness and Windermere lake itself. The 555 travels on following the edge of the lake, affording glimpses of it through the trees. It passes Brockhole, the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre before arriving at Waterhead, where you are greeted with fantastic views of the Langdale valley mountains. From Waterhead you can take a trip on a Windermere Lake Cruise or hire a rowing boat. Almost immediately after Waterhead you arrive in Ambleside, a busy little town with a wide array of outdoor clothing shops as well as various attractions, such as Bridge House, Adrian Sankey Glass Makers, and a cinema.
After Ambleside, the bus winds its way through idyllic Rydal Park, passing Rydal Water and soon Grasmere lake and vale appear. The quaint village of Grasmere is famed for its connections with the poet William Wordsworth and here you can visit his home and a museum dedicated to his life.
Upon leaving Grasmere, the bus steadily climbs up over Dunmail Raise and then drops down along the wooded slopes of Thirlmere. Once the lake is passed, the walled fields reappear, and marvellous views return with the towering ridge of Blencathra in the distance.
Shortly before you arrive in Keswick, you are treated to an awesome sight - the fabulous areas of fells crowding above Derwent Water; this is Lakeland supreme.
Keswick is a handsome town and has a wide variety of shops and many attractions, such as the Cumberland Pencil Factory, the Cars of the Stars Museum and the Tea Pottery, as well as being close to the Derwentwater Launches.
If you are travelling onto Carlisle, the bus follows the eastern shores of Bassenthwaite, passing Dodd Wood, from where the nesting Ospreys can be viewed from April to August, and Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens.
The bus all too soon leaves the National Park and continues on its way to historic Carlisle.

Prices

An Explorer ticket, which offers unlimited travel on Stagecoach buses throughout Cumbria will be the best value ticket. A 1-day ticket cost:-, adult £9, children £6, senior citizen/disabled £5.75.

*Prices subject to change in Spring 2008.