One Day Itinerary

Only have one day? Head to the Central Lakes and make Bowness and Windermere your base.

Park at Braithwaite Fold (satnav LA23 3HB) & take advantage of our bargain offer. The ‘park & explore’ ticket provides all-day parking and unlimited bus travel for up to five people in the Central Lakes Zone.

From the car park, take the A592 towards Bowness and meet the 599 Lakesider, our open top bus! With your ticket, hop on and off wherever you like. Even better, the 599 stops at Windermere Station if you’ve come by train.

Ten minutes down the road, adventure awaits at Brockhole on the shores of Windermere. The visitor centre offers a thrilling day out, with acres of gardens and activities like the Treetop Nets experience. Enjoy refreshments, then hop back on towards Grasmere.

In five minutes, you’ll be looking out on to the lake from Ambleside Pier where you can take a leisurely steamer to Bowness or be skipper of your own hired boat. Ambleside offers all sorts of eateries, from traditional pubs and cafes to high-end dining. If a picnic is more your style, head to nearby Borrans Park, a peaceful area with a beautiful shingle beach.

Catch the return 599 to Bowness and Windermere from Kelsick Road or Waterhead Pier, or sail back via the lake on one of the famous launches. Alternatively, continue to Grasmere, a delightful journey along the shores of Rydal and Grasmere. Hop off and explore the quaint village, stock up at The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop or visit Dove Cottage and the literary treasures of the Wordsworth Trust collection.

With buses every 20 minutes, a return to Bowness via the 599 will take you back to your car or train with enough time for a refreshing ice cream, whatever the weather!

Have a little longer to enjoy the Lake District? Check out our three-day itinerary.

Download The Lakes By Bus brochure for route, timetable and ticket information.