Travel actively and public transport
Walking, wheeling and cycling are great ways to get around for short journeys however, it is not always possible or practical to travel actively for longer journeys. Instead, try walking, wheeling or cycling for part of your journey and combine this with public transport to help you get further. That way you can still experience the benefits of travelling actively but for more of your everyday journeys.
Travel actively with rail travel
You want to find out more about how you can travel on trains with a bike, if you need to book a space on the train for your bike or where to park your bike at a station.
Travel actively with bus travel
You want to know the conditions for traveling on a bus with a bike, wheelchair, pram, buggy or non-motorised scooter.
Travel actively with boat travel
You want to find information on combining your journey with boat services in Cumbria, including the Windermere Ferry, Windermere Lake Cruises and Ullswater Steamers.
Journey planner
Use our journey planner to view points of interest such as railway stations, bus stations/stops and cycle parking at these locations.
Travel actively with rail travel
National Rail provide information on accessible train travel and facilities including if you are travelling by train using a wheelchair.
Bicycles are allowed on all trains and can be carried free of charge within allocated storage spaces. Some train operating companies require you to book a space in advance of your journey. Folding bicycles are the exception; they offer the most flexibility as they can be carried (folded in the luggage rack) on any train at any time without the need to pre-book a bike space.
National Rail provide helpful information on train travel with bicycles.
Rail services in Cumbria are operated by Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Northern and arrangements for carrying bikes on board differ:
- Avanti West Coast – bike booking required in advance.
- Transpennine Express – bike booking required in advance.
- Northern - no need to book. Bikes spaces are first come, first served.
Many railway stations in Cumbria have dedicated cycle parking so you can secure your bike at the station without taking it on the train. To find out whether your local railway station has cycle parking you can search for your local station by selecting the ‘Cycling’ information on National Rail’s Station Finder.
Travel actively with bus travel
The Stagecoach Conditions of Carriage contains information on travelling with a bicycle, wheelchair, pram, buggy or non-motorised scooter on one of Stagecoach’s bus services.
Folding bikes can be carried on Stagecoach buses in the designated luggage area. Non-folding bikes can only be carried on the 599 service between Bowness and Grasmere.
The 599 bike bus between Bowness-on-Windermere and Grasmere has room for two bikes at 20p per bike per journey. There is no need to pre-book a space as there is usually space available. The 599 bike bus can be used in many ways such as cycling one way and returning the other way bringing the bike on the bus, or perhaps taking the bike bus if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse.
Some bus stations have cycle parking in place so you can securely store your bike as you make your onward journey by bus.
Travel actively with boat travel
Windermere Ferry takes pedestrians and cyclists across Windermere lake, making some longer active travel journeys possible for everyday travel.
Cyclists are also welcome on many of Windermere Lake Cruises’ boat services. Find out more on their Bringing your bike on Board page.
For £3, bikes can also be carried on Ullswater Steamer.