Extra Buses Help Explore More Of Cumbria This Summer

Improved reliability and extra buses are being introduced to help residents and tourists explore more of Cumbria this summer.

A revised 555 timetable will improve reliability and add extra journeys at peak times, such as a service from Keswick until 9.25pm on Monday to Saturday, and extra journeys on Sundays including two additional return trips from Lancaster via the M6 offering faster journey times.

The 77 and 77A service returns this year with a revised timetable, offering new morning and evening links between Cockermouth and Keswick.

In addition, the 77C weekend and bank holiday shuttle service between Cockermouth and Buttermere is also making a comeback between May and August. This was made possible thanks to funding facilitated by the National Park Authority from the Strategic Visitor Management Group.

The 516 daily service will also run every 60 minutes throughout summer – rather than the current two-hourly frequency – offering more choice for people heading to Langdale from Ambleside.

Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire has announced the services as part of a series of changes being introduced in its new summer 2024 timetable.
Further afield, the number 6 bus between Barrow and Windermere will now run eight times a day, with the addition of a new early morning Sunday service and a daily late evening bus, thanks to funding by Westmorland and Furness Council.

The council, as part of the national Bus Service Improvement Programme, is also funding an increase in buses between Penrith and Keswick on the X4/X5 route, with customers able to hop on board every 30 minutes – improving the connection with the train station in Penrith.

Increased frequency – providing better connections with the county’s rail network, improved evening, weekend and bank holiday services and even a brand new route are among the main changes countywide.

Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said:
“We are proud to announce a whole raft of changes across our network, which we hope will make travelling by bus a much simpler and more efficient option for residents and visitors alike.

“We have worked hard with partners and other organisations to secure funding on routes where we know people have been asking for earlier, later or simply more frequent buses.

“We look forward to seeing many people exploring all that Cumbria has to offer this summer.”

The new Summer 2024 bus timetable comes into play on March 23, and will remain in operation until November 2024.

For more information about the services near you or to download your guide, visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/cumbria-and-north-lancashire/explore-the-lakes-by-bus


A few things to enjoy along the route…

Enjoy the ride

While the destination is important, sometimes it’s as much about how you get there. Having won an unofficial X (formerly known as Twitter) poll, the 555 route has been voted the perfect way to travel. In January users of the social platform named the route the World Cup of British Bus Routes thanks to its stunning views and meandering route.

Find out more on the Stagecoach website

Levens Hall Photo: Visit Lake District. https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/

Levens Hall

Break up the journey and hop off to explore the sensational Levens Hall and gardens. The now private family home developed out of an imposing Pele Tower, and is now open to the public. Take time to explore the Elizabethan house and its links to the Duke of Wellington, or take a wander through the world’s oldest topiary gardens. Alternatively, it's worth a visit to pop into Levens Kitchen and enjoy the seasonally-inspired menu.

Bus service: 555 & 755
Bus stop: Levens Bridge. Walk a couple of minutes to Levens Hall.
Find out more on the Stagecoach website

Pencil Museum

Derwent Pencil Museum

Looking for something a little bit different to occupy yourself? Then why not take time to marvel at one of the world’s largest colouring pencils or explore the secret world of hidden maps and pencils from the Second World War. Keswick – at one end of the 555 route – is home to the very first pencil, and a trip to the museum sees visitors enter through a replica graphite mine, helping bring to life the pencil’s humble history.
Bus service: 73, 77, 77A, 77C, 78, 509, 553, 554, 555, X4 & X5
Bus stop: Keswick Bus Station
Find out more on the Stagecoach website

Buttermere and Fleetwith Pike. Aerial Photo by Simon Ledingham

Walk the lake

Buttermere’s relatively flat and low-level path makes it perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs, dog walkers and Sunday hikers alike. Being relatively small – at just under five miles all the way around – it is suitable for all ages and abilities to walk around. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and reflections of the surrounding mountains on the water’s surface, as you soak up the peace and tranquillity of Cumbria’s natural environment.
Bus service: 77, 77A & 77C
Bus stop: Buttermere


Tuck into a real ale

Packed full of character, The Bridge Inn is nestled in the heart of Buttermere village and offers spectacular views towards Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag. After making the most of the fresh air and exploring the lake, pop inside to enjoy a selection of traditional English bar meals including Cumbrian dishes. Its dog-friendly Walkers Bar also serves a selection of local ales and lagers, continuing its near 300-year tradition of dispensing hospitality and Cumbrian ale to everyone.
Bus service: 77, 77A & 77C
Bus stop: Buttermere
Find out more on the Stagecoach website

Wild swimming

Buttermere is a haven for wild swimming enthusiasts, offering a refreshing experience amidst majestic scenery. With its crystal-clear waters, Buttermere offers a refreshing and scenic escape providing the perfect way to cool down in summer – or for the brave, the perfect cold swimming location in winter. However, the lake isn't suitable for beginners due to its deep depths and rapidly changing depths close to the shore.
Bus service: 77, 77A & 77C
Bus stop: Buttermere
Find out more on the Stagecoach website