transport Whether you let the train take the strain, hop on a coach, fly in style, cruise by ferry, or journey by car, Cumbria and the Lake District is so easy to get to. The Western Lake District is accessible by rail via Lancaster and Carlisle on the Cumbrian Coastline. Driving times to the region by coach are approximately 60 minutes from the main M6 motorway junctions 36 & 40. Mini bus tours can access the Western Lakes region via the Hardknott Pass from the Central Lakes, Ambleside and Windermere. If you are coming from overseas, you can fly to Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle and connect via train or car to Cumbria. Entry also by ferry crossing via Newcastle Port. travel times Glasgow & Edinburgh 150 miles. Drive time: 3.5 hours. Exit J.40 M6 and follow A66 to Western Lakes. Rail Train information: West Coast mainline Road direct to Carlisle ( 2 hours), change < Cumbrian Coastline services to the > Western Lakes via Barrow. Glasgow Edinburgh York 80 miles. Drive time 3.5 hours. < Exit via A66 via the North Lakes or A65 > P (A590) via the South Lakes. Newcastle Train Information: York to Carlisle ( 3.5 Carlisle < hrs) or York to Lancaster (2.5 hrs), ) change Cumbrian Coastline services to M6 the Western Lakes via Barrow. York Lancaster > Manchester & Liverpool 130 miles. Manchester Drive time 3 hours. Exit J.36 A590 to Liverpool < Western Lakes. > Train information: Manchester to < Lancaster ( 1 hour), change Cumbrian > Coastline services to the Western Lakes via Barrow. Liverpool to Lancaster (1.5 hours), ) change Cumbrian Coastline services to the Western Lakes via Barrow. <> London London 300 miles. Drive time 6 hours. Train information : West Coast mainline direct from London Euston to Lancaster ( 3 hours) transfer to Cumbria Coastline services to Western Lakes via Barrow. thewesternlakedistrict.co.uk thewesternlakedistrict.co.uk Cover photo: Wast Water Photography A6 Aspatria Lazonby Maryport Themed Itineraries & Tours Tour Ideas for Group and FIT Travel A594 1 Steam on the Wildside With secluded beaches, tranquil lakes and A595 An all-day adventure combining a heritage steam train journey from the coastal village of Ravenglass, rugged mountains, the Western Lake District A596 Cockermouth is overflowing with natural beauty. Home to Penrith traversing seven miles of ever changing countryside England’s highest mountain, Scafell, and its G Bassenthwaite to the foot of England’s highest mountains “The deepest lake, Wastwater, this is a special place Lake A66 Scafells” and a visit to nearby Muncaster Castle Workington at Ravenglass. Muncaster Castle owned by the just waiting to be explored. M6 Keswick Pooley Pennington family since 1208 with its expansive Western Lakes is located within two World Bridge Himalayan gardens, Bluebell Woods and daily Bird Heritage Sites, Hadrians Wall and The Lake District Derwentwater of Prey flying displays. National Park. Roman ruins and former towns, Iron Loweswater Age forts and historic harbours, lay claim to tales A5086 2 Boots, Pubs & Adventure of smuggling, spices and a rich maritime heritage. E F Ullswater Most of the local walks are featured within The beach at St Bees Head, is the start of the Crummock Whitehaven Water Glenridding Wainwrights iconic walking series including the start famous Wainwright ‘Coast to Coast’ walk, along HONISTER of the Coast to Coast. Hike to the top of England’s the coast to Cockermouth. PASS B5259 highest mountain, Scafell Pike, discover the hidden Buttermere waterfalls of Eskdale, traverse ancient Coffin Routes Ennerdale Water Thirlmere A591 w and stand amidst ancient Roman ruins. ie A592 A st V Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Eskdale & Ravenglass e B Egremont 's n i 3 Heritage & Culture train line a t i r Grasmere Discover the hidden secrets of this World class B A6 destination. The mining history of the valley unfolds Senhouse Museum & A595 Wastwater Rydal with hands on exhibits and displays at the Ravenglass Roman Bathhouse Water Railway Museum. Discover Royal connections at Muncaster Castle from the reign of King Henry IV and HARDKNOTT PASS uncover Roman legends at The Beacon Museum or WRYNOSE Bird viewing point Boot D PASS Windermere ancient tales of smuggling at The Rum Story. Eskdale Ravenglass & A 4 Hadrian’s Wall & Roman History Eskdale Railway Muncaster For more than 300 years from the 2nd century Ravenglass AD the Romans used Ravenglass as a garrison B C and port. Ravenglass lies within The Lake District Castle & Gardens National Park and Hadrians Wall World Heritage Broughton- Sites.Roman ‘The Bathhouse’ formerly known as B in-Furness ‘Walls Castle’ can be found here. They are the Muncaster Castle Muncaster largest free-standing Roman remains in Northern Newby Bridge Britain. The Senhouse Roman Museum displays the A590 largest group of Roman military altar stones and A595 Greenodd inscriptions from any site in Britain. Millom 5 The Taste District Ulverston Cartmel Western Lake District has a wide variety of eateries from traditional English pubs to steam railway cafes. Enjoy the best locally produced menu at M6 the Woolpack Inn at the base of Hardknott Fort or fresh seafood at The Inn in Ravenglass. For a special Barrow-in- Grange-Over- Taste District adventure, take a trip to The Lakes Sands Distillery. England’s largest award-winning whisky Furness distillery offers daily tours and behind the scenes experiences. C D E F G Hardknott Pass Hardknott 6 Christmas in the Western Lakes The Beacon The Hawk & Owl Walks & Hawk The Rum Stiory Rum The Distillery Lakes A magical time of year to visit with snow-capped mountains outlining the shape of the sleeping giants in the hills. Many visitor attractions hold specific Christmas events between November and December and all the local accommodation providers and eateries are fully decorated offering a gastronomical delight of locally sourced Christmas themed menus complete with roaring log fires. For more information and tour itineraries visit www.westernlakedistrict.co.uk Be inspired! .