Car-Free Money Saving Madness
If you’re anything like us, when you’re planning a day in the Lakes you want to cram in as much as possible. If you’re travelling with kids, the more entertainment the better.
The good news is, the more you want to pack in, the more money you can save on car-free travel. No, really!
Over the summer, we explored some of the best combined ticket deals available on transport and great attractions in the Lake District. So stop scratching your heads over how to entertain the kids, and take a few tips from us.
Deals on and around Windermere
There are some excellent combined ticket deals available via Windermere Lake Cruises combining handy Lake District bus routes, leisurely lake cruises and even entry to some of the best family attractions in the area. They’re a smart way to pack loads into a day, and save enough cash for a meal when you’re done.
For example: If you hop on at Bowness, you can take a cruise to Lakeside at the south end of the lake. From there, you can enjoy a trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway (kids and grown-ups LOVE it), or take a very short bus trip to the fascinating Lakeland Motor Museum. Great value combined tickets are available on any combination of these activities.
Last weekend we decided to go the whole hog – and we got so excited about our bumper day of Windermere Lake Cruise + Steam Train + Lakeland Motor Museum that we decided to make a film about it (in which you’ll find some shrewd financial advice from stars Patrick and Daniel).
We spent just over £55 on our combined family ticket, saving £16. And because we arrived by bus in Bowness in the morning, we spent nothing on petrol or parking all day. That’s a good feeling.
Our car-free day in the Lakes was such a success that on the way home Patrick and Daniel declared that all cars now belong in Lakeland Motor Museum, because boats and buses are way better. Smart chaps.
There are plenty of other ways to save money on car-free days out around Windermere, from day/week travel passes on buses and boats to combined attraction tickets.
Call into Windermere’s Tourist Information Centre (right outside the train station) or give them a ring on 015394 46499. And before you’ve even started planning your trip, make sure you check out golakestravel.co.uk for car-free inspiration.
Deals around Coniston
Coniston Water
Ever explored Coniston’s shores, or taken a cruise on Coniston Water? You should. It’s beautiful. And with easy bus links from Windermere train and bus station, as well as money-saving deals on combined boat & bus travel, the potential for a great value family adventure is huge. And the more you do, the more you save.
Our favourite Coniston adventure this summer was the Ruskin Explorer – a combined ticket including bus travel from Windermere to Coniston on the trusty 505, a cruise on Coniston Water to Brantwood historic house, and free entry to this enchanting attraction (and back again at the end of the day, of course). Hot tip: The café at Brantwood, with its views over the lake, is a perfect place to spend the money you’ve saved.
The whole day cost us about £40 for all four of us, and again, we paid nothing for petrol or parking all day.
Travelling car-free can save you money in the Lake District. Simple.
Our tip is to be adventurous. When you’re planning your trip, think of your travel as part of the adventure – going car-free is part of the Lake District experience. Then, do some research.
- Check out golakestravel.co.uk and get inspired to travel car-free
- Contact the attractions you want to visit and ask about the best combined tickets available
- Contact the lake cruise companies – Windermere Lake Cruises and Coniston Launch sell combined tickets of all kinds, including multi-day passes – all of these will save you money
