Guided Trail on the Cumbria Way

Derwentwater travel information

Derwent Bank, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TY.

By car

Derwent Bank is 30 minutes from junction 40 of the M6. A large car park is available in the grounds with ample free parking. If you are using a sat nav, the postcode for Derwent Bank is CA12 5TY.

Derwentwater Map

By train

The nearest station is at Penrith on the west coast main line between London and Glasgow. Penrith is also served by direct trains from Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester Airport. For train times and ticket prices see: www.nationalrail.co.uk/.

By taxi or bus

The 18 mile journey from Penrith station to Derwent Bank can be made by taxi or bus. Taxis cost £32 per journey - less if shared. We will send you a taxi booking form prior to your holiday.

Buses run approximately every hour as far as Portinscale, from where it is a ¾mile walk to Derwent Bank. Alternatively alight in Keswick and complete your journey by taxi (allow £8).

By air

The nearest airports are at Manchester or Newcastle. If you are arriving at London Heathrow or London Gatwick it is possible, if you have a morning arrival, to reach Derwent Bank in a day. See www.nationalrail.co.uk/ for details on travelling from these airports by train.

If you are arriving at London Heathrow take the Underground to London Euston station. Direct trains run from here to Penrith. Total journey time around 4½ hours. 

From Gatwick Airport the easiest option is to take a Thameslink train to King’s Cross St Pancras station in central London. From here it is a 10-15 minute walk to London Euston station, for a direct train to Penrith. Total journey time around 4½ hours. 

Manchester Airport has its own station with direct trains to Penrith. Journey time is around 2 hours.

Newcastle Airport is nearer, but requires a more complicated journey to Derwent Bank. First take the Metro to Newcastle Central station, then a train to Penrith (1 change at Carlisle). Journey time 2½-3½ hours, depending on the connection.

By National Express coach

Coaches operate to Keswick town centre.

Further information on National Express routes, times and prices is available at www.nationalexpress.co.uk. A discount is available for our customers by quoting ref HFHOLTEN.

Transfer from Derwentwater to Conistonwater

On this holiday you will stay at 2 HF Holidays’ Country Houses, spending four nights at Derwentwater and three at Conistonwater. On the Wednesday, we will transfer your luggage from Derwentwater to Conistonwater with the coach company who will be taking you to Conistonwater that evening. For guests with cars we suggest that on the Tuesday afternoon, as the walk usually finishes between three and four o’clock, you drive your car to Conistonwater where we can arrange a shared taxi to return you to Derwentwater in time for dinner.  This would be at your expense. Alternatively, if there is room in the car park you may prefer to leave your vehicle at Derwentwater until the Saturday and return by taxi. Please liaise with your leader who will help you organise your most suitable arrangements.

Conistonwater travel information

Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AQ.

By car

Monk Coniston is around 1 hour from Junction 36 of the M6. A large car park is available in the grounds with ample free  parking. If you are using a sat-nav, the postcode for Monk Coniston is LA21 8AQ.

Conistonwater map

By train

The nearest station is at Windermere. This it at the end of a branch line from the junction at Oxenholme on the main line between London and Glasgow.

Trains from Windermere run approximately every hour, with many running direct to Manchester and Manchester Airport. For train times and ticket prices see: www.nationalrail.co.uk.

By taxi or bus

The 13 mile journey from Monk Coniston to Windermere station can be made by taxi or bus. Taxis cost approx £18 per journey - less if shared. We will send you a taxi booking form prior to your holiday.

In the summer, direct buses run approximately every hour from Monk Coniston to Windermere. See www.traveline.org.uk for bus times.

By air

The nearest airport is at Manchester. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for details on travelling to the airports by train. Journey time to Manchester Airport by train with usually 1 change at Oxenholme, is around 2 hours

Total journey time to both London Heathrow and Gatwick airports is around 4½ hours. 

By National Express coach

Coaches operate from Ambleside. You could travel to Ambleside by taxi from Monk Coniston. Further information on National Express are detailed above.