Save Money And The Planet When You Explore By Bus In Cumbria This Half Term

There’s never been a better time to travel by bus.

The Government’s national fare-cap means nobody has to pay more than £2 for a single bus journey, regardless of how far you go.

The scheme is due to end on December 31 and, as yet, there is no word on extending it so it makes sense to take advantage while you can.

Concessions with NoWcards don’t even have to pay £2. You can travel free after 9.30am Mondays to Fridays (also before 9.30am for journeys wholly within Cumberland) and any time at weekends.

Here are 10 great ideas of places to visit by Stagecoach bus this autumn.

Those marked with an * are good wet weather options while those without an * are mainly outdoors and best saved for a fine day.

Check times online – at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables – and don’t forget to download the Stagecoach Bus app from the Apple App Store or Google’s Play Store. This has a journey planner, maps showing the location of bus stops and provides real-time information on bus running.

Remember, taking the bus is good for the planet too. Net Zero Nation says replacing car trips with bus travel cuts damaging CO2 emissions by 42 per cent.


CARLISLE*
Bus routes: 104 from Penrith, 300 from Workington, 400 from Silloth, 553/4 from Keswick, 600 from Cockermouth and 685 from Brampton
The Great Border City is Cumbria’s premier shopping destination with the likes of Next, M&S and Primark. Or maybe the Historic Quarter is more your thing with its Castle (English Heritage), Cathedral and Tullie, the art gallery and museum due to fully reopen this autumn after major improvements.


THE LAKES DISTILLERY*
Bus route: X4 hourly Monday to Saturday from Workington, Penrith and Keswick
Home of The Lakes Single Malt Whisky, not to mention gin and vodka. Go behind the scenes with a distillery tour and tasting, best booked in advance, which is another good reason to take the bus rather than drive. There should be time for a bite in the bistro before heading home. Open daily, 10am-6pm.


SEDBERGH
Bus route: 563 from Penrith (two per day, Monday to Friday) via Appleby and Kirkby Stephen
Sedbergh is Cumbria’s book town yet lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Work that one out. It’s a delightful spot to spend a few hours. Walkers can ascend Winder for extensive views. Apart from book shops, and its famous public school, Sedbergh boasts great cafés and the Black Bull gastropub.


KESWICK
Bus route: X4/X5 half-hourly from Workington, Cockermouth and Penrith, 553/4 from Carlisle (up to seven per day). 78 half-hourly Keswick to Seatoller
Keswick has fabulous cafés and shops and a large outdoor market on Thursdays and Saturdays. You can ride through Borrowdale on the open-top 78 bus, climb Latrigg or stroll to Friars Crag for a view of Derwent Water and maybe jump on a launch for a trip around the lake (sailings daily until November 17).


CORBRIDGE
Bus route: 685 hourly from Carlisle and Brampton
The 685 bus will take you all the way from Carlisle to Newcastle for £2. We recommend getting off at Corbridge in Northumberland, a gem of a village with designer boutiques, antiques, a great delicatessen, plenty of eating places and the impressive remains of a Roman town (English Heritage).

KENDAL*
Bus route: 555 hourly from Keswick, 563 from Penrith (two per day, Monday to Friday via Appleby and Sedbergh, a long but scenic ride)

Known as the ‘Auld grey town’, Kendal has a lot going for it including a great range of independent shops, Kendal Museum, the Quaker Tapestry Museum, Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Brewery Arts. The ruined castle is thought to be the birthplace of Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII.


MARYPORT*
Buses: 300 hourly from Carlisle and Workington, 30 from Egremont/Frizington, Whitehaven and Workington (frequent service)

You can buy fresh fish landed by boats at the quayside. Still on a fishy theme, the Lake District Coast Aquarium is open daily, 10am-5pm. Then there’s Senhouse Museum, which features a collection of outstanding Roman objects excavated from the adjacent fort, Alauna.


WINDERMERE and BOWNESS
Bus route: 555 hourly from Keswick to Windermere, 508 Penrith to Bowness and Windermere (6 per day until November 3), 599 Bowness to Windermere
Yes, we know it’s a tourist honeypot but peak season is over and the autumn colours will take your breath away. Get off at Windermere for the easy climb to Orrest Head for a full-length view of England’s largest lake or stay on the bus to Bowness to pick up one of Windermere Lake Cruises’ regular sailings.


BOWNESS-ON-SOLWAY
Bus route: 93 from Carlisle (four per day, Monday to Saturday) to Campfield Marsh Reserve, between Cardurnock and Bowness.
A must for bird watchers. The bus drops you at Campfield Marsh Reserve (RSPB), near Solway Wetlands Centre (10am-4pm) where there is information on the latest sightings. Follow trails to bird hides and on boardwalks across Bowness Common, one of the UK’s largest peat bogs. Bring your binoculars.


GRASMERE*
Bus route: 555 hourly from Keswick
William Wordsworth described Grasmere as “the most loveliest spot that man hath found”. Who are we to argue? You can visit the poet’s former home, Dove Cottage (open Tue-Sat) and the Wordsworth Museum. Explore the village’s shops and galleries and, if you’ve a sweet tooth, do try Grasmere Gingerbread.