Lake District by Bus and Boat, Car-Free, in
By train, the 555 bus and boats, from Windermere north to Keswick and Ullswater.
A Lake District route that works without a car: stay in Windermere in the south for the lake and Beatrix Potter's home, take the 555 bus via Grasmere to Keswick, then enjoy the northern lakes by boat and easy hill paths, and finally cross Ullswater to Penrith for the West Coast Main Line. It suits travellers who would rather not drive narrow roads. Western Wast Water and Buttermere are left out.
Buses run less often in winter, Hill Top has closed periods, and some boats stop sailing.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive at Lake Windermere
Lake District（Windermere、The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction）
London Euston to Windermere via Oxenholme takes about 3 hours 20 minutes; the bus to Bowness takes about 10 minutes.
Stay: Windermere & Bowness
Day 2 · Hill Top and Hawkshead
Lake District（Hill Top、Hawkshead）
The ferry across the lake from Bowness takes about 10 minutes, then take a shuttle bus or walk to Near Sawrey, about 1 hour.
Hill Top requires a timed ticket booked in advance and is mostly closed on Fridays; check the official website.
Stay: Windermere & Bowness
Day 3 · Poets' Trail to Keswick
Lake District（Ambleside、Rydal Mount、Grasmere & Dove Cottage）
The 555 bus to Grasmere takes about 40 minutes, then about 30 minutes on to Keswick.
Left luggage for large bags is inconvenient; travel light when changing lodgings.
Stay: Keswick
Day 4 · Derwentwater and Cat Bells
Lake District（Keswick & Derwentwater、Catbells）
Take the lake launch from Keswick landing to Hawse End, about 10–15 minutes; the Cat Bells round trip takes about 3 hours.
There's a short scramble near the top of Cat Bells, which is slippery in the rain.
Stay: Keswick
Day 5 · Ullswater to Penrith
Lake District（Aira Force、Ullswater）
The 508 or a related bus to Ullswater takes about 1 hour; in the afternoon continue to Penrith station, about 40 minutes.
The 508 runs infrequently; check the current season's timetable.