A mini guide to
Wasdale & Eskdale: getting there
Stops, stations and how to reach Wasdale & Eskdale
Stops and stations
Getting to Wasdale & Eskdale
Choose the stop closest to where you are going.
| Stop or station | Services | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Ravenglass | Northern | Station on the Cumbrian coast line between Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle, beside the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway |
| Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway | Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway | Heritage railway of about seven miles from Ravenglass to Dalegarth, near Boot; check the operator for the timetable |
| Wasdale Explorer | Reays Coaches, for the National Park Authority | Summer shuttle from Ravenglass, Gosforth and Nether Wasdale to Wasdale Head; in 2026 it ran on weekends and bank holidays from 2 May to 31 August |
Walking from nearby areas
- Coniston & Hawkshead: 17.8 km from Wasdale & Eskdale, better by public transport
- Ambleside & Grasmere: 20.0 km from Wasdale & Eskdale, better by public transport
- Keswick & Derwentwater: 22.8 km from Wasdale & Eskdale, better by public transport
- Windermere & Bowness: 25.7 km from Wasdale & Eskdale, better by public transport
Reaching the Lake District
Official travel information
The Lake District is in the north-west of England, with Manchester to the south and Carlisle to the north. The M6 runs along its eastern edge, and the main-line stations at Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle connect with the Windermere branch line, buses and boats. Journey times below come from the National Park Authority; always check operators for current times.
- Lake District National Park → — the National Park Authority
- Getting to and around the Lake District → — trains, buses, boats and driving
- Visit Lake District → — the regional tourism site
- National Rail Enquiries → — train times and fares
- Northern: Cumbria Travel Pass → — trains, buses and Windermere cruises
- Stagecoach: explore the Lakes by bus → — bus routes and timetables
- Traveline → — journey planner
- Windermere Lake Cruises → — boats on Windermere
- Ullswater Steamers → — boats on Ullswater
- Keswick Launch → — boats on Derwentwater
- Coniston Launch → — boats on Coniston Water
- Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway → — heritage railway to Eskdale
Times, fares and disruption change: use the operator pages above for live information.
Plan your journey here
Enter your starting point and Google Maps will show routes to Wasdale & Eskdale. Public transport is selected; change it on the map. Check operator sites for live disruption.

While you are here
Things to see in Wasdale & Eskdale
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Irton Cross
Anglo-Saxon cross of the early 9th century in the churchyard of St Paul's, Irton.
Gosforth Cross
Tall Viking high cross of the first half of the 10th century in St Mary's churchyard, Gosforth.
Wast Water
England's deepest lake, in the U-shaped Wasdale valley, with the Screes plunging into its southern shore.
The Lake District
More areas to explore
Windermere & Bowness
England's largest lake, with lake cruises, a railway station and a lakeside town
Open the mini guide →
Ambleside & Grasmere
A walking town at the head of Windermere and Wordsworth's village, linked along the Rothay valley
Open the mini guide →
Keswick & Derwentwater
A market town on the shore of Derwentwater, with a stone circle, a theatre and fells on every side
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Wasdale & Eskdale (area photo): John260660, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Irton Cross: Dougsim, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Gosforth Cross: David Gearing, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Wast Water: James Johnstone from Ecclefechan, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, source
- Windermere & Bowness: Anthony Foster, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ambleside & Grasmere: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Keswick & Derwentwater: Antiquary, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ullswater & Pooley Bridge: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Coniston & Hawkshead: Martin Jeffries, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Lake District