Car Free Holidays

Ditch the motor and go car free at The Quiet Site

Enjoy car free holidays and glamping breaks at The Quiet Site, Ullswater.

The Lake District is a fabulous destination that is best enjoyed in ways which allow you take in our spectacular landscape.  You can best enjoy these views while walking, cycling, sailing on the lake or by letting someone else do the driving.

Travelling without the car can offer you a great feeling of freedom and allow you to relax and enjoy your holiday.

To make it as easy as possible, the businesses around Ullswater have been working together to provide new bus routes fo 2024.  The Ullswater Bus means you can enjoy car free holidays and access all the area’s best bits without jumping in the car.

We’ve rounded up some our favourite car free activities below, along with information about how to reach us.  Don’t forget our wide range of glamping accommodation here at The Quiet Site means you can travel light and still enjoy a comfortable and relaxing break.

 

Here are some examples of ways to utilise the new Ullswater Hopper Bus while staying with us!

  1. Lowther Castle + Gardens

Board the bus at 9.40 or 11.40 from The Quiet Site’s entrance to Pooley Bridge. The 509 will be waiting here to whisk you on to Lowther Castle, arriving at 10.10 or 12.10. You will be able to spend either 6 or 4 hours exploring the beautiful gardens and adventure playground before getting the 16.36 back to Pooley Bridge. Have an ice cream here before boarding the 17.35 back to TQS arriving at 17.45

  1. Lowther Castle + Gardens and Aira Force – two fabulous attractions !

Board the 9.40 bus from The Quiet Site’s entrance to Pooley Bridge. The 509 will be waiting for you here and will  deliver you to Lowther Castle and Gardens arriving at 10.10

Spend 3 hours exploring the beautiful gardens and adventure playground before getting the 13.16 before boarding the 509 bus. Ride this bus along the scenic shore of Ullswater to Aira Force Waterfalls arriving at 13.49. You have just over 2 hours to explore ethe most famous waterfalls in the lake District before getting the UB1 at 16.15, returning to TQS for 16.40

  1. Hallin Fell – perfect first climb for young legs

Board the 9.40  or 11.40 bus from The Quiet Site’s entrance arriving at the Hawse at 10.10 or 12.10

You will need around an hour of gentle uphill waking to summit Hallin Fell.  Perfect spot fro a picnic.  St Peters church is worth a look on the way down.  Jump on the return bus at 15.15 or 17.15 for the 30 minute return journey to The Quiet Site.

  1. Aira Force Waterfalls

Board the 10.45 or 12.45 from The Quiet Site’s entrance to Aira Force. Explore the famous waterfalls and surrounding parkland before returning on the 14.15 or 16.15 directly back to TQS.

  1. Visit Keswick – Idyllic walk to Friars Cragg, Row round the Island or visit the shops

Board the 10.45 from The Quiet Site’s entrance arriving at 11.10 at Aira Force. Change here onto the 509 departing 11.49.  Reach Keswick at 12.15.  Lots to do and see here!  The return 509 leaves at 15.25. Change at Aira Force (15.52-16.15)

  1. Ullswater Steamers

Board the 11.40  bus The Quiet Site’s entrance ready for the 12.25 sailing from the Pooley Bridge Pier.  Arrive in Glenridding at 13.25 and spend a couple of hours soaking up the views before taking 15.20 boat back to Pooley Bridge and then the jump on the 17.35 bus back to TQS in time for pizza and a pint.

  1. The Ullswater Way

Take any bus The Quiet Site’s entrance to get to the section of the Ullswater Way that you want to do!

 

The Ullswater Hopper Bus and the new 509 bus run every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday until 3rd November 2024

Travel by train

Travelling to Cumbria by train is both fast and easy.  Penrith is our nearest station, on the West Coast Mainline.  It’s just a short bus journey from the station to The Quiet Site.

Some common direct train journey times to Penrith from national destinations:

  • 3h 5m – London
  • 1h 30m – Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow
  • 1h 10m – Wigan
  • 1h – Preston
  • 35m – Lancaster
  • 15m – Carlisle

We’re also easily reached from the North East via Carlisle, or from Leeds and connecting stations on the Settle to Carlisle line.

Penrith Station

And from Penrith Station you can just jump on a 508 bus to The Brackenrigg Inn. From here we will pick you up, or you can get the Ullswater Hopper Bus straight to The Quiet Site if the timing is good.

Ullswater Bus logo

Get out and about by bus

The Ullswater bus services link the valley’s accommodations and attractions and will be running on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays between 23rd March 2024 and 3rd November 2024.

UB1  runs from Aira Force, looping round the various accommodations s of Watermillock and then on to Pooley Bridge and Howtown.  UB1 stops right at our front door !

509 is the second new bus that will be running in 2024. It will run between Keswick and Penrith Station taking in Ullswater Steamer piers, Aira Force, Glenridding, Pooley Bridge and Lowther Castle.  Changing from UB1 to the 509 is easy and convenient. Fares are inclusive of any changes and are just £2 single, £4 return.

Enjoy car free holidays and days out

We’ve put together some of our favourite places to visit and things to do without the car when you’re staying with us.

The Quiet Site

The Ullswater Way

The whole circuit is 20 miles, but it’s easily broken down into sections which you can reach via the Ullswater Bus or Steamers.

Aira Force

A circular walk which takes around 4 hours from our front door.  One of the best low level walks in the Lake District!

Little Mell Fell

A fairly short walk to the top of this lovely fell, which sits just behind The Quiet Site.

Hallin Fell

A magical fell just beyond Howtown on the southern side of the lake.  A perfect climb for little legs too!

Ullswater Steamers

Take the Ullswater Bus to Pooley Bridge pier to enjoy a fabulous cruise (up to 2 hours) around England’s most beautiful lake.

Lowther Castle

Lowther Castle & Gardens

A wonderful day out visting this magnificent castle facade and enchanting gardens.  Again, catch the Ullswater Bus!

The Quiet Site

Electric Bike Hire

We can organise bike hire so you can explore the quiet lanes and bridleways around Ullswater.  Just let us know your dates, height and weight and your bikes can be ready and waiting for you.

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Accessible, easy to learn and seriously fun, plus you can see the lake from a whole different perspective.  Lessons and board hire can be booked at Another Place, just down the road from The Quiet Site.

Open Water Swimming

Our neighbour, Another Place, also organises open water guided swim sessions and coaching. Find out more at Ullswater Swim Place.

Learn to Sail

or hire a boat at Glenridding Sailing Centre – probably the most beautiful sailing school location in England!

Ready to Book?

Click the link to check our availability and make your booking.

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