# Lake District Parking 2026: What It Costs and Where to Park

*Who runs which car park, what a day costs, what's actually free and how not to get fined, all checked on 29 September 2026.*

By Dan Fitzpatrick, Fell & Family. Updated Tuesday 29 September 2026. Canonical: https://fellandfamily.co.uk/guides/lake-district-parking-guide.html

**The short answer:** Lake District parking costs about £10 to £12 for a full day at the busy places: £10.60 in Ambleside, Bowness and Grasmere, £11.40 for up to 12 hours in Keswick and £10 at National Trust sites like Tarn Hows and Aira Force, where members park free. The car parks have different owners, so the app changes with the place (MiPermit in Keswick, PayByPhone in Windermere, JustPark at the National Trust, RingGo for the National Park) and some machines still want coins. Be parked before 10am in school holidays, or take the 555, the 599, the Windermere ferry or a Park and Sail ticket.

Lake District parking isn't one system, it's about five: two councils, the National Park Authority, the National Trust and, at one end of Keswick, a rugby club, each with its own machine, its own app and its own opinion about coins. I'm a dad in Carlisle with a six and a seven year old, so I know the misery of arriving at a lake with a picnic and two people who need the loo, then finding the only space is a verge a farmer will glare at.

Checked 29 September 2026; prices change, so the operator link on each car park is the one to trust. What I couldn't verify is listed at the end.

## Lake District parking: who runs what

The National Park Authority's own page says parking comes from 'a range of bodies, including councils, government authorities, schools, private operators and charities'. That's a polite way of saying nobody's in charge.

- Westmorland and Furness Council: Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside, Grasmere, Kendal, Ulverston and, less obviously, Penrith.
- Cumberland Council: Keswick, Cockermouth, Carlisle.
- The National Park Authority: lakeshore and valley car parks such as Waterhead, Stock Lane and White Moss, and it does enforce.
- The National Trust: 31 Lake District car parks, including Tarn Hows, Aira Force and Buttermere.
- Everyone else: Keswick Rugby Club, a farmer's field at Barrow Bay and Braithwaite school, which takes a £3 cash donation at weekends and in school holidays.

## Which Lake District parking app do you need?

Probably four, and they don't talk to each other.

- MiPermit, for Cumberland (Keswick, Cockermouth, Carlisle). Each car park has a code, such as 712223 at Keswick's Lakeside, or ring 0345 520 7007. The machines take cash and cards. Carlisle's Cecil Street is the exception and uses Flowbird.
- PayByPhone, for Westmorland and Furness, with codes like 9575. The council adds 20p to anything over £2, so a £10.60 day costs £10.80. Its machines disagree: Miller Bridge in Ambleside lists coins or phone with no card, while Red Bank Road in Grasmere says 'you cannot pay with cash'. The coin ones don't give change.
- JustPark, for the National Trust. Register by location code, pay up to 48 hours after your visit, and members can scan a card or validate on the app.
- RingGo and 'Pay to Park', for the National Park Authority. Waterhead is RingGo 37320, Stock Lane 37319. Some car parks can't take cards for lack of internet, the Authority says, so 'be prepared to pay with coins'.

> The coins are always in the other coat.

Westmorland and Furness warns that scammers have stuck fake stickers over payment machines, and says it never uses QR codes for parking. Don't scan one.

## What a day of Lake District parking costs

Correct on the day I checked. Longer is cheaper per hour: three hours in Keswick is £6.50 but six is £9, so past lunch, stay for the afternoon.

- Ambleside, Grasmere and Bowness (Westmorland and Furness): £5.80 for three hours and £10.60 all day, though Ferry Nab is £11.90.
- Keswick long-stay (Cumberland): £3.80 for two hours, £6.50 for three, £9 for six, £11.40 for up to 12.
- National Trust: £7 for two hours, £8.50 for four, £10 all day at Tarn Hows, Aira Force and Lake Head; £7, £8 and £9.50 in Borrowdale, Buttermere and Honister.
- Elsewhere: Kendal and Ulverston £8.10 all day, Cockermouth £5.70 for up to 12 hours, Penrith £6.80 for up to 10, Carlisle Castle £3.30.

For longer stays, Westmorland and Furness sells 3 day (£23.80) and 7 day (£46) passes at certain South Lakeland machines, not online. Cumberland sells 1, 3, 6 and 12 month permits, and the National Park sells annual ones; I couldn't find current prices. Electric cars pay 50p a kWh in the Park's charging car parks, plus the parking.

## Free parking in the Lake District: what's really free

Not much near anything you'd put on a postcard. The National Park's list marks small car parks as free: Gutherscale near Cat Bells, Noble Knott above Whinlatter, Machells Coppice on Coniston Water and Mardale Head at Haweswater. Small means free is a gamble, and the lists disagree: the Authority calls Overbeck Bridge in Wasdale free, the National Trust charges £7, so believe the sign.

In towns, free is about timing. Penrith's Sandgate is £1.50 on Sundays and bank holidays and free from 6pm to 8am, and Booths in Keswick gives the first hour free. Early bird rates: £1.40 before 9am at Lake Road in Ambleside, 7am to 9am at Kendal's Westmorland Shopping Centre. Blue Badge holders get an extra free hour in Westmorland and Furness car parks, three hours free in Cumberland's long-stay ones and free parking at National Trust sites.

## National Trust car parks in the Lake District

Members park free at most of them by scanning a card at the machine (not junior members, and the limit is 3,500kg, 7m and 16 seats). There's no overnight parking at any, and the Trust uses number plate cameras: a member without a card who doesn't pay 'may receive a compliance notice'. Prices are in the list above. Nether Wasdale has no machine at all, just a donation box.

## Town by town: where I'd park with kids

One pick per place, chosen for toilets and pushchair room, with distances only where an official page gives one. Council pages mostly don't mention toilets, so mine come from the National Park's car park list, and where I say nothing, nothing is listed.

### Keswick: Lakeside car park (Keswick)

Cumberland runs Keswick's three long-stay car parks on one tariff, so parking in Keswick is easy to work out. Lakeside is the family pick: 253 spaces and four coach bays beside the lake and Theatre by the Lake, with toilets on the National Park's list. Central (334 spaces) and Otley Road (87) cost the same. Bell Close is short stay, with accessible toilets.

- Price: £3.80 up to 2 hours, £6.50 up to 3, £9 up to 6, £11.40 up to 12; overnight 7pm to 7am £1.10
- Parking: 253 spaces, CA12 5DJ; cash, contactless, card or MiPermit code 712223
- Toilets/buggies: Toilets on the National Park's list; buggy access not stated
- Check first: Prices: keswick.org still shows older ones
- Website: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/lakeside-long-stay-car-park-keswick

### Keswick Rugby Club (Park and Sail) (Keswick)

The sensible one for the Launch or Cat Bells: park for the day and get a Launch voucher, 15 percent off for the driver and up to four passengers. The price depends on the page, £4 on the National Park's list, £5 gravel or £6 tarmac on keswick.org. No campervans.

- Price: £4 to £6 a day depending on the source
- Parking: About 200 to 250 spaces, Crow Park Road, CA12 5EG; payment method not stated
- Toilets/buggies: Not listed
- Check first: The price, and whether the Launch is running
- Website: https://www.keswick.org/visitor-information/car-parks

### Cat Bells (Newlands valley, near Keswick)

There's no proper car park. The National Trust lists two lay-bys, Gutherscale (eight spaces) and Little Town, and says it's 'much better to park in Keswick' and come by bus or boat. The National Park calls parking at the start 'extremely limited' and warns that double yellow lines can stop emergency services getting through and 'you will be fined'. I couldn't find an official page on the Newlands road restrictions, so I won't describe them.

- Price: Gutherscale is free on the National Park's list; Hawse End Field opens ad hoc in peak season for a fee
- Parking: Gutherscale lay-by, CA12 5UE, eight spaces
- Toilets/buggies: None listed at the lay-bys; not a buggy walk
- Check first: Launch and bus timetables before you set off
- Website: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/places-to-go/explore-derwentwater-and-keswick/getting-to-cat-bells/

### Bowness: Glebe Road (Bowness-on-Windermere)

Parking in Windermere mostly means Bowness, where the lake and boats are. Glebe Road is the family pick: 124 spaces, toilets on the National Park's list. Braithwaite Fold is the overflow, 400 spaces about 800 metres south. Windermere Lake Cruises count six car parks within 5 to 20 minutes' walk of the pier. Both start at £5.80 for up to three hours, so a quick ice cream costs the same as a long lunch.

- Price: £5.80 up to 3 hours, £7.40 up to 4, £8.80 up to 6, £10.60 all day; motorbikes free
- Parking: 124 spaces, LA23 3HE; coins, card or PayByPhone 9576; 8am to 8pm
- Toilets/buggies: Toilets on the National Park's list; council says wheelchair accessible
- Check first: Council permits not valid here; no overnight for motorhomes
- Website: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/glebe-road-car-park

### Windermere Ferry (Ferry Nab, Bowness, to Far Sawrey)

Not a car park, but half of Bowness queues for it. It's £1.50 on foot, £2.70 by bike, £3.50 by motorbike and £8 for a car up to 6m, card only, paid on board. The crossing takes about 10 minutes, with no timetable or booking, and a missed one means about 20 minutes' wait. Summer hours run from 6.50am to a 9.50pm last crossing from Ferry Nab; winter hours start on Sunday 25 October, last crossing 8.50pm. On a busy day I'd walk on.

- Price: Walker £1.50, cyclist £2.70, motorbike £3.50, car up to 6m £8, over 6m £14.50; Blue Badge holders pay standard fares
- Parking: Ferry Nab car park, LA22 3JN: 120 spaces, £11.90 all day
- Toilets/buggies: Not listed
- Check first: No sailings Christmas Day or Boxing Day; weather and maintenance can stop it; one tourism page still shows the April 2023 fares (£1 and £6)
- Website: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/windermere-ferry

### Lakeside pier (Windermere Lake Cruises) (Lakeside, near Newby Bridge)

The easy one. Windermere Lake Cruises say Lakeside has 300 spaces a few metres from the pier, 'up to 10 hours' for £5, plus 150 at Haverthwaite station for the steam train. That's half the Bowness price, and a boat takes you to Bowness or Ambleside, the nearest thing to park and ride on the lake. Its Park and Sail deal is listed at £6, so ask which price you'll get.

- Price: £5 for up to 10 hours per the cruise company; Park and Sail listed at £6
- Parking: 300 spaces at Lakeside, LA12 8AS; 150 more at Haverthwaite station
- Toilets/buggies: Toilets on the National Park's list
- Check first: £5 or £6; the company's own Waterhead car park has 21 spaces at £6 a day
- Website: https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/find-us

### Ambleside: Rydal Road (Ambleside)

Parking in Ambleside is a choice between Rydal Road (171 spaces, toilets listed) and the car parks nearer the water. Miller Bridge has 210 but takes coins or phone only. Lake Road has 48 and an Early Bird rate of £1.40 before 9am, the best deal in town if you're up early. Waterhead at the pier end is the National Park's own, with toilets and eight electric chargers.

- Price: £2.60 an hour, £5.80 for three, £10.60 all day (Rydal Road, Miller Bridge, Lake Road)
- Parking: Rydal Road, LA22 9AN; coins, card or PayByPhone 9917
- Toilets/buggies: Toilets listed at Rydal Road and Waterhead
- Check first: Miller Bridge has no card option; check what the Early Bird covers
- Website: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/rydal-road-car-park

### Grasmere: Red Bank Road and Stock Lane (Grasmere)

Grasmere's car parks are small and so is the village, so expect them to fill on any decent day. Red Bank Road (77 spaces) takes cards and phone only. Stock Lane, run by the National Park, lists accessible toilets, RingGo and coins or cards. I couldn't find the Park's Grasmere prices on a page I could read, so check the machine.

- Price: Red Bank Road £2.60 an hour, £5.80 for three, £10.60 all day; Stock Lane not found
- Parking: Red Bank Road, LA22 9SW; cards or PayByPhone 9919, no cash; Stock Lane RingGo 37319
- Toilets/buggies: Accessible toilets listed at Stock Lane
- Check first: No cash at Red Bank Road; no overnight parking
- Website: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/red-bank-road-car-park

### White Moss Common (Rydal, near Grasmere)

White Moss has an upper and a lower car park, you pay at the car park, and I couldn't find the price. What is listed: toilets with baby changing 40 metres from the car park and a 1.1 km path graded 'for all', with a small step off the first footbridge. Easiest first pushchair walk I know, and the loos are the bribe.

- Price: Charged; amount not found
- Parking: Upper and lower car parks; lower is LA22 9SD
- Toilets/buggies: Toilets with baby changing 40m from the car park; path graded 'for all'
- Check first: The price at the machine; the step off the first footbridge
- Website: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/mileswithoutstiles/mws9

### Kendal: Westmorland Shopping Centre (Kendal)

The pushchair car park: 629 spaces, 11 of them parent and child, the only council car park I found that says so. You pay on exit, at machines or the barriers, cash or card. There's a 1.8m height limit, so mind the roof box. Blackhall Road (81 spaces) is £8.10 all day on coins, card or phone.

- Price: £2.20 an hour, £4.40 for three, £6.80 for six, £8.10 all day; early bird 7am to 9am £1.40
- Parking: 68 Stricklandgate, LA9 4PU; cash or card, pay on exit
- Toilets/buggies: 11 parent and child spaces; toilets not listed on the council page
- Check first: Height limit 1.8m; Sunday and bank holiday hours 9.30am to 5.30pm
- Website: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/westmorland-shopping-centre-car-park

### Ulverston: Theatre Street (Ulverston)

Cheaper than the lake towns for a short stay: £1.80 for an hour, £4.40 for three, chargeable 8am to 6pm. Small, at 44 spaces, and it takes coins or cards.

- Price: £1.80 an hour, £4.40 for three, £6.80 for six, £8.10 all day
- Parking: 44 spaces, LA12 7AU; coins, card or PayByPhone 9931
- Toilets/buggies: Not listed
- Check first: Space, since there are only 44
- Website: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/theatre-street-car-park

### Cockermouth: Memorial Gardens (Cockermouth)

The cheapest of the lot. Memorial Gardens has 115 spaces at £1.60 an hour and £5.70 for up to 12. Fairfield on South Street has 182 spaces and a two hour limit. Cockermouth is also where the Buttermere shuttle bus starts, when it runs, so park here and pay £3 to get to the lake.

- Price: £1 for 30 minutes, £1.60 an hour, £3.10 for two, £5.70 up to 12 hours
- Parking: 115 spaces, CA13 0HR; cash, contactless, card or MiPermit 712225
- Toilets/buggies: Not listed
- Check first: Shuttle season: the 2026 one ended on 31 August
- Website: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/memorial-gardens-long-stay-car-park-cockermouth

### Penrith: Sandgate (Penrith)

Penrith is Westmorland and Furness, not Cumberland. Sandgate has 120 spaces and six coach bays, and the charge stops at 6pm. The X4 and X5 buses run from Penrith to Keswick, and the bus from Penrith station to Keswick bus station takes about 40 minutes.

- Price: £2 an hour, £2.80 for two, £4.80 for four, £6.80 for up to 10; Sundays and bank holidays £1.50; free 6pm to 8am
- Parking: Albert Street, CA11 7XA; card, coins or PayByPhone 805798
- Toilets/buggies: Not listed
- Check first: Motorhomes and coaches: 24 hour maximum stay
- Website: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/sandgate-car-park

### Carlisle: Castle car park (Carlisle)

Carlisle's my home turf, so I'll be blunt: Castle car park has 321 spaces at £1.50 an hour and £3.30 for anything from three to nine and a half hours, and the Sands (261 spaces) is £4.20 all day. Don't leave the car at Castle overnight: it shuts from 8pm to 6.30am and getting a locked-in car out costs £45.

- Price: £1.50 an hour, £2.40 for two, £2.90 for three, £3.30 for 3 to 9.5 hours; charges 8.30am to 6pm daily
- Parking: Devonshire Walk, CA3 8UL; contactless, card, coins, Apple Pay, Google Pay or MiPermit 712010
- Toilets/buggies: Not listed
- Check first: Overnight closure and the £45 release fee
- Website: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/castle-car-park-carlisle

## Parking at Tarn Hows, Buttermere and the other busy places

### Tarn Hows (Near Coniston and Hawkshead)

Parking at Tarn Hows is one car park and a lot of people. Non-members pay £7 for two hours, £8.50 for four and £10 all day; members and Blue Badge holders are free. The Trust names the JustPark app (code 80693) as the way to pay and I couldn't tell if there's a machine too, so download it early. The Trust says it's 'likely to be busy at peak holiday times' and to follow signs from the B5285, not the sat nav.

- Price: £7 up to 2 hours, £8.50 up to 4, £10 all day; free for members and Blue Badge holders
- Parking: Main car park plus a short stay viewing car park; JustPark 80693
- Toilets/buggies: Toilets with baby changing and an accessible toilet in the car park
- Check first: Busy at peak times; no coaches; follow signs, not sat nav
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/tarn-hows-and-coniston

### Aira Force (Ullswater, near Watermillock)

The one place the Trust tells you when to arrive: the main car park 'usually fills up around 10am' at peak times. Prices match Tarn Hows, and members are free if registered. When it's full, Glencoyne Bay, High Cascades and Park Brow charge £6, £8 and £9.50. Or skip it: the 508 from Penrith takes about 30 minutes and Ullswater Steamers call from Glenridding.

- Price: £7 up to 2 hours, £8.50 up to 4, £10 all day; overflow £6, £8, £9.50
- Parking: Main car park CA11 0JS, card or cash at the machine or JustPark; overflow at Glencoyne Bay CA11 0NQ, High Cascades and Park Brow CA11 0JY
- Toilets/buggies: Small toilet block in the car park, with an accessible toilet
- Check first: Arrive before 10am at peak times
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/aira-force-and-ullswater

### Buttermere (Buttermere)

Parking at Buttermere catches people out because the village has two car parks that work differently. The Trust's is £7 for two hours, £8 for four and £9.50 all day; its car park page says cash or JustPark, but the valley page says cash only, so bring coins. The National Park's has RingGo 37311, coins, cards and accessible toilets. Visit Lake District lists just 32 spaces in the village. Lanthwaite Wood is a half mile level walk from Crummock Water.

- Price: £7 up to 2 hours, £8 up to 4, £9.50 all day at the National Trust's; free for members
- Parking: Buttermere CA13 9UZ; Lanthwaite Wood CA13 0RT; Honister Pass CA12 5XN; no overnight parking
- Toilets/buggies: Accessible toilets at the National Park's car park
- Check first: Cash or app; the Buttermere shuttle finished for 2026 on 31 August
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/buttermere-valley/car-parks-in-the-buttermere-valley

### Wasdale (Wasdale Head)

Wasdale is where the honesty box lives: Nether Wasdale has no machine, just a donation box. Lake Head, the biggest, with a toilet block and welcome centre, charges the Tarn Hows rates. The Trust prices Overbeck at £7, £8 and £9.50, though the National Park calls Overbeck Bridge free. The Park says parking in the valley is 'very limited'.

- Price: Lake Head £7 up to 2 hours, £8.50 up to 4, £10 all day; Nether Wasdale donation box
- Parking: Lake Head CA20 1EX; Overbeck CA20 1ET; Nether Wasdale CA20 1ET
- Toilets/buggies: Toilet block at Lake Head
- Check first: Overbeck price; the Wasdale Explorer shuttle (£3 for the day) ran to 31 August 2026, and the Trust's page gives other dates
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wasdale/car-parks-in-wasdale

## Park and ride in the Lake District, and other ways to skip the car park

There's no proper park and ride here, the kind with a big car park on a ring road. What exists is Park and Sail at Keswick and Lakeside, and a 'Park and explore' ticket the National Park mentions that bundles day parking with bus travel. Braithwaite Fold's council page puts it at £23.80 for up to five people; I couldn't find the small print, so ask before you buy.

### The 555, the 599 and the Honister Rambler (Keswick to Windermere and Buttermere)

Single fares are capped at £3, so a bus can beat a £10 car park. The 555 links Lancaster, Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick. The 599 covers Bowness, Windermere, Rydal and Grasmere and, in summer, runs up to every 20 minutes with an open top bus. The Honister Rambler (the 77 and 77A) loops Keswick, Cat Bells, Buttermere, Cockermouth and Whinlatter. The summer guide runs to 1 November but the Rambler's timetable I read ended on 31 August, so check what's running.

- Price: Singles capped at £3; North West Explorer day ticket £12.50 adult, £9 child or concession
- Parking: Not applicable; park at Cockermouth, Penrith or a town car park
- Toilets/buggies: Not listed
- Check first: Which of these are running after 1 November
- Website: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/cumbria-and-north-lancashire/explore-the-lakes-by-bus

## When the car parks fill up

The only official time I found is the National Trust's: Aira Force 'usually fills up around 10am' at peak times. I'd treat that as the rule. Half term is 26 to 30 October for most Cumbria schools, then Christmas, then 15 to 19 February. In holidays and on dry weekends, be parked before 10am or after 3pm. Clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, and some toilets close for winter, including Rosthwaite and Seatoller in Borrowdale.

### Tour de France 2027, Stage 2 from Keswick (Keswick, through Grasmere and Windermere)

Next summer's problem. Stage 2 leaves Keswick on Saturday 3 July 2027 and heads south past Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere, with full road closures planned. Parking isn't announced. I'd plan a bus or a walk.

- Price: Free to watch
- Parking: Not announced
- Toilets/buggies: Not announced
- Check first: Start time, road closures and parking, all still to be confirmed
- Website: https://www.cumbriaguru.com/events/tour-de-france-2027-stage-2-keswick-lake-district

## Fines, etiquette and what not to do

Cumberland's penalty is £70 (£35 if paid within 14 days) at the higher level and £50 (£25) at the lower one, which is what overstaying costs. Westmorland and Furness doesn't print its amounts on the page I read. The National Park enforces too, with appeals to parking@lakedistrict.gov.uk.

- Passing places: leave them empty. Roads like Ashness Bridge and Watendlath are steep, narrow and depend on them.
- Verges: the National Park asks people not to cause 'highway obstructions by parking badly on roadsides and verges'.
- Gates: don't block them. The Authority says so, and a farmer needs the gate more than you need the photo.
- Overnight: camping in car parks or on verges isn't allowed 'at any time', and the Trust bans overnight parking at all its places.

## What I couldn't check

- The National Park's own prices at Waterhead, Stock Lane and White Moss weren't on any page I could read.
- Rayrigg Road, Quarry Mount, Broad Street and Low Fold car parks: the council site rate-limited me.
- Newlands road restrictions: no official page found.
- Keswick Rugby Club's price, and keswick.org quotes older Cumberland prices (£3.70 for two hours) than the council, which I've used.
- The Tour de France page didn't load, so that entry is from the Almanac feed.

## Questions people ask

**Is there free parking in the Lake District?** Some, but not near the famous places. The National Park's list marks small car parks such as Gutherscale near Cat Bells, Noble Knott above Whinlatter and Mardale Head at Haweswater as free, and National Trust members park free at its car parks. In towns, Blue Badge holders get extra free time and Penrith's Sandgate is free from 6pm to 8am.

**How much is parking in the Lake District?** About £10 to £12 for a full day at the busy places: £10.60 in Ambleside, Bowness and Grasmere, £11.40 for up to 12 hours in Keswick and £10 at Tarn Hows and Aira Force. Cockermouth (£5.70) and Windermere Lake Cruises' Lakeside pier (£5 for up to 10 hours) are cheaper.

**What app do you need for Lake District parking?** It depends who runs the car park: MiPermit in Keswick, Cockermouth and Carlisle, PayByPhone in Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and Kendal, JustPark at National Trust car parks and RingGo at National Park ones. Some machines only take coins, so keep a few.

**Do National Trust members park free in the Lake District?** Yes, at most National Trust car parks: scan the card at the pay and display machine or validate it on JustPark. Junior members are excluded, and Blue Badge holders also park free in its pay and display car parks.

**Where do you park for Buttermere?** The National Trust's village car park (CA13 9UZ) is £7 for two hours or £9.50 all day, and the National Park has its own village car park with RingGo. Lanthwaite Wood, by Crummock Water, is a half mile level walk away. Visit Lake District lists just 32 spaces in the village, so the 77 and 77A buses are the backup.

**How much is parking at Tarn Hows?** £7 for two hours, £8.50 for four and £10 all day for non-members at the time of writing, free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders. Payment is via the JustPark app (code 80693) and the car park has toilets with baby changing.

**Is there park and ride in the Lake District?** Not in the usual sense. The nearest things are Park and Sail at Keswick Rugby Club (15 percent off the Launch) and at Windermere Lake Cruises' Lakeside and Ambleside piers, plus a Park and explore ticket the National Park says combines parking with bus travel.

**Can you park at Cat Bells?** Only in a couple of small lay-bys: the National Trust lists Gutherscale (eight spaces) and Little Town, and says it's much better to park in Keswick and take the bus or the Launch. The National Park warns that parking on double yellow lines can block emergency vehicles and get you fined.

## Sources

- Car parks and parking, Lake District National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/visitor-facilities/car-parks-and-parking/
- Car park permits, Lake District National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/visitor-facilities/car-parks/car-park-permits/
- Electric car hire and charging points, Lake District National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/visitor-facilities/car-parks/evs-and-car-hire/
- Getting to and around the Lake District, National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/plan-your-visit/getting-to-and-around/
- Getting to Cat Bells, Lake District National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/places-to-go/explore-derwentwater-and-keswick/getting-to-cat-bells/
- Buttermere shuttle bus 2026, Lake District National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/places-to-go/explore-northern-lakes/buttermere-shuttlebus/
- Wasdale Explorer 2026, Lake District National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/places-to-go/explore-wasdale-wastwater-and-west-coast/wasdale-explorer/
- Campervans and where to park, Lake District National Park Authority: https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/explore/where-to-stay/campervans-and-where-to-park/
- Coast and countryside car parks in the Lake District, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/coast-and-countryside-car-parks-in-the-lake-district
- Car parking FAQs, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/services/help-centre/car-parking-faqs
- Car parks in Borrowdale and Derwent Water, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/borrowdale-and-derwent-water/car-parks-in-borrowdale-and-derwent-water
- Car parks in the Buttermere Valley, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/buttermere-valley/car-parks-in-the-buttermere-valley
- Buttermere Valley, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/buttermere-valley
- Car parks in Wasdale, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wasdale/car-parks-in-wasdale
- Aira Force and Ullswater, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/aira-force-and-ullswater
- Tarn Hows and Coniston, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/tarn-hows-and-coniston
- Tarn Hows circular walk, National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/tarn-hows-and-coniston/tarn-hows-circular-walk
- White Moss Common, Miles without Stiles, Lake District National Park: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/mileswithoutstiles/mws9
- Glebe Road car park, Bowness, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/glebe-road-car-park
- Rydal Road car park, Ambleside, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/rydal-road-car-park
- Red Bank Road car park, Grasmere, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/red-bank-road-car-park
- Westmorland Shopping Centre car park, Kendal, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/westmorland-shopping-centre-car-park
- Theatre Street car park, Ulverston, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/theatre-street-car-park
- Sandgate car park, Penrith, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/sandgate-car-park
- Memorial Gardens car park, Cockermouth, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/memorial-gardens-long-stay-car-park-cockermouth
- Castle car park, Carlisle, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/castle-car-park-carlisle
- Lakeside car park, Keswick, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/lakeside-long-stay-car-park-keswick
- Find a car park near you, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you
- Pay by phone, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/pay-your-parking-phone
- 3 and 7 day parking passes, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/parking-permits-day-passes-and-season-tickets/how-buy-3-or-7-day-parking-pass
- Parking scams, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/parking-scams
- Windermere ferry, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/windermere-ferry
- Braithwaite Fold car park, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/braithwaite-fold-car-park
- Ferry Nab car park, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/ferry-nab-car-park
- Miller Bridge car park, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/miller-bridge-car-park
- Lake Road car park, Ambleside, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/lake-road-car-park
- Blackhall Road car park, Kendal, Westmorland and Furness Council: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/blackhall-road-car-park
- Paying for parking, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/different-ways-you-can-pay-parking
- Penalty charge notices, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/pay-or-challenge-penalty-charge-notice
- Bell Close car park, Keswick, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/bell-close-short-stay-car-park-keswick
- Central car park, Keswick, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/central-car-park-keswick
- Otley Road car park, Keswick, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/otley-road-long-stay-car-park-keswick
- Fairfield car park, Cockermouth, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/fairfield-short-stay-car-park-cockermouth
- The Sands car park, Carlisle, Cumberland Council: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/find-car-park-near-you/sands-car-park-carlisle
- Car parks in Keswick, Keswick tourism: https://www.keswick.org/visitor-information/car-parks
- Getting around Keswick and bus timetables, Keswick tourism: https://www.keswick.org/visitor-information/gettingaroundkeswick
- Getting to Keswick, Keswick tourism: https://www.keswick.org/visitor-information/getting-to-keswick
- Find us and parking by pier, Windermere Lake Cruises: https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/find-us
- Explore the Lakes by bus, Stagecoach: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/cumbria-and-north-lancashire/explore-the-lakes-by-bus
- Lakes by Bus summer 2026 guide, Stagecoach (PDF): https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Cumbria/Lakes%20Connection/Summer26/Lakes_by_Bus_Summer26_WEB.pdf
- Routes 77, 77A and 77C summer 2026 timetable, Stagecoach (PDF): https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Cumbria/Lakes%20Connection/Summer26/Summer26_77_77A_77C.pdf
- Car parking and car charging, Visit Lake District: https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/plan-your-visit/travel/car-parking-and-car-charging
- Windermere car and passenger ferry, Visit Lake District (shows 2023 fares): https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/plan-your-visit/travel/windermere-car-and-passenger-ferry-p1210741
- Tour de France 2027: Stage 2 start in Keswick, Cumbria Guru (listing in the Almanac feed): https://www.cumbriaguru.com/events/tour-de-france-2027-stage-2-keswick-lake-district