Train stations in Windermere
Windermere station is the end of the Lakes Line, with Northern trains to Oxenholme Lake District, Lancaster and Manchester; the lake is a short bus ride away.
- Stations
- 1
- Primary station
- Windermere
- Passenger operators
- 1
Windermere station is the end of the Lakes Line from Oxenholme Lake District, and Northern runs the trains that call there. The lake is a 25-minute walk or a short bus ride away, in Bowness-on-Windermere.
Arriving at Windermere station
The ticket office is open 06:40 to 20:45 Monday to Saturday and 11:10 to 20:40 on Sunday, and there is a ticket machine. All platforms are step-free and level with the main entrance, though the station has no lifts. Toilets are open during ticket office hours, and bicycle hire is available at the station. Orrest Head, a popular car-free walk with views over the lake, starts from the station, so it suits a first hour in Windermere before you catch a bus to the water.
From the station to the lake
Stagecoach bus 599 leaves from the bus and rail interchange in the station precinct and takes about 8 minutes to Bowness Pier; it also runs on to Ambleside and Grasmere. In summer it runs every 20 minutes. Walking to the lake takes about 25 minutes.
Windermere Lake Cruises sails all year from Bowness, Ambleside and Lakeside, except on Christmas Day.
Trains from Windermere
Times below follow the timetable that runs until 12 December 2026.
- Oxenholme Lake District: Northern takes 19 minutes, calling at Staveley, Burneside and Kendal on the way. From Monday to Saturday the first train leaves Windermere at 06:42. The last leaves at 22:47 from Monday to Friday and at 22:28 on Saturday. On Sunday the first train leaves at 10:53 and the last train at 19:01. Later Sunday evening journeys, at 19:20, 20:25 and 22:05, are replacement buses to Oxenholme Lake District that take no heavy luggage, dogs, bicycles or pushchairs.
- Lancaster: about 40 minutes.
- Preston: about 1 hour.
- Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport: some Northern trains run through from Windermere, such as the 13:07, which reaches Piccadilly in 1 hour 51 minutes and the Airport in 2 hours 8 minutes. Other journeys change at Oxenholme Lake District onto TransPennine Express, and the quickest of those reach Piccadilly in about 1 hour 40 minutes.
On Sunday 6 December 2026, trains from Windermere run only as far as Manchester Oxford Road, with replacement buses to Manchester Airport.
Changing at Oxenholme Lake District
No Avanti West Coast or TransPennine Express train calls at Windermere. Change at Oxenholme Lake District, the station on the West Coast Main Line.
- London Euston: Avanti West Coast takes as little as 2 hours 46 minutes from Oxenholme Lake District, and about 3 hours from Windermere with the change.
- Glasgow and Edinburgh: Avanti West Coast runs London to Glasgow Central trains that call at Oxenholme Lake District. TransPennine Express runs roughly hourly through Oxenholme Lake District between Manchester and Carlisle, with trains continuing to Glasgow Central or Edinburgh.
Christmas and timetable changes
Northern and Avanti West Coast run no trains on 25 or 26 December 2026. A new timetable starts on 13 December 2026, so times after 12 December can differ from those above. From Sunday 27 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 Avanti West Coast runs a reduced service to and from London Euston. On Friday 1 January 2027 buses replace trains between Preston and Lancaster until 13:45, and buses replace trains between Carlisle and Edinburgh all day.
Tickets and traps
Advance tickets are tied to one train and go on sale up to 12 weeks ahead, Off-Peak tickets are valid outside the busiest hours, and Anytime tickets are valid on any train. A railcard takes a third off most fares. Buy before you board, from the ticket machine, the ticket office or the Northern app. Buy your ticket through to Windermere, not to Oxenholme Lake District: Oxenholme is a junction 19 minutes away, nowhere near the lake.
Rail passes and reservations
As of October 2026, an Interrail pass covers Northern, Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express, and Interrail lists all three among the trains that need no reservation, so you can board with the pass alone. On long-distance trains Interrail recommends a seat reservation, and it is free of charge: worth having on a busy Avanti train to London.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Check times & prices
Omio
Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning.
Passenger train operators
- Check times & prices
Northern runs regional and commuter trains to over 500 stations across the North of England, from Advance to Anytime fares.
Official website
Train stations in Windermere
Find places to stay in Windermere
Frequently asked questions
Is Windermere station on the lake?
No. The station is in Windermere village, and the lake is a 25-minute walk or a short bus ride away. Stagecoach bus 599 runs from the station precinct to Bowness Pier.
Can I get a direct train from London to Windermere?
No. Avanti West Coast trains from London Euston stop at Oxenholme Lake District, where you change to the Northern train for the 19-minute run to Windermere. Allow about 3 hours in total.
Do trains to Windermere run on Sundays?
Yes, but only until early evening. On Sundays the first train leaves Windermere at 10:53 and the last train at 19:01; after that, replacement buses run to Oxenholme Lake District and cannot take heavy luggage, bikes, dogs or pushchairs. Arriving, the last Sunday train reaches Windermere at 18:52. Monday to Saturday trains start at 06:42.
Can I travel to Windermere on Christmas Day or Boxing Day?
No. Northern and Avanti West Coast run no trains on 25 or 26 December 2026.
Is Windermere station accessible?
Yes. There is step-free access to all platforms, which are level with the main entrance, but there are no lifts. Passenger Assistance meeting points, a help point and accessible toilets are available.