Record number of people using rail to popular Lake District station

Northern has revealed that 496,000 passengers passed through Windermere station in 2025/26. That was a record high and up 7% from the previous year.

The train operator is now expecting more than half a million journeys to be made in 2026/27.

Many tourists catch the train to Windermere so they can visit England’s largest lake – also called Windermere – and nearby towns on the shoreline, including Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside.

They travel in on the Lakes Line, on services which call at Oxenholme, Kendal, Burneside and Staveley. There are also four services a day running in each direction between Manchester Airport and Windermere.

Local businesses have been preparing up for a busy summer, as a growing number of tourists are booking trips to popular UK holiday destinations like the Lake District, amid uncertainty over international travel.

Northern has launched a new ticket that allows visitors to switch between trains, buses and boats when they’re exploring Cumbria.

The Cumbria Travel Pass, which costs £40 per person for a day, grants them unlimited travel across the county on Northern, TransPennine Express and Avanti trains, Stagecoach bus services and certain Windermere Lake Cruises boats – allowing them to make as many stops as they want along the way.

Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director at Northern, said: “It’s easy to see why the Lake District is such a popular destination and we’re delighted that a growing number of people are getting there by train.

“Windermere is a wonderful place to visit and buses run regularly from the station to a wide range of destinations. Our new Cumbria Travel Pass also makes getting around without a car even easier.

“We know how important tourism is to the local area and reliable and affordable public transport allows people to explore everything it has to offer without the stress of driving in traffic or searching for a parking space.”

Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “It is fantastic to see record numbers of people passing through Windermere station, making use of the Lakes Line as a way to reach the heart of the Lake District National Park.

“Getting to and around the Lake District in Cumbria by public transport is simple and straightforward, with so many ways to travel – from trains and buses to boats, boots and bikes.

“The Cumbria Travel Pass makes this even easier, combining different ways of getting around into one simple ticket, allowing visitors to sit back and enjoy the ride. It’s great to see travel operators working in partnership to make sustainable transport options more accessible to visitors. ”

Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and Lancashire, said: “It is fantastic to see growing numbers of people choosing public transport to visit the Lake District, one of the UK’s most iconic destinations.

“The record passenger numbers at Windermere reflect the strong appeal of travelling sustainably and stress-free, allowing visitors to focus on enjoying everything the area has to offer.

“Through our partnership with Northern and the Cumbria Travel Pass, we’re making it even easier for people to connect seamlessly between buses, trains and boats, supporting local businesses, reducing congestion and helping visitors explore more of Cumbria without relying on the car.”

John Woodburn, Operations Director at Windemere Lake Cruises, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Cumbria Travel Pass. It gives visitors a hassle-free way to leave the car behind, cut down on traffic, and enjoy the very best of Windermere from the water and beyond.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.