Two Lake District Open Top Bus Routes Named Among UK’s Best
Two Lake District open top bus routes have been named among the UK’s best scenic journeys, highlighting the region’s stunning landscapes and offering visitors a distinctive way to explore the national park without getting behind the wheel.
The routes provide passengers with an opportunity to take in views across the Lake District while travelling between some of the area’s most popular destinations. Open top services are particularly popular with visitors during the warmer months because they provide unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside.
One of the best known services is the 599 route, which operates between Bowness on Windermere and destinations including Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. The service has become a popular option for visitors looking to experience the area without relying on a car.
The recognition reinforces the Lake District’s reputation as one of Britain’s leading destinations for scenic public transport journeys, with open top buses allowing passengers to experience the landscape from a different perspective.
The routes also provide a practical alternative to driving, particularly during busy periods when roads and car parks around popular Lake District destinations can become heavily congested. Visitors can travel between attractions while enjoying the scenery along the way.
Open top services have become an increasingly popular part of the region’s tourism offering. They allow passengers to combine sightseeing with public transport and can make it easier to reach several destinations during a single day.
The wider popularity of scenic bus travel has also led to dedicated collections highlighting some of Britain’s most attractive routes. The Lake District features prominently among these recommendations because of its combination of lakes, mountains, villages and historic landscapes.
For visitors planning a trip to Cumbria, the recognition provides another reason to consider leaving the car behind and experiencing the national park by bus. With panoramic views available from the upper deck, the journeys can form part of the attraction rather than simply being a way to get from one destination to another.
The continued popularity of these services also highlights the role public transport can play in supporting tourism across the Lake District while helping visitors explore some of the UK's most scenic countryside.
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