The Ullswater Bus comprises three bus services – UB1, UB2 and 509 – operated by Stagecoach, connecting accommodation around the Ullswater valley with destinations such as Pooley Bridge, Lowther Castle, Ullswater Steamers, Aira Force, Howtown, Glenridding (for Helvellyn), Keswick and Penrith and onward transport services already in place. It is part of a drive initiated by the local community for more sustainable transport and reduced private vehicle traffic in the area.

Stagecoach.

The service for 2026 consists of three Ullswater routes in addition to the 508 services already established. Please see map above.

UB1 is a minibus service operating between Aira Force and Howtown via Pooley Bridge, stopping at the main centres of accommodation (including campsites, holiday parks, hotels), Ullswater Steamer piers and other attractions along the way.

UB2 is also a minibus service operating between Aira Force and Pooley Bridge making similar stops to the UB1 before proceeding on to Askham and Lowther.

In addition, at the discretion of the driver, you can ask the bus to stop anywhere on the UB1 or UB2 routes if it is safe to do so.  Furthermore, the first and last services of the day will make additional stops at Basecamp North Lakes.

The 509 is a single-decker service running from Keswick, via the A66 and A5091 to Troutbeck, Dockray and Aira Force. At Aira Force, the service splits with three a day going to Glenridding, Patterdale and Hartsop and four a day going to Pooley Bridge, Dalemain, Rheged and on to Penrith.

Please refer to the timetable for specific stops.

See timetables above.
This is the fourth year of a bus service initiated and supported by the Ullswater community.  We started in 2023 with a single minibus running at weekends and bank holidays between July and the end of October.  In each subsequent year we have been able to expand the service.  This year, for the first time, the 509 service will run daily throughout the season (23 March to 1 November).  The UB1 and UB2 will run at weekends and bank holidays for the whole of that season and will additionally operate a daily service in Whit week (25-29 May) and the whole of July to September.

We will continue to build awareness of the service and to accustom people to using the buses to travel around Ullswater with a view to expanding the services further in the years to come.   You can help by using the bus as much as possible: the more demand we can establish the more secure the continuation of the service will be and the easier it will be to expand it.

All services are included in the Government’s National Bus Fare Cap Scheme meaning that for 2026 you will pay £3 for a single ticket. Children under 5 and English concessionary bus pass holders travel free.

Fixed price day, 3-day and 7-day tickets are also available on board to help you make the most of the Ullswater Bus and other Stagecoach services, as are group day tickets – an economic option for up to 5 people travelling together. 

See “Can I buy all-day, multi-day or group tickets for the Ullswater Bus?” below. In addition you can buy a combined bus and boat ticket for a trip involving both Ullswater Steamers and buses.

Tickets can be bought with cash or card on board the buses, from Ullswater Steamers, or on board other Stagecoach services. Also via the Stagecoach website and app.

Yes.

You can buy the following types of ticket from the driver on the bus:

• The North West Explorer gives you unlimited travel on the day of purchase for £12.50. 
• The North West 3 Day Explorer gives you unlimited travel for three days for £28.
• The North West Gold 7 Day Mega Rider gives you unlimited travel for 7 days for £37.
• The North West Group Explorer gives a group of up to 5 people unlimited travel for a day for £34. This is an excellent option for a family of three or more including children over 5.

Please see the Stagecoach website for full T&Cs applicable to these tickets.

No. This facility is not available this year.We will continue to explore ways of carrying bikes with Stagecoach.