www.ramblers.org.uk

Public transport for walkers

Walking is the most sustainable means of transport - except when you drive 50 miles there and back to go on a five-mile walk! Excessive car use doesn't only impact on the environment in a wider sense, it also causes the very specific and local problems of congestion and inappropriate parking in popular countryside areas. That's why the Ramblers encourage walkers with cars to leave them at home whenever they can.

Hopping on a bus, tram or train to get to and from your walk can also add to your enjoyment. You can plan more flexible walks because you don't have to return to your car, making linear walks much easier. You can forget the hassle of finding a parking space and the worry of car crime, and there's no reason not to relax over a pint in a pub along the way.

It's true that some remote country areas have little or no public transport, but don't just assume that's the case where you want to walk: you may be surprised that there are more services than you think. This page will help you find out more.

National information

Tickets, information and journey planning

  • Transport Direct www.transportdirect.info. Online multimodal door to door journey planner for Great Britain including train, metro, tram, coach, bus, boat, domestic air services, mapped walking connections, car journeys, live travel information and links. Currently a trial version with some gaps in coverage especially of local services. Transport Direct is maintained by a consortium supported by the Department for Transport, Welsh Assembly and Scottish Executive.
  • Traveline 0870 608 2608, textphone 0870 241 2216. Main public transport enquiry number for the whole of the UK, available from at least 10:00-22:00 hrs and 24 hours in some areas with information about local buses, trams, metro and ferries. You’ll be put through to a call centre local to you, who will transfer you on if necessary, or if calling from a mobile there is an automated system for choosing a call centre. At the moment details about buses may be limited to the bus stops listed in timetables, so it’s useful to have a map to hand in order to work out the closest stop to your walk. The Traveline website at www.traveline.org.uk is a gateway to all existing online journey planners and also has a list of direct dial numbers for all call centres.
    In London it's best to contact London Travel Information, tel 020 7222 1234, www.tfl.gov.uk
  • National Rail Enquiries 0845 748 4950. Information about all National Rail (former BR) services, with a journey planner at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
  • National Rail tickets. Plan journeys and buy tickets online at www.thetrainline.com or from individual Train Operating companies who will also be able to sell you tickets by phone (see below). You can also book tickets for the whole network in advance at any major national rail station, although the cheapest bargain fares may only be available from an individual operator.
  • Long distance coach. For information and bookings on the National Express network, ring 0870 580 8080 (textphone 0121 455 0086) or visit www.nationalexpress.com; for Scottish Citylink the number is 0870 550 5050 or www.citylink.co.uk. Traveline can also switch you through. Coach travel is increasingly competitive with many cheap deals.
  • Passenger Transport Executives coordinate public transport in major cities and give comprehensive information on services and tickets: Centro (West Midlands), GMPTE (Greater Manchester), Merseytravel, Metro (West Yorkshire), Nexus (Tyne & Wear), South Yorkshire, SPT (Strathclyde), Transport for London
  • Local authorities coordinate public transport and provide information outside the PTE areas. If no direct transport link is shown in our local authority listings, go to the authority's main website and look for travel or transport.
  • Transport operators. For contact details of major rail and bus operators, see our transport contacts page.
  • Directory of bus timetables and enquiry offices www.barrydoe.co.uk
  • Taxi connections. A useful online guide to taxis serving all National Rail, Underground/metro stations and tram stops in mainland Britain is at www.traintaxi.co.uk.
  • People with disabilities. Travel and transport information is available online at www.dptac.gov.uk/door-to-door
  • European tickets. Eurostar sell tickets for their own services between London, Lille, Brussels, Paris and some other destinations, and through bookings to other stations in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and on Thalys trains to Amsterdam and Cologne via Brussels. A comprehensive service including through bookings using rail-sea-rail or Eurostar routes, InterRail passes and tickets for journeys entirely outside the UK is available from Deutsche Bahn UK. Most British National Rail operators now offer only a very narrow range of international tickets, or none at all. A network of coach services to European destinations is operated by Eurolines: see National Express.

Other useful websites

  • Countrygoer promotes car-free countryside visits in the UK. The website has a public transport guide to national parks and some other popular countryside areas, and lots of links.
  • National Trust. As well as built heritage, the National Trust also owns many public open spaces and areas of countryside and they are keen to encourage car-free visits. See the Green Transport link in the Environment and Conservation section of their website for more information and an online version of their regular Green Transport News.

Southwest England

  • Bargain fares. Firstday Southwest tickets buy unlimited travel on all First Bus services in southwest England for one day are available at a bargain price, including family tickets: buy from the driver. First Great Western offer GroupSave tickets for small groups travelling together: see the Fares section of their website at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk. [06/05]
  • Rail and bus links. A useful guide to bus services linking with stations served by First Great Western trains along the main lines to southwest England is available by calling First Great Western customer relations on 0870 241 0930. 
  • Chew Valley Explorer buses run daily including Sundays and bank holidays from April to October connecting Bristol, Whitchurch and Dundry with Chew Magna, Chew Stoke, Bishop Sutton, East and West Hartree, Blagdon, Burrington and Cheddar, ideal for visitors to the Chew Valley, Cheddar Gorge and the Mendips, with special fares. Timetables are available from bus stations, libraries and local authorities in the area or can be downloaded from the Living section at www.n-somerset.gov.uk. Details are also carried by Traveline. A programme of led walks using the service is being organised: for more information email PeterGould18@aol.com.
  • Cotswolds.
  • Dartmoor. Rail services run along the south of the moor via Newton Abbot to Plymouth, then along the Tamar Valley Line to Gunnislake at the western edge, and Exeter to Okehampton, where a private preserved railway, The Dartmoor Railway (tel 01837 55637, www.dartmoorrailway.co.uk), operates at weekends and some summer weekdays to Meldon Viaduct on the northern edge of the Moor.
    A number of bus services cross or circle round the Moor. Buses connect principle towns around the edge: Plymouth, Tavistock, Okehampton, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton and Exeter. Buses also run across the moor from Plymouth to Exeter via Princetown and Postbridge; and from Newton Abbot to Exeter via Moretonhampstead and Bovey Tracey. Summer services link Tavistock, Princetown, Two Bridges, Poundsgate, Ashburton and Newton Abbot; and Ashburton and Newton Abbot with Widecombe and Bovey Tracey. The summer Sunday 118 service from Tavistock to Lydford and Okehampton is normally operated by a vintage double decker bus with conductor.
    Comprehensive timetables are available in the Discovery Guide to Dartmoor by bus and train, free from Traveline, visitor centres or www.devon.gov.uk/devonbus.
    Dartmoor Sunday Rover tickets are valid on summer Sundays, giving unlimited travel on local buses and trains at bargain price: full details in the Discovery Guide. On weekdays, Stagecoach Devon Explorers (see below) and Firstday Southwest tickets (see above) cover the area. [06/05]
    Dartmoor national park run programmes of guided walks, many of which are accessible by public transport and are free if you show your transport ticket. [08/04]
  • Devon Explorer tickets give a day's unlimited travel on all Stagecoach buses in Devon at a bargain price, with even more discounts for families. Buy on the bus. Weekly tickets are also available. [06/05]
  • Devon and Cornwall Branch Lines. The Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership helps promote the various branches from the main London to Penzance line, namely the Truro, Falmouth, Newquay, Looe Valley, Tamar Valley and Tarka Lines. Ask for Looe Valley Line Trails from the Track, a pack of 10 self-guded rail-connected walks between 2km/3 miles and 18km/11 miles. This line also connects with the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail walk. Further suggestions for self-guided walks. a programme of guided walks and much other useful information is available at www.carfreedaysout.com or tel tel 01752 233094. Group fares are available on the branch lines allowing up to four adults to travel for the price of two. [08/04]
    A pack of excellent walk suggestions connecting with the Maritime Line from Truro to Falmouth, many of them short and easy, has been prepared by local Ramblers and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership. More details. [05/05]
  • Exmoor. The nearest railway lines are the main line from London Paddington and Bristol to Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter to the south; the Tarka Line (National Rail) from Exeter to Barnstaple in the west; and the preserved West Somerset Railway between Bishops Lydeard (buses to Taunton) and Minehead in the east (tel 01643 704996, www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk). There are good bus services from Barnstaple to Lynton, Taunton to Minehead, Dulverton, Dunster and Lynton, and Tiverton Parkway to Dulverton and South Molton. Special visitor buses run from Minehead into the heart of the moor, with excellent connecting walks. For full details see the Exmoor & West Somerset Public Transport Guide in the summer season and the North Devon Public Transport Guide and West Somerset Connections in the winter, available from Traveline and national park information centres. See also Somerset council's website and www.devon.gov.uk/devonbus.
  • Heart of Wessex Line. The line runs from Bristol to Weymouth through some of the loveliest countryside in the region, connecting charming villages and historic market towns. Local Ramblers members run guided walks from stations along the line in conjunction with operator Wessex Trains and the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership. Leaflets from local stations or see www.heartofwessex.org.uk.
  • Kennet & Avon Wiggly Walks. The Kennet and Avon Wigglybus service links Devizes with destinations on the Kennet and Avon Canal in the Vale of Pewsey. The Monday to Saturday service runs via Horton, Allington and Chirton and will divert to villages off the route if pre-booked. On summer Sundays a shuttle service runs from Devizes parallel with the canal west to Bradford on Avon (with rail connections for Bristol, Bath and Cardiff) and east to Pewsey. Walkers can use the bus to enjoy walks on the towpath and in the surrounding countryside. See the Wiggly Walks and Sunday Shuttle leaflets for suggestions: tel 01225 713371 or visit www.wigglybus.com [08/04]
  • The Ridgeway: see the Ridgeway page.
  • South West Coast Path: see the South West Coast Path page.
  • Wye Valley AONB.

Southern England

  • South Central rail services connect central London at London Bridge and Victoria with Surrey, Sussex and parts of Hampshire and Kent, including the North Downs, Greensand Ridge and along the south coast between Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Rye. A DaySave ticket gives you unlimited travel on the network for a day (though not on other operators' services along the same routes) and costs only £10 adult, £20 for a group of up to 4 adults, and £1 each for up to 4 accompanying children. It can only be booked online 7 days in advance: see www.placestogopeopletosee.co.uk
  • Green Line coaches offer value-for-money travel on medium-distance routes around London and the surrounding counties of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. On most services there is no need to pre-book: you simply pay the driver. The Diamond Rover ticket buys you unlimited travel on most Green Line coaches and many local buses (not London buses) for only £8 adult or £5 for children, senior citizens and the disabled. For details of services see www.greenline.co.uk.
  • Chilterns AONB is well-served by frequent rail services radiating out from London:. Pangbourne, Goring & Streatley, Cholsey to Oxford, Reading, Maidenhead, London Paddington
    Henley-on-Thames to Reading, Maidenhead, London Paddington
    High Wycombe, Saunderton, Princes Risborough to London Marylebone, Banbury, Aylesbury, Birmingham
    Chorleywood, Chalfont & Latimer, Chesham, Amersham to Baker Street, Aldwych (London Underground Metropolitan Line)
    Amersham, Great Missenden, Wendover to Marylebone, Aylesbury
    Berkhamsted, Tring to Milton Keynes, Northampton, Coventry, Birmingham, Watford, London Euston
    Luton, Leagrave, Harlington to Bedford, St Albans, London Kings Cross/St Pancras, London Bridge, Gatwick Airport, Brighton (Thameslink)
    Hitchin to Stevenage, Hertford, Hatfield, London Kings Cross and Moorgate.
    There are also numerous local buses.
    Chilterns AONB has a series of walks leaflets starting at stations, each with a choice of at least two walks of varying lengths: Ashridge Drovers Walk (Tring), Beacon View Walk (Tring), Thames and Chilterns Walk (Henley), Views of the Thames Walk (Goring & Streatley), Views of the Vale Walks (Wendover), Walk like the Clappers (Harlington), West Wycombe & Bradenham Walks (Saunderton). The AONB also has a very useful booklet, explore the Chilterns: Wendover to Dunstable, with suggestions for walks and visits complete with bus and train timetables. [08/04]
  • Cotswolds
  • Isle of Wight: see Isle of Wight Coastal Path page.
  • New Forest. Frequent trains from London and Southampton to Weymouth run via the Forest, stopping at several stations including Brockenhurst where there’s also a branch to Lymington. Ferries connect Lymington to the Isle of Wight and France is within easy reach via Southampton and Poole. Buses connect other areas, or try a wagon ride from Brockenhurst or Burley. A new project aims to create a car free network linking walking and cycling routes with public transport. For more details contact the Forest information services.
  • North Downs and Surrey Hills. Five 'Rail to Ramble' leaflets describe a linked series of circular walks between Guildford and Haslemere, providing over 80km/50 miles of excellent walking that's easily accessible by South West Trains services. Packs are available for £4 by ringing the Surrey Callcentre on 0845 600 9009; information about trains from National Rail Enquiries (see above) or www.southwesttrains.co.uk. Numerous other trails are easily accessible to train: free leaflets on the Mole Gap Trail between Leatherhead and Dorking, Take to the Surrey Hills around Dorking and surrounding countryside, and the Woldingham Walk contact the Surrey Hills AONB office free leaflets.
    The Surrey Hills Explorer leisure bus links Dorking town centre and station to Denbies Winery, Burford Bridge (foot of Box Hill) and Polesden Lacey, continuing on Saturdays as the Rambling bus to Hatchlands Park, Newlands Corner, Shere, Abinger Hammer, Abinger Common (foot of Leith Hill) and Westcott; and on Sundays and bank holidays as the History bus, with a commentary from a Blue Badge guide, to Clandon Park, Hatchlands Park, and Ranmore. The service connects with the North Downs Way National Trail, Greensand Way and other local walks, and guides on the bus have free information about walking routes. This seasonal service is running in 2004 until 31 October, and unlimited travel tickets are available. A timetable can be found at www.pindar.co.uk/scc/pages/tt/timetables/NT1.PDF, or contact the National Trust Southeast Region for more information [06/04].
    The Chartwell Darent Explorer bus 599 links Sevenoaks station with North Downs, Greensand Ridge, Churchill's house at Chartwell and many other country attractions in the area on summer weekends and bank holidays. Details from Traveline (see above).
    Visit the Darent Valley by Train is a useful free leaflet produced by Otford Parish Council highlighting rail services in this attractive Kentish valley, serving Farningham, Eynsford, Shoreham and Otford. All four places are also connected by the Darent Valley Path (details from Kent council) and the North Downs Way passes through Otford so there are many opportunities for rail-connected walks. For a copy tel 01959 524808 or see www.otford.org/darentvalley. [07/04]
  • The Ridgeway: see the Ridgeway page. 
  • South Downs. 'Breeze up to the Downs' buses connect Brighton with Devil's Dyke, Stanmer Park and Ditchling Beacon on Sundays, bank holidays and daily during school summer holidays; some Sunday and bank holiday services are operated by vintage open-top buses, and some services by low-floor wheelchair-accessible buses. Leaflets include some walk suggestions and full timetables: ring 01273 292480 for your copy or contact Traveline (see above) for times.
    Numerous public transport routes serve the eastern part of the South Downs, including the Hiker Biker Bus which runs on Sundays and bank holidays in summer on a circular route connecting Lewes, Newhaven and Seaford with Exceat, Alfriston, Eastbourne, Berwick Village and Glynde, with a cheap flat fare. For full details see the Sussex Heritage Coast Travel and Leisure Guide, available from the Sussex Downs Conservation Board [06/04].
    Ramblerbus services run in the Cuckmere Valley on weekends and bank holidays and in the Charleston area on Sundays and bank holidays, connecting Seaford and Berwick stations with Alfriston, Seven Sisters Country Park and other attractions. Fares start from 65p up to £3 for a one-day pass. More from Traveline (see above) or Cuckmere Community Bus, tel 01323 870032. [05/04]
    See also under Sussex below.
  • Sussex. West Sussex Council has an excellent Rural Rides leaflet with suggestions of useful bus and rail services for walkers and countryside visitors: for a copy ring 01243 77610. Explorer tickets, available on the bus, buy unlimited travel throughout West Sussex for £5 adult. See also South Downs above.
  • Thames Valley Bus Links. Ring Thames Trains Customer Services on 0118 908 3678 for the free leaflet A guide to bus services to complement your journey, giving further information on through ticketing and links between rail services and bus services connecting Abingdon with Oxford and Didcot, Wantage with Didcot, Wallingford with Goring, Marlborough with Bedwyn, and around Reading, Maidenhead and Slough, useful for walkers on the Thames Path, Ridgeway and Wessex Ridgeway.

London

The capital is generously endowed with excellent open spaces, and areas of 'genuine' countryside on the urban fringe. Forget the car: you don’t need one to go walking in London, and congestion and parking problems will ruin your day. Instead, use the dense, frequent and integrated network of Underground (tube) and suburban railways, light rail/tram, riverboat services and 17,000 bus stops.

Most fares are based on a zonal system, and various unlimited travel passes are available, ideal for linear walks. These include:

  • Travelcards valid on local buses, tube, Docklands Light Railway, Croydon Tramlink and national rail, plus discounts on some river services. Available for periods from one day to a year in a large variety of zone combinations, though any Travelcard is valid for all London buses throughout the zones. There are further discounts for children and families or groups.
  • Bus passes valid on all London buses and the Croydon tramlink are also available, offering excellent value for money for days, weeks or longer periods, with reductions for children.

London zonal fares are now available on "smart" cards known as Oyster Cards which can be loaded with Travelcards and passes valid for a week or longer, or with "prepay" that can be used to pay for single journey fares at discounted rates. To use an Oyster Card simply touch it to the yellow pad at the station ticket gates or on the bus: you don't even need to get it out of its wallet. Oyster Cards are issued free if you're buying a weekly or longer Travelcard or pass, or otherwise there is a reclaimable deposit.

Buy or renew cards and passes in advance from stations, travel information centres and local outlets such as some newsagents, online or over the phone. Bus tickets and passes can be also be bought from machines at some bus stops. In central London Zone 1 and on certain routes operated by "bendy buses" you must either use a card or pass, or buy your ticket from the machine at the bus stop before boarding; elsewhere, you can buy single tickets on the bus. For cards and passes lasting a week or more you will also need a photocard, issued free at stations and other outlets when you bring along a passport photo. For more details of tickets and services on all public transport in London, including river services, ring the 24-hour travel information line on 020 7222 1234 or visit the Transport for London website [06/04]

Green Line coaches link London with the surrounding counties, offering excellent value for money. See Southern England.

RA Inner London organise a regular programme of walks by public transport: see their website or ring Ramblers' Hotline, tel 020 7370 6180.

The Ramblers' Association is a patron of the good going travel awareness campaign in London. Sign the good going pledge agreeing to walk, cycle, use public transport, car share or use low pollution vehicles wherever possible, and you'll get a good going card and a range of offers and incentives. For more see www.goodgoing.co.uk.

Eastern England

  • Green Line coaches offer excellent value for money on medium-distance routes between Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and London. See Southern England.
  • Stagecoach Explorer bus tickets give you unlimited day travel on their buses in the Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire region, except on routes into London, at £5.99 adult, £4.25 child/senior or £7.99 for up to two adults and three children. Buy on the bus. Stagecoach also offer Megarider deals on weekly tickets for principle towns in the region: see www.stagecoachbus.co.uk.
  • Bedford. Dayrider tickets offering a full day's travel on all Stagecoach buses in the unitary authority area are available from bus drivers, price £2.40.
  • The Broads. Head for Norwich which has good rail connections to London and several other major cities; it’s also the terminus for fascinating rural branch lines to Cromer, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Ipswich stopping at many stations in the Broads. The BroadsHopper bus links Acle station with Blickling Hall and many other key locations, running daily until the end of October and Monday to Saturday through the winter. Numerous other buses fill in the gaps, and there’s a bargain Sunday rover ticket covering Norfolk and Suffolk. Suffolk council also has a Sunday timetable booklet (contact Traveline).
  • Cambridgeshire/Peterborough. Gold Rider tickets buy unlimited travel on all buses in Cambridgeshire operated by Stagecoach -- the principle operator in the region -- for a week at a bargain price of £15. Dayrider tickets are also available giving unlimited travel on Stagecoach buses in Cambridge or Peterborough for £2.60. Sunday Rover tickets valid on nearly all bus services within Peterborough unitary authority cost only £2.50 adult. All these tickets are available from bus drivers.
  • Chilterns. See Southern England.
  • Dedham Vale. The Dedham Vale Hopper serves many of the key sites in this beautiful stretch of "Constable Country" on the border of Essex and Suffolk, as well as the Stour Valley Path and many connecting routes. A circular hail-and-ride service connecting with regular trains at Manningtree station operates via Flatford, East Bergholt, Stratford St Mary and Dedham on Wednesdays-Sundays and bank holiday Mondays in summer and on Wednesdays to Saturdays in winter. Bargain fares are available. For more see Dedham Vale AONB's website. [12/05]
  • Essex. Essex council has a free public transport network map and a series of timetable booklets showing bus, rail and ferry services for a small charge. The council website not only lists timetables but also has information about public rights of way and walking routes: see under Transport. Sunday Saver tickets are valid on Sundays and Holiday Mondays on all council-contracted services and many commercial services in the county and a few that operate just beyond the boundary, including bargain fares for up to two adults and two children. Buy on the bus. For full details of services ask for the Sunday travel guide. You can also join the Sunday Travel Club for regular updates.
  • Hertfordshire. In addition to rail services connecting the county with London, the Midlands and northern England, the Intalink network promoted by the county council links many towns and villages by bus (though these may be infrequent in rural areas). Intalink Explorer tickets buy unlimited travel for up to four people (a maximum of 2 adults) travelling together for only £6: buy on the bus. For service details see the series of 8 Travel Guides available from 01992 556765, use the Intalink journey planner at www.ukbus.co.uk, or use the national enquiry lines.
  • Norfolk County Council has a free public transport network map: ring 01603 223800, or see council website. Ranger tickets give unlimited travel across the county on First buses and many other contracted services at bargain prices including family reductions. See also Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path.
  • The Ridgeway: see the Ridgeway page.
  • Suffolk. Timetable booklets covering the county, including a Sunday travel booklet, are available locally or from Traveline, or see traveline.suffolkcc.gov.uk. The website has an online journey planner.
  • East Suffolk Line Walks. This local rail line connecting Ipswich and Lowestoft through attractive and unspoiled countryside offers many opportunities for walks: a book of walks linking all the stations along the route is available. See Ramblers Area and Group Publications: Suffolk.
  • Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. The area is served by railway lines centred on Ipswich with many connecting local bus services. The information packs for the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path and Stour and Orwell Walk include walk plans for using these routes without a car: see the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Path page for details.

East Midlands

  • Stagecoach Explorer bus tickets give you unlimited day travel on their buses in the Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire region, except on routes into London, at £5.99 adult, £4.25 child/senior or £7.99 for up to two adults and three children. East Midland Day Rover gives one day's travel on all Stagecoach East Midlands buses for £4.50, £2.25 senior/child. Buy on the bus. Stagecoach also offer bargain Dayrider (daily) and Megarider (weekly) tickets in Kettering, Corby and Northamapton: see www.stagecoachbus.co.uk.
  • Peak District.
  • Independent railways
    Battlefield Line tel     01827 880754, www.battlefield-line-railway.co.uk. Round trips from Shackerstone Station (near Market Bosworth, Lincolnshire) only.
    Great Central Railway tel 01509 230726, www.gcrailway.co.uk. Trains from Loughborough to Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Leicester.
    Peak Rail tel 01629 580381, www.peakrail.co.uk. Links Matlock with Darley Dale and Rowsley

West Midlands

Northwest England

  • Merseyside and West Cheshire Area Ramblers organise monthly public walks with Ramblers' Buses from Liverpool and Birkenhead; their Liverpool, Southport and Wirral groups arrange members' walks with coach connections. Contact the Area for details.
  • Manchester Area Ramblers provide a walks programme that is 100% public transport or coach-based for walkers throughout the whole of the Greater Manchester area, with around 20 walks a month. See the Area website for details.
  • Carnforth Connect. Easy access buses serving Arnside/Silverdale AONB and the Lune Valley in north Lancashire, connecting with various walking routes including the Limestone Link and Lune Valley Way. Services connect with trains at Carnforth station and you can book various optional detours in advance. Evening services only run if pre-booked. There are two Monday to Saturday routes from Carnforth to Milnthorpe and to Kirkby Lonsdale, and from September 2004 a Sunday service links Carnforth with the RSPB Visitor Centre, Silverdale, Arnside and numerous nature areas, and cheap rover tickets are available. Tel 01524 734311, www.carnforthconnect.co.uk. [07/04]
  • Dales Rail services from Preston run along the Settle and Carlisle line on summer Sundays, with connections from Manchester. See under Yorkshire for details.
  • Cheshire. Sandstone Rambler: see Sandstone Trail.
  • Greater Manchester is well-served by local trains, Metrolink trams and buses, with most services integrated into the System 1 network. As well as single tickets, you can buy one-day passes and weekly, monthly and annual Travelcards in various combinations. The Wayfarer ticket is an off-peak day pass for bus, train and tram covering not only Manchester but parts of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Staffordshire, including the Peak District as far as Ashbourne, Matlock and Crich: example prices are £7 for one adult, £12 for a group of up to four people including one or two adults. Wayfarers are available from GMPTE travel shops, staffed stations, many post offices and some TICs, or in advance by post from the Piccadilly travel shop. For full details of services, tickets and fares contact GMPTE. For more on travel in the Peak District, see under East Midlands.
  • Merseyside. Four Walkabout booklets cover the Sefton Coast, the Wirral, Knowsley & St Helens and ‘Green Hearts’ walks inspired by a local radio series, as well as a Cruiseabout booklet of walks from ferry piers. Mainly short and easy, and presented with fascinating background text. Order from Merseytravel or download from their site. For general information about local travel in Merseyside, contact Merseytravel
  • Arnside/Silverdale AONB (for details of Carnforth Connect services)
  • Peak District

Yorkshire

Traveline Yorkshire has a complete journey planner at www.yorkshiretravel.net.

National Rail. The East Coast Main Line from London King’s Cross passes through Doncaster and York on its way to Newcastle and Edinburgh, with branches to Wakefield and Leeds (see GNER) and to Hull (Hull Trains). The Midland Main Line connects Sheffield with Derby and London St Pancras (National Express). Trans Pennine services connect the main cities with Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool and Cumbria (see First). The cities in the south and west have a good local rail network. The famous Settle-Carlisle line connects Leeds with Settle and Carlisle, running through the Yorkshire Dales and into Cumbria: see the Yorkshire Dales page for more. Other lines connect York and Hull with Scarborough; and Middlesbrough with Saltburn and Whitby. Most local and regional services are operated Northern Rail (Serco-Ned Railways).

Long distance coaches also serve major towns: contact National Express.

In South Yorkshire, local public transport is overseen by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive who deal with buses, the suburban rail network and Sheffield Supertram. SYPTE have a special Rural Links network serving rural areas. Numerous tickets and passes are available including TravelMaster offering unlimited travel on trains, trams and buses for £4.95 a day or £20 for a book of 5 transferable scratchcard day tickets. FlexiMasters give unlimited bus and tram travel on any three days in seven for £8.25. Special tickets include the Peak District (see also East Midlands). Weekly and longer passes are also available. Concessions include a discounted off-peak weekly TravelMaster for those on low incomes. First, the area’s biggest bus operator, offers a day pass on all its buses for only £2.60 or £5 for a family (up to 5 people, max 2 adults).

In West Yorkshire, local public transport is overseen by Metro (West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive) who deal with buses and the suburban rail network. West Yorkshire Day Rovers give unlimited off-peak travel on all buses and trains at £4.50, £6 for a family or £3.80 for buses only. MetroCards cover longer periods, and there is a half-price discount scheme for unemployed people. Large bus operators such as First and Arriva also offer good value deals that you can buy on the bus.

The bus network in the rest of the region is overseen by local authorities and provided by a variety of operator: the biggest one is Arriva, who offer Value Yorkshire day tickets covering all their services in the region for £4.60 (child £2.30, senior £3). Journey planners covering all of Yorkshire can be found at www.yorkshiretravel.net.

Explorer North East bargain day tickets are valid on services in some parts of Yorkshire including parts of the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, extending southwest to Ripon and southeast to Scarborough: see Northeast England.

Nidderdale. See the Nidderdale Way page.

North York Moors. Principal mainline rail stations are at York (GNER to London, Newcastle and Scotland, Virgin to Birmingham, Arriva Trains Northern to Manchester) and Darlington (GNER and Virgin). From these stations you can reach Middlesbrough and Arriva Trains Northern's picturesque Esk Valley Line through the north of the National Park towards Whitby. For service details contact National Rail Enquiries (see national listings). For a guide to the line see www.countrygoer.org/nymoors/esk/eskindex.htm. A preserved steam service, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, connects Pickering with Grosmont on the Esk Valley line: see www.northyorkshiremoorsrailway.com.

National Express coaches serve Whitby and Scarborough (see national listings). Frequent bus services link Middlesbrough to Whitby and Scarborough; Whitby to Pickering, York and Leeds; and Scarborough to Pickering and Helmsley. Yorkshire Coastliner bus services connect Leeds and York with Bridlington, Filey, Scarborough and Whitby, passing through the National Park. See www.yorkshirecoastliner.co.uk. 

The Moorsbus network operates on Sundays and bank holidays from March  to October, with daily services in late July and August, providing links from York, Hull, Beverley, Scarborough, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton, regular shuttle services to many villages within the Park and buses every 30 minutes from Sutton Bank National Park Centre and Thornton le Dale. Bargain day passes and family tickets are available. A Moors Link ticket buys unlimited travel for a day on the Moorsbus network, Arriva's Esk Valley Line and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at big discounts. Other tickets include the Coastliner bus service. See the North York Moors National Park website or ask them for a timetable.

The Penistone Line from Sheffield and Barnsley to Huddersfield, operated by Arriva Northern, is a classic rural railway line passing through quiet countryside between the urban areas of west and south Yorkshire via Penistone, Denby Dale and Shepley, with easy connections from Lincoln, Retford and many important centres, and a volunteer-staffed minibus connection at Shepley for Holmfirth at weekends. The Penistone Line Trail connects stations on the line between Sheffield and Huddersfield: see RA Area and Group Publications for details of how to obtain a copy. For train times see national contacts; for more information on the regular programme of guided walks and on the Penistone Line Partnership, which promotes and supports the line, contact plp@penline.demon.co.uk.

York: Car-free Countryside Walks accessible from York: including 15 walks that connect with buses and trains. See Ramblers' Area and Group Publications: Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Dales 

Northeast England

  • Explorer North East day tickets are valid on nearly all buses throughout the region (Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear), and on services extending west to Carlisle in Cumbria, and south to Ripon and Scarborough in Yorkshire. Also included are the Tyne and Wear metro, Shields ferry and national rail between Newcastle and Sunderland, and holders are also entitled to discounts on the Hadrian's Wall Bus, alll for a bargain price (2005/06: £6.50 adult, £5.50 child/senior, £13 family group including up to two adults and three children). They're valid all day on Saturdays, Sundays, bank holidays, every day during June, July and August and between Christmas and New Year, or after 09:00 Mondays to Fridays the rest of the year. Buy on the bus or at travel shops. For more information contact Traveline or see www.explorernortheast.co.uk [05/05].
  • Dales Rail services from Preston run along the Settle and Carlisle line on summer Sundays, with bus connections at Langwathby for the North Pennines and Hadrian's Wall. See under Yorkshire for details.
  • Hadrian's Wall
  • Northumberland is served by numerous bus services, many of them operated by Arriva. There's a good transport section under visitor information on the Northumberland council website. Explorer North East tickets are valid on most bus services (see above).
  • Northumberland National Park. Frequent trains between Newcastle and Carlisle run along the southern edge of the park, with good connections to other British cities at both ends of the line. Buses from both centres, and from Morpeth, Alnmouth and Berwick stations on the East Coast Main Line north of Newcastle, serve many places in the park, including the year-round Hadrian’s Wall Bus and the scenic Kielder Bus in summer. There’s a useful transport section on the national park website, or contact the national park information centres. Explorer North East tickets are valid on most bus services (see above).
  • Tyne and Wear Metro Walks. Metro Walks: walks for all the family beginning and ending at Metro stations by Peter Donaghy and John Laidler. An excellent series of six free leaflets, each containing six easy walks, generally short (4km/2.5 miles to 16km/10 miles, but mainly 8km/5 miles or less), with sketch maps, notes on terrain and refreshment points. The routes either connect two or more Metro stations or are circular starting and finishing at the same station. The walks in each booklet are scattered throughout the network but can all be reached using Nexus's DaySaver ticket. Booklets are free from Metro stations, libraries and information centres, or contact Nexus. [01/05]
  • For details of local transport in the Newcastle and Sunderland areas, contact Nexus.

Cumbria

  • Stagecoach in Cumbria Explorer tickets are valid on all Stagecoach buses for periods of a day, a week or seven days. Reductions for children are available, and tickets can be bought on the bus or at TICs. Goldrider weekly and monthly tickets are also available for the whole county: details from Traveline.
  • Lakes and Furness Day Ranger tickets give a day's unlimited travel on trains between Lancaster/Heysham and Sellafield or Windermere and Stagecoach buses south of Keswick and include a Windermere cruise: family tickets are even better value. Available from National Rail stations.
  • Day Riders and 7 day Mega-Rider unlimited bus travel tickets are cheaper still but cover a smaller area. They are available in Carlisle. Central Lakes and West Cumbria, and the Mega-Rider in Kendal, with adult, child and cheap family fares. Buy on the bus. [06/05]
  • Explorer North East bargain day tickets include services in some parts of Cumbria, including the 685 bus from Newcastle to Carlisle: see Northeast England.
  • Comprehensive timetables, routes and other useful local information are listed in the indispensable Getting Around Cumbria & the Lake District, published by Cumbria County Council and available through their website, from local TICs or from Traveline. Timetable and fares information, including an online Journey Planner, is available from Traveline and/or National Rail Enquiries: see national listings. [6/04]
  • Arnside/Silverdale AONB
  • Hadrian's Wall
  • Lake District National Park
  • Yorkshire Dales National Park (including information on Settle-Carlisle line)

Wales

  • There are main line rail services from Bristol to Cardiff, Swansea, Fishguard and Pembroke in the south and from Crewe to Llandudno and Holyhead in the north, with connections to London and other major cities. There are several other rail connections, including the Valley Lines network around Cardiff, links from Newport to Hereford and Monmouth, and lines from Shrewsbury to Llanelli, Aberystwyth, Pwllheli and Chester and a route from Pwllehli to Llandudno. Most services are now provided by a single operator, Arriva Trains Cymryu. Over 20 preserved and private railways, many of them narrow gauge, also operate, and some provide useful links in the local transport network. Buses connect many towns not on the rail network: for details contact Traveline (see above).
  • The Freedom of Wales Flexipass/Pas Hyblyg Rhyddid Cymru is ideal for anyone taking a longer walking break in Wales, giving unlimited access to National Rail, Ffestiniog Railway and Welsh Highland Railway trains and most scheduled local bus services throughout Wales and on some routes on the English side of the border, with discounts on many other private railways and on admissions to a range of attractions. An adult 8-day pass allowing unlimited bus travel and 4 days of rail travel costs £55 between 26 May and 28 September, or £45 outside these dates, with discounts for children and railcard holders. There are also two regional passes: the Freedom of South Wales Flexi Rover 7-day pass with unlimited bus travel and 3 days of rail travel at £35 (summer) or £30, and the North & Mid Wales Flexi Rover with 3 days of bus and rail travel over a 7-day period at £29. For full details see www.walesflexipass.co.uk.
  • Arriva, the principle bus operator in north and mid-Wales, offers excellent value rover tickets. 1-day Explorers can be used on all Arriva Cymru, North West, Midlands North and Fox buses and cost £5 per day adult. Wanderer tickets can be used on Arriva Cymru buses only, costing £10 for 3 days or £15 for 5 days. There are further discounts for children, families and groups. For more details phone 01492 580587 or visit www.arriva.co.uk.
  • BusWales is a transport service aimed at visitors, following a three-day tour route around Wales, including all the National Parks, that allows you to hop on and hop off along the way; they can also offer luggage transfer, hostel booking and support services, including to groups. Click here for more. 
  • Rail Rambles are a programme of guided walks from rail stations in mid Wales and the Marches.
    Troeon Trên: Teithiau cerdded tywysedig o orsafoedd rheilffyrdd yng nghanolbarth Cymru a'r Gororau.
    View walks.
  • Brecon Beacons
  • Denbighshire/Clwydian Hills. First NorthWestern regional rail services and some Virgin inter-city services link Rhyl, Prestatyn and Flint with Chester, Crewe, Manchester, Llandudno and Holyhead. In the east, local trains connect Wrexham with Chester and the branch line to Bidston and Liverpool via Hope and Shotton: for details contact National Rail Enquiries (see national listings). Buses link Wrexham, Prestatyn and Rhyl with Denbigh and the surrounding countryside. The Vale Rider network offers improved services across the Vale of Clwyd and a one day ticket (adult £3.50, family ticket for up to 2 adults and 3 children £7). The Clwydian Ranger network operates on summer Sundays and bank holidays, serving the Clwydian Range AONB, and also offers a low-priced all-day ticket. For details contact Denbighshire Council Public Transport Group on 01824 706968.
  • Heart of Wales Line - Lein Calon Cymru. One of Britan's most scenic rail lines, operated by Arriva, runs from Shrewsbury southwest to Swansea through deepest rural Wales, offering many opportunities for attractive country walks along the route. For 15 suggestions for shortish walks (6.5km/4 miles to 14.5km/9 miles, mainly over 8km/5 miles), see Great Walks from the Heart of Wales Railway by David Perrott, ISBN 1 902302 24 9, Kittiwake £3.95 [07/04].
  • Llangollen Railway. Independent steam operated railway connecting Llangollen and Carrog, partly paralleling the river Dee and Llangollen Canal. Tel 01978 860951, www.llangollen-railway.co.uk.
  • Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: see the Pembrokeshire Coast Path page.
  • Snowdonia.

  • The main line railway from Chester to Holyhead (with connections from London and other major cities) runs along the coast to the north of the National Park. From Llandudno Junction on this line, the Conwy Valley Line runs through the east of the park via Betws-y-Coed to Blaenau Ffestiniog. An independently-run narrow gauge railway, the Ffestiniog Railway (www.festrail.co.uk), connects Blaenau with Portmadog on Cardigan Bay to the south of the Park, where there are further rail services along the Cambrian Coast line to Aberdyfi and Pwllheli, and to Machynlleth, Shrewsbury and Birmingham.

    A number of other independent railways serve the Park. The Talyllyn Railway (www.talyllyn.co.uk) connects Tywyn with the Dolgoch Falls and Nant Gwernol. The Bala Lake Railway (www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk) runs along the lake from Bala to Llanuwchllyn. The Llanberis Lake Railway (www.lake-railway.co.uk) along the east bank of Llyn Padarn, while the Snowdon Mountain Railway (www.snowdonrailway.co.uk) connects Llanberis with the summit of Snowdon.

    Various buses serve other parts of the park, especially in summer. Sherpa Buses, especially intended for recreational users, serve the northern part of the park, linking Llanberis, Pen y Pass, Bethesda, Betwys y Coed, Caernarfon and Porthmadog with Beddgelert and Penygwryd. Day tickets for the whole network are available at bargain prices. Red Rover tickets buy a day's travel on most buses in Gwynedd and some in Conwy, including Sherpa, are another good deal. Information and timetables are available from Conwy and Gwynedd councils, the National Park Authority and national enquiry lines.

    Filling a gap in the local bus network is the Sherpa taxibus service between Penygroes, Talysarn and Rhyd Ddu giving access to the Nantlle Ridge walk. Fares are only £1 each way and the service is available 7 days a week 0700-1900 on a trail basis until April 2006. Rides are available on demand by calling 01286 676767, but for maximum efficiency or for groups you should book in advance. Please support this service which is the result of a suggestion by Ramblers members and is supported by the Snowdonia Green Key project and Bws Gwynedd.[08/05]

    For a selection of routes from Snowdonia's independent railways see Railway Rambles in Snowdonia: Featuring the Great Little Trains of Wales by Ian Coulthard, ISBN 1 85058 800 7 (Sigma £7.95). This useful book has full details of 30 very varied walks from 2.4km/1.5 miles to 17km/10.5 miles, connecting with the Bala Lake, Fairbourne & Barmoth, Ffestiniog, Llanberis Lake, Talyllyn and Welsh Highland Railways, plus three bonus walks outside Snowdonia using the Brecon Mountain, Welshpool & Llanfair and Vale of Rheidol lines [07/04].

  • Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Independent railway running Llanfair to Welshpool. Tel 01938 810441, www.wllr.org.uk
     

  • Wye Valley AONB.

Scotland

  • Traveline Scotland has an online journey planner for the whole of the country at www.travelinescotland.com. Use the regular Traveline number for phone enquiries.
  • Cairngorms. The rail line from Perth to Inverness passes through the northwest corner of the national park, with several stations including Aviemore, which is also served by the Strathspey Steam Railway to Boat of Garten (tel 01479 810725, www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk). There are buses to key sites, with Rover tickets available, and  postbuses serve more remote areas. The Cairngorms Explorer booklet with timetables and walk suggestions is available from the Cairngorms national park or downloadable from their website.
  • Loch Lomond and Trossachs. The national park Gateway Centre at the south of Loch Lomond is easily reached by train or bus from Glasgow to Balloch, then a short walk or shuttle bus. Trains on the West Highland line from Glasgow to Fort William run through the west of the park stopping at numerous stations, while Citylink coach services follow the A82 along the loch. There are numerous local buses including some core Sunday services. Ferries and cruises operate on the loch itself. Ask for a free Explore the National Park by Ferry, Bus and Train booklet from the national park centre, or see the website for bus timetables.