Driving 

The Lakes and East Cumbria region has excellent roads and motorways to the rest of the UK. The M6 is the main route to the Lakes and the A66 runs from the A1 at Scotch Corner in the north-east to the Cumbrian coast at Workington via Eden, Appleby, Penrith and the northern Lakes. Winter weather can close the A66 and deep snow drifts occur regularly.

The Lake District National Park has few roads, but roads such as the A595 offer routes around the outskirts and coastal areas of the park.

The M6 Motorway

• Runs north to Scotland in the north and south to London and the Midlands
• Passes along the easterly edge of the Lake District, past Penrith joining the A66
• Barrow is a 40 minute drive from the M6 via the A590
• Junctions 42 to 44 for Carlisle
• Junction 40 for Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth, Ullswater, Workington and Whitehaven
• Junction 38 for Appleby and Kirkby Stephen
• Junction 37 for Windermere, Kendal and Ambleside
• Junction 36 for Coniston, Barrow-in-Furness, Hawkshead and Ulverston - the South Lakes
• From London
• Via the A4202, A40, A41, A406, M1, M6 & A592
• 294 miles approx
• Five hour 15 min drive

From Manchester

• Via A6, A61, M6 & A592
• 101 miles approx
• One hour 50 mins drive