South Cumbrian businesses come together to provide free summer travel for all

Published: 9th July 2013

A free bus service linking up a range of visitor destinations across South Lakes is back bigger and better than ever before, thanks to support from the GoLakes Travel programme and a unique collaboration of local businesses.

The South Lakes FreeRider has proved popular with visitors and residents over the past two years, and this summer will see the route extended to Grange-over-Sands and Grizedale Forest. That means passengers not only have easier access to the coastal village of Grange and the Cartmel Peninsula, but a range of activities at Grizedale Visitor Centre including mountain biking, Go Ape! and walking trails boasting sixty impressive sculptures to discover across the forest.

The completely FreeRider service will run weekdays from Monday 22 July – Friday 30 August, offering a convenient way for families to get around and make the most of the school summer holidays. The timetable also links in with Windermere Lake Cruises’ scheduled sailings from Lakeside, at the southern end of Windermere, and the X30 ‘Cross Lakes Experience’ bus link for onward journeys to Hawkshead.

The FreeRider is being supported by an array of businesses along the route, including:

  • Cartmel traders
  • Café Ambio
  • Duckys Park Farm
  • Grange traders
  • Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre
  • Haven Holidays
  • Holker Hall
  • Lakes Aquarium
  • Lakeside Hotel
  • Lakeland Motor Museum
  • Merlewood Hotel
  • Rusland Pool Hotel
  • Stott Park Bobbin Mill
  • Windermere Lake Cruises
  • Yew Tree Barn

Ian Wilkinson, from Windermere Lake Cruises says, “Last year’s FreeRider was very popular, so it’s great news to be offering a newly extended route for 2013. It’s testament to the commitment of all the local businesses that we’ve been able to work together once again to offer free travel right through the school summer holidays.”

The South Lakes FreeRider will run from 8:15am (starting at Haven Holiday Park) until approximately 6.15pm on weekdays, Monday 22 July – Friday 31 August.

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