Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
A heritage steam railway running 3.2 miles from Haverthwaite to Lakeside on Windermere, with an engine shed, tea room and woodland playground.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The line was built by the Furness Railway as a branch to the southern end of Windermere and opened on 1 June 1869. It carried freight such as coal for the lake steamers, iron ore for Backbarrow ironworks and materials for the local gunpowder works, and it also brought tourists to the steamers at Lakeside. British Railways closed the branch in the 1960s.
A group of enthusiasts formed a company in the late 1960s to save the line, but it could not buy the whole branch, and road works for the A590 cut across part of the track bed. A new company, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway Company, was founded in March 1970 and the railway reopened as a heritage line in 1973.
Today steam locomotives haul 1950s-style carriages through the Leven Valley to Lakeside, where passengers can change to Windermere Lake Cruises. The collection includes steam locomotives such as two BR Fairburn tanks, small industrial engines, diesel locomotives and a range of carriages, and visitors can walk around the engine shed at Haverthwaite Station. The station also has a tea room, a gift shop and a woodland playground.
Highlights
- Steam trains through the Leven Valley to Lakeside
- Engine shed with steam and diesel locomotives
- Connections with Windermere Lake Cruises at Lakeside
- Victorian station at Haverthwaite with tea room and shop
- Woodland playground and picnic area
Permanent exhibition
- Locomotive collection and engine shed – Steam and diesel locomotives and carriages maintained by the railway, which visitors can view at the engine shed at Haverthwaite.
- Founded
- 1973
- Operated by
- Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Co. Ltd
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £12.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £7.30free up to age 2 · Child fare for ages 3 to 15; children under 3 travel free |
| Groups (20+ people) | –Group rates and reserved seating for pre-booked groups of 20 or more, booked at least 2 days ahead |
| Families | £37.50Return fare for two adults and up to three children |
| Adult single | £7.30 |
| Child single | £5.20 |
| Adult day rover | £37 |
| Child day rover | £21 |
| Train and Lakes Aquarium entrance, adult return | £19.20 |
| Train and boat to Bowness, adult return | £29 |
The regular price is an adult return fare. Tickets are sold only at the stations on the day of travel, not online. Dogs travel free. Residents of the LA and CA postcode areas can join a local resident scheme with 50% off return train fares.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A wheelchair lift is used to board the train in the viewing compartment. Haverthwaite Station has a spacious accessible toilet, but there are none on the trains. Disabled parking is available at Haverthwaite and Lakeside stations, and there is ramp access to the gift shop, tea room and playground. Staff can help passengers who need assistance boarding.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £37.50 · Return fare for two adults and up to three children |
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Haverthwaite Station has a woodland playground with a tunnel slide, climbing frames, a bucket swing and a zip wire, plus picnic areas and a woodland walk. The station toilets include baby facilities. Children aged 3 to 15 pay the child fare, and a family return ticket is available. Seasonal events such as Christmas trains need advance booking.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Haverthwaite Station
Stagecoach buses 6 and X6 run hourly between Barrow and Kendal via Ulverston and Grange-over-Sands on most days and stop outside Haverthwaite Station. Ulverston and Grange-over-Sands railway stations connect to that bus route. From Windermere station, bus 599 runs to Bowness, where Windermere Lake Cruises sail to Lakeside.
By car
Paid parking
Haverthwaite Station car park (150 spaces, satnav LA12 8AL) is pay and display, with £2.50 for 2 hours and £3.50 for the day, and has disabled spaces. Space for camper vans and caravans is not guaranteed. Lakeside Station car park (300 spaces, LA12 8AS) is also pay and display.
- Accessible parking
Haverthwaite Station is on the A590 near Newby Bridge, reached from M6 junction 36 by following the A590 and the brown train signs.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Station Tea Room is in the original waiting room and serves soup, sandwiches, cakes and hot and cold drinks, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options; it is accessible by wheelchair and welcomes dogs. The gift shop sells local and British products, railway models and toys.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The journey takes about 18 minutes one way and 50 minutes return. School and group packages combine the railway with other Lake District attractions. Visitors can walk around the engine shed at Haverthwaite. |
