Leave the car behind and hop on Englands networks of bus and train lines to enjoy sustainable ways of exploring Englands National Parks.
The UK is filled with stunning landscapes, from the granite peaks of Dartmoor to the Lake District’s rugged peaks. Driving to our favourite outdoor spots can, however, harm these delicate areas. You might not realise it, but many national parks and AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) are better connected by buses and trains than you think. This not only protects the environment but also adds to the adventure. As for why Scottish and Welsh parks aren't included? They deserve their own list!
Why Choose Public Transport?
- Better for the Environment in several ways – namely reducing the carbon footprint of your trip.
- Cost-Effective – Public transport can be cheaper than driving, especially with railcards or multi-day bus passes.
- More Relaxing – Enjoy the views without worrying about the road, parking, or fines. Plus, it encourages walking or cycling at the start and end of your journey, bringing you closer to nature.
National Park Bus Services
Many National Parks have dedicated bus services to take you right to the heart of the action, often with bike racks and space for gear.
| National Park | Buses | Train | Dogs Allowed? | Bikes Allowed? | Wheelchair Accessible? | Main Hubs? | Nearest Alpkit store? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Yorkshire Dales | DalesBus | Yorkshire Dales Explorer | Yes - both | Only on trains | Yes - both | Leeds & York | Ilkley |
| Dartmoor | Plymouth CityBus, Haytor Hoppa | GWR Dartmoor Line | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Plymouth, Newton Abbot & Exeter | Bristol |
| The Peak District | High Peak Transpeak | Hope Valley Line, Buxton Line & Derwent Line | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Derby, Sheffield, Manchester | Hathersage |
| North York Moors | Moorsbus | Esk Valley Line | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Middlesborough, Whitby, Scarborough & York | Metrocentre |
| Exmoor | Exmouth Coaster | N/A – Taunton for the UK mainline | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Taunton, Barnstaple & Minehead | Bristol |
| The Lake District | The Lakes Connection & Lakesider (Stagecoach) | Windermere Station | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Windermere, Keswick & Lancaster | Keswick or Ambleside |
| Northumberland | Hadrian’s Wall Bus | Tyne Valley Line | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Newcastle, Carlisle, Hexham | Metrocentre |
| The South Downs | Various local services | South Western Railway | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Brighton | Kingston |
| The Broads | Various local services | Bittern & Wherry Lines (Greater Anglia) | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Lowestoft, Norwich & Great Yarmouth | Kingston |
| The New Forest | Morebus & Bluestar | South Western Railway & CrossCountry | Yes – both | Only on trains | Yes – both | Brockenhurst, Bournemouth, Southampton | Bristol |
The Yorkshire Dales
The Dales are possibly the UK’s best-connected national park by bus. With regular year-round services running from Leeds, York, and other nearby towns, the ‘DalesBus’ network makes it easy to explore this wild landscape without a car. Visit the likes of Malham Cove, Bolton Abbey, and Aysgarth Falls without worrying about parking or navigating the narrow lanes yourself! The Dales are also well-connected by rail. The Yorkshire Dales Explorer train service, operated by Northern, runs from Manchester Victoria all the way to Ribblehead Station, with an iconic view of the viaduct. It’s perfect for cyclists and hikers wanting a car-free getaway from Manchester for the weekend!
Dartmoor
There are several ways to get onto Dartmoor by public transport, even if there isn’t a dedicated service. However, it’s the national park I’m lucky enough to call home, so I had to include it on this list! Firstly, there’s the seasonal Haytor Hoppa bus, which runs from Newton Abbot train station to Dartmoor favourites like Haytor, Widecombe, and Becky Falls. There are also regular buses from Plymouth to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Tavistock, with easy connections up to the high moor. Speaking of the high moor, for those wanting to explore the northern reaches of the UK’s most southwesterly national park, jump on the (fairly) newly reinstated branch line from Exeter St Davids to Okehampton. This service has proven so popular that GWR is even building a new station along the line!
The Peak District
Bordered by some of the UK’s biggest cities, the Peak District has three beautiful train lines running through it, as well as the High Peak Transpeak bus line between Buxton and Derby. Coming from Manchester or Sheffield? Jump on the Hope Valley line, which runs between the two northern cities. The Buxton line also runs from Manchester, this time finishing in, well… Buxton (no surprises there!). If you’re coming from the East Midlands, the Derwent Valley Line runs into the historic town of Matlock, with everything from accessible cycling trails to cave systems to explore.
North York Moors
Running on summer weekends, the Moorsbus links key locations across the National Park, making it easier to get out on the trails without worrying about parking! For year-round access to some of the moors’ most picturesque villages, the Esk Valley train line runs from Middlesbrough to Whitby, or there are several local bus services between larger towns in the area. In fact, the number 840 bus between Leeds and Whitby was voted Britain’s most scenic bus route!
Exmoor
Sticking with scenic bus routes, the Exmouth Coaster open-top bus service runs along the Exmoor coast between Minehead and Lynmouth. If you’re looking for a dramatic, cliffside ride before setting out on foot, this is it. Your closest mainline train link is Taunton in Somerset, with regular bus services out to the stunning North Devon coast.
The Lake District
Stagecoach runs two high-frequency services within the Lakes. The first is ‘The Lakes Connection,’ running between Lancaster and Keswick, and the second is the ‘Lakesider,’ another open-top service that gives riders a unique perspective on the towns and villages. For trains from Manchester, Windermere station is your gateway into the park!
Northumberland
For trains, the Tyne Valley Line runs from Newcastle to Carlisle, but jump off at Hexham to access the national park. Go North East & Arriva North East both provide bus services, passing through villages like Alnwick, which connect well to the train line in Hexham. The Hadrian’s Wall Bus is perhaps the most convenient way to explore the park by public transport, but be sure to check before you go, as it’s only a seasonal service!
The South Downs
Given their proximity to London and Brighton, buses criss-cross the South Downs, and although there are no train stations within the park, you can hop off at Brighton, Lewes, or Petersfield for bus connections into the rolling hills.
The Broads
Similar to the South Downs, the Broads are easy to venture into from stations considered ‘gateways’ to this national park. Greater Anglia operates services on the ‘Bittern’ and ‘Wherry’ lines, perfect if you want to explore the park by bike too!
The New Forest
Ashurst, Sway, and Brockenhurst all have connections to London Waterloo, with the latter also connected to Birmingham and Manchester by train. The New Forest is incredibly easy to get to by public transport—and why wouldn’t you? Bypass the summer crowds by getting there by train and navigating this very walkable and accessible national park from the Dorset side by Morebus or using ‘Bluestar’ services from Southampton.
So, there you have it! Next time you’re considering a trip to one of our precious national parks, consider leaving the car outside the park (or even better, at home!) to help keep these spaces just a little bit wilder.