Windermere Lake District

Coordinates: Newcastle Destination: Windermere Lake District Transportation: 🚞 Train 💰 Ticket fee: £39.2 for a return trip (including taxes and fees). This was the discounted price with a Young Person Card. I heard that tickets get cheaper the earlier you book, but we decided to go on a whim, so we only booked one day in advance... It takes about nearly three hours by train from Newcastle to the Lake District, but you have to change trains twice, and there’s a high chance of delays. Sure enough, our second train was delayed, and we missed the third one. We were waiting for the third train at Oxenholme station, and since it was already past 12 noon, my friends and I decided to take a taxi to Windermere instead of waiting for the train. It cost £35, and the ride took less than half an hour... For the return trip, we needed to take a bus from the Lake District to Windermere train station. We took the 599 bus, which cost £2.6 for a journey from the main terminal to the main terminal. The Lake District is huge. When we first planned to go, my friends and I didn’t have high expectations because it sounded... a lot like a reservoir. But when we arrived, we were blown away—it was truly stunning, even more beautiful than Erhai Lake in Yunnan. Blue skies, white clouds, clear water, swans... surrounded by mountains with vibrant, colorful hues. A boat tour is a must! Viewing the scenery from the lake makes you want to etch every beautiful scene into your memory. Important note: We bought tickets as a group of 6, so we got a discount—£10.9 per person for a return ticket. The boat stops at many stations along the way; you can get off at any stop you like. Check the boat arrival times yourself and don’t miss the schedule for the return trip. I recommend sitting on the second deck, which is open-air—you can enjoy 360° views of the Lake District, and it’s perfect for taking photos! But remember: dress warmly. It’s October in the UK, and my friends and I were all wearing down jackets, yet we were shivering from the lake wind on the boat! We got off at the third stop. A short walk away, there’s a huge, huge green meadow—it’s really pleasing to the eye. We took lots of photos there, and one of our friends had a drone, which captured a panoramic view of the entire lake. Many locals walk their dogs here, and the dogs rush to swim in the water. It was too cold for us, but if you come in summer, you can rent a sailboat or swim in the crystal-clear water. I heard that in winter, you can see snow-capped mountain tops—if you don’t mind the cold, that is. But we were already freezing like dogs in October; I can’t imagine how cold it gets later... Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to hike. I think two days would be perfect for this area—stay one night nearby. Spend the first day exploring the lakeside and the second day hiking. Note: Public toilets in the scenic area charge 50p per person. We paid at first, but later figured out that the public toilets at the pier are free, and you can also use the restrooms in restaurants. The scenic area’s toilets are such a rip-off... Overall, I highly recommend visiting here. If I get the chance, I’d love to go back to hike. But as an international student, maybe I won’t have the money to go again. I hope everyone plans well before visiting to avoid regrets!!! #NewcastleAustralia #AustralianHolidays #CaptureTheMoment #Newcastle #SouthernHemisphereWinter #ArtAndArchitecture #CornerMoments #OutdoorAdventuresTogether