Busy days at Seathwaite

View of Seathwaite in the Lake District.

We know that car parking can be a problem at Seathwaite on busy days - here's how you can help us ease the pressure.

The roadside at Seathwaite is a really popular place to park if you plan to visit Scafell Pike, Great Gable and other high fells in the Lakes. At busy times, this causes access problems for people who live there including farmers and potentially emergency vehicles. We are doing everything we can to find a solution for your parking needs, but it will take time. In the meantime, we’d like to ask everyone to do what they can to help ease the pressure of parking in the valley. 

Here are three things you can do to make a difference this summer:

Plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful views from Great End.
Walkers at Great End with Scafell Pike in the distance
Plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful views from Great End.

1. Ask: could a fire engine get past?

If you turn up and find that you can’t easily park at Seathwaite without being confident a fire engine or tractor and trailer could easily pass, please find an alternative place to park. The National Trust car parks at Seatoller and Honister Pass are just up the road. Every penny you put in the car park machine helps the Trust to look after the places you love to walk and climb.

Get your running shoes on at Seatoller this summer
Couple jogging surrounded by nature at Seatoller
Get your running shoes on at Seatoller this summer

2. Plan ahead

Plan your trip ahead and park elsewhere on sunny days and bank holidays – could you plan your adventure to begin from a different car park in Borrowdale? Or could you save your Seathwaite adventure for another day in the quiet season, and plan a route starting elsewhere for the high season?

Could you take the bus to Seatoller instead of driving?
Visitors in the car park at Seatoller
Could you take the bus to Seatoller instead of driving?

3. Go green

There are regular buses to and from Keswick to Seatoller car park. Could you get the bus instead of bringing the car?

Bus service 78
This open-top double-decker bus runs an hourly service between Keswick and Seatoller Monday-Friday, and every 30 minutes at weekends during the high season.

Bus service 77/77A
This service (aka the Honister rambler) runs from Keswick and calls at Seatoller every hour.


What we're doing behind the scenes

While you help us with the above, you might like to know that we’re working with Cumbria Highways and the Lake District National Park Authority to try and find a solution for those who do want to park at Seathwaite. This summer we’re monitoring parking in the valley which will help shape ideas and proposals, and as soon as we have some potential solutions, we’ll be sure to share them with you to get your thoughts. Stay in touch via @NTNorthLakes on Twitter or on our Lake District Facebook.page.