Northern runs four direct trains a day from Manchester Oxford Road to Windermere, leaving at 08:53, 11:53, 14:53 and 17:53 on a weekday. They run every three hours at 53 minutes past, take about 1h 54m with ten stops, and if one of those times suits you, they are the simplest and quickest way to go.
At other times, change at Oxenholme. TransPennine Express runs from Oxford Road to Oxenholme in about 70 minutes, and Northern’s train covers the last 19 minutes to Windermere. Departures ran every 60 to 120 minutes or so from 06:25 to 20:24, mostly at 24 or 25 minutes past but with uneven spacing; the direct trains at 08:53 and 17:53 fall between the 07:25 and 09:24 and between the 16:25 and 18:24.
The catch is the wait at Oxenholme. On a typical run it was around three quarters of an hour, which stretches the journey from Oxford Road to about 2h 13m.
A third route starts at Manchester Victoria: Northern to Wigan Wallgate in about 44 minutes, a five-minute walk to Wigan North Western, Avanti West Coast to Oxenholme in about 44 minutes, and Northern on to Windermere. It takes about 2h 13m, much the same as the Oxford Road change, and on a weekday it left Victoria at 05:34, 06:32, 09:28, 16:28, 18:28, 19:28 and 20:28. The five minutes on foot between Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North Western are already built into that total.
Other weekday routings from Manchester change at Preston or Warrington Bank Quay on the way to Oxenholme, mostly taking around two hours.
All three routes finish at Windermere station, six minutes’ walk (465 metres) from Crescent Road.
Driving the 84 miles on the M6 takes about 1h 35m, quicker than a typical run on any of the trains from Manchester.
Journey times and changes below come from the rail and bus timetables for Tuesday 1 December 2026. Weekend and holiday timetables differ, so check the day you travel.
From Manchester Oxford Road on the weekday we checked: 08:53, 11:53, 14:53 and 17:53.
From Manchester Oxford Road on the weekday we checked: every 60 to 120 minutes or so between 06:25 and 20:24.
From Manchester Victoria on the weekday we checked: 05:34, 06:32, 09:28, 16:28, 18:28, 19:28 and 20:28.
By road it is about 84 miles from Manchester to Windermere, mostly via the M6 — roughly 1h 35m with clear roads. Car parks in Windermere are listed on the Getting Here page.