Cumbria's 'Cycling Hotelier' welcomes bus fare freeze

Michael Robinson, now in his 80s, is the owner of the Burn How Garden House Hotel at Bowness, and a keen cyclist.

He has been promoting car-free holidays in the Lakes for some time, encouraging guests to leave their cars in the hotel car park and have a holiday on foot, on two wheels, and on public transport.

Mr Robinson said: "We are delighted with the news that the £2 cap on bus fares is extended until the end of next year.

"This is a great incentive for our guests to try a much more relaxing way to see the Lake District, leave their cars here, and enjoy a genuine holiday."

Michael and wife Vicky with their bikes (Image: Eileen Jones)

As well as thinking about the future of the planet, the hotelier added that the public transport networks mean that visitors to Bowness are particularly lucky.

"There are buses that go into Windermere, which means you could travel here by train, and hop on the local bus for the last bit of your journey.

"Then the buses go on to Ambleside where you can change for a magical ride into the Langdale valley or over to Coniston."

Mr Robinson encouraged guests to make the most of the opportunity, using it as a chance to reach the best walking sites that the Lake District has to offer.

"The bus carries on north to Grasmere, for Wordsworth and cafes and  bookshops and lovely mountains, and then onwards to Keswick.

"At each top along the way there’s the chance to get off and climb a hill, maybe  walk along a ridge, and then hop on another bus at the end of your walk."

He and his wife Vicky also urge guests to use two wheels to get around the Lakes, with staff working with local bike rental companies to further promote car-free living.