Lake District National Park car rentals

You should hire a car in the Lake District as it gives you accessibility to explore the more remote parts of the region without having to rely on other modes of transport, such as buses or arranged tours. For example, if you are staying in Carlisle, then you can travel to Bassenthwaite Lake in about 40min by car. If you were travelling by public transport (such as by bus or train), then this would take closer to 2h. It is also a much more cost-effective way to travel than if you opted for a return taxi journey.

Driving in the Lake District is very similar to driving in the rest of the country, with the cars driving on the left-hand side of the road and the steering wheel being on the right side of the car. In urban areas, you cannot drive faster than 30 mph; in rural areas, the speed limit is 60 mph; whilst on motorways, you can travel as fast as 70 mph. One difference you may notice to the rest of the UK is how rural the Lake District is, so ensure you have a full tank or charge before you set off.

In order to hire a car in the Lake District, you need to be at least 21 years of age, but some companies may require you to be older, so it’s worth checking each one individually to see which is right for you. Drivers under a certain age, such as 25, will also have to pay a surcharge to hire a car alongside the normal car hire rate. In addition, there tends to be a smaller selection of vehicles available to drivers that are below 25, as companies reserve the more powerful vehicles for the more experienced drivers only.

Mini (Kia Picanto or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Lake District National Park.

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.