Kendal Mountain Festival 2025: Nearest station & cheap train tickets

The nearest train station to the Kendal Mountain Festival is the Kendal railway station, which is located right in the town where the festival takes place. For those travelling from other parts of the UK, Oxenholme Lake District on the West Coast Main Line is the closest mainline station. This station offers direct services from London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. From Oxenholme, a short connecting train on the Lakes Line will take you directly to Kendal station, where you can access tickets for here.

Oxenholme –The Lake District Station

Oxenholme station has step-free access to all platforms via ramps or streets, though no lifts exist. Staff assistance is available throughout the week, including help points and a ticket office open Monday to Saturday.

Facilities include toilets with accessible options, baby changing, seating areas, public Wi-Fi, shops, and refreshment outlets. The station has 92 parking spaces, including two accessible bays, and offers cycle storage and hire. Bus and taxi links and a drop-off/pick-up point are also available for easy onward travel.

Kendal Station

Kendal station provides step-free access to all platforms but has no lifts or a staffed ticket office. Ticket machines are available, as well as seating areas, toilets, and accessible facilities. The station has CCTV and customer information screens, but does not offer public Wi-Fi or refreshment facilities.

Parking is limited with only four spaces and no accessible bays, though a drop-off/pick-up point, bus services, and bicycle storage are provided. The station is within walking distance of all festival venues, making it the ideal arrival point for attendees.

The Kendal Mountain Festival is a four-day celebration of outdoor adventure, culture, and nature. Events are spread across several venues, with the main hub being the Basecamp Village at Abbot Hall Park.

Highlights include international film premieres, the Kendal Mountain Festival 10K run, specialist sessions on climbing, trail running, mountain biking, and wellness activities such as yoga. The festival also celebrates mountain literature with the Kendal Mountain Book Festival.

Bus services for Kendal Mountain Festival attendees

There are no festival-specific shuttles, but Stagecoach local buses connect Kendal with the surrounding Lake District and Oxenholme train station:

• Route 555 links Kendal with Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick, popular destinations for visitors staying outside Kendal.
• Routes 6 and X6 connect Kendal to Grange-over-Sands and Newby Bridge.
• Route 41/41A runs between Kendal and Oxenholme train station, which is ideal for rail travellers.
• Route 508 offers a scenic route from Penrith to Windermere via Ullswater and Patterdale.

These routes offer flexible transport options for those staying outside Kendal or connecting from the train, complementing the town's walkable layout.

The Kendal Mountain Festival takes place across several key venues in Kendal, all easily accessible from Oxenholme Lake District Station.

Brewery Arts

To get to Brewery Arts from Oxenholme Lake District Station, hop on the train to Kendal Station, which takes around 4 minutes. From Kendal Station, it's an easy 15 to 18-minute walk.

Head southwest on Station Road, turn right onto Parkside Road, then left onto Wildman Street. Cross the River Kent via Stramongate, and continue straight until you reach Highgate. Turn left, and you'll soon spot Brewery Arts on your left at 122A Highgate. 

Some of the events at this venue include:

• The Below Zero Session presented by Montane — Thursday 20 November, 8:00 PM
• Mark Agnew: There Will Be Headwinds — Friday 21 November, 9:30 AM
• Best of Kendal: Red – presented by Rab — Sunday 23 November, 8:00 PM

This is your go-to venue for thought-provoking, atmospheric events. Brewery Arts excels at intimacy, which is ideal for getting up close to speakers or enjoying standout films in a laid-back environment. Hear Arctic swimmers' chilling stories in the Below Zero Session, join Mark Agnew as he shares his Northwest Passage kayak adventure and mental health journey, or be moved by the emotional Best of Kendal: Red film screening.

Kendal Leisure Centre

From Oxenholme Lake District Station, the quickest route to Kendal Leisure Centre is by taxi, which takes around 6 minutes. For a budget-friendly option, take the Stagecoach 41/41A bus, which stops near the Leisure Centre after about a 10 to 15-minute ride.

Some of the events to catch here include:

• The Cycling Session Hosted by Emily Chappell and Ben Dowman — Thursday 20 November, 7:30 PM
• Snow Night, presented by The North Face & Ellis Brigham — Saturday 22 November, 8:00 PM
• The Endurance Session, presented by Garmin — Sunday 23 November, 12:30 PM

Kendal Leisure Centre hosts some of the festival's most high‑energy and crowd‑pleasing events. The Cycling Session and The Endurance Session bring together athletes, adventurers, and film content that push boundaries and inspire. Snow Night is especially unique for its focus on winter sports; expect talks, film premieres, and stories from the snow‑front.

Kendal Town Hall

To get to Kendal Town Hall from Oxenholme Lake District Station, take the 4-minute train to Kendal Station. From there, it's a 13-minute walk. Turn right out of the station onto Wildman Street, continue straight as it becomes Stramongate and crosses the River Kent. Carry on onto Highgate, then turn left onto Lowther Street. You'll find Kendal Town Hall on your right at 9a Lowther Street.

Events to catch include:

• The Bouldering Session presented by Five Ten & Slaphappy Climbing — Thursday 20 November, 8:00 PM
• Tony Juniper: Just Earth — Friday 21 November, 2:00 PM

Kendal Town Hall hosts dynamic sessions for climbers and activists alike. The Bouldering Session brings exclusive films and climbing stories from world-class athletes, while Tony Juniper's Just Earth talk challenges you to explore climate justice and the roots of environmental crises in a historic, engaging setting.

Basecamp

From Oxenholme Lake District Station, take the train to Kendal Station, then walk for less than a mile to Basecamp. To do so, exit Kendal Station, head south on Station Road, turn right onto Parkside Road, then left onto Wildman Street. Continue onto Stramongate, cross the River Kent, turn left onto Highgate, then right onto Kirkland. Basecamp is behind Abbot Hall Art Gallery on your left.

Events here include:

• Quid Games presented by SportsShoes — Friday, 21 November 2025, 7:00 PM
• Jenn Ashworth by The Parallel Path (Speaker Event) — Sunday, 23 November 2025, 1:30 PM

Basecamp is the festival's vibrant hub in the scenic Abbot Hall Park. The SportsShoes Quid Games offers a fresh urban adventure challenge across Kendal's streets and parks, mixing speed, strategy, and surprises. Jenn Ashworth's talk invites you on a heartfelt journey of resilience and discovery, inspired by her Coast to Coast walk.

Kendal College

Take the 4-minute train from Oxenholme to Kendal Station. Walk approximately 1.1 miles to Kendal College at 9a Milnthorpe Road, about 20 to 25 minutes. From the station, head southwest on Station Road, right on Parkside Road, left onto Wildman Street, across the River Kent, then left on Highgate (A6), continuing onto Milnthorpe Road.

Events at this venue are:

• The Risk Sessions: Red presented by Mountain Equipment - Friday, 21 November 2025, 7:15 PM
• Best of Kendal: Blue presented by Rab (Film Collection) - Sunday, 23 November 2025, 5:00 PM

Kendal College hosts insightful talks and screenings about adventure culture. The Risk Sessions, led by climbing psychologist Dr Rebecca Williams, explore how climbers and extreme athletes evaluate and manage danger. The Best of Kendal film screening features a curated collection of gripping festival films guaranteed to entertain and inspire. It's a great venue for engaging discussions and cinematic highlights. 

Barrel House

From Oxenholme, take the train to Kendal Station, then walk for around 15 minutes to Barrel House in the Castle Mills complex on Aynam Road. Exit Kendal Station, southwest on Station Road, right onto Parkside Road, left onto Wildman Street, cross the River Kent via Stramongate Bridge, then left onto Aynam Road.

Event Information:

• BMC Women in Adventure Film Workshop - Friday, 21 November 2025, 12:00 PM
• Berghaus Party - Friday, 21 November 2025, 10:30 PM
• Arc'teryx After Party - Saturday, 22 November 2025, 10:30 PM

Barrel House is a creative hotspot and festival party venue. The Women in Adventure Film Workshop offers a fantastic opportunity to develop filmmaking skills with hands-on sessions led by expert mentors. By night, the venue transforms into a lively party space with DJs spinning the latest beats, perfect for festival-goers looking to celebrate and connect. 

Abbot Hall Social Centre

To get to Abbot Hall Social Centre from Oxenholme, start by taking the train to Kendal Station. Once you're there, exit the station south on Station Road, turn right on Parkside Road, then left on Wildman Street, cross the River Kent, left on Highgate (A6), and turn right on Dowker's Lane.

Event Information:

• Trail Run presented by adidas TERREX — Saturday, 22 November 2025, 11:00 AM
• Everest The Hard Way presented by Berghaus — Saturday, 22 November 2025, 1:00 PM

Abbot Hall Social Centre is the starting point for the adrenaline-pumping Adidas TERREX Trail Run, a challenging route through iconic local trails with stunning views that finishes in Kendal town centre. The event supports Kendal Mountain Rescue, making participation meaningful and exhilarating. Nearby at Kendal Leisure Centre, the Everest The Hard Way talk commemorates the 50th anniversary of a legendary British expedition, featuring reflections by Sir Chris Bonington and others on mountaineering history and legacy.

Travelling to Kendal Mountain Festival is easy and convenient, and there are multiple train routes from major cities across the UK. Below are popular options, including journey times, operators, and ticket price guides to help you plan your trip efficiently and arrive on time for the festivities.

London to Oxenholme Lake District

• Departure station: London Euston
• Train operators: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
• Arrival station: Oxenholme Lake District
• First train: Departs at 00:39
• Last train: Departs at 23:30
• Journey time: Average 3h 2m, fastest trains 2h 39m

Manchester to Oxenholme Lake District

• Departure station: Manchester Airport
• Train operators: Avanti West Coast, Northern, TransPennine Express
• Arrival station: Oxenholme Lake District
• First train: Departs at 03:45
• Last train: Departs at 20:17
• Journey time: Average 1h 41m, fastest trains 1h 24m

Birmingham to Oxenholme Lake District

• Departure station: Birmingham New Street
• Train operators: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern
• Arrival station: Oxenholme Lake District
• First train: Departs at 01:39
• Last train: Departs at 23:22
• Journey time: Average 2h 18m, fastest trains 2h 14m

Glasgow to Oxenholme Lake District

• Departure station: Glasgow Central
• Train operators: Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express
• Arrival station: Oxenholme Lake District
• First train: Departs at 04:28
• Last train: Departs at 20:06
• Journey time: Average 1h 55m, fastest trains 1h 43m

Leeds to Kendal (via Oxenholme Lake District)

• Departure station: Leeds
• Train operators: Avanti West Coast, Northern, TransPennine Express
• Arrival station: Oxenholme Lake District
• First train: Departs at 00:21
• Last train: Departs at 19:18
• Journey time: Average 2h 55m, fastest trains 2h 14m

Finding cheap train tickets to the Kendal Mountain Festival is easier when you plan ahead. Booking your tickets up to 12 weeks in advance can secure the best deals, as many train operators release their cheapest fares early. This early booking is essential during popular travel times around the festival dates, so locking in your ticket sooner rather than later can save you a significant amount.

Using Railcards is another effective method to reduce your fare. Options like the 16–25 Railcard, Two Together Railcard, and Network Railcard offer discounts of up to 33%, making travel more affordable. Pairing these discounts with off-peak travel times can further lower costs. If you prefer to travel off-peak and will stay overnight, consider booking your hotels on Trip.com to make your trip easier and more economical.

Split Ticketing is also a clever way to cut your ticket price by buying separate tickets for different parts of your journey instead of a single direct fare.