Mountain Goat Tours

Mountain Goat

the original ‘Lake District Mini-Bus Company’

The iconic Mountain Goat bus company started running Lake District tours in 1972, and chose its name after an early customer commented that their buses climbed the Lakeland fells like a ‘mountain goat’.

Their first minibus in 1972 meandered the route between Bowness-On-Windermere, to Glenridding on Ullswater, climbing steadily up and over the Kirkstone pass in all weathers, re-establishing a connection between these two fine Lakeland villages. As travellers began to enjoy using the route, the local driver would pass the time regaling his passengers with tales, myths and legends of the local area. This soon became as popular as the trip from A to B – the fact you could learn about the countryside you were driving through and hear about the history and stories of the awe-inspiring landscapes became very popular with visitors to the Lake District.

This became the unique approach from Mountain Goat – local people would drive the minibusses, and although they may have known some interesting facts about places, they had to learn their version of ‘The Knowledge’ and follow a loose script about the places they were travelling through.

These days it is very much a slicker operation, with routes covering all four corners of the Lake District, and daily sightseeing tours which showcase and bring to life the spectacular scenery, historic stories, and famous people of the area, by their friendly and knowledgeable driver-guides.

Today, the company’s brand-new fleet of luxury Mercedes Sprinters takes tourists all over the Lakes and further afield into the Borders. Choose from the Ten Lakes Spectacular, Beatrix Potter’s Favourite Countryside, The High Adventure, Best of the Lake District, Heart of the Lakes or even Six Lakes in a Morning. They provide exclusive group hire, perhaps for a family day out, or if a group of you are travelling here together, perhaps you’re planning a different kind of special celebration. They also offer walking guide services, and the ‘Cross Lakes Experience’ Bus Service as well as touring holidays in the North and Borders. Sit back and let yourself be driven around in comfort and style by a Guide who can bring to life the landscapes and legends all around you.

Mountain Goat are offering our Guests a 20% discount of all scheduled and private tours. Simply use the code: COTTAGES20 at the checkout, valid until 31/10/2021.

Photo credit: Mountain Goat