Lake District without a car

[boxingbig]

We plan to go to the lakes in October for the first time,can you please recommend an area we can get to by train from London ( don't mind a few bob cab ride /bus from station.) somewhere nice to stay ,walk, and a couple of nice pubs ,not too crowded.
I know it's a lot ask but any advice would be appreciated.many thanks

[dot.hawkes]

the london to glasgow train does stop at oxenholme i am sure , and u change there for windermere. or kendal, and then you can get anywhere u need by bus.

[amonty1144]

i think you can get to penrith by train, then keswick and the central lakes by bus, good bus routes out and about for walks and some low level from keswick itself, although keswick is quite busy.
you could go further out to cockermouth, again good buses, good pubs , local transport to the less crowded lakes, ennerdale , buttermere etc

[annie0000]

You can definitely get a train to Bowness on Windermere - an easy walk from the train into the village and you can get boats across the lake to other areas - I am sure that there would be public transport around the lakes from there.

[sixty]

There's a bus company called the 'Mountain Goat 'who have mini buses to take you to all kinds of out of the way places too! http://www.mountain-goat.com/shuttle.html

[sixty]

Nice place to stay! http://www.aphroditeslodge.co.uk/

[boxingbig]

thanks everyone for your help.