THE thought of piling your family onto a bus may fill many parents or grandparents with horror, but one Cumbrian influencer says rediscovering the bus has transformed her holiday plans.

Laura Earl, from Linstock near Carlisle, has thousands of followers on Instagram, where she operates as The Hiking Household.

Created following a difficult lockdown, Laura now operates a successful website that helps families of all abilities to get out and explore.

Laura recently took her four children – Alfie, eight; Arlo, six; Heidi, four; and two-year-old Hermione – on the 9am Stagecoach bus from Carlisle to Keswick, taking advantage of the £2 per person single fare promotion, which has been extended until the end of October 2023.

News and Star: Earl family enjoy a day out in KeswickEarl family enjoy a day out in Keswick (Image: INTROPR)

Her husband Daniel works away, and so fears of shepherding four young children and a pushchair onto a bus and around Keswick prompted the mum to invite her own mother along.

“And it turns out, I didn’t even need her. I cannot believe how easy it all was," Laura said.

“We got on board at Carlisle bus station and it was a double decker bus, and the kids had the best time.

“I just sat back and watched the kids chat to each other over something as simple as getting on a bus.

News and Star: Feeding the Derwentwater ducks Feeding the Derwentwater ducks (Image: INTROPR)

“I honestly don’t think it is much longer than if I’d driven – by the time I get my whole brood in the car and find a parking space and pay for parking,” said Laura.

“We got some duck food and fed the ducks and then the children played around the water.

“We then walked into Hope Park, which is just such a great space and off the road and away from the water, so I could relax and just let the kids play.

News and Star: Youngsters take a swing at the mini golf at Hope ParkYoungsters take a swing at the mini golf at Hope Park (Image: INTROPR)

“We got an ice cream at the Hope café – it was probably too cold, but how can you say no? – and then we played Crazy Golf.”

Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire said: “We hope to encourage more families to take the bus like Laura and her family did and explore the many fantastic locations across our region which are perfect for a family day out."