Lake District Explorer
London, Penrith, Ullswater, Castlerigg, Keswick, Lake Windermere, Hawkeshead, Grasmere, Whinlatter, High Lorton, Honister, Borrowdale.
3days/2nights, London/London
2019 depart Mon: 04Apr-28Oct Thu: 02 May -31 Oct
Cost from: B&B from: $595 pp twin share (s/sup $80)
Hotel from: $715 pp twin share (s/sup $80)
day 01 London-Penrith-Ullswater-Castlerigg-Keswick
You meet your representative at Euston station at 08.45 to collect your train tickets before catching the fast train north to Penrith. The journey takes just under 3 hours and passes through some beautiful scenery along the way. We recommend grabbing lunch on the train before arriving in the historic Cumbrian market town of Penrith. Here you will meet your mini-coach and driver/guide for the next 3 days. From here you enter the magical world of the Lake District National Park travelling along the northern shores of Ullswater, described as England’s most beautiful lake, where you can take a forest walk to see the mighty Aira Force waterfall. You then travel towards Keswick, stopping first to visit the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones, thought to have been built over 5,000 years ago and the scene of ancient rituals. You then have a short journey into the lively market town of Keswick where you will be dropped off at your accommodation and are then free to explore this charming town. (**During July/early August this tour may stay in Windermere).
day 02 Keswick-Lake Windermere-Hawkeshead-Grasmere-Keswick
After breakfast you head along the winding country lanes to the southern shores of Ullswater, making stops along the way to enjoy the majestic views of this beautiful lake. Continuing south you journey over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass and stop at Lake Windermere where you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the Lake or simply eat lunch while enjoying the views. After lunch you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards Coniston Water and shortly afterwards you arrive at the picturesque conservation village of Hawkeshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School. After free time to explore the village you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. There is free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy. In the late afternoon you return to Keswick.
day 03 Keswick-Whinlatter-High Lorton-Honister-Borrowdale-Keswick
You will be collected from your accommodation and you head for the Whinlatter Forest Park and over the Whinlatter pass and into some of the most dramatic landscapes that the Lake District has to offer. Your journey takes us through the rural village of High Lorton, along the quiet winding lanes to the shores of Crummock Water and Buttermere and on towards the Honister mountain pass. Stopping amongst the mountains you have the opportunity to visit the old slate workings where a small number of Cumbrians continue to make their living. Following refreshments, you continue through the forests of Borrowdale, passing Derwent Water on your return to Keswick where there is free time for lunch and shopping. Following lunch, you begin your return journey north by heading towards Penrith where you will be dropped at the station for a late afternoon train back to London arriving approx. 19.00.
Inclusions: twin share in a 3* hotel, breakfast daily, accommodation with private facilities, mini-coach transportation with maximum capacity of 16 seats, professional Irish driver-guide, local taxes and service charges.
Note: itinerary is subject to change