England: The Lake District

4 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

Breakfast is included at your hotel. Your guides meet you at the George Hotel at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby. Your guides will be wearing a Country Walkers shirt. Please be dressed for walking.

Upon meeting your guide(s), you immediately transfer to the village of Askham to walk through the Lowther Estate, owned by Lord Lonsdale. Continuing over the fell and into the Lake District National Park, you pass ancient prehistoric settlements and enjoy first views of the Cumbrian Mountains and Ullswater. Descending to the village of Pooley Bridge at the edge of the lake, you pause for lunch in a local pub. This village was one of the earliest settlements on the lake, dating back to the Celts. Following lunch, you transfer to the hamlet of Dockray, overlooking the lake, and walk by Aira Beck toward Aira Force, probably the most famous of the Lake District’s waterfalls. Here, you admire the views and are regaled with tales about the romanticism that the region has long inspired.

The short drive to the hotel just a few miles outside of Keswick allows plenty of time to settle in before meeting for a pre-dinner drink and a fuller introduction to the week ahead. The hotel restaurant features local produce whenever possible, so tonight’s dinner promises excellent cuisine.

Accommodation: Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Grange-in-Borrowdale

4 miles, easy to moderate; 2 miles easy

Today, you cross Whinlatter Pass, which connects the beauty of the Keswick Valley to Buttermere and beyond. Here, magnificent nature predominates, and as you walk in the ancient forests and along the shores of Crummock Water, you see stirring views of the high mountains surrounding this pretty vale.

Completing the walk at the hamlet of Buttermere, you enjoy a pub lunch and afterward take an optional walk along the picturesque shore of Buttermere Lake, before boarding the coach to ride over Honister Pass and back to the hotel via Borrowdale. There is time to refresh at the hotel and enjoy its beautiful surroundings before heading to dinner in a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Grange-in-Borrowdale

4 miles, moderate; 2 miles, easy

After a breakfast buffet consisting of cereal, fruit, pastries, and cold meats, or a traditional hot Cumbrian breakfast, you follow in the footsteps of the men of Borrowdale, quarrymen and miners of yesteryear. This valley was once home to many working slate mines, most of which are now closed. Starting from the hotel, you walk along a Victorian terrace, overlooking the jewel that is Derwentwater. A short boat ride will take you to Keswick, one of the more populated towns in the Lake District. After lunch, and some free time in Keswick, a second boat ride will take you to Lodore, from where you will amble back to the hotel. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant which prides itself on using freshly prepared local ingredients.

Accommodation: Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Grange-in-Borrowdale

4 miles, easy to moderate; 2 miles, easy

On the morning walk, you meander through one of the region’s prettiest dales, walking in the area around two of the smaller lakes, Grasmere and Rydal Water, and in the footsteps of William Wordsworth, one of England’s most famous poets of the early 19th century. After lunch, your day continues with a tour of Rydal Mount, William Wordsworth’s best loved family home for the greater part of his life from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80. The house continues to be owned by the Wordsworth family and retains the feel of a lived-in family home. The day is complete with a walk along an ancient “coffin route”, enjoying lovely views along the way. Or, if you are staying at Ambleside Manor, the day is complete with a walk through the grounds of the historic Rydal Hall, enjoying lovely views along the way.

At the walks end, you arrive at your next hotel. Here, a warm welcome awaits and later you enjoy a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, (Bowness-on-Windemere)

Following a hearty English breakfast, we’ll take a coach ride past the head of Windermere and the ancient Roman Fort of Galava, to the starting point of our walk. A gradual climb along historic paths will lead us to Tarn Hows, a wonderfully picturesque tarn, or lake, in the hills. This is one of the most popular beauty spots in the district and quite rightly so. It was formed in the late 1800’s when the landowner built a dam which led to the connection of the 3 smaller tarns which had been here previously. For once, man has rivalled nature as a bewitching landscape artist! There are incredible views to the surrounding mountains with wonderful names – Old man of Coniston, Wetherlam, Helvellyn and the Langdale Pikes. We now descend to the shores of Coniston Water to enjoy lunch at a lakeside hostelry. In the afternoon we meander along paths by the side of Coniston Water, listening to the lapping waves, singing birds and tales of adventure and mishap from the Waters past.

At the end of the walk we will be collected by our coach and return to our hotel and your evening is free to explore and either eat in the hotel or adventure further afield.

Accommodation: Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, (Bowness-on-Windemere)

4.5 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

The Langdale Pikes are one of the best-loved and most photographed areas of The Lake District. A home for walkers, fell-runners, and climbers, the valley is surrounded by some of the area’s tallest mountains, and nearby is England’s highest, Scafell Pike. Starting at the tiny village of Skelwith Bridge, you pass by a slate factory, a waterfall, and a small lake before arriving at the hamlet of Elterwater. From there, the walk takes you on a winding track into Great Langdale, deep into the valley where cars are fewer and walkers predominant. After lunch at the only pub owned by the National Trust in the whole country, located in a hotel that has been catering to walkers for more than 300 years, you walk farther into the valley, before completing the walk. Returning to the hotel, this evening you toast your explorations with a farewell drink and celebratory dinner.

Accommodation: Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, (Bowness-on-Windemere)

After enjoying a late breakfast, you’re provided a small-group transfer, via Penrith, to the Radisson Blu Hotel at Manchester Airport for your post-tour night. (Lunch and dinner are on your own.)

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport

4 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

Your guides meet you at the George Hotel at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby. Your guides will be wearing a Country Walkers shirt. Please be dressed for walking.

Upon meeting your guide(s), you immediately transfer to the village of Askham to walk through the Lowther Estate, owned by Lord Lonsdale. Continuing over the fell and into the Lake District National Park, you pass ancient prehistoric settlements and enjoy first views of the Cumbrian Mountains and Ullswater. Descending to the village of Pooley Bridge at the edge of the lake, you pause for lunch in a local pub. This village was one of the earliest settlements on the lake, dating back to the Celts. Following lunch, you transfer to the hamlet of Dockray, overlooking the lake, and walk by Aira Beck toward Aira Force, probably the most famous of the Lake District’s waterfalls. Here, you admire the views and are regaled with tales about the romanticism that the region has long inspired.

The short drive to the hotel just a few miles outside of Keswick allows plenty of time to settle in before meeting for a pre-dinner drink and a fuller introduction to the week ahead. The hotel restaurant features local produce whenever possible, so tonight’s dinner promises excellent cuisine.

Accommodation: Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Grange-in-Borrowdale

4 miles, easy to moderate; 2 miles easy

Today, you cross Whinlatter Pass, which connects the beauty of the Keswick Valley to Buttermere and beyond. Here, magnificent nature predominates, and as you walk in the ancient forests and along the shores of Crummock Water, you see stirring views of the high mountains surrounding this pretty vale.

Completing the walk at the hamlet of Buttermere, you enjoy a pub lunch and afterward take an optional walk along the picturesque shore of Buttermere Lake, before boarding the coach to ride over Honister Pass and back to the hotel via Borrowdale. There is time to refresh at the hotel and enjoy its beautiful surroundings before heading to dinner in a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Grange-in-Borrowdale

4 miles, moderate; 2 miles, easy

After a breakfast buffet consisting of cereal, fruit, pastries, and cold meats, or a traditional hot Cumbrian breakfast, you follow in the footsteps of the men of Borrowdale, quarrymen and miners of yesteryear. This valley was once home to many working slate mines, most of which are now closed. Starting from the hotel, you walk along a Victorian terrace, overlooking the jewel that is Derwentwater. A short boat ride will take you to Keswick, one of the more populated towns in the Lake District. After lunch, and some free time in Keswick, a second boat ride will take you to Lodore, from where you will amble back to the hotel. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant which prides itself on using freshly prepared local ingredients.

Accommodation: Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Grange-in-Borrowdale

4 miles, easy to moderate; 2 miles, easy

On the morning walk, you meander through one of the region’s prettiest dales, walking in the area around two of the smaller lakes, Grasmere and Rydal Water, and in the footsteps of William Wordsworth, one of England’s most famous poets of the early 19th century. After lunch, your day continues with a tour of Rydal Mount, William Wordsworth’s best loved family home for the greater part of his life from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80. The house continues to be owned by the Wordsworth family and retains the feel of a lived-in family home. The day is complete with a walk along an ancient “coffin route”, enjoying lovely views along the way. Or, if you are staying at Ambleside Manor, the day is complete with a walk through the grounds of the historic Rydal Hall, enjoying lovely views along the way.

At the walks end, you arrive at your next hotel. Here, a warm welcome awaits and later you enjoy a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, (Bowness-on-Windemere)

Following a hearty English breakfast, we’ll take a coach ride past the head of Windermere and the ancient Roman Fort of Galava, to the starting point of our walk. A gradual climb along historic paths will lead us to Tarn Hows, a wonderfully picturesque tarn, or lake, in the hills. This is one of the most popular beauty spots in the district and quite rightly so. It was formed in the late 1800’s when the landowner built a dam which led to the connection of the 3 smaller tarns which had been here previously. For once, man has rivalled nature as a bewitching landscape artist! There are incredible views to the surrounding mountains with wonderful names – Old man of Coniston, Wetherlam, Helvellyn and the Langdale Pikes. We now descend to the shores of Coniston Water to enjoy lunch at a lakeside hostelry. In the afternoon we meander along paths by the side of Coniston Water, listening to the lapping waves, singing birds and tales of adventure and mishap from the Waters past.

At the end of the walk we will be collected by our coach and return to our hotel and your evening is free to explore and either eat in the hotel or adventure further afield.

Accommodation: Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, (Bowness-on-Windemere)

4.5 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

The Langdale Pikes are one of the best-loved and most photographed areas of The Lake District. A home for walkers, fell-runners, and climbers, the valley is surrounded by some of the area’s tallest mountains, and nearby is England’s highest, Scafell Pike. Starting at the tiny village of Skelwith Bridge, you pass by a slate factory, a waterfall, and a small lake before arriving at the hamlet of Elterwater. From there, the walk takes you on a winding track into Great Langdale, deep into the valley where cars are fewer and walkers predominant. After lunch at the only pub owned by the National Trust in the whole country, located in a hotel that has been catering to walkers for more than 300 years, you walk farther into the valley, before completing the walk. Returning to the hotel, this evening you toast your explorations with a farewell drink and celebratory dinner.

Accommodation: Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, (Bowness-on-Windemere)

Enjoy a late breakfast before your transfer to the Penrith train station, arriving at approximately 12:30 p.m., where you depart for your next destination.