England: The Lake District

4 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

After an included breakfast at your hotel meet your guides at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby. They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for walking.

Upon meeting your guides, you immediately drive to the village of Askham to walk through the Lowther Estate, owned by the Earl of Lonsdale. Continuing over the fell and into Lake District National Park, you pass ancient prehistoric settlements and enjoy your first views of the Cumbrian Mountains and Ullswater—the second-largest lake in the Lake District. 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 drive 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 an introduction to the week ahead. The hotel restaurant features local produce, and tonight’s dinner promises excellent cuisine.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 options for lunch on your own and afterward take an walk along the picturesque shore of Buttermere Lake. Board the coach to ride over Honister Pass, returning to the hotel via Borrowdale. There is time to refresh and enjoy your accommodation’s beautiful surroundings before heading into Keswick for dinner on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast

4 miles, moderate; 2 miles easy

Breakfast this morning is a buffet consisting of cereal, fruit, pastries, and cold meats, or a traditional hot Cumbrian breakfast. Then, head out to your walk, following in the footsteps of the men of Borrowdale—the quarrymen and miners of yesteryear. This valley was once home to many slate mines, most of which are now closed. Starting from the hotel, you walk along a Victorian terrace, overlooking the jewel that is Derwent Water. A short boat ride will take you to Keswick, one of the larger towns in the Lake District. After lunch and some free time in Keswick, a unique open-top bus will take you to Lodore, and from there, you can amble back to the hotel. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant which prides itself on using freshly prepared local ingredients.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4 miles, easy to moderate; 2 miles, easy

On the morning walk, you meander through one of the region’s prettiest dales, making your way through the area around two of small 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 on your own in Grasmere, 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.

At the walk ends, you arrive at your next hotel where a warm welcome awaits. Later, you have a delicious dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

4 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

Following a hearty English breakfast, your walk begins and ends at your hotel today. Lindeth Howe was once the home of Beatrix Potter’s mother, so it is very fitting that today’s walk will be exploring the area where Beatrix had her own house and lived her rich and varied life in Lakeland. A short walk from the hotel brings us to the historic ferry—500 years and running—to the western shore of Windermere where you’ll discover an 18th Century Viewing Station. Enjoy a walk along the shore of Windermere, the area’s largest lake, and gently climb the gradual slopes of Claiffe Heights. Later, enter the enchanting hamlet of Near Sawrey where you’ll break for lunch whilst admiring the widespread valley views. This afternoon, visit Hill Top, a 17th-century house once the home of beloved children’s author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter, who left the house to the National Trust. Made with random stone walls and a slate roof, the dwelling is a classic example of Lakeland vernacular architecture.

Later, make your way along delightful footpaths and past a quaint country church to catch the ferry back across the lake to your hotel. Your evening is free to explore and eat either at the hotel or venture into Bowness-on-Windemere to enjoy the bustle of the Bowness Pier where many restaurants are within walking distance.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

4.5 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

The Langdale Pikes is one of the best-loved and most-photographed areas of The Lake District. Popular with walkers, fell-runners, and climbers, some of the area’s tallest mountains surround this valley, 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 few and walkers many. Enjoy a walk along the banks of the Great Langdale Beck, at the foot of the Dale. After lunch at the only pub in the country owned by the National Trust (located in a hotel that has been catering to walkers for more than 300 years), your walk takes you farther into the valley, before coming to an end. Returning to the hotel, you toast your explorations with a farewell drink and celebratory dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Included Meals: Breakfast

4 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

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

Upon meeting your guides, you immediately drive to the village of Askham to walk through the Lowther Estate, owned by the Earl of Lonsdale. Continuing over the fell and into Lake District National Park, you pass ancient prehistoric settlements and enjoy your first views of the Cumbrian Mountains and Ullswater—the second-largest lake in the Lake District. 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 drive 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 an introduction to the week ahead. The hotel restaurant features local produce, and tonight’s dinner promises excellent cuisine.

Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

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 options for lunch on your own and afterward take an walk along the picturesque shore of Buttermere Lake. Board the coach to ride over Honister Pass, returning to the hotel via Borrowdale. There is time to refresh and enjoy your accommodation’s beautiful surroundings before heading into Keswick for dinner on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast

4 miles, moderate; 2 miles easy

Breakfast this morning is a buffet consisting of cereal, fruit, pastries, and cold meats, or a traditional hot Cumbrian breakfast. Then, head out to your walk, following in the footsteps of the men of Borrowdale—the quarrymen and miners of yesteryear. This valley was once home to many slate mines, most of which are now closed. Starting from the hotel, you walk along a Victorian terrace, overlooking the jewel that is Derwent Water. A short boat ride will take you to Keswick, one of the larger towns in the Lake District. After lunch and some free time in Keswick, a unique open-top bus will take you to Lodore, and from there, you can amble back to the hotel. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant which prides itself on using freshly prepared local ingredients.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4 miles, easy to moderate; 2 miles, easy

On the morning walk, you meander through one of the region’s prettiest dales, making your way through the area around two of small 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 on your own in Grasmere, 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.

At the walk ends, you arrive at your next hotel where a warm welcome awaits. Later, you have a delicious dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

4 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

Following a hearty English breakfast, your walk begins and ends at your hotel today. Lindeth Howe was once the home of Beatrix Potter’s mother, so it is very fitting that today’s walk will be exploring the area where Beatrix had her own house and lived her rich and varied life in Lakeland. A short walk from the hotel brings us to the historic ferry—500 years and running—to the western shore of Windermere where you’ll discover an 18th Century Viewing Station. Enjoy a walk along the shore of Windermere, the area’s largest lake, and gently climb the gradual slopes of Claiffe Heights. Later, enter the enchanting hamlet of Near Sawrey where you’ll break for lunch whilst admiring the widespread valley views. This afternoon, visit Hill Top, a 17th-century house once the home of beloved children’s author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter, who left the house to the National Trust. Made with random stone walls and a slate roof, the dwelling is a classic example of Lakeland vernacular architecture.

Later, make your way along delightful footpaths and past a quaint country church to catch the ferry back across the lake to your hotel. Your evening is free to explore and eat either at the hotel or venture into Bowness-on-Windemere to enjoy the bustle of the Bowness Pier where many restaurants are within walking distance.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

4.5 miles, easy; 2 miles, easy

The Langdale Pikes is one of the best-loved and most-photographed areas of The Lake District. Popular with walkers, fell-runners, and climbers, some of the area’s tallest mountains surround this valley, 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 few and walkers many. Enjoy a walk along the banks of the Great Langdale Beck, at the foot of the Dale. After lunch at the only pub in the country owned by the National Trust (located in a hotel that has been catering to walkers for more than 300 years), your walk takes you farther into the valley, before coming to an end. Returning to the hotel, you toast your explorations with a farewell drink and celebratory dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Included Meals: Breakfast