This holiday has scenery by the bucket load, as we enjoy a minibus tour through the North Lakes, seeing places coaches don’t have access to, such as Ashness Bridge and Honister Pass. We also include more well-known sights like Derwentwater and Buttermere, whilst balancing the tour with interesting visits to Levens Hall & Gardens, and Sizergh Castle, plus free time in Ambleside and Grasmere to really take in the location.
Honister Pass
© Levens Hall
Ashness Bridge
Buttermere
Grasmere
Itinerary
PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival
We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 2 North Lakes Tour
Today we embark on a full day tour of the North Lakes, many of which are not accessible by coach. We meet our minibus in Keswick (please note the minibuses can pick up from the hotel for a small charge) and begin our journey past Derwentwater, Ashness Bridge (the most photographed packhorse ridge in the Lake District), Borrowdale Valley and along Honister Pass, where we will reach Honsiter Slate Mine, England’s last working slate mine. Here we have a short comfort stop for lunch along with time to browse the onsite shop before reboarding our minibus and make our way past Buttermere, Crummock Water, Loweswater & Bassenthwaite Lake, before returning to Keswick. (Please note itinerary is subject to change).
Day 3 Levens Hall & Gardens and Ambleside
This morning we make the short journey to Levens Hall & Gardens and begin with a private tour of the impressive Elizabethan house. We then have time at leisure to explore the ten acres of gardens, which retain many original features, including the world’s oldest topiary gardens. Be sure to make time to grab something to eat in the award-winning Levens Kitchen! In the afternoon, we make our way to the lovely town of Ambleside and/or Hayes Garden World for some free time, before making our way back to the hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.
Day 4 Grasmere & Sizergh Castle
This morning, we have a leisurely visit to Grasmere. Nestled below some spectacular fells, the village has many shops, cafés and pubs. No visit is complete without a stop at Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread Shop. Housed in a quaint 17th-century school building, the shop has been selling its famous gingerbread since 1854! We then make our way to Sizergh Castle & Gardens. This imposing house stands proudly at the gateway to the Lake District and has been home to the Strickland family for more than 800 years. There’s plenty to explore on the 1,600-acre estate, including wetland, woodland and orchards – look out for fritillary butterflies, deer and rare hawfinches. If you’d rather enjoy some ‘my time’ in the gardens, wander through the orchards, rock garden or stumpery.
Day 5 Departure
After breakfast, we make our way home.
Hotel
Damson Dene Hotel
Crosthwaite, Cumbria
Set in beautifully landscaped gardens, tucked away in the tranquil Lyth Valley, not far from Bowness-on-Windermere, the Damson Dene is the ideal location for touring the Lake District. All 58 bedrooms are equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities, with many offering views across the garden. There is no lift, but ground floor rooms are available. The restaurant and homely bar overlook the surrounding countryside and damson orchards, there is also a comfortable lounge, leisure facilities including swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and gym as well as discounted access to the on-site Lakeland miniature museum.
BarGround Floor RoomsLeisure FacilitiesParking On Site & Free of ChargeRestaurantTea & Coffee making facilities
Newby Bridge Hotel
Ulverston, Cumbria
Located at the tranquil southern end of Lake Windermere the Newby Bridge Hotel is perfect for exploring what the Southern Lake District has to offer. The hotel offers plenty of space in which to relax including the Huntsman’s Bar offering a traditional, Cumbrian, warm and cosy atmosphere with wooden beams and panelling and of course a roaring fire on those colder days, a games room and traditional lounge with sofas and board games as well as an outside terrace and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, steam room, spa pool & mini gym. All 45 bedrooms are equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. The hotel does not have a lift; however, ground floor rooms are available.
BarGround Floor RoomsLeisure FacilitiesParking On Site & Free of ChargeRestaurantTea & Coffee making facilities
Riverside Hotel
Kendal, Cumbria
As the name suggests, this charming hotel enjoys a fabulous riverside location in the centre of Kendal, making it an ideal base from which to explore the Lake District. The shops and attractions of the town are a short walk across the bridge. Each of the 58 bedrooms are equipped with hairdryer, TV and tea/coffee making facilities and most have river views. Tanners Bar, located on the ground floor, is a modern and welcoming setting and features a small riverside balcony. On the first floor you will find the traditionally decorated Riverview Restaurant. The hotel has a lift to all floors which is accessed via some steps; a stair lift is also available. The hotel also has a sauna, steam room, swimming pool & gym on-site.
BarLeisure FacilitiesLiftParking Off Site & ChargeableRestaurantTea & Coffee making facilities
Pricing
Riverside Hotel
Kendal, Cumbria
4 Nights Half Board
Twin from £476pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement £120
Inclusions
• Full day North Lakes Mountain Goat Tour
• Entrance to Levens Hall & Gardens with tour of the house
• Entrance to Sizergh Castle & Gardens
Please refer to your quote for hotel inclusions.
Damson Dene Hotel
Ulverston, Cumbria
4 Nights Half Board
Twin from £552pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement £120
Inclusions
• Full day North Lakes Mountain Goat Tour
• Entrance to Levens Hall & Gardens with tour of the house
• Entrance to Sizergh Castle & Gardens
Please refer to your quote for hotel inclusions.
Newby Bridge Hotel
Crossthwaite, Cumbria
4 Nights Half Board
Twin from £449pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement £70
Inclusions
• Full day North Lakes Mountain Goat Tour
• Entrance to Levens Hall & Gardens with tour of the house
• Entrance to Sizergh Castle & Gardens
Please refer to your quote for hotel inclusions.
