The Lovely English Lake District
What's Included
Return coach travel 4 nights at a selected hotel with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment some evenings
Excursions to Bowness-on-Windermere, the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Hawkshead (via the Kirkstone Pass) & Grasmere Heritage train journey on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Lake Windermere cruise
Optional excursion to Keswick & Cockermouth (£12pp)
Please note: a £20pp supplement will apply for passengers departing from the Isle of Wight on all 2021 UK & Ireland breaks.
Itinerary
Day 1 - 5
Lake District Holidays And Discovery
Included Excursions Lakeland Rails, Sails & Tails (full day) We head to Haverthwaite where we climb aboard our heritage train on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway for our nostalgic journey. We are transported back to the golden age of steam as we travel through the picturesque Leven Valley to peaceful Lakeside, the southern tip of Lake Windermere.
From here we explore the stunning beauty of Lake Windermere on a leisurely scenic cruise. Sit back and relax as we enjoy magnificent views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and many wooded islands as we cruise England’s largest natural lake.
We disembark in Bowness-on-Windermere, a popular resort and charming enclave on the eastern shores of the lake. We enjoy free time in this bustling town with its craft and gift shops, lakeside cafés and quaint tea rooms. We also enjoy free entry to the enchanting World of Beatrix Potter Attraction where an endearing short film presentation, exhibition and garden bring Beatrix Potter’s celebrated characters to life, complete with sights, smells and sounds of the glorious countryside.
The Kirkstone Pass, Hawkshead & Grasmere (full day) We travel to Hawkshead via the impressive Kirkstone Pass. As the highest mountain road open to traffic, the views are unsurprisingly spectacular. The pretty, car-free village of Hawkshead is characterised by clusters of whitewashed houses, archways and alleyways, courtyards and squares, once beloved by William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, and offers pleasant inns, tea rooms and gift shops.
Afterwards, we continue on to Grasmere, the picturesque village associated with the poet William Wordsworth, who lived here for 14 years and declared the village as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.’
Optional Excursion Keswick & Cockermouth – £12pp (full day) Join our optional excursion where we head first to Keswick, a handsome market town that enjoys a lovely location sandwiched between peaceful Derwentwater and Skiddaw, England’s fourth highest mountain. Enjoy the pedestrianised Market Square, browse the unique shops and art galleries, or treat yourself in one of the quaint cafés and restaurants. We continue to Cockermouth, birthplace of William Wordsworth. This thriving market town boasts medieval and Georgian streets beneath castle walls, pretty Georgian shop fronts, small independent shops, a wide selection of interesting antique and gift shops plus cafés and pubs.
We’ll stay at one of two hotels:
The Seacote Hotel is located on the Cumbrian coast in the lovely village of St Bees. Close to a mile-long beach and boasting fabulous sea views, it’s also within easy reach of the region’s lakes and fells. The hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms, two bars and a pleasant restaurant with lovely views. (JG3 rating)
The Summergrove Halls Hotel is situated on the edge of the town of Whitehaven. All the en-suite rooms of this modern hotel are located within three halls surrounded by beautiful gardens. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar with outside terrace and a fitness studio. (JG3 rating)
Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, with a greater range of facilities and services. Bedrooms are a little more spacious and have additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, a bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or with waiter service.