Trip code: W06LD 4.8 (32 reviews)
Self-guided walking
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
11.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Dog friendly
Jaw-dropping scenery, world-famous lakes and incredible literary connections - this 6-night holiday in the South Lakes has it all. The inspiration for writers like Wordsworth, Ransome and Potter, not to mention a plethora of other artists and poets, the Lake District is a place of incredible natural beauty; idyllic and exhilarating in equal measure. And, in 2017, it was awarded World Heritage status, with the committee praising the area's beauty, farming and the inspiration it had provided to artists and writers.
The Lake District Self Guided walking tours take you to some of the Lake District's most charming villages, where olde-worlde inns and speciality shops nestle against a backdrop of majestic fells, staggering mountains and shimmering waters. Your routes follow quiet country lanes and lakeside paths, dotted with babbling brooks, thundering waterfalls and shady forest. National Trust properties abound including Beatrix Potter's former farm, Hilltop, while gems like the award-winning Hawkshead Brewery offer the best kind of refreshment.
Your accommodation includes an historical coaching inn in Grasmere, a classic Lakeland pub and a charming 17th century inn serving fine local ales in Hawkshead. There's also the option to add an extra night in the bustling village of Bowness, in an enviable location on the shores of Lake Windermere.
The walking is on a mixture of tracks and paths with sections through open meadows, woodland and along country lanes. Some relatively short, ascents and descents but a head for height is not necessary.
Arrive in Windermere, on the shores of the largest natural lake in England. We'll transfer you by taxi to the Swan in Grasmere.
You stay at The Swan.
The Swan, Grasmere
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The Swan Inn dates back to the 17th century and was even mentioned by Wordsworth in his poem “The Waggoner”. It is tucked beneath the dramatic fells on the edge of Grasmere village and there are lovely views over the fells from the hotel’s garden. The Swan’s Waggoner’s Restaurant features a modern British menu whilst its Walkers Bar offers a selection of real ales and traditional bar meals. Please ensure that you bags are labelled and left at reception before starting off for your walk to Coniston.
Welcome to Wordsworth country! After a gentle walk this morning around the meandering River Rothay, you'll leave the village along the shores of Grasmere Lake, passing St Oswald's Church - Wordsworth's final resting place - and Rydal Water, of which the poet wrote: 'Like a fair sister of the sky, Unruffled doth the blue lake lie, The Mountains looking on.' You'll visit majestic Rydal Hall and Gardens - Wordsworth's family home - and perhaps stop for a tasty pub lunch before following the old coffin road back to Grasmere; Nab Scar looms ominously above you and there are wonderful views across the water to Silver Howe. Back in Grasmere you can spend time at the Wordsworth Museum, Dove Cottage (where the poet lived with his sister from 1799) and the renowned Grasmere Gingerbread Shop!
You stay at The Swan.
The Swan, Grasmere
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The Swan Inn dates back to the 17th century and was even mentioned by Wordsworth in his poem “The Waggoner”. It is tucked beneath the dramatic fells on the edge of Grasmere village and there are lovely views over the fells from the hotel’s garden. The Swan’s Waggoner’s Restaurant features a modern British menu whilst its Walkers Bar offers a selection of real ales and traditional bar meals. Please ensure that you bags are labelled and left at reception before starting off for your walk to Coniston.
It's all about stunning scenery today as you make your way to the village of Coniston. After a short climb through either Hammerscar Plantation - overlooked by Loughrigg Fell and with incredible views over Langdale - or the shaded paths of the National Trust's High Close Estate, you'll descend into the breathtaking Great Langdale Valley where you'll pick up the Cumbria Way walking trail. Here you'll find Elterwater, the smallest of the Lake District's 16 lakes and popular with huge Whooper Swans from Scandinavia! Follow the foaming River Brathay, enjoying spectacular views of the striking Langdale Pikes, and you'll reach charming Skelwith Bridge - a perfect spot for riverside refreshments. We recommend a visit to the cascading waterfalls of Skelwith Force and Colwith Force, and the picturesque fishing spot of Tarn Hows, en route to your elegant hotel.
You stay at The Coniston Inn.
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Situated on the shores of Coniston Water, and a 5 minute walk from the centre of Coniston, is the Coniston Inn. With a history dating back over a hundred years, it has previously hosted such guests as Charles Darwin and John Ruskin. The hotel features lawns running down to the lake and a restaurant offering a fine menu of local cuisine with spectacular mountain views. There is also a lounge bar offering local ales, snacks and afternoon tea.
Coniston has inspired many literary greats and it's not hard to see why. Heading south along the Cumbria Way you'll meet the shores of the pristine Coniston Water which served as the inspiration for Arthur Ransome's much-loved Swallows and Amazons. The majestic Old Man of Coniston - the local area's highest fell at 803m - dominates the village skyline and presides over your route. Heading away from the lake you'll find the old Viking village of Torver; the Church House Inn, which dates from 1378, is a great place to stop for a drink before making your way back to Coniston. This afternoon you could pay a visit to the Ruskin Museum, or head to the Black Bull, Coniston's compact, multi-award winning brewery. The bar here has hosted several famous names including Turner, Coleridge and more recently, Sir Anthony Hopkins!
You stay at The Coniston Inn.
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Situated on the shores of Coniston Water, and a 5 minute walk from the centre of Coniston, is the Coniston Inn. With a history dating back over a hundred years, it has previously hosted such guests as Charles Darwin and John Ruskin. The hotel features lawns running down to the lake and a restaurant offering a fine menu of local cuisine with spectacular mountain views. There is also a lounge bar offering local ales, snacks and afternoon tea.
Today you'll visit Brantwood, the former home of Victorian writer, philosopher and artist John Ruskin. In a picturesque setting overlooking the lake, Brantwood is filled with fine paintings, beautiful furniture and a collection of Ruskin's personal treasures. After your visit, head into the peaceful Grizedale Forest, a shady gem located between the lakes of Coniston and Windermere. The forest offers superb lake and mountain views and - perhaps unusually - a number of sculptures hidden away in the trees! Grizedale extends across Monk Coniston Moor and your last stretch of today's walk takes you all the way to Hawkshead Moor, from where you'll descend into Hawkshead village. Your home for the next two nights is the superb, C17 Queens Head Inn which overlooks the cobbled village square.
You stay at The Queen’s Head.
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Situated in the centre of the village, the Queen's Head Inn has been welcoming visitors to the village of Hawkshead since C17. The inn has received an AA 4-star rating for its menu and serves the finest local ingredients in a traditional country pub setting. Each bedroom has a modern tiled bathroom and a contemporary design, and some feature original beamed ceilings and a four-poster bed.
The choice is yours today. Fans of Beatrix Potter will enjoy the National Trust's Beatrix Potter Gallery in the centre of Hawkshead, followed by a visit to Near Sawrey's Hilltop Farm, the former retreat of the world-famous children's author. Now in the hands of the National Trust, Hill Top is a delight to explore. Wander the 17th century rooms where you'll find Potter's original writing desk, and walk through the pretty cottage garden - the inspiration for many of Potter's tales! Another option is to head east, via pretty green meadows and the shimmering Blelham Tarn, to visit the National Trust's beautiful Wray Castle. Back in Hawkshead, be sure to reward yourself with one of the brewery's award-winning ales!
You stay at The Queen’s Head.
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Situated in the centre of the village, the Queen's Head Inn has been welcoming visitors to the village of Hawkshead since C17. The inn has received an AA 4-star rating for its menu and serves the finest local ingredients in a traditional country pub setting. Each bedroom has a modern tiled bathroom and a contemporary design, and some feature original beamed ceilings and a four-poster bed.
After breakfast, depart from Hawkshead or continue on to Windermere.
We recommend adding an extra night or two to your holiday, to take advantage of our walk from Hawkshead to the popular lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere (12km/7.5mi/3.5hr). The route takes you through pretty meadows and woodland and up to Latterbarrow Fell (245m) from where you'll enjoy incredible views across Windermere to Bowness. Descending to the lakeside, you'll follow a waterside path along Windermere's tranquil western shore; catch a ferry across to Bowness and take some time to explore this ever-popular town, before retiring to your hotel, just a few minutes walk from Lake Windermere.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: The Angel Inn, Bowness-on-Windermere.
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In central Bowness, and just a few minutes from the shores of Lake Windermere, the Angel Inn sits in lovely gardens with plenty of sitting areas for guests to enjoy one of the inn's fine ales in a lovely setting, with views down to the village and over to the surrounding fells. Rooms are split between the main building and the annexe, and all are prettily decorated with large sash windows. The pub at the inn is wonderfully cosy, with a good selection of Cumbrian ales, whilst the kitchen serves up a seasonal menu with some delicious Cumbrian classic dishes.
Room upgrades: Superior and Lake view superior rooms
Superior rooms are much larger than the standard rooms.
Superior lake view rooms come with a view over Lake Windermere
These tour prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £366.
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
Self-guided walking
6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
11.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Dog friendly
