Windermere Trip Overview
This tour provides you with the opportunity to enjoy the best of both the top and bottom of The Lakes and everything in between. We pride ourselves on customising all our tours to suit your requirements. We can spend more time, or less, at places so please use the itinerary as a framework for us to create the perfect day for you. Each tour includes one paid for experience highlighted *
As this tour takes in some of the highest roads of the Lakes we know inclement weather may stop you from getting the full benefit of the wonderful views and stunning scenery. Although some guests actually want to see the Lakes at its wildest others may prefer an alternative date or a refund. “Pleasure first, Business second” is our mantra so, unlike most operators, if we think the weather may be an issue we will let you know in advance to allow you to make an informed decision as to continue with your trip, arrange an alternative date or a refund.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 to 10 hours
Starts: Windermere, United Kingdom
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Windermere Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Windermere, Lake District, United Kingdom
This tour provides you with the opportunity to enjoy the best of both the top and bottom of The Lakes and everything in between. We pride ourselves on customising all our tours to suit your requirements. We can spend more time, or less, at places so please use the itinerary as a framework for us to create the perfect day for you. Each tour includes one paid for experience highlighted *
As this tour takes in some of the highest roads of the Lakes we know inclement weather may stop you from getting the full benefit of the wonderful views and stunning scenery. Although some guests actually want to see the Lakes at its wildest others may prefer an alternative date or a refund. “Pleasure first, Business second” is our mantra so, unlike most operators, if we think the weather may be an issue we will let you know in advance to allow you to make an informed decision as to continue with your trip, arrange an alternative date or a refund.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Windermere, Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
You will begin your day with a leisurely drive along the east side of Windermere before cutting up to Gummer’s How to see your first breathtaking view, and photo opportunity, of the south end of the lake and the hills beyond. As we round the bottom of the lake we come back up the opposite shore over Newby Bridge and through Lakeside.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House, Main St Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside LA22 0LF England
Famous as the home of Beatrix Potter and the inspiration for many of her literary works, here you will have time to enjoy her beautiful house and gardens if you wish. Each tour includes one fee incurring experience*. So, you can choose Hill Top as your inclusive experience or, if you would prefer an alternative. such as a cruise on Derwentwater, you can opt for that instead.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Hawkshead, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Originally a centre for wool trade Hawkshead is a typical Lakes village with strong connections to Wordsworth, who was schooled here, and Beatrix Potter who’s husband was the local solicitor. The Beatrix Potter Gallery is housed in her husband’s old office building and there are other interesting curiosity shops for you to peruse.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Tarn Hows, Lake District National Park, Coniston LA21 8AQ England
This manmade, yet nonetheless beautiful, water is a feast for the eyes as it comes into view over the brow of the road. It really is a classic “picture postcard” Lakeland vista.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Coniston, Coniston, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Infamous for the ill-fated world water speed record attempt by Donald Campbell in 1967 but also the setting for Arthur Ransome’s tale of derring do, Swallows and Amazons. We will also pass Brantwood, home of the famous art critic and social commentator, John Ruskin.
Stop At: Blea Tarn, Little Langdale England
Before we enter the Langdale Valley you will come across Blea Tarn. It’s serene beauty is why you may recognise it as the backdrop for many movies and TV productions. it has a very “Game of Thrones” feel to it.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Great Langdale, Great Langdale, Lake District, Cumbria, England
The Langdale Valley presents stunning vistas of the highest peaks of the Lakes and, if you haven’t seen them already, you’ll definitely meet the famous Herdwick “Herdy” Sheep. Introduced by the Vikings the Herdys are known for their hardiness to the harsh weather and provide the opportunity for some very cute photographs! On the way we’ll make a brief stop as we pass Yew Tree Farm which you may recognise as the location for Beatrix Potter’s house in the Miss Potter movie. On seeing it you will know why Hollywood chose this setting to portray her home on the big screen.
Stop At: Grasmere, Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
The centre of the Romantic Poets led by the great man himself William Wordsworth. On arriving in Grasmere you will see one of his home’s Dove Cottage and you may also visit Wordsworth’s grave too. We will stop here for a spot of lunch and if you still have space you may wish to treat yourself to some famous Grasmere Gingerbread which has been being made here since 1854.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Thirlmere, Thirlmere, Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Sitting below Helvellyn this lake is a major water source for the city of Manchester 96 miles away. A short stop here will allow you to see the Victorian workmanship which made this happen, as well as glorious views of the lake itself.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Derwent Water House Keswick on Derwentwater Nbiughl, Keswick CA12 5RF England
Not the deepest, or the longest, but arguably the most beautiful, Derwentwater is the quintessential Lakes’ lake. This is probably why it’s been used as the backdrop for so many Hollywood movies including The Dam busters, Swallows & Amazons, Without A Clue, Miss Potter and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Each tour includes one fee incurring experience*. So, you can choose a short cruise on the Keswick Launch as your inclusive experience or, if you would prefer a tour of Hill Top you can opt for that instead.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Surprise View, Borrowdale, Keswick England
The clues in the name so we wont tell you any more!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ashness Bridge, Keswick England
What it doesnt have in size it makes up for in being probably the most photographed spot in the Lakes. If you’ve ever searched for images of the Lakes this will definitely have been there!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Borrowdale, Borrowdale, Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Borrowdale has the dubious reputation as being the wettest place in England, which, if you know England’s weather, is some claim! On the way we’ll take a look at the Bowder Stone, an unusual tourist attraction which is often missed by visitors to the area.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Honister Slate Mine, Honister Pass, Keswick CA12 5XN England
A fantastic photo opportunity awaits you as you reach the summit of Honister Pass, home to the famous Honister Mine; the centre of green slate mining but which today is used more by thrill seekers than miners. As we reach the summit we drive between artist Terry Hawkins slate statues to look down the valley towards a trio of Lakes.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Buttermere, Buttermere, Cockermouth, Lake District, Cumbria, England
My personal favourite; Buttermere is especially memorable for its photogenic qualities with the backdrop of Wainwright’s beloved Haystacks providing a photographer’s perfect shot. If the weather is kind you really must take a short walk along the shore path to really absorb the beauty of this lake and its surroundings.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Newlands Pass, Near Keswick, Buttermere, Cockermouth England
It’s upwards again now as we head over the wilds of the Newlands Pass towards Braithwaite, passing Moss Force. An impressive cascade when in full flow, and easily visible from the roadside, it was beloved by the Romantic Poets as a place for creative stimulation.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Castlerigg Stone Circle, Castle Lane Underskiddaw, Keswick CA12 4RN England
Once described as one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain the Neolithic stones date back to around 3000BC. The beauty of these impressive structures are emphasised by the stunning “picture perfect” backdrop of the surrounding fells and mountains.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Aira Force Waterfall, Penrith CA11 0JS England
Aira Force is a beautiful waterfall set under a Victorian bridge which creates the perfect setting for you to shoot some artistic photographs.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Ullswater, Ullswater, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Many think Ullswater is the most beautiful of all the lakes but, let’s face it, we’re all going to have a favourite aren’t we? It is also very popular with water sport fanatics too. As we skirt along the shoreline you will pass the very spot which inspired Wordsworth to pen his famous “I wandered lonely as a cloud”. If you would like to see the Lakes from the water you can choose to board the Ullswater Steamer to Glenridding as an alternative to visiting Hill Top. founded in 1855 the Steamer’s original purpose was to transfer lead from the local mines to the east of the lake but now it allows you to have a taste of life on the water.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside England
We climb away from Ullswater over the highest pass open to motor traffic in the Lakes. Kirkstone connects the Rothay Valley with Patterdale and was originally used for the movement of lead, copper and slate. You will stop at the top to take in the wonderful views before we descend back towards Windermere.
