Overview

Join us as we return to the unrivalled beauty of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales which has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Our great value 5 day break aims to paint a picture that will last in your memory for years to come. We are based in Keswick, an old market town and now a busy Lakeland resort. Our itinerary also includes the famous ‘Mountain Goat’ minibuses that will take us over the Wrynose & Hardknott Passes, a magnificent scenic route not accessible to large coaches

Your Accommodation:

The newly refurbished 3 star Skiddaw Hotel is a family run establishment offering traditional elegance and style along with established quality and service to ensure a truly comfortable stay. Centrally situated in Keswick, amongst its wealth of charming shops, each of the en-suite bedrooms are equipped with a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and telephone and served by a lift.

Your Itinerary:

Our door to door service takes you to the waiting Club Class coach for the drive north. We make use of the motorways to reach The Skiddaw Hotel in Keswick late afternoon with plenty of time to settle in before this evening’s dinner.

After breakfast a day of exploration will begin. Mountain Goat will pick us up from the hotel and take us on an adventure tour around the Western Lakes following a route pioneered by the Romans! We will journey through the famous mountain passes of Hardknott and Wrynose. See England’s deepest lake Wast Water and visit the grounds of the 14th Century Muncaster Castle. There will be stops along the route providing picturesque photo opportunities. The rest of the day before dinner is free for you to explore Keswick at your leisure.

Magnificent Lakeland scenery today as we make for Ullswater and pass the noted waterfall ‘Aira Force’. Later we climb the Kirkstone Pass for wonderful views before descending to Windermere. Bowness is a popular tourist town on the shore of Windermere where we spend time at leisure. Why not take refreshments in one of the town's many tea rooms and enjoy a lakeside stroll before our final visit of the day to Beatrix Potter’s delightful Hawkshead. Our return takes us to Ambleside and past the unique little Bridge House. We have time to relax at the hotel before dinner this evening.

This morning we take a 50 minute boat ride on Derwentwater before continuing to Grasmere, famous for its gingerbread, and of course it was once home to the poet, William Wordsworth. After time for lunch we take the short journey to visit Rydal Mount and Gardens, home to Wordsworth for 37 years. Wordsworth was a keen landscape gardener and the four acre garden remains very much as he designed it. The house contains portraits, personal possessions and first editions of the poets work. We return to the hotel for our final dinner.

A fine breakfast before bidding farewell to our hosts as we depart for home. We make for Skipton where we have time for the bustling market and lunch. Late afternoon we return to our home area after a memorable break among some of England’s finest scenery.

* Insurance Premiums are renewed from 1st January 2024.