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English Lake District Tours

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Travel the scenic Lake District with the Mountain Goat

 

A flexible package joining scheduled day trips with optional accommodation + optional rail tickets and/or transfers

 

DAY TRIPS OPERATE YEAR ROUND, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

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Overviewicon Itineraryicon

Ten Lakes Spectacular 

This full day tour covers the North and South of the Lake District and is a great introduction to the area.

 

This is our most popular tour. We take you to the best scenery in the Lake District, seeing the stunning lakes, mountains and views.

 

You will enjoy:

The Newlands Valley, a picturesque and peaceful area of the National Park.

Grasmere, visit the village famous for William Wordsworth and Gingerbread.

Castlerigg Stone Circle, at around 4000 years old it is one of the area’s historic gems.

Keswick, you will have time to have lunch whilst exploring the traditional Lakeland market town.

Lake Cruise, enjoy uninterrupted views of the Lakeland fells from one of the famous lakes (summer tour only).

 

Departure Days: DAILY from Windermere, 09.45 – 17.30 (Approx)

Cost: $85 USD per person

 

Included Extras: lake cruise (summer only)

The Lake District is renowned for being the “most beautiful corner of England” and this full day tour introduces you to just that. Experience the magnificent scenery of mountains, valleys and lakes from the south to the north. The tour includes a lake cruise, a visit to the 4,000 year old Castlerigg Stone Circle set high on the fells, and time in Keswick for lunch. You travel over passes, through beautiful valleys, see waterfalls and traditional Lakeland villages. You have plenty of stops for admiring the views and taking photographs. This is a tour not to be missed!

Beatrix Potter’s Favourite Countryside

This half day tour visits many of Beatrix Potter’s favourites! Taking in many places associated with the famous children’s author, Beatrix Potter, this tour is an ideal opportunity to see some of the scenery which inspired her.

 

This afternoon tour takes in a Lake Cruise on Windermere, Hawkshead, Tarn Hows beauty spot and Hill Top Farm Gardens (house extra charge required/note the house is not open on Fridays).

 

This tour is ideal for fans of Miss Potter, taking in some great locations in a scenic afternoon. Others can enjoy the tour as even if you’re not a fan of Beatrix Potter you can sit back and enjoy some of the best scenery the Lake District has to offer.

 

Departure Days: DAILY from Windermere, 12.00 – 17.00 (Approx) February through October only

Cost: $65 USD per person

 

Included Extras: lake cruise

Beatrix Potter Favourite Countryside Highlights include:

Focusing on Beatrix Potter and the countryside she loved. This half day tour is ideal for both fans of Miss Potter and fans of spectacular scenery.

 

You will enjoy:

Lake Windermere, cruise on the largest Lake in England.

Hawkshead, a picturesque medieval village where Wordsworth once studied.

Hill Top Farm, you will have chance to visit the Gardens & Shop. For house entrance an extra charge is payable, opening times are dependent on National Trust.

Tarn Hows, a tranquil Lake District beauty spot.

The High Adventure

This classic adventure tour of the Western Lakes uses a route pioneered by the Romans!

 

The tour focuses around the Western Lake District travelling over the Lake District’s famous mountain passes; Hardknott and Wrynose, which are some of the steepest in Great Britain. During your day you will have time to enjoy a narrow gauge heritage train ride, see England’s deepest lake and visit the grounds of the 14th Century Muncaster Castle. This tour is a chance to see the real Lake District!

 

Departure Days: DAILY from Windermere, 09.45 – 17.30 (Approx) from March through October

Cost: $85 USD per person

Included Extras: A ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and entry to Muncaster Castle Gardens.

 

The High Adventure Highlights include:

This is our classic tour, based upon one of our original 1970’s bus routes. We take you to the remote parts of the Lake District, seeing of some of the best scenery in the area.

 

You will enjoy:

The Langdales, picturesque valleys surrounded by mountains.

Hardknott and Wrynose mountain passes, the steepest in England with stunning views.

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, this is a narrow gauge heritage railway.

Wastwater, once voted ‘Britain’s favourite view’. England’s deepest lake with the high mountain Scafell Pike.

Muncaster Castle Gardens, 14th Century Castle with extensive beautiful grounds.

Winter Southern Lakes Highlights

Experience the very best of the Southern Lake District this Winter in this small group mini-coach tour with local knowledgeable guide. Highlights of this afternoon tour will include the famous mountainous valleys of the Langdales, taking in the view at Tarn Hows, and free time to explore the medieval village of Hawkshead. The tours includes a cruise on the longest lake in England, Windermere. Throughout the tour there will be plenty of time to admire the scenery, as your local guide takes you through one of the most beautiful corners of England.

 

Departure Days: October through March only, daily from Windermere, 12.00 – 16.30 (Approx)

Cost: $65 USD per person

 

Included Extras: lake cruise

The Highlights of the Lake District tour includes focusing on The Langdales, Hawkshead and surrounding countryside. This half day tour is ideal for those who want to enjoy the Lake District's spectacular scenery but are short on time.

 

You will enjoy:

Lake Windermere, cruise on England's largest lake.

The Langdales, picturesque valleys surrounded by mountains.

Tarn Hows, a tranquil Lake District beauty spot.

Yorkshire Dales 

This tour explores the best of the Dales in a day!

 

The tour visits the spectacular Dales, taking in Swaledale and Wensleydale. Even though 8 million people visit this National Park every year, it is a peaceful and tranquil area, with beautiful scenery. This tour is your chance to see and explore the real Yorkshire Dales!

 

Departure Days: WEDNESDAYS from Windermere, 09.15 – 18.00 (Approx) March through October only

Cost: $85 USD per person

 

You will enjoy:

Sedbergh, picturesque town at the foot of the Howgill Fells.

Swaledale, enjoy the views of James Herriot countryside.

The Settle to Carlisle Railway, see at least one of famous viaduct from this famous line.

Hawes, we stop we stop at the famous Wensleydale Creamery.

Reeth, during a lunch break you will have time to explore the small market town.

 

Explore the best of the Yorkshire Dales. We drive to the quaint village of Sedbergh and head up to see the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway and the spectacular viaduct. We venture down into Wensleydale and Hardraw before descending into Swaledale through the valley to the small market town of Reeth for lunch. Our next stop is Bolton Castle in which Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned before our journey up the valley to the spectacular Aysgarth Waterfalls, which is famous for scene from Robin Hood Prince of thieves. From here we make our way to Hawes for a stop before continuing into the lovely village of Dent, famous for the Dent knitters and brewery. We complete our journey back to Windermere via Kirkby Lonsdale.

Seven Lakes in a Morning

Tour Highlights - to tick off your list! View 7 Lakes in a morning, including beautiful Ullswater, Grasmere; The home of Wordsworth & the delicious Grasmere Gingerbread; Castlerigg Stone Circle, 1000 years older than Stonehenge

 

Start off by travelling over the famous Kirkstone Pass, highest mountain road in the Lakes, before dropping down to take in Ullswater. You’ll have chance to stretch your legs at Castlerigg Stone Circle, whilst taking in the panoramic views of the fells. The tour returns via the lesser known St John’s in the Vale. Then travel South along vast Thirlmere, with its interesting story. There is time to wander around the historic village of Grasmere before travelling back to Windermere.

 

Departure Days: Daily from Windermere, 9.30 - 13.30 (Approx) March through October only

Cost: $45 USD per person

 

Heart of the Lakes

Short on time? We have got the ideal afternoon scenic tour for you. The tour will focus on the famous valleys of Great and Little Langdale, with time to take in the picturesque view at Tarn Hows. You will also enjoy the view at Coniston Water, famous for world water speed records.

 

Tour Highlights - to tick off your list! See Langdale Valley is a hub of Lake District Heritage; spot many of our famous Herdwick sheep and Loughrigg Tarn, the inspiration for many artists and writers. There are many picturesque views along the way including Tarn Hows & Loughrigg Tarn. Lastly, a quick stop in Hawkshead before returning to Windermere.

 

Departure Days: Daily from Windermere, 14.30 - 18.30 (Approx) March through October only

Cost: $45 USD per person

 

You will enjoy:

Coniston Water, enjoy the view at the lake famous for water speed records.

The Langdales, picturesque valleys surrounded by mountains.

Tarn Hows, a tranquil Lake District beauty spot.

Hadrian’s Wall

This tour journeys along segments of the UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

The Hadrian’s Wall tour travels out of the Lake District for the day and up to the Scottish Borders. The main focus of the day is the ‘Wall’ of which we travel along viewing it's remains of towers and landmarks.

 

During your day you will have time to enjoy the Roman Army Museum , exploring the history of the Romans and learning what it was like to work on the ‘Wall’. A new addition to the tour is Vindolanda, a Roman settlement; one of Europes largest excavation sites and is still being worked on today.

 

Departure Days: FRIDAYS from Windermere, 09.45 – 17.45 (Approx) April though October

Cost: $85 USD per person

 

Included Extras Roman Army Museum entry. Vindolanda entry.

Venture out of the Lake District and discover the renowned Hadrian’s Wall

 

You will enjoy:

Roman Army Museum – the perfect guide to the Roman Empire and Hadrian’s Wall.

Lanercost Priory – the church built inside the ruined priory

Sycamore Gap – the famous ‘Robin Hood Tree’

Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort and settlement. The site, which is still being excavated is brimming with Roman history.

Ullswater and Inspired Landscapes

Travel through the tranquil lands and inspiring scenery of the Eastern Lakes on this one day tour.

 

The tour focuses around the Eastern Lakes travelling over the famous Kirkstone Pass and onto Ullswater. You will have chance to enjoy a Lake cruise and see the area that inspired Wordsworth’s Daffodils. In the afternoon you will travel to the remote valley of Martindale and the reservoir of Haweswater.

 

Departure Days: THURSDAYS from Windermere, 09.45 – 16:45 (Approx) April though October

Cost: $85 USD per person

 

Included Extras Cruise on Ullswater

Visit beautiful Ullswater, which helped inspire William Wordsworth’s Daffodils. See the stunning Eastern Lake District fells and valleys in this full day tour.

 

You will enjoy:

Kirkstone Pass, the areas highest mountain pass.

Ullswater, the ‘most beautiful lake in England’.

Shap Abbey, the impressive remains date back to 1199

Martindale, a remote and beautiful valley

 

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More About Your Tour Package:

All pick ups are from Bowness Pier, Windermere Tourist Information Centre. Sometimes it is possible to arrange pick-up from select Windermere accommodation, please check availability of your desired pick-up point at time of booking. Some pick up points attract a small supplemental fee.

 

All Lake District Day Trips Include: transport on a mini-coach and knowledgeable & friendly driver/guide; entrance fees as listed on individual day tour listing

 

Whats Not Included: Food & drink; select entrance fees (per individual day trip listing)

 

Please Note: A minimum of 4 passengers is required for tours to operate

We regret our tours are unsuitable for under 5's

Please note that each customer must have their own seat onboard the vehicle

Mapicon Why SGT?icon

The Special Group Tours Advantage is our unique and intimate understanding of what you expect traveling in the UK and Europe. We have not only visited but have spent many years living in and loving the cultures you will experience down the ‘B’ Roads and off the beaten track. We have worked with local suppliers and our guide/companion team for over a decade, creating unique special interest itineraries. Special Group Tours offers our “insider” knowledge to you.

 

The SGT Small Group Touring Concept is traveling with just 4 - 14 guests per departure. It is our aim to introduce you to the 'real' country and its people, not just ticking the boxes of a standardized route and treating you as an individual and not a number. Our concept allows for a leisurely touring pace and flexibility to get off the beaten track to discover hidden gems. Of course you'll see the major sites but so much more too!

 

At Special Group Tours, it is our priority that you have the most enjoyable holiday possible. You deserve it!