Escape to the Lake District

5 Days & 4 Nights

Escape to the Lake District for a few days of relaxed walking
Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth
The cosy tearooms of Ambleside and Grasmere
Walk to the top of Helm Crag, to see the iconic "Lion & the Lamb"
Overnight stays in cosy B&B's and guesthouses

Escape to the Lake District for a few days of lovely relaxed walking based in Ambleside and Grasmere. Enjoy a gentle walk along the shores of Lake Windermere to Beatrix Potter's home, an easy walk along the coffin route from Ambleside to Grasmere, and an energising but easy walk to the top of Helm Crag, where you will be surrounded by the high fells. Discover for yourself the landscapes which have influenced many poets and authors including Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

If you are looking to escape to the countryside for a few days and enjoy some lovely walking that isn't too strenuous, this is the trip for you! With walks of less than 10km and involving no more than 400m ascent, you will stay overnight in B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels in the classic Lake District towns of Ambleside and Grasmere.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking holiday

This trip is suitable for:

Families, Mixed Abilities, First Timers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 7 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

National Parks & Trails
Mountains

Inspiration:

New
Classic

Grade & Terrain

This holiday is graded easy overall with all of the walks being fairly relaxed. Daily walks include ascents of between 94m and 378m, and are no longer than 13km. You will cover a variety of terrain including rocky terrain, some boggy sections and lakeside and woodland paths. The ascent of Catbells whilst not too strenuous is graded more as moderate, due to the fact that it is a short, sharp ascent and involves some light scrambling towards the top at the summit with a couple of steep drop offs. Of course, you can always turn back if this is not for you!

Navigation

Whilst not all of the paths will be waymarked on this holiday, we do provide comprehensive route notes, maps and GPS tracks through our smartphone app, which will greatly assist you in finding your way. All of the walks we have selected are fairly low level and therefore not too difficult to navigate. However, we do recommend that should the weather be inclement you should take extra care and only do the walks if you feel comfortable navigating.

Accommodation Information

Overnight in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses, specifically chosen to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we will try our best to accommodate your request. A single supplement is payable. This trip is available to solo walkers and a supplement is also payable.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Most guesthouses and B&B’s offer a continental and hearty cooked breakfast, which should keep you going for the day.

Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants.

Included

4 Nights hand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation
4 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers as per itinerary
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel to Ambleside and from Grasmere
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Ferry crossings as per itinerary
Travel insurance
Personal equipment
Entrance fees

Extras

Additional nights anywhere along the route

When To Go

This tour can be enjoyed in the spring, summer or autumn/fall. Spring is great as it's not too busy and the daffodils will be in bloom! Summer is a bit busier, but still pleasurable and autumn/fall will again be quieter. September can often be overlooked but is quieter and a beautiful time of year in the Lakes! Rain can occur at anytime of year in the Lake District so come prepared with good waterproofs. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans subject to availability.

Getting to the Start

By Air - The closest regional airport to Ambleside is Manchester. From here you can take the train to Windermere (2h15m) and then a local bus to Ambleside (20min)

By Rail/Bus - Ambleside is easily reached by train via Windermere (approx 3hrs from London, 2hr from Manchester or 2hr from Glasgow). From Windermere, the Lakeslink 555 bus runs regularly to Ambleside or it is just a 10 minute taxi journey. You can find more information on the Traveline website.

By Car - Parking is very limited in Ambleside but you can buy seven day passes which can be used in a few of the car parks. More details are available here.

For more information on train times and schedules please visit the Traveline or National Rail websites.

Getting from the End

By Car - If you have left your vehicle in Ambleside you may return via the Lakeslink 555 bus from Grasmere with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes.

By Bus/Train - From Grasmere there are regular buses to Windermere on the Lakeslink 555 bus from where you can catch onward train connections to either Manchester, London, or Glasgow.

You can find more information for travelling to and from the Lake District by visiting the Traveline Website. The Trainline is also a great resource.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How do the baggage transfers work?

What is the best time of year?

Do I need to be able to navigate?

What kind of gear will I need to bring?

Are you able to arrange extra nights?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Ambleside Day 2 Beatrix Potter Walk to Wray Castle and Hill Top 8.75 miles / 14 km

Walk in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter today as you follow trails through landscapes that inspired her writing and visit famous sights associated with the famous author. Start by jumping on one of the iconic Windermere ferries across Lake Windermere to Wray Castle. From here, follow easy paths and tracks by the quiet western shore of the lake before heading slightly inland to visit Hill Top, the former home of Beatrix Potter, which she bought with her royalties from the sale of The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Visit Moss Eccles Tarn, one of Potter's favourite places for painting, and then continue to Ferry House, where you catch a ferry back over to the other side of the lake. Perhaps enjoy a quick ice cream in Bowness-on-Windermere, before catching the local bus down to Ambleside.

NOTE: As of April 2021, the Windermere Ferries from Ambleside to Wray Castle, and from Ferry House to Bowness are not currently operating due to Covid Restrictions. If this is the case when you travel, we will book and include replacement taxi transfers for you.

Ascent/Descent: +214m/-242m

Overnight Ambleside

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Lacet House

A warm welcome awaits you at Lacet House. They have 5 rooms in total all of which overlook White Platts recreational park. All rooms are tastefully decorated either traditional or contemporary design and have black out blinds, flatscreen TV, hairdryer and central heating.

Brantfell House

Brantfell House provides accommodation set within a renovated Victorian house. The property has 5 rooms - all rooms have flat screen TV/ DVD players, tea and coffee making facilities and modern en-suite shower rooms.

Wateredge Inn

The Wateredge Inn is a beautiful country inn offering comfy beds, great food and drink and wonderful views over Lake Windermere. All their rooms are stylish, modern and comfortable, with views of the lake available but they still retain the classic charm of the old building.

Day 3 Walk to Grasmere 4 miles / 6.7 km

Head north through Rydal Park on the outskirts of Ambleside this morning, passing one of William Wordsworth's former homes, Rydal Mount, where Wordsworth spent his last days. This route is also known as the 'Coffin Road’ named for the fact that it was an old corpse road used in medieval times to carry the deceased to their final resting place in Grasmere. Enjoy following gently undulating trails as you head towards your next destination in the Lakes.

At White Moss Common at the north end of Rydal Water, the views ahead to Grasmere are spectacular and you will see why this was a favourite place of Wordsworth’s sister, Dorothy. Following the trail down into Grasmere arrive at famous Dove Cottage, Wordsworth's first family home, and you may also visit his final resting place at St Oswald’s Church. Grasmere is a delightful little town with plenty of tempting tearooms, a few traditional pubs and the famous Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop which we highly recommend paying a visit!

Ascent/Descent: +94m/-83m

Overnight Grasmere

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge

The 200 year old traditional Cumbrian property has been furnished using local craftsmen and local materials and offers some lovely accommodation in Cumbria. Each of their 6 fabulous ensuite rooms has its own uniqueness with high quality furnishings. Each room has a flat screen TV, internet connection, underfloor heating, duck-down duvets and pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets and wool carpets.

Chestnut Villa

Chestnut Villa was built in 1904 as a Coaching Inn, it has 9 beautifully decorated rooms, each of which is ensuite with either a bath/hand shower or shower. The rooms all come with tea & coffee facilities, LCD digital TV’s, toiletries and hairdryers.

Glenthorne

Glenthorne is a long-established guest house. They offer comfortable accommodation and delicious home-cooked meals in stunning surroundings. They are service orientated people who aim to make your stay as comfortable as they can. All rooms are individually decorated and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.

Day 4 Loop Walk to Helm Crag 4 miles / 6.4 km

Enjoy the perfect introduction to walking higher up in the Lake District fells as you make your way slowly to the top of Helm Crag today, and discover the iconic "Lion and the Lamb" craggy outcrops, so named because they are said to resemble the aforementioned creatures. Alfred Wainwright said of this walk "The virtues of Helm Crag have not be lauded enough. It gives an exhilarating little climb, a brief essay in real mountaineering." From the Lion and the Lamb, enjoy some of the Lake District's best views, looking over the Fairfield and Helvellyn mountain ranges before descending via Helmside and country lanes back to Grasmere. You will have the real feeling of being up in the mountains today as Wainwright alluded to, but this is gained without too much effort!

Ascent/Descent: +/-310m

Overnight Grasmere

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge

Chestnut Villa

Glenthorne

Day 5 Onward travel