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.

From £485.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Ambleside Day 2 Beatrix Potter Walk to Wray Castle and Hill Top 9 miles / 14.5 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.

Ascent:+210m / Descent: -220m

Note: if you opt to walk from your accommodation to Ambleside pier it adds +1 extra mile to the distances stated above.

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 | Bed and breakfast

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 | Bed and breakfast

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 | Bed and breakfast, Country 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 / 6.5 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 the 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 to!

Ascent: +90m / Descent: -85m

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 | Country Inn

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.

Glenthorne | Guest House

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.

The Swan Inn

Mentioned by Wordsworth in his poem “The Waggoner”, The Swan Inn is located in the timeless village of Grasmere in the Lake District. With a pub and restaurant open throughout the day, the Swan also provides a drying room for rainy days.

Day 4 Grasmere and Helm Crag Loop Walk 4.5 miles / 7.3 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 to 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 - 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: +325m / Descent: -325m

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 | Country Inn

Glenthorne | Guest House

The Swan Inn

Day 5 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 9kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our greenest trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 9kg is equivalent to 5.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

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.