With the Tour de Yorkshire 2017 starting on the 28th of April, this week we celebrate English cycling by taking a look at a tour that explores one of the most picturesque areas in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria - Lake Windermere.

The Location

Macs Adventure's Windermere on Two Wheels self-guided cycling tour explores the area around England's largest lake covering each of its shores over the course of a week. Lake Windermere lies in the southeast of the Lake District National Park and stretches 10.5 miles from north to south.

Lake Windermere from Ambleside

The Lake District draws visitors from all over the UK and is often included on international visitors' schedules. The landscapes contained within the UK's largest national park are serenely beautiful and over the years creatives, from poets to writers and artists, have alluded to it in their work or made homes in the area.

Buttermere in the Lake District National Park

The rolling fells and mountains, meandering streams and rivers, the lake-jewelled valleys and the charming lakeside villages have been the inspiration for many of Britain's most treasured writers. Beatrix Potter, author of the famous children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit, lived in the village of Near Sawrey and the poet William Wordsworth once described the Vale of Rydal as, "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found" and, of course, Alfred Wainwright who talked of a love affair with the Lake District that began after his first visit to the area in 1930 devoted much of his time to producing illustrated guidebooks of the Lake District.

Glenridding with Ullswater in the distance. The Lake District National Park.

The Cycling

Cycling in the Lake District

The Windermere on Two Wheels trip includes 4 loop cycle routes with a minimum daily distance of 17 miles and a maximum daily distance 31 miles. These loop rides take in some of the iconic Lake District landscapes and famous sights including; Barkbooth Lot Nature Reserve, William Wordsworth's house 'Rydal Mount', Grasmere at the heart of the national park, the charming village of Hawkshead, Beatrix Potter's former home 'Hill Top', Newby Bridge, Cartmel and Holker Hall and Haverthwaite from where you can enjoy a ride on steam train on the heritage Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.

Cycle on quiet country lanes and well maintained cycle paths.

The Accommodation

The Hawksmoor Guest House

Windermere on Two Wheels is a single centre holiday which means you will spend 5 nights in the same accommodation, from where you will set out to explore the surrounding area by bike, ferry and steam train. Located in Windermere on the east coast of Lake Windermere the Hawksmoor Guest House is superb B&B that is set in beautiful grounds, has beautiful conservatory and patio areas from where you can watch the world go by and, perhaps the biggest selling point, are the award winning full English breakfasts that are served up every morning - the perfect fuel for a day of cycling.

For more information on the Windermere on Two Wheels cycling tour or Macs Adventure's range of cycling holidays in England contact a member of our team on info@macsadventure.com or call +44 (0)141 530 9420 | +1-844-296-1856 (USA & CANADA).