2027 - Escape To The Lakes - Steam & Cruise

Itinerary

Holiday Highlights

• Hotel for 4 or 6 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Porterage
• Ullswater Cruise (Pooley Bridge – Glenridding) – All tours
• Visit to Keswick - All tours
• Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway (one way) - All tours
• Windermere Cruise (Bowness – Lakeside) - All tours
• Entrance to Lakeland Motor Museum - All tours
• Visits to Grasmere & Ambleside (7-day tour only)
• Entrance to Wordsworth's Dove Cottage (guided) & museum (7-day tour only)

So much to see and do

Day 1 After joining your holiday coach travel northbound to your hotel in the Lake District with comfort stops on the way.  4 or 6 nights DBB.

Day 2 – 4 (or 6) At leisure with two or three included excursions and one optional excursion

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Keswick & Ullswater Steamer (all tours)
Through the heart of the Lake District to the popular resort town of Keswick, under the shadow of Skiddaw.  Though only a small town, Keswick has a range of shops and services, far larger than might be expected. You can find lots of lovely unique shops both in the main Market Square and down every alley and side street. Most of the art galleries are off the main square and sell photographs, paintings, pottery and jewellery by local artists and craftspeople. Continue to England's most beautiful lake, Ullswater for a scenic cruise on the steamer from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding. From the gentle rolling hills of the northern reach to the grandeur of the south end of the lake where the foothills of Helvellyn rise from the lake shore, this dramatic landscape has inspired writers and artists for centuries. Your coach waits in Glenridding to take you back to the hotel

                                                                                                                                     Credit: Ullwater Steamers

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, Windermere Cruise & Lakeland Motor Museum (all tours)
Head off to Bowness-on-Windermere, the popular lakeside town where you will find plenty of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants as well as gorgeous panoramic views. Then enjoy a delightful introduction to Windermere, England’s largest lake, with a cruise to Lakeside with fantastic views of the many islands (holmes), lakeland mountains, wooded shorelines and bays. The lower deck is heated and there is an onboard commentary which informs passengers about the history, attractions and points of interest around the lake. On arrival, hop aboard the heritage Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway for a nostalgic journey through the countryside scenery of the Leven Valley to the quaint Victorian station of Haverthwaite. A short coach journey takes you down Memory Lane to the fascinating Lakeland Motor Museum, a collection of over 30,000 exhibits that trace the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century - cycles, motorbikes, motor cars and automobilia. You'll also find recreations of period shops, a 1930s garage, a tribute to Donald Campbell plus a WW1 display. There is a cafe and gift shop. Return to the hotel later this afternoon.

Wordsworth's Cottage, Grasmere & Ambleside (7-day tour only – July)
In 1799 William Wordsworth arrived in Grasmere aged 29, largely unknown and writing innovative poetry in a new style. Step into another century as you visit Dove Cottage, where he wrote many of his greatest poems, as well as the Wordsworth Museum to discover the story of this remarkable period of his life. Together with an expert guide explore Wordsworth's world of 'plain living & high thinking' in this humble 300 year old Lake District cottage surrounded by objects and furniture that belonged to the family. Also visit the lovingly restored Garden Orchard and viewing platform as well as the Museum which tells the story of Wordsworth’s radical and creative life through a collection of handwritten manuscripts, letters, published poetry and personal items. (NB stairs to the first floor of Dove Cottage and lift access in museum, viewing station and cafe). Take a stroll through Grasmere village, “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found” - a place that fed Wordsworth's inspiration. His grave can be found in St Oswald's church in the village. Head back to the hotel with a stop in popular Ambleside, at the northern end of Windermere, perfectly located in the heart of the National Park. Surrounded by majestic Lakeland fells, Ambleside's roots are in the medieval woollen trade, but the town you see today is primarily Victorian, built of traditional grey slate.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION (all tours)
Carnforth & Morecombe
Fancy a change of scenery? First stop of the day is a nostalgic visit to the Heritage Centre at Carnforth Station, best known as the location (Milford Junction) for the filming of David Lean's film 'Brief Encounter' released in 1945 starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard (donation included pp). Continue to the classic seaside resort of Morecambe where the sweep of the bay is a major attraction with the Lake District fells visible beyond. Enjoy the many pleasures of the seaside and be sure to stroll along the flat, award-winning promenade to see the statue of one of Britain's' most treasured comedians - Eric Bartholomew - who took the stage name Eric Morecambe when he met his comedy partner, Ernie Wise. Take a walk along the Stone Jetty, the remains of the original harbour, now transformed into a lovely walk out into the bay. Maybe even enjoy a cuppa in the 1930s art deco masterpiece Midland Hotel.

Return Day After breakfast, say farewell and return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.

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Accommodation

Lakeland Hotels

Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange-over-Sands (5 days - August only)

Set within the Lake District National Park, the 3* Cumbria Grand Hotel makes an excellent base to explore this beautiful part of England. The historic Cumbria Grand Hotel was built in 1880 and is located only a short drive from the majestic and popular Lake Windermere within the Lake District. The hotel sits in 20 acres of private gardens and woodlands and overlooks Morecambe Bay.

The grounds offer a garden area, tennis court, putting green and woodland/fitness walk and indoors you will find a full sized snooker table, pool table, table tennis, dartboard as well as the main restaurant and bar lounge.

There is a lift to all floors and all guestrooms feature television, hairdryer, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities.

Newby Bridge Hotel (7 days - July only)

Located in the southern Lakes area, with lovely country views, the 3* Newby Bridge Hotel is a traditional hotel that has been welcoming guests for years. Situated within its own grounds, the hotel is traditionally decorated with several rooms having original features including wood panelling and log fires.

All 45 bedrooms are traditional in design and are equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is no lift, however a limited number of ground floor rooms are available. The restaurant has plenty of natural daylight and overlooks the gardens whilst the bar is cosy with a real fire.

There is also a relaxing lounge with sofas and a fabulous open fire, a games room with a pool table and an outside terrace at the front of the hotel overlooking the lake. Leisure facilities include a small indoor swimming pool, steam bath, steam room and gym.

All singles are double for sole use

Riverside Hotel, Kendal (May & October only)

The 3* Riverside Hotel is a historic family-owned hotel nestled on the banks of the River Kent in Kendal.

Housed in a converted 17th century tannery, the hotel is just a few minutes' walk from Kendal village and 20 minutes' walk to Kendal Castle ruins.

Guestrooms are modern and feature WiFi, TV, hairdryer, iron / ironing board and tea / coffee making facilities. Many rooms have views overlooking the river and most have shower over bath.

There is an onsite gym, 10m swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room. There is a riverside restaurant with terrace as well as a bar.

There is a lift (accessed via 6 steps or stair lift).  (This is a dog friendly hotel)

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