Lake District Steam & Cruise

Itinerary

Highlights

• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Tea / coffee after dinner
• Included Ullswater Cruise
• A ride on the Leven Valley Steam Train
• Included Lake Windermere Cruise
• A visit to Lakeland Motor Museum
• Optional Excursion to Kendal & Levens Hall (May, July & Sept)
• Optional Excursion to Kendal & Sizergh Castle Gardens (October only) 
• Porterage 

Itinerary

Day 1- Travel northbound to your hotel in the Lake District, with comfort stops on the way, for 4 nights with dinner, bed & breakfast.

Day 2-4 - At leisure in the Lake District with two included excursions and one optional 

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

Keswick & Ullswater Steamer
Travel 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 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. 

Afterwards continue onto England's most beautiful lake, Ullswater for a cruise on the steamer from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding. Cruise fare included.

Leven Valley Steam Train, Lake Windermere Cruise & Lakeland Motor Museum
Enjoy free time in Bowness on Windermere before embarking on a cruise on England's largest lake across to Lakeside. Continue your journey with a steam train ride on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. Train fare included

A short walk then to the Lakeland Motor Museum. Explore their fascinating collection of over 30,000 exhibits in a converted mill, trace the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century - cycles, motorbikes, motor cars and automobilia. Entrance included 

OPTIONAL EXCURSION (May, July & Sept)

Kendal & The Oldest Topiary Gardens at Levens Hall

The town's most famous export must be Kendal Mint Cake, Joseph Wiper came up with the original recipe for the Everest conquering energy bars. A wealth of historic buildings, shopping arcades and 2 castles are sure to occupy your time here.

Also on the itinerary today, a visit to Levens Hall. Stroll along the path in front of Levens Hall and you will find a small wooden gate leading into the Gardens. What awaits you, hidden behind the high stone wall, remains largely unchanged since the 17th century and is truly spectacular. Dating back to the 1690s, the ten acres of Gardens retain many original features including the world's oldest topiary gardens. This surreal and unique collection of ancient box and yew trees, in abstract or geometric shape, rises up from a beautiful display of underplanting, populated with an ever-changing array of over 30,000 bedding plants, all grown in the greenhouses onsite

OPTIONAL EXCURSION (October only)

Kendal & Sizergh Castle Gardens 

The town's most famous export must be Kendal Mint Cake. Joseph Wiper came up with the original recipe for the Everest conquering energy bars. A wealth of historic buildings, shopping arcades and 2 castles are sure to occupy your time here.

Sizergh Castle – a beautiful medieval house with rich gardens and estate and is particularly well known for its elaborate Elizabethan oak panelling. Family home of the Strickland family since medieval times. Although they still live there, the property is managed by the National Trust. It now boasts a number of fine oak – panelled rooms, numerous portraits and a good collection of English & French period furniture and 1600 acres of grounds that include two lakes. A large limestone rock garden, a kitchen garden & herbaceous border, £25 per person (inc's admission). More details from your driver.  Please advise if you are a National Trust Member and a small reduction will be made.

Day 5 - After breakfast, say farewell and return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.

Accommodation

3 Star Hotels

Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange-over-Sands (August, September & October)

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 walkand 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 Ulverston (May & July tours only)

With views over Lake Windermere at the tranquil southern end of the Lake, Newby Bridge Hotel has everything you need for a holiday or short break. Iideally located for some of the best attractions in the area being within walking distance of Windermere Lake Cruises, The Aquarium of the Lakes, Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and the Lakeland Motor Museum.

Newby Bridge Hotel overlooking the southern tip of Lake Windermere has 46 en-suite bedrooms-  providing quality and varied accommodation from rooms in the original part of this quintessentially traditional Lake District hotel. No lift and some steps to bedrooms.