Post Congress Tour of The Lake District

15th – 19th May 2010

We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and all bookings should be made by the end of February.

For enquiries or bookings please email: info@cumbriandiscoveries.co.uk

The Lake District National Park is unique in English landscape. Rugged mountains and glacial lakes combine in an area of outstanding and varied scenic beauty. May is a perfect month to visit as the spring flowers are out and lambs abound. The tour will be based at the Red Lion Hotel in Grasmere in the heart of the Lake District National Park. It is a delightful place in which to wander in the evening after the day visitors have left and ideally located for each day’s travel.

Travelling from Liverpool we enter the Lakes from the south, alongside the sweeping expanse of Morecambe Bay, which was the route of the early travellers, giving an enticing view ahead of distant mountains. The region has many delights to offer. Mountain passes snake their way to breathtaking views in all directions and past shimmering glacial lakes – some solitary and tranquil and others busy with the bustle of pleasure boats and ferries. Quaint pubs nestling in picturesque villages offer hospitality and refreshment in timeless tradition; historic homes and grand estates, ancient prehistoric sites and old market towns – these all feature in the tour.
The Lake District also offers a cultural experience. The area is renowned for its literary associations spanning centuries. There are many related sites and locations to visit and at the centre of it all is the village of Grasmere, home of the poet William Wordsworth and the Romantic literary movement.

Saturday 15th May

Depart Liverpool for an introductory tour of the Lake District National Park. Stop for coffee on entering Cumbria. Drive through Beetham and Milnthorpe enjoying views of Morecambe Bay as we make our way into the Lake District. Travel over Kirkstone Pass seeing views of Windermere and Brother’s Water before descending along the shores of Ullswater. Stop in the conservation village of Askham for a pub lunch. Drive through the Lowther estate, past the ruined castle and Lowther church and on to Castlerigg Stone Circle on the edge of Keswick. Descend into Keswick and take a short stroll along the shores of Derwentwater to Friar’s Crag or stop to enjoy a tea in the Theatre by the Lake.  Drive over Dunmail Raise to Grasmere.

Sunday 16th May

A day following in the footsteps of the poet, William Wordsworth, and the artist and storyteller, Beatrix Potter, as you travel through the beautiful landscape of southern lakeland.
On a short guided walk through Grasmere, a former wool producing centre, see the homes Wordsworth lived in, visiting one of them, Dove Cottage, as well as St. Oswald’s church and churchyard, his final resting place.
Drive to Hawkshead, a characterful village with a fascinating history where Wordsworth attended school. Explore the nooks and crannies of Hawkshead and visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery to view some of her original illustrations. After lunch and a wander in the village, end the day with a visit to Beatrix Potter’s farm, Hill Top, at Near Sawrey.

Monday 17th May

Drive across the passes of Wrynose and Hardknott stopping to view Hardknott Roman Fort en route. Descend into Eskdale and have coffee at Boot before visiting the mill, one of the oldest working corn mills in the country. Enjoy a private tour with the miller. Take the Ravenglass and Eskdale train, La’al Ratty, a narrow guage railway from here to Muncaster Castle. Spend the afternoon here with a member of the Pennington family who will guide you through eight hundred years of history, magnificent gardens and World Owl Trust centre.

Tuesday 18th May

Drive around Windermere and through the wooded valleys of the southern Lake District to Coniston Water. Sail on the Victorian Steam Yacht Gondola around Coniston Water stopping to visit Brantwood, a delightful home set on the shores of Coniston Water where John Ruskin lived. Have lunch in the restaurant, Jumping Jenny. After lunch see a short video about Ruskin, an art critic, poet and social reformer known as the ‘Professor of Things In General’, to introduce the visit. The house has a magnificent collection of artwork and lovely views over the lake. The gardens are generally superb at this time of year and the bluebells should be spectacular.
Drive back through the Coniston Valley, passing three of the farms once owned by Beatrix Potter, one of which provided the location for the recent film, Miss Potter. 

Wednesday 19th May

Return to Liverpool / Manchester for flights home

The tour will be led by Richard Hyde. Richard is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for Cumbria – the Lake District. He has been living in Cumbria since 1976 and has a great love for, and interest in, this region. Richard has particular experience in leading tours and giving presentations for alumni and museum groups. Among Richard’s interests are literature, history, walking and photography. Richard looks forward to sharing his passion for this area with Pianc MMX participants.

Tour Cost: £685.00 per person   Single supplement: £120.00

The costs include:

Transport to and from Liverpool and during the tour
Services of a Blue Badge Guide, Richard Hyde www.cumbriandiscoveries.co.uk
Dinner, bed and breakfast daily at the Red Lion Hotel www.grasmereredlionhotel.co.uk
4 lunches
1 morning coffee
All visits mentioned in the itinerary 

Enquiries and bookings should be directed to Nicky or Richard at Cumbrian Discoveries info@cumbriandiscoveries.co.uk and payment can be made by bankers draft or a cheque made payable to Cumbrian Discoveries.

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