THE DISTRICT IN STYLE

AMBLESIDE TO KESWICK

THE IN STYLE - LUXURY WALKING HOLIDAY SUMMARY Walk the Lake District Trail staying in award winning hotels. Follow the route from the shores of Lake through the rugged Central and Eastern Lakeland to the market town of Keswick, an area noted for it’s literary pedigree.

This self guided walking holiday starts in the bustling Lake District town of situated at the head of ’s largest Lake, Windermere. The views here were noted by Wainwright as an ’introduction to a dream’, a fitting portent for the walk ahead. Moving northward through the Central and the trail passes through the charming village of , once home to who described it as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’.

Moving on along the Grisedale Valley amidst the imposing, craggy, mountain peaks of the range, the trail brings you to the villages of and . Perfectly situated at the head of this peaceful area provides much scope for exploring the lakeside fells. The Lake District In Style walk finishes in the market town of Keswick nestled on the shores of Derwent Water where the rugged peak of dominates the skyline. Tour: The Lake District In Style Code: WESLDIS One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. At each of the overnight Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday locations of Ambleside, Glenridding and Keswick we have specifically chosen the best possible hotel Price: See Website accommodations. The 3 star and 4 star properties provide exceptional comfort and facilities along with first Single Supplement: See Website class service. Ideally situated with panoramic views, well appointed rooms and quality dining you are Dates: April - October Walking Days: 5 assured a relaxing stay. Each hotel offers a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious Nights: 6 local food. Start/Finish: Ambleside / Keswick Distance: Approx. 50 Miles With 5 walking days and 6 overnight stays this affords the perfect way to enjoy the Lake District. Spending Grade: Moderate - Strenuous 2 nights at each location you may explore the best walks and relax in the comfortable Lakeland Hotels. We also include daily door to door baggage transfers, a route book, detailed maps and pre-departure Is It For Me? information pack as well as emergency support, should you need it. The perfect choice for those who prefer to walk in style with comfortable hotels and fine cuisine. Explore the fells, valleys and HIGHLIGHTS of the English Lake District in the footsteps of the Lakeland writers and poets.  Breathtaking panoramic view of Ullswater from the Grisedale Valley  Wandering ‘as lonely as a cloud’ as you traverse dramatic mountain passes WHAT’S INCLUDED?  Hand picked hotels offering first class service and fine English Cuisine Accommodation: 6 nights in hand-picked 3 &  Sharing ’s view of Derwent Water, ‘the creation of the world for me’ 4 star country hotels. Meals: A hearty breakfast is included. Dinner is included on the first night at each of the 3 Why choose a Self Guided Walking Holiday with us? overnight locations. The second nights dinner at each of the locations is not included and Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers we know neither are lunches but are always available at what makes for an unforgettable adventure and deliver outstanding holidays with every last detail taken accommodation or nearby. care of. Great routes, breathtaking scenery and warm, welcoming accommodation can be expected. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage transfer. Information Pack: Comprehensive maps and route book will be supplied as well as an infor- mation pack.

THE LAKE DISTRICT IN STYLE

AMBLESIDE TO KESWICK

place to spend your first 2 nights. Friendly and skyline to your left as you descend along the ITINERARY: WESLDIS informal with excellent service and spacious, valley into Glenridding. comfortable rooms you are assured a warm Overnight: Inn on the Lake 4 Star Hotel - Walking Days: 5 welcome and a relaxing stay. The AA Rosette Glenridding. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis. Nights: 6 awarded restaurant will surely appeal after a Average Daily Distance: 10 miles good days walk. The perfectly situated Inn on the Lake sits on the Grade: Moderate/Strenuous shores of Lake Ullswater. Relax and enjoy the Day 2: Ferry to Bowness/Walk to menu in the award winning Lake View

Ambleside - 10 miles Restaurant or sample the local real ale in the Day Route Miles Catch an early ferry from Ambleside to Bowness Ramblers Bar. You may wish to rejuvenate in the on Windermere before setting out from Bowness Leisure Suite jacuzzi and sauna or simply take in 1 Arrive Ambleside 0 Bay and walking back to Ambleside. the panoramic views of the Helvellyn peaks from 2 Ferry to Bowness 10 your room. and walk to Amble- After walking through Bowness on Windermere side on footpaths, you will soon head into the hills on Day 4: Ullswater Lake and Place 3 Walk to Glenridding 12.5 this delightful days’ walking. You will take in circular walk - 8 miles 4 Ullswater and Place 9 some of the most breathtaking views of the Lake Today’s walk is one of the most beautiful in all Fell walk (overnight District from vantage points such as Orrest Head Lakeland, circumnavigating the peak of Place in Glenridding) (described by Wainwright after completing this Fell and following the lakeshore path of 5 Walk to Keswick 12 walk as the ‘introduction to a dream.’ )This is Ullswater. The trail initially climbs to the grassy 6 Derwent Water and 6.5 known as the walk that inspired Wainwright. Walk coll of Hause framed by the mountains 7 Onward travel Combine this with the high point of Pike of and Angletarn Pikes. The walk and this really does make for an exhilarating ahead down the Boredale glaciated valley is Total Distance 50 days walking. superb and as you descend you experience the magnificent view unfolding ahead. The route Overnight: Rothay Manor Hotel 3 Star Hotel - turns to follow the lakeside of Ullswater, a real Ambleside. Bed and Breakfast basis. highlight of the day, with unsurpassed views DETAILED ITINERARY Day 3: Ambleside to Patterdale - 11.5 across the quiet waters to the peaks beyond as miles you walk back to Patterdale and on to Glenridding. Day 1: Arrive Ambleside From Ambleside the trail heads North through Rydal Park gently undulating through trees to Overnight: Inn on the Lake 4 Star Hotel - Ambleside is a bustling lakeside town and a , home of Wordsworth. At the north Glenridding. Bed and Breakfast basis. great location for your starting point on your end of , the views ahead to Day 5: Patterdale to Keswick - 12 adventure through the Lake District. The train Grasmere are spectacular and you will see why miles from to Windermere takes approx 2.5hrs this was a favourite place of Wordsworth’s sister, and from there the frequent Lakeslink bus runs to Dorothy. Following the trail down into Grasmere You spend this day surrounded by the mountain Ambleside or alternatively, it is just a 10 minute you arrive at famous , also home to peaks, crags and cliffs which epitomise the Lake taxi journey. Wordsworth, and you may also visit his final District. Walking up Glenridding away from resting place at St Oswald’s Church. Ullswater you are rewarded with views back to Overnight: Rothay Manor Hotel 3 Star Hotel - the Lake and across the Eastern Fells. The trail Ambleside. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis. Leaving Grasmere, the trail follows the Grisedale follows a bridleway along the Sticks Pass with Pass, with an exhilarating walk up to Grisedale With a luxury country house setting in the peak of Helvellyn to the south. A steep Tarn affording wonderful views back down to landscaped gardens close to shores of Lake descent brings you out to St John’s in the Vale, Grasmere and North toward Ullswater. The Windermere this grade 2 listed early 19th an arable area in a wide glacial valley at the impressive craggy heights of Helvellyn fill the Century Regency property provides the perfect head of surrounded by perhaps the THE LAKE DISTRICT IN STYLE

AMBLESIDE TO KESWICK

most striking of the Lakeland Fells. Here you Day 7: Onward Travel This independent walking holiday is not available follow the St John’s Beck river northward to solo walkers but if you require single rooms between the rocky flanks of to the Your holiday finishes after breakfast although if within your party we will of course try to east and the rugged neighbours, and you feel energetic and suitably prepared you may accommodate your request subject to a single to the west. wish to tackle the peaks of the Skiddaw range to supplement payable to cover the additional costs the north of the town. we incur. A real highlight of the day’s walk is the Castlerigg Stone Circle just east of Keswick, described as HOLIDAY INFORMATION Meals ‘one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain’. You finish this exhilarating A hearty breakfast is included each morning. day on arrival at the market town of Keswick. Additional Nights and Extensions Dinner is also included on the first night at each of the overnight locations of Ambleside, Overnight: Keswick Country House Hotel 3 You can add in extra nights anywhere along the Glenridding and Keswick. For the second night at Star Hotel - Keswick. Dinner, Bed and walk to really take time out and enjoy the Lake each of the overnight locations dinner is not Breakfast basis District! included though is available at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and This elegant Victorian country house hotel stands Grade restaurants. Lunch is not included though your in 4 acres of tended gardens with views of This holiday is graded from moderate to hotels will be more than happy to provide a Latrigg and Skiddaw mountains. At the end of the strenuous. You will cover a variety of terrain packed lunch. day’s walk you may wish to have a game of including rocky mountainous terrain, some croquet on the lawn or simply enjoy the vista boggy sections and lakeside and woodland Baggage Transfers from your well appointed room. You will surely paths. Most days will involve a couple of steep look forward to dining in the Lonsdale Restaurant Your bags will be transferred from your ascents and descents. which overlooks the floodlit gardens. accommodation as per your itinerary and moved Navigation onto your next overnight accommodation. We Day 6: Derwent Water, Walla Crag ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to and Friars Crag circular walk - 6.5 Footpaths and bridleways are generally well 20kg per person. miles maintained in the valleys of the Lake District but way-marking is almost non-existent in the high Equipment Following a fairly steep climb up to the heather fells and mountains, so we recommend carrying Your information pack has a detailed equipment clad summit of Walla Crag you are rewarded with a map and compass and knowing how to use it. list which includes standard walking gear such as one of the finest views in all of Lakeland. The good walking boots or shoes, warm and sparkling surface of Derwent Water below and Accommodation waterproof clothes and a day pack. the Skiddaw range rising behind Keswick are One of the highlights of this tour is the high sights to behold! Walking onward you skirt the standard of the accommodation. We specifically Cat Gill ravine before descending to reach choose the 3 and 4 star hotels to ensure that you PRICE AND AVAILABILITY Ashness Bridge fording the torrents of Ashness enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a Gill. This much admired and photographed single warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality Price arched bridge is a reminder of once busy and They offer a warm welcome to walkers, packhorse routes across the Fells. Please refer to our website for up to date prices traditional hospitality and delicious local food. www.macsadventure.com. The Lakeshore path back to Keswick is a If the hotels mentioned in the itinerary do not delightful hike through woodland and along wide Availability have availability we may use alternative bays. At the rocky outcrop of Friar’s Crag you will accommodation of the same or better standard. This walking holiday can be enjoyed between find a memorial to John Ruskin who thought the We would always inform you of this before April and October and you may start on any day views some of the finest in all Europe. confirming your booking. of the week. Overnight: Keswick Country House Hotel 3 Summer is when you’ll find most people on the Star Hotel - Keswick. Bed and Breakfast basis Single Rooms THE LAKE DISTRICT IN STYLE

AMBLESIDE TO KESWICK

trail and of course this can affect availability of 2h from or 2hr from .) team will be happy to help. accommodation. From Windermere, the Lakeslink 555 bus runs The Lake District is very popular and regularly to Ambleside or it is just a 10 minute BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE accommodation can get booked up extremely taxi journey. quickly, so it is best to book as far in advance as By Car - Parking is very limited in Ambleside but Financial Security you are able to. You can find up to date if you need to you may be able to park your car availability on our website. In accordance with "The Package Travel, at your first night’s accommodation. Package Holidays and Package Tours Included Regulations1992" all passengers booking with Onward travel from Keswick Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the  2 Nights in 3*** Hotel accommodation in By Bus - If you have left your vehicle in initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all Ambleside in en-suite rooms on a bed and breakfast basis. Ambleside you may return via the Lakeslink 555 monies paid to us, including repatriation if bus from Keswick with a journey time of required (this insurance will not cover repatriation 2 Nights in 4*** Hotel accommodation in  to the country of origin for the passengers Glenridding in en-suite rooms on a bed and approximately 50 minutes. There are also bus breakfast basis. services to Penrith and whereupon there outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to  2 Nights in 3*** Hotel accommodation in are onward train and bus ravel options. the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd. Keswick in en-suite rooms on a bed and You can find information for travelling to and from breakfast basis. the Lake District by visiting the Traveline  3 dinners. Dinner on first night at each of the Website. overnight locations - Ambleside, Glenridding and Keswick Travel Insurance  Door to door baggage transfer as per itinerary ABTA Member Adequate travel insurance to cover cancellation Statement  A detailed route book, maps and info pack. or curtailment of your holiday is a perquisite on  Emergency telephone support from our office all our trips. Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA. in the event of a problem. ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist when HOW TO BOOK things don’t go according to plan. We are obliged Excluded to maintain a high standard of service to you by  Lunches, dinners on second night at each of Once you have read all the information in this ABTA’s Code of Conduct. For more information the overnight locations, snack and drinks. factsheet or on our website and decided on your on ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a  Travel insurance.. arbitration scheme available to you if you have a call to confirm availability. You can then book by complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London Ferry crossing from Ambleside to Bowness on  any of the following methods: SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117 0581 www.abta.com Windermere.  Transport when you need to skip a stage. Book Securely Online: www.macsadventure.com Telephone: +44 (0) 141 530 8886 TRAVEL INFORMATION Fax/Post: Download or request a booking form Getting to Ambleside and post it to Macs Adventure, 44 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, UK or fax it to +44 (0) 845 By Air - The closest regional airport to 527 5688

Ambleside is Manchester. (approx 3h by train Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone on and bus via Windermere.) +44 (0) 0141 530 8886 or email: By Rail/Bus - Ambleside is easily reached by [email protected] if you have any . train via Windermere (approx 3hrs from London, queries and one of our expert customer service