Northern Lake District Wainwright Bagging Holiday - the Northern Fells Tour Style: Challenge Walks Destinations: Lake District & England Trip code: DBWBC Trip Walking Grade: 6 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Wainwright bagging, perfect when you want to release your inner explorer! Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides have provided the inspiration for many a fell walker, with over two million copies of the books selling since their publication. There are 214 fells described within his books and this holiday takes in all of the fells he enthuses about in his Northern Fells pictorial guide, in one fabulous, challenging holiday. Bag the Northern Fell Wainwrights of the Lake District with fellow walking enthusiasts as you experience a moorland feel in a quiet, remote area north of the other ranges. Each day, our experienced leaders will be taking you to 4 to 6 Wainwrights covering over 10 miles of ground – discovering magnificent views to Scotland, walking the well known Skiddaw mountain and visiting local, upbeat market towns. WHAT'S INCLUDED • Great value: all prices include Full Board en-suite accommodation, a full programme of walks with all transport to and from the walks, and evening activities • Great walking: enjoy the challenge of bagging all of the summits in Wainwright’s Northern Fells pictorial www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 guide, accompanied by an experienced leader • Accommodation: enjoy a lakeside location just two miles from Keswick, with fantastic views of the surrounding fells HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Follow in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright exploring some of his favourite fells • Bag all of the summits in his Northern Fells Pictorial Guide • Enjoy challenging walking with wonderful views and a great sense of achievement • Admire panoramic mountain, lake and river views from fells and peaks • Let an experienced walking leader bring classic routes and offbeat areas to life • Enjoy magnificent Lake District scenery • Stay in a beautiful country house where you can relax and share stories of your day in the evenings TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded walking Activity Level 6. We explore the Northern Fells with long distance walks covering vast amounts of ground. This holiday is designed for experienced walkers who have good levels of fitness. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check-in to your room from 2:30 p.m. onwards (upgraded rooms from 1 p.m.) Please join us for afternoon tea and take time to settle in at Derwent Bank and discuss the week’s programme. Day 2: Skiddaw Via Ullock Pike Distance: 10½ miles (16.5km) Total Ascent: 3,130 feet (950m) Today’s challenge takes in five of the Wainwrights. After a short coach ride we begin our walk via Ullock Pike, and towards the summit of Skiddaw - the highest of the Wainwright’s in the Northern Fells pictorial guide. From there we continue, bagging Long Side, Carl Side, and Skiddaw itself. We descend taking in Bakestall, before dropping down to Bassenthwaite village, and a well-earned break. Day 3: Carrock Fell, High Pike And Knott Distance: 13½ miles (22km) Total Ascent: 2,510 feet (7650m) Our walk explores the quieter side of the Lake District and the most northerly of the Wainwrights. Our first summit is Carrock Fell from where we continue along the ridge to High Pike to enjoy the best views into Scotland from the Northern Fells. We retrace our steps briefly, and take in Knott and Great Calva before descending into the River Caldew valley to return past Carrock Mine to Mosedale, where we meet our coach back to Derwent Bank. We'll cover 5 Wainwrights today. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 4: Free Day Explore the local area of Keswick and Borrowdale or take a well-earned break to enjoy the facilities at Derwent Bank. Day 5: Blencathra And The Glenderamackin Skyline Distance: 10½ miles (17km) Total Ascent: 2,920 feet (900m) We return to Mosedale this morning and continue our journey to bag 5 more Wainwrights. Our first summit of the day is Bowscale Fell via Bowscale Tarn, and then we follow the ridgeline to Bannerdale Crags, Mungrisdale Common, and the iconic peak of Blencathra. Our descent takes us onto Souther Fell and down to Mungrisdale village. Day 6: Uldale Fells Distance: 11 miles (17.5km) Total Ascent: 2,890 feet (880m) On the northern edge of the Lake District we'll tackle 6 more Wainwrights. Our first fell today is Binsey, we then walk via Over Water and Orthwaite to climb Great Cockup, Meal Fell and Great Sca Fell. Our descent takes in Brae Fell and Longlands Fell before we head back. This is the quietest, lowest and least rugged part of the Northern Fells range. Day 7: Keswick Skyline Distance: 13½ miles (21.5km) Total Ascent: 3,400 feet (1,030m) Our first fell stands proud above Keswick's skyline – Latrigg. After admiring the views from the top, we continue along the Cumbria Way into the Glenderaterra Valley to ascend Lonscale Fell. Our route takes us next onto Skiddaw Little Man, Broad End, Carl Side and on to Dodd. We take the Keswick launch back to Derwent Bank smug with the knowledge that we’ve ticked off the final 4, and therefore all, of Wainwright’s favourite Northern Fells, and ready for a little celebration. Day 8: Departure Day Depart after breakfast ACCOMMODATION Derwent Bank Close to Keswick and situated slap bang on the shore of Derwentwater, with the glassy lake on one side and the razor-edged ridges, humpbacked fells and muscular mountains of the Lake District on the other, beautiful Derwent Bank has been entrancing walkers since 1785. Extensive refurbishment and investment have seen this established walkers’ retreat transformed into a beautiful country house hotel perfect for people looking to explore the great outdoors. It’s also perfect for drinking in the views over a glass of something chilled on the terrace. With 41 bedrooms across the main house and garden rooms as well as a rustic ‘pod’ to sleep in, www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 there’s plenty of space, along with a pretty orangery, large lounge and relaxed vibe. The lakeside land encompasses a formal garden, extensive lawns and mature trees. The emphasis is on enjoying the great outdoors and it’s all made super easy with walkers’ facilities from an inspiration point equipped with maps and route ideas to a boot room and drying space – this is the Lakes, after all. With views of Cat Bells and Grizedale Pike, the inspiration for adventure is never far away. Venture out from the house to head to the high peaks such as Scafell Pike, Blencathra and Helvellyn or stick to the lower slopes and lakes; Ullswater, arguably the most beautiful of the Cumbrian lakes, Borrowdale and Buttermere are all within easy reach. Matchless Country House Accommodation Accommodation Info Need To Know Important Covid-19 Steps We Have Taken For Guest Safety: Please Read Following the relaxation in government guidance on 19 July, we are continuing to take extra steps to keep our guests leaders, and staff safe in our HF country houses. We ask all our guests to respect the measures put in place. The English, Scottish and Welsh governments are not in sync, so measures in our country houses will vary between the nations. With the relaxation of social distancing in England, from 19 July we will be allowing larger groups to dine and relax in the bar together. However, we will still give guests space e.g. we will seat 6 people at a table where pre-pandemic we may have seated 8. We will ensure our public rooms are well ventilated by opening doors and windows wherever possible. If you have any concerns about distancing, please speak to the House Manager. The government recommendation for England is to wear face coverings in crowded areas. You must wear a face covering by law in public areas in hotels in Scotland. This is mandatory in public spaces; however, face coverings will not be required whilst eating and drinking in the restaurant and bar areas or whilst you are outside our houses. In Wales face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. As a temporary measure, we will not be servicing rooms during a stay. Extra tea, coffee, milk, and toiletries will be made available on request for all guests. It is recommended that guests bring their own toiletries for the duration of their stay. We will though be increasing the frequency of cleaning in our public areas providing particular attention to frequently touched items including door handles and handrails. Menus for the week will be available in your room on arrival. A self-service breakfast will be served from 7.45am – 9am. Picnic lunches will now be pre-ordered the night before from an order form in the room. Evening meals will be table service. A dinner order form will be available in each room for completion. Dinner is served at either 7.15pm or 7.30pm. Please check at the house for details. The bar will be open. We will be offering a table service but guests can also come to the bar to order (depending on local restrictions). Join our team after dinner on Wednesday evenings for the HF Big Pub Quiz. There will be one other evening of entertainment at the start of the week, which will vary depending on the country house that you are staying at.