Literary Walking in the Lake District

Literary Walking in the Lake District

850 Views
7 Days From

$1685

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

aw-dropping scenery, world-famous lakes and incredible literary connections - this 6-night holiday in the South Lakes has it all. The inspiration for writers like Wordsworth, Ransome and Potter, not to mention a plethora of other artists and poets, the Lake District is a place of incredible natural beauty; idyllic and exhilarating in equal measure. And, in 2017, it was awarded World Heritage status, with the committee praising the area's beauty, farming and the inspiration it had provided to artists and writers.



The Lake District Self Guided walking tours take you to some of the Lake District's most charming villages, where olde-worlde inns and speciality shops nestle against a backdrop of majestic fells, staggering mountains and shimmering waters. Your routes follow quiet country lanes and lakeside paths, dotted with babbling brooks, thundering waterfalls and shady forest. National Trust properties abound including Beatrix Potter's former farm, Hilltop, while gems like the award-winning Hawkshead Brewery offer the best kind of refreshment.
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Highlights

  • Idyllic lakeside paths and quiet country lanes

  • Sections along the famous Cumbria Way

  • High fells, gushing streams and traditional Cumbrian stone villages

  • High-quality hotels serving excellent local fare

Places You'll See

Grasmere Village, the Lake District, UK

Grasmere Village, the Lake District, UK

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive in Windermere

Location: Windermere

Arrive in Windermere, on the shores of the largest natural lake in England. We'll transfer you by taxi to the Wordsworth Hotel & Spa in Grasmere.Premium Hotel

Day 2 : Grasmere Circular Walk

View from Brackenfell overlooking Grasmere, The Lake District, UK
Grasmere Village, the Lake District, UK

Location: Grasmere

Meals Included: Breakfast

Welcome to Wordsworth country! After a gentle walk this morning around the meandering River Rothay, you’ll leave the village along the shores of Grasmere Lake, passing St Oswald’s Church - Wordsworth’s final resting place - and Rydal Water, of which the poet wrote: “Like a fair sister of the sky, Unruffled doth the blue lake lie, The Mountains looking on.” You’ll visit majestic Rydal Hall and Gardens - Wordsworth’s family home - and perhaps stop for a tasty pub lunch before following the old coffin road back to Grasmere; Nab Scar looms ominously above you and there are wonderful views across the water to Silver Howe. Back in Grasmere you can spend time at the Wordsworth Museum, Dove Cottage (where the poet lived with his sister from 1799) and the renowned Grasmere Gingerbread Shop! Premium Hotel

Day 3 : Grasmere to Coniston

View from Brackenfell overlooking Grasmere, The Lake District, UK
Grasmere Village, the Lake District, UK

Location: Grasmere

Meals Included: Breakfast

It’s all about stunning scenery today as you make your way to the village of Coniston. After a short climb through either Hammerscar Plantation - overlooked by Loughrigg Fell and with incredible views over Langdale - or the shaded paths of the National Trust’s High Close Estate, you’ll descend into the breathtaking Great Langdale Valley where you’ll pick up the Cumbria Way walking trail. Here you’ll find Elterwater, the smallest of the Lake District’s 16 lakes and popular with huge Whooper Swans from Scandinavia! Follow the foaming River Brathay, enjoying spectacular views of the striking Langdale Pikes, and you’ll reach charming Skelwith Bridge - a perfect spot for riverside refreshments. We recommend a visit to the cascading waterfalls of Skelwith Force and Colwith Force, and the picturesque fishing spot of Tarn Hows, en route to your elegant hotel. Premium Hotel

Day 4 : Coniston Circular Walk

Location: Torver, Coniston

Meals Included: Breakfast

Coniston has inspired many literary greats and it’s not hard to see why. Heading south along the Cumbria Way you’ll meet the shores of the pristine Coniston Water which served as the inspiration for Arthur Ransome’s much-loved Swallows and Amazons. The majestic Old Man of Coniston - the local area’s highest fell at 803m – dominates the village skyline and presides over your route. Heading away from the lake you’ll find the old Viking village of Torver; the Church House Inn, which dates from 1378, is a great place to stop for a drink before making your way back to Coniston. This afternoon you could pay a visit to the Ruskin Museum, or head to the Black Bull, Coniston’s compact, multi-award winning brewery. The bar here has hosted several famous names including Turner, Coleridge and more recently, Sir Anthony Hopkins! Premium Hotel

Day 5 : Coniston to Hawkshead

Location: Coniston, Hawkshead

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you’ll visit Brantwood, the former home of Victorian writer, philosopher and artist John Ruskin. In a picturesque setting overlooking the lake, Brantwood is filled with fine paintings, beautiful furniture and a collection of Ruskin’s personal treasures. After your visit, head into the peaceful Grizedale Forest, a shady gem located between the lakes of Coniston and Windermere. The forest offers superb lake and mountain views and - perhaps unusually - a number of sculptures hidden away in the trees! Grizedale extends across Monk Coniston Moor and your last stretch of today’s walk takes you all the way to Hawkshead Moor, from where you’ll descend into Hawkshead village. Your home for the next two nights is the superb, 17th century Queens Head Inn which overlooks the cobbled village square. Premium Hotel

Day 6 : At Hawkshead

Location: Hawkshead

Meals Included: Breakfast

The choice is yours today. Fans of Beatrix Potter will enjoy the National Trust's Beatrix Potter Gallery in the centre of Hawkshead, followed by a visit to Near Sawrey's Hilltop Farm, the former retreat of the world-famous children's author. Now in the hands of the National Trust, Hill Top is a delight to explore. Wander the 17th century rooms where you'll find Potter's original writing desk, and walk through the pretty cottage garden - the inspiration for many of Potter's tales! Another option is to head east, via pretty green meadows and the shimmering Blelham Tarn, to visit the National Trust's beautiful Wray Castle. Back in Hawkshead, be sure to reward yourself with one of the brewery's award-winning ales! Premium Hotel

Day 7 : Leave Hawkshead

Location: Hawkshead

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, if you have pre-booked a transfer, a taxi will take you to Windermere station. We recommend adding an extra night to your holiday, to take advantage of our walk from Hawkshead to the popular lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere (12km/7.5mi/3.5hr). The route takes you through pretty meadows and woodland and up to Latterbarrow Fell (245m) from where you’ll enjoy incredible views across Windermere to Bowness. Descending to the lakeside, you’ll follow a waterside path along Windermere’s tranquil western shore; catch a ferry across to Bowness and take some time to explore this ever-popular town, before retiring to your Laura Ashley-designed hotel overlooking Lake Windermere.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts

  • All accommodation (see accommodation section)

  • Luggage transfers between hotels

  • Route notes and maps provided

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

  • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

Food

Full English Breakfasts included throughout.



Try out traditional English country pubs for lunch or enjoy a picnic in the countryside. Please note, if you order a picnic from the hotel, please do so the evening before.

Accommodation

You’ll stay in a 4 star country house hotel in Grasmere, a traditional lakeside inn with verdant lawns running down to Coniston Water in Coniston, and a charming 17th century inn serving fine local ales in Hawkshead. Add an extra night in Bowness and you'll stay in the Angel Inn, with its lovely gardens and views down to the village and over to the surrounding fells. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs.
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Mode of Transport

The tour includes taxi transfers from Windermere to Grasmere and from Hawkshead to Windermere station if pre-booked. Luggage transfers between hotels are also provided, ensuring a hassle-free experience as you explore the scenic Lake District.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes stays in high-quality hotels such as a 4-star country house hotel in Grasmere, a traditional lakeside inn in Coniston, and a charming 17th-century inn in Hawkshead. An extra night in Bowness includes a stay at the Angel Inn.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    All breakfasts are included in the tour package. Additionally, there is an option to try traditional English country pubs for lunch or enjoy a picnic in the countryside.

  • Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?

    Yes, luggage transfers between hotels are included in the tour package.

  • What are some of the key highlights of the walking routes on this tour?

    The walking routes include idyllic lakeside paths, sections along the famous Cumbria Way, high fells, gushing streams, and traditional Cumbrian stone villages.

  • What literary sites can be visited during the tour?

    The tour includes visits to literary sites such as Wordsworth's family home at Rydal Hall and Gardens, Dove Cottage, the Ruskin Museum, and Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin.

  • What is the starting and ending point of the tour?

    The tour starts in Windermere and ends in Hawkshead.

  • Is there an option for solo travelers on this tour?

    Yes, solo travelers can join the tour, but there is a compulsory supplement for single accommodation and an additional charge to cover transfer costs.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Fabulous and meaningful walking trip

Seeing the Lake District on foot is outstanding! We were well supplied with directions for getting around, and the lodging and other support arrangements were excellent. I highly recommend this trip for poetry and essay writers, for those who love the serenity of the English countryside, for those who love to hike. With our walking sticks (needed at times) and good hiking boots, we were well equipped for a special trip of a lifetime. ...more ...less

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

Literary Walking in the Lake District

7 Days Starting in Windermere and ending in Hawkshead

Visiting: Windermere, Grasmere, Torver, Coniston, Hawkshead

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

W06LD

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

8-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $1685 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 18-Mar-2025 but subject to change.