Lake District & Yorkshire Dales
Overview
The wild and beautiful Lake District & Yorkshire Dales are Northern England’s Great Outdoors and unparalleled in beauty. Join us on our small group walking tour for a perfect combination of vigorous hiking in breath-taking scenery and gentle walking in harmonious landscapes.
Gather a wealth of historic, literary, and creative memories to take home – Haworth, Grassington, Bolton Abbey, the Parklands of the Duke of Marlborough, Langdale Pikes, Beatrix Potter, Lake Windermere. We will admire the purple heather blooming on the moors, wild garlic along riverside footpaths, fields of sheep and stone-built villages. Friendly barmen at the local pubs will chat to you as you sip a pint of beer and then later serve you a hearty, delicious meal. Don’t miss these two beautiful National Parks of rural England from coast to coast.
MORE ABOUT
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The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks of England are wild and beautiful and areas of outstanding beauty. The combined work of nature and human activity in this region has produced a stunning contrast of textured patchwork-quilt farming countryside and rugged hilly landscapes reflected in the depths of glacial lakes like Windermere. This is the dramatic backdrop to Northern England which has attracted artists for centuries and been a magnet for creative folk from coast to coast.
As you travel in this area you begin to realise how steeped in history it is. We are walking across moorlands and on limestone hills in the footsteps of kings, merchants and monks. We can explore mills, abbeys, gardens and ancient stone villages. The area is populated with vibrant farming communities and there is a friendly atmosphere. The beauty which is all around has long captivated and inspired writers, painters, poets and outdoor people – walkers!
Breathe-in the purple hue of the wild heather on Emily Bronte’s moorlands, the “Wuthering Heights”; imagine a Benedictine monk in the gothic cloisters of Fountains Abbey; hear the words of Wordsworths poems ringing in your ears as you walk along. And at the end of the day, enjoy a cheery conversation with a local farmer over a pint of beer in the local pub; the locals are often as rugged as their hills, but they are kind and forthright, greeting you with openness and a good sense of humor. Caroline will tell you her childhood farming memories and, if asked, will happily recite poems and tell you about Mrs Tiggywinkle and Thomas the Tank Engine.
NOTE: Tours in England are charged in local currency (GBP £). All conversions are approximate.
Highlights
- Historic sites — Fountains Abbey, Ripon Cathedral and Bolton Abbey
- Dramatic peaks and heather-clad moors and Cobblestone paved Yorkshire villages
- Views over the glimmering shores of Derwent Water from Cat Bells
- The Lake District National Park & The Yorkshire Dales National Park
- Seek William Wordsworth’s inspiration for “I wandered lonely as a cloud”
- Relax in warm and welcoming Lakeland country inns
- Watch a short video
Duration - 7 nights, 8 days
From £ 3,595 p.p. - sharing room
Single occupancy - £ 4,645 p.p.
Group size - max 10
Age range: from 25 to healthy 80 :-)
Tour Dates
15 - 22 July 2024 - Book now! 5 left
Places You'll See
MORE ABOUT THIS TOUR - Activity level: Challenging
Lake District & Yorkshire Dales
Itinerary
INFO: - Pick up - York train station; Drop off - Windermere or Oxenholme train station
Travel Tips
We recommend that you start your journey in London.
Take the train from London King’s Cross station to York.
Before the trip starts, spend a few nights in York.
At the end of the tour catch a direct train from Windermere or Oxenholme station to Manchester or London.
Day 1 - York - Fountains Abbey - Ripon
We meet after lunch at 13.00 at York train station.
We recommend you arrive in York a day or so earlier to see all the sights!
We visit the spectacular ruins of 12th Century Fountains Abbey & the Studley Royal estate.
A wonderful walk through the abbey and its grounds leads us to the glorious Georgian water gardens with elegant ornamental lakes, cascades and temples. Continuing through the deer park we follow a succession of medieval bridges and fords over the river Skell and reach the bustling market town of Ripon.
Walk: 2.5hrs/6miles/10km
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Grassington to Bolton Abbey
After a hearty breakfast, we walk directly from our charming inn in the typical dales village of Grassington. We follow the course of the charming river Wharfe as it winds through pastures and into woodland where suddenly the river narrows and tumbles down in narrow cascades.
As the land gradually flattens out, the river widens and flows silently towards a grassy riverbank, cleared by medieval monks to found Bolton abbey. Now in ruins, it makes a beautiful backdrop for a late picnic lunch and a spot of messing about by the river.
Walk: 4hrs/9miles/14km
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3 - Haworth, a walk in 'Bronte' Country
Haworth is a quaint town perched on a hill with views of the Yorkshire moors and home to the famous Bronte Sisters. At the top of the steep, cobbled streets stands the old Vicarage, home of Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne Bronte and the parish church where their father was vicar. From here we can stride out on a fantastic walk across the moors which inspired Emily Bronte to write Wuthering Heights.
Walk: 4.5hrs/9miles/14km
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 4 - Ingleborough / Malham Cove
Sometimes: We climb Ingleborough hill (2372ft), one of ‘The Three Peaks’ of the Yorkshire Dales, where once stood an Iron Age fort. Enjoy extensive views of the Lake District to the west; pass ‘Gaping Gill’ a large limestone sink-hole and pot-holing attraction with an underground cave (big enough to hold St Paul’s Cathedral). Now descend gradually into the typical Dales village of Clapham to enjoy a refreshing pint or tea and scones.
Walk: 5hrs/8miles/12.5km; (up and down elev. +/-450m/1300ft)
and
Sometimes: We walk at beautiful Malham Cove: 4hrs/6miles/10km; (down elev. --22m/600ft)
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5 - Windermere, Beatrix Potter & the Lake District
Today we drive into an idyllic part of England to ramble through a beautiful mountainous landscape and admire breath-taking views of famous lakes.
With such inspirational scenery, it is little wonder that the Lake District has so many literary connections. We relive the charming tales of Peter Rabbit & Jemima Puddleduck with a visit to Hilltop farmhouse, the home of legendary children’s author Beatrix Potter and a huge inspiration for her stories.
From here we begin one of her favourite walks, onto Claife Heights located between Lake Windermere and Esthwaite Water. We end the day in Hawkshead, home to William Wordsworth whose dancing golden daffodils have become forever synonymous with the beauty of this area.
Walk: 3hrs/6miles/10km (elev. +/-300m/900ft)
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6 - Lake Derwentwater and Cat Bells
We drive into the Lake District National Park famous for its majestic mountains and blue lakes. Start with a gentle stroll around the peaceful depths of Derwentwater, climb up a short steep path onto ‘Cat Bells’ and then stride along its ridge for spectacular views of the mountains to the north-west.
We descend to Grange village for refreshments and make our way back to Hawkshead.
Walk: 4.5 hrs/9miles/14km; (elev. +/-500m/1500ft)
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7 - A walk in the Langdales
From Grasmere we walk to picturesque Easedale Tarn and ascend to the top of the Langdale Pikes, carpeted with heather and fern. From this central point, the views of the surrounding peaks are magnificent.
We descend in time for a refreshing pint at a local pub where all walkers enjoy the end of the day.
Walk: 5hrs/10miles/16km; (elev. +/-350m/1100ft)
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8 - Departure Day
Departure from our hotel at 09.00 to drop off at Windermere or Oxenholme train station.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Wharfedale - 3 nights
Malham - 1 night
Grasmere - 3 nights
What's included ?
" Items that are included in the tour price "
- 2 experienced tour leaders
- All meals as per itinerary
- Wine, water & coffee with meals
- Accommodation & tourist taxes
- Walking sticks (1 each on loan)
- Gratuities for hotel service and waiters
- Minibus transport from start to finish
- Local specialist guiding fees
- Entrance fees as listed on itinerary
What's not included ?
" Items that are not included in the tour price "
- Flights
- Transfer to the meeting point
- Travel insurance
- Visa and entry clearing fees
- Gratuities for your tour leaders
- Minibar & bar consumption
- Postage stamps :-)
Book your tour now
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Step 2: Receive a payment link.
Step 3: Sign up using the link.
Pay a deposit of 25% or a commitment fee of
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Lake District & Yorkshire Dales
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