This fantastic Lake District tour departs from Oxenholme, Windermere, Bowness, and Ambleside every afternoon throughout the summer. It introduces the culture and history of The Lake District, which created the landscapes you see today. Learn the significant of farming on the Lake District and how it helped the National Park achieve UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017.
The tour starts in Windermere and heads towards the Langdale Valley, which is filled with heritage and farmland. On route to the Langdale valley you will drive along the famous Lake Windermere and our Driver/Guide will tell you many stories about our wonderful National Park.
Driving through the Langdale’s you will experience some spectacular views, including views of the Langdale Pikes. The Langdale Pikes are iconic and the most easily recognisable peaks in the Lake District. The Langdale’s are where you will usually find many native Herdwick Sheep, as they stroll across road and lay out in the fields, it really is a fantastic photo opportunity.
From here you travel over to Blea Tarn, which is a stunning body of water that sits between Little Langdale and the larger Greater Langdale. It is situated in the heart of the wild Lake District and we certainly think it is a hidden gem!
After stopping for a photo at Blea Tarn, you will then take a scenic route to visit Coniston by going through the Yewdale Valley. The Yewdale Valley is bounded by steep, craggy fells and it offers visitors some magnificent scenery. Nearby you can also find Yew Tree Farm, which was once owned by children's author Beatrix Potter, she purchased the farm back in 1929 and left it to the National Trust when she died. You might also recognise Yew Tree Farm from the 2006 movie, Miss Potter.
Coniston is a beautiful village which is well known for Coniston Water and Donald Campbell CBE, who broke the world water speed record of 276mph. You might also catch a glimpse of a Steam Yacht Gondala that's a rebuilt Victorian steam powered yacht that offers cruises on Coniston Water. You will have time to take in the stunning scenery at Coniston before heading to Tarn How’s. Tarn Hows is another one of the Lake District's hidden gems. It has been the inspiration for many artists and writers and once you visit, you will understand why. After admiring the views, the tour will then take you to the final stop which is a trip to Hawkshead.
Hawkshead is a charming medieval village full of narrow alleys and characterful squares. It is home to a grammar school which was established back in 1585 and where the famous English poet, William Wordsworth went to school. Overlooking the village on a hill, you can also find St Michael and All Angels Church, that has been there since 16th century. Whilst we're talking about Hawkshead we also must mention the delicious Hawkshead Relish Company, which is definitely worth a visit! Hawkshead is a village where you get a real sense of history and it is a great place to explore, which is why we include it in so many of our tours.
The Lake District afternoon tour will then come to an end by departing Hawkshead and heading back to Windermere. Before your tour ends you will have the chance to enjoy a lake cruise on England's largest lake, Windermere. Afterwards you will be dropped back to your starting location with a camera full of fantastic memories.