Travel the length of the famous Settle to Carlisle Line and immerse yourself in the outstanding scenery of the English Lake District
Day 1 We travel to Cumbria, arriving in Kendal late afternoon.
Day 2 A free day in Kendal, or join your driver on a journey into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, through the beautiful countryside of the Dales via Garsdale to the market town of Hawes. From here it is south with views of the Ribblehead Viaduct and back to our hotel.
Day 3 A wonderfully scenic trip through the Lakes, passing Windermere, Grasmere & Thirlmere on the way to Keswick. After free time here, we continue to Pooley Bridge at the top of Ullswater for a one-hour cruise with Ullswater Steamers down to Glenridding. We return to Kendal over the famous Kirkstone Pass.
Day 4 By coach we travel to Settle to join the famous line which will carry us all the way to Carlisle. Agreed to be one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the country, the line tracks the sparkling River Ribble, through the narrow, wooded valley and up onto the wide, high moors. We travel across the famous 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct, over Dent Head Viaduct, along Garsdale, over the Moorcock Viaduct, and through Appleby before reaching Carlisle. We return to Kendal by coach.
Day 5 We take a cruise on England’s largest lake – Windermere, from Bowness to Lakeside, before visiting Holker Hall, a magnificent Victorian mansion steeped in history and surrounded by glorious gardens. We have a short stop in Grange-over-Sands before returning to our hotel.
Day 6 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we make our way south to get home.
On the banks of the River Kent in the centre of Kendal, our three-star hotel was once an 18th-century tannery and has excellent views from the first-floor restaurant and many of the bedrooms. Leisure includes indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room. Bedrooms have TV, telephone, WiFi, ironing facilities, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has a lift, but there are some steps throughout.
