THE LAKE DISTRICT: LAKES AND WATERFALLS WALKING HOLIDAY

MARCH 20-23rd 2025

(3 nights, 4 walking days).

Grade 2: Easy to Moderate (see below*)

Highlights:

Relax, refresh and recharge on a perfect spring break at a time when lambs are in the fields and the first rhododendrons are in flower.
Walk around Grasmere Lake and Rydal Water taking in the views that inspired the Lakes poets Wordsworth, Coleridge and others.
Enjoy a walk and picnic lunch at the beautiful Loughrigg Tarn and a visit to the impressive waterfalls at Skelwith in Lower Langdale.
Explore the string of Rydal Beck waterfalls that tumble down from The Fairfield Horse Shoe.
Relax in Rydal Hall grounds with cascading waterfalls and a 1909 Thomas Mawson garden.
Enjoy easy, on-foot access to our walks - no need to use the car.

What's Included: 3 nights single occupancy full board (3 x dinner, bed, breakfast and packed lunch), and the services of our walk leader for this holiday. Also included is the cost of any taxi / minibus transfers to the start or end of our day's walk.

Cost: including freshly cooked meals using local produce and single, en-suite accommodation:

3 nights / 4 days £625.

*Our walking breaks are graded from 1(Easy) to 5 (Challenging). This is a Grade 2, 'Easy to Moderate’ walking holiday, designed for those who would like to walk for 5-6 hours in a day, and 3-4 hours on a half-day. Routes usually involve only gentle ascent and descent, and all walking is on good paths with no technical difficulties. Our aim is always to take our walks at a steady pace, stopping for breaks and to admire the views.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: If you can, join us on the arrival day by 1.30 pm for a half day local walk to meet your fellow walkers and get to know the surroundings close by. Our route takes us through the daffodil-covered Dora's field, down to the shore of Rydal Water for a stunning view across the water towards Silver Howe and Grasmere. A short ascent takes us to Rydal Caves, impressive walk-in caverns perched on the side of Loughrigg, from where we descend to the beach at the southern end of Grasmere lake. We return along the ancient way known as the 'Coffin Trail', along which coffins were once carried from nearby villages to sacred ground. (3 hours of walking)
For those who are unable to arrive by 1.30 pm, join us for dinner at 6.30 pm, after which we will talk through our planned programme.

DAY 2: A short transfer takes us from our hotel into Lower Langdale, one of the most picturesque lowland valleys in Cumbria and location of some of the most attractive waterfalls. Relax over a coffee at the Three Shires pub before we head into the wooded area near Colwith and take the Cumbria Way back to our start point. For those who wish, there is an opportunity to visit the famous 'Chesters' for tea and cake before returning to our hotel. (5-6 hours)

DAY 3: We depart from out hotel and take local tracks into Grasmere village, taking a break for those who want to visit the Wordsworth Graves or stock up on the famous Grasmere gingerbread. An rising path leads us up to Easedale Tarn, an atmospheric mountain lake surrounded by dramatic cliffs but offering a delightful lunch spot at the water's edge. (5-6 hours)

DAY 4: We explore the tracks close to Rydal to finish our week with a more relaxed day. We aim to enjoy a picnic lunch at the serene Loughrigg Tarn before descending to Rydal Hall again via a spectacular string of pools and cascades over a mile long. We aim to finish our programme by 2 pm. (4 hours)

Please note that the above itinerary is subject to weather conditions being favourable. Our aim, above all, is to make the right choice each day so that we enjoy the most appropriate route for the conditions.

ACCOMMODATION

Our base is the very comfortable Rydal Hall, set in its own stunning formal gardens with waterfalls, pools, an arboretum, tea shop and bar. See full details here: Rydal Hall

How to get there: Rydal Hall is situated 2 miles north of Ambleside in Cumbria.

Postcode LA22 9LX.

Drive, or take the train to Windermere and complete the journey (6 miles) by taxi or bus from the railway station.