Why choose this Windermere tour ?
Best half-day tour for scenery. Your afternoon will be spent touring around some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of the Lake District. This is a stress free, easy way to see a lot of the Lake District in an afternoon without feeling rushed. You have time to soak up the views and even paddle in a lake if you are brave enough. It is a great way for getting an overview of the Lake District, its culture, history and of course, its amazing scenery.
You will get plenty of variety, see magnificent scenery, eat gingerbread and get all the facts, figures and fascinating stories from our friendly, knowledgeable guides and drivers who know the area well.
Travelling in a comfortable mini-van with air con, Wi-Fi & phone charging ports as one of only 6/7 passengers you will find it is easy to ask questions and join in the conversation (if you want to). There are lots of stops for photos and fresh air. It is a great afternoon out and we can’t wait to share it with to you.
Make the most of your Windermere adventure
What makes 8 Lakes and Magnificent Scenery – Afternoon Half Day Tour a unique experience ?
Here, as you twist and climb upwards, you will be on the highest road in the Lake District, as well as one of the most spectacular. On the way, you will drive through some magnificent mountain scenery stopping at the top near the old Kirkstone Pass Inn to admire the panoramic views. Its breezy up here but worth getting out in the fresh air just to be looking down the long valley where Windermere Lake sparkles in the distance and on a clear day, you may see out as far as the sea at Morecambe Bay. Look to the left and the right to catch sight of the native Herdwick sheep roaming among the impressive dry-stone walls and watch dedicated walkers looking like tiny colourful dots weaving about on ancient pack horse trails high up on the surrounding fell sides. On the way down the other side of the pass, you will be able to stop for another opportunity to take fabulous photos down the wide valley with the road winding away towards Brothers Water.
At almost eight miles, this is the second longest of the lakes, with a dramatic serpentine shape overlooked by soaring fells, none higher than the challenging reaches of Helvellyn. The leafy shores are stippled with woods of oak, birch and hazel – one of the best examples of pre-plantation Lakeland scenery. As you will see, this is a special place to be.
William Wordsworth declared Ullswater “the happiest combination of beauty and grandeur, which any of the Lakes affords” and who are we to argue with that?
Set on a hill with a wonderous panorama of magnificent mountains all around are 48 stones, set here over 5000 years ago. This is Castlerigg stone circle, the ancient haunt of Druids, so the romantic Victorians thought. Today its real purpose is still shrouded in mystery but you will see few stone circles in Britain in such a dramatic setting as that of Castlerigg. A short walk and you are in the circle itself where you can soak up the atmosphere and wonder at the breathtaking views.
Taking a well-hidden single-track road, you will climb steeply for half a mile up to an old dry-stone packhorse bridge. One of the most photographed locations in the Lake District, Ashness Bridge with its fast flowing, tumbling stream looks out across Derwentwater to the towering peaks of Skiddaw rising above the town of Keswick is a “must do” photo stop.
You won’t get many views better than this. Perched high on an oak-lined cliff edge you will enjoy one of the best views in the Lake District. Surprise View is an absolute gem and offers stunning panoramic views across Derwent Water to the Skiddaw mountain range, Borrowdale Valley, the town of Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake, the Solway and even the distant shores of Scotland (on a good day). The photo opportunities are fabulous!
Cradled snugly in the Vale of Grasmere lies the lake of the same name, ringed almost completely by shapely fells and forever associated with the poet William Wordsworth. As we look out over the water, you will discover that it was here William, his sister Dorothy and brother John would spent lazy days swimming and fishing for pike. They would row out to the island for summer picknicks and walk its shores soaking up the sounds and sights, lying in the grass listening to the wind in the trees and marvelling at the echoes of a bird calling, its voice carrying on the wind. Today, you will still see people wild swimming and colourful row boats bobbing along. Things haven’t changed too much around here.
You will get great views from the road of this reedy little lake, one of the prettiest on a summer’s morning and even on a frosty winter’s day. Tinged in shades of gold and orange on a misty day in the fall, this is a lake to take your breath away. Smaller than its neighbour at just ¾ mile long, ¼ mile wide and 50ft deep, it was a great favourite of the Wordsworth family and for this reason it is usually mentioned in the same breath as Grasmere. Driving along the shore, you will need to pay attention as we pass the rocky knoll with its steps leading up to Wordsworth’s seat, reputedly his favourite place to sit and gaze upon the water, overlooking this often glass-like lake and its shores.
Rydal water was originally called “Rothaymere” meaning “the lake in the valley where the rye is grown” and it has a flourishing population of wildfowl. Gulls roost along the shoreline and if you are really lucky, you may spot red squirrels in the larches or the native Herdwick sheep in the pastures.
You won’t believe the story of the family who lived in this teeny-weeny little cottage. It has a long and varied history as you will hear when we slow down for a quick photo and pass the famous Bridge House in the heart of Ambleside. One of the most photographed buildings in the Lakes, it is a delightfully quirky, 300-year-old little house that straddles the clattering brook of Stock Ghyll.
You won’t be able to miss this one, England’s largest and most visited lake, it rarely fails to impress. Named after a Norse hero, Windermere is the most famous of them all and has had an almost magnetic pull for nearly all visitors to the area for the past 300 years or so. From its rocky inlets, secluded bays, grassy banks and wooded heights, to the northern skyline, indented with volcanic peaks, the southern shore heavily wooded with broadleaf trees, Windermere is what most people imagine the Lake District to look like. Keep listening to your guide and you will hear how it was created, what the Romans did here, the arctic fish who made the lake its home, things about boats and why the local “boggle” stopped the ferry running at night time.
One of the pick-up locations for this tour – we meet outside the entrance to the railway station.
Windermere village is predominantly the product of the Victorian railway’s arrival in the Lake District. With many of the original villas and guest houses still standing, this village remains the transport hub of the central Lakes. Just as in Victorian and Edwardian times, day-trippers and holidaymakers pour in to Windermere off the train whose line terminates here. There is no shortage of accommodation or places to eat. If you are joining the tour here, you will soon discover why the village changed its name, why William Wordsworth got all steamed up about the railway and why the lake of the same name is a mile or so down the hill.
One of our pick-up points for this tour -we meet outside Pier 1 beside the lake shore.
Bowness is a busy, bustling type of place with large and small hotels, bed and breakfast establishments and lots of cafes, bars and restaurants. The settlement is much older than nearby Windermere with the narrow streets clustered behind the parish church dating back over 300 years. If you are staying here, you will find that the history of the village is condensed in to this small part of the village, the cottages here were lived in by boatmen and fishermen, ancestors of George Washington had their coat of arms included in the window of the church and Charles Dickens stayed at the famous “Hole in t’Wall” inn.
A short stroll along the promenade will bring you to the boating area of the village. There are big boats to sail up and down the lake, small boats to hire and explore the islands and inlets and even tiny rowing boats to bob about in on the lake.
Ringed by fells, Ambleside has been described as “the hub of the wheel of beauty”, as it sits at the heart of the southern lakes with roads radiating out into the central valleys. As you pass through the centre of the little town, you will see the legacy of the Victorian tourist boom in the splendid slate buildings built by local craftsmen and the tiny Bridge House built over the clattering Stock Ghyll stream. You will hear about the Roman fort, Galava, built on the shores of Windermere Lake and discover why, inside the spired parish church, there is a mural celebrating the oldest custom in the town, Rushbearing. This is a bustling and busy little town so you will get a sense of what it is like living here, the way nature, the landscape and the weather still have an impact on our 21st century lives and how its more famous residents brought the first tourists flocking here over 100 years ago.
Near one of our pickups
Near one of our pickups
Near one of our pickups
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather
- As there is a little walking involved on the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes
- No Children under the age of 7
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- All passengers, including children of any age, must have a seat purchased for them
- We will collect you from the departure point linked to your chosen option. Please do not change to a different departure point without informing us in advance as we don’t automatically go to every departure point. If we don’t know you have changed your departure point we may not pick you up for the tour!
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
8 Lakes and Magnificent Scenery – Afternoon Half Day Tour Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Relaxed and friendly small-group tour of no more than 7 guests
- Comfortable minivans with air-conditioning, WiFi and charging points for most mobile devices
- Regular photo / comfort stops
- Professional Guides share their expertise of all the fascinating facts and stories in English
- Departure and return to convenient, centrally located meeting points
- All entrance fees for locations on the itinerary are included
Not Included
- Food & drink
Trending Windermere Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out
Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by English Lakes Tours.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/London.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 176 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 7 Travelers is accepted for booking.
We will collect you from the departure point linked to your chosen option. Please do not change to a different departure point without informing us in advance as we don’t automatically go to every departure point. If we don’t know you have changed your departure point we may not pick you up for the tour!
Please ensure that you are at your chosen departure point at least 10 minutes before your pickup time. The minibus will be unable to wait for you if you are not there and you will miss your tour.
Due to local traffic conditions the bus may arrive later than expected. Please wait 10 minutes after the quoted departure time before calling.
The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather.
As there may be a small amount of walking involved in the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes.
No food or drink is included in the tour price.
