The English Lake District, the Borders and Hadrian's Wall

Day 1 Travel south into the Scottish Borders stopping at the world famous Scott’s View for stunning views over the Borders, the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills that separate Scotland and England. You then travel along what remains of Hadrian’s Wall, built as the frontier of the Roman empire, with stops along the way. In the afternoon you will reach the charming town of Keswick, your base for 2 nights.

Day 2 gives you the opportunity to explore some of the highlights of the Lake District, including visits to Castlerigg standing stones and Ullswater, described as England’s most beautiful lake, where you can take a forest walk to see the mighty Aira Force waterfall. You will have options to take lunch and a boat cruise on Lake Windemere and the afternoon will be spent exploring Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter country around Coniston water, Hawkeshead and the charming village of Grasmere.

Day 3 gives you time in the dramatic Whinlatter Forest Park, the rural village of High Lorton, Crummock Water, Buttermere and the Honister mountain pass, famous for its old slate mines. Your tour continues through the forest of Borrowdale, along Derwent Water and back to Keswick for lunch and some free time, before returning to Edinburgh in the afternoon via the spa town of Moffat, the Galloway Hills and the Southern Uplands.

Departure Point 
207 High St, Edinburgh. Click here to see map.

Return to Waverley Bridge opposite Waverley Train Station

Inclusions: 
Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience with a maximum of 16 passengers on tour. 
We believe a small group tour with a maximum of 16 passengers really does make a big difference to your trip. It allows us to give you a more personal service and remain the only 5 Star operator to offer this personal guarantee. Touring with a maximum of 16 passengers you get more for your money, more personal attention, more time with the locals, more time off the bus, more time on the back-roads and just more of an authentic, friendly experience. The smaller groups allow you to meet people from all over the world and make friends for life. 
Air Conditioning as standard. 
Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide 
All ferry and bridge crossings. 
Rabbie's Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions.

Exclusions: 
Meals and refreshments.
Entrances to all Visitor Attractions.

Accommodation 
Your tour does not include accommodation in the price. By giving you a choice of accommodation it allows you to choose your budget, stay in smaller places and get closer to the local people. This also means you help to sustain the communities you visit in the long term. Choose a hotel, B&B or a hostel and we will book it for you.
For more information on accommodation and prices click here

*NB On occasions, when villages we stay in have events on, accommodation can be scarce and expensive so we may use other locations for your accommodation on the tour. We will always inform you of this when this is necessary.

Discount Price
Students, Seniors over 60 and Children between 5 and 16 (we regret we do not carry children under 5 years old)

Important Information 
Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour. The English Lake District and the Scottish Borders can be very wet!

Day 1 Depart Edinburgh at 09.00 and travel South into the Scottish Borders stopping at the world famous Scott’s view with stunning views over the River Tweed and the Cheviot hills that form the border between Scotland and England. You continue on to take a short walk to the William Wallace statue, the first ever statue erected to Scotland’s most feared warrior. Stopping briefly for refreshments by the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey you continue your journey towards the border crossing at Carter Bar. You follow the old Roman Road known as Dere Street into Northumberland and continue over the moors to follow the route of Hadrian’s wall, built by Emperor Hadrian to keep the Scots out of the Roman Empire. After lunch you can take the opportunity to explore some of the Roman remains and walk in the footsteps of the Roman Centurians who patrolled this desolate frontier of the Empire. You head South West and travel over Hartside Pass, at over 1900ft - on a clear day the hills and mountains of Scotland and the English Lake District are clearly visible. You follow the route of the old sheep drovers road towards the lively market town of Keswick where you will be dropped off at your accommodation and are then free to explore this charming town.

Day 2 After breakfast you head a short distance out of town to the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones. Thought by many to have been built over 5,000 years ago and the scene of ancient rituals. You then travel on to the shores of Ullswater described as England’s most beautiful lake where you can take a forest walk to see the mighty Aira Force waterfall. Continuing south over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass you stop at Lake Windermere where you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the Lake or simply eat lunch while enjoying views of the mountains and lakes. After lunch you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards Coniston Water and shortly afterwards you arrive at the picturesque conservation village of Hawkeshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School. After free time to explore the village you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. There is free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage or enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy. In the late afternoon you return to Keswick.

Day 3 You will be collected from your accommodation and you head for the Whinlatter Forest Park and over the Whinlatter pass and into some of the most dramatic landscapes that the Lake District has to offer. Your journey takes us through the rural village of High Lorton and past Crummock Water and Buttermere and on towards the Honister mountain pass. Stopping amongst the mountains you have the opportunity to visit the old slate workings where a small number of Cumbrians continue to make their living. Following refreshments you continue through the forests of Borrowdale, passing Derwent Water on your return to Keswick where there is free time for lunch and shopping. Following lunch you begin your return journey by heading north towards the border. After crossing into Scotland you make a stop in Moffat, one of Scotland’s oldest Spa towns. From here it is a leisurely drive through the Galloway Hills back to Edinburgh. Arrival Approx 18.00

On day 3 you have the option to be dropped off in the afternoon at Penrith train station if you are wanting to continue on to London or other destinations south.

Photography Credits: 
Visit Scotland.
Britainonview.
VisitBritain: Rod Edwards (Derwent Water, Keswick, Hadrian's Wall), Joe Cornish (Honister Pass).
Mike Hasted, Luke Sheppard, Ingrid Rasmussen, Pawel Libera, Tony Pleavin, Craig Easton, David Angel, Martin Brent, Bob Berry, Paul Watts, Robma (Moffat).