Take in the fresh air, beautiful views, and quintessential architecture of the Lake District.
Ullswater - The second largest lake in the English Lake District is famous for its sublime, tranquil beauty.
Aira Force Waterfall - A lovely stone bridge crosses the fabulously flowing waterfalls.
Castlerigg Stone Circle - It’s like a miniature Stonehenge. Although you can decide whether it’s more beautiful.
Lake Windermere - You can choose to wander the shores or put on your sailing hat and go for a cruise.
Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage - Visit the largely unchanged cottage where England’s premier poet composed his perfect poems.
Derwent Water - This gorgeous location was used in Star Wars - The Force Awakens. But the lasers and spaceships seem a million miles away from this peaceful area.
The Lake District is a poet’s paradise.
Every view looks like a painted masterpiece. Each little cottage appears to contain a thousand folk tales. And all the rugged mountains seem to have risen from the earth just to please you at sunset.
On this trip, you take the train from Manchester and head straight to the lovely Lake District.
You learn about the poetry of Wordsworth at his Dove Cottage, admire the serene views over Lake Windermere and Derwent Water, and wander through market towns collecting stories and photos as you go.
Join this tour and get inspired by the poetry of one of England’s most beautiful regions.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old).
You collect your train ticket at the station and travel from Manchester to Penrith.
After arriving in Penrith and meeting your Rabbie’s Guide, we enter the Lake District National Park and travel along the northern shores of Ullswater. This lake is often described as England’s most beautiful lake, and it’s here we give you the chance to take a forest walk and see the mighty Aira Force waterfall.
You then travel towards Keswick, stopping outside the town to visit the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones, thought to have been built over 5,000 years ago and once a lively hub of ancient pagan rituals.
You have a short journey into the lively market town of Keswick where you’re dropped off at your accommodation and free to explore the charming town.
(**During July/early August this tour stays in Windermere).
After breakfast, you take in views of Ullswater Lake as we head along country roads to its southern shores.
You continue further south and travel over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass towards the lovely Lake Windermere. Here you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the Lake or eat lunch while enjoying sublime views of the surrounding scenery.
After lunch you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards Coniston Water. Your next stop is the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School.
After exploring the cosy village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”.
There’s free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy. In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick.
We pick you up from your accommodation and head for the Whinlatter Forest Park and over the Whinlatter Pass into the most dramatic landscapes that the Lake District has to offer.
You journey along winding lanes, past the shores of Crummock Water and Buttermere, and towards the Honister Mountain Pass.
Stopping amongst the mountains you have the opportunity to visit old slate workings, where a small number of Cumbrians continue to make their living.
After refreshments, you continue through the forests of Borrowdale, passing Derwent Water, where there’s free time for lunch and shopping.
Once you’ve eaten lunch, you begin your return journey, heading towards Penrith where you join your comfortable train for your journey back to Manchester or Manchester Airport.
Recently back from a 3-day tour to Lake District from Manchester by Rabbies. The pristine beauty of the Lakes , the Mountains ,the Mist and Meadows has left me spellbound. Our tour guide Dominic had exceptional driving skills and was also very knowledgeable. He shared a lot of info on the geological and historical aspects of the Lake District, along with fantastic stories of associations of Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and Coleridge with this region. He even made a short stop to take pictures of the cows and sheep in the grasslands which I found was a cute gesture. The connectivity by train was very nicely arranged . This is my 4th tour with Rabbies and have always found them very satisfactory in all aspects. I definitely recommend this tour in particular because of the panoramic beauty of the place and the famous associations it has.
You stay in the lively market town of Keswick. (During July/early August this tour may stay in Windermere).
Your tour excludes accommodation; but when you book, you can ask us to reserve local accommodation for you, or you can choose to reserve your own accommodation in the overnight locations.
Once you've booked your tour, we'll reserve all your accommodation, and your driver will drop you off with your hosts. You’ll pay your accommodation directly. Most don’t accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash.
Changes to accommodation cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability. An amendment charge will apply.
You’ll need to contact us with your accommodation details. Please only reserve accommodation within the overnight towns that your tour stops in. Your driver will drop you off at your chosen accommodation as long as it’s relatively central.
If you cancel less than three days before departure, you may be liable for the cost of your first nights’ accommodation. And occasionally you may be liable for all your accommodation costs.
We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre. We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard. The prices below are for guidance only.
B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard
The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast. The cost is £35 - £40 per person per night. A single standard room is £40 - £60 per night.
B&B En suite
The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £45 - £55 per person per night. A single en suite is £60 - £80 per night.
Hotels
Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals. Breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £70 - £85 per person per night. A single is £85 - £130 per night.
Hostels
A hostel consists of dormitory rooms with 4 to 16 bunk beds. The bathroom facilities are a short distance from the dorm room. Kitchen facilities are equipped so you can make your own meals. The cost based on dorm beds is £19 - £25 per person per night.
If you have any more questions, you can read our FAQs, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, or email rooms@rabbies.com.
Your tour departs from either Manchester Airport Railway Station or Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station. From either of these stations, you take the train to Penrith Railway Station where your guide and mini-coach will be waiting for you. On the last day of your tour, your driver-guide takes you back to Penrith, where you catch the train back to the station you departed from.
Depending on where your Manchester accommodation is located, there are several ways to get to the stations. You can easily access the station using the tram network, local buses, or a taxi.
If you’re travelling from Manchester Airport Railway Station, your train departs at 10.59. If you’re travelling from Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station, your train departs at 11.22. We recommend you arrive at the station at least 40 minutes before your departure in case there are delays on your journey. Leaving plenty of time also gives you a chance to collect your tickets and purchase refreshments. Your ticket is only valid on the 10.59 (Airport) or the 11.22 (Piccadilly) departure. If you miss this train, you’re responsible for purchasing new tickets for the next departure
At the train station, insert any credit or debit card into one of the self-service ticket machines and enter the Ticket Collection Reference Number in the email we send you. If you have problems with this, please go to a manned ticket window with your booking confirmation. Allow 20 minutes for ticket collection and ensure you collect all the tickets for your journey. Once you’ve collected your train ticket, it’s non-amendable and non-refundable unless the service is cancelled or delayed.
In most cases, you have pre-assigned and reserved seats. The details are provided on your tickets. If you booked your ticket within one week of departure, you may not have a seating reservation. But don’t worry, there are usually plenty of unreserved seats available.
Each train has a café on board which provides a selection of food and drinks. If you require anything in particular, we recommend you pick up what you need from one of shops at Euston Station.
The platform changes every day. Please keep an eye on the departure boards in the main terminal. From Manchester Airport Railway Station, your train is the 10.59 service for Glasgow Central. From Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station, your train is the 11.22 service for Glasgow Central. The platform will be announced about 15 – 20mins before departure. The departure gates close five minutes before the train leaves, so please make your way to the train once you’ve seen which platform the train is departing from.
If your train is delayed by more than 15 minutes or cancelled, please seek advice on the status of your journey from a railway staff member. Once informed, please contact us and we’ll help arrange public transport alternatives. Depending on the circumstances and transport options, your itinerary may be rearranged to bring you to an alternative meeting point. If this happens, we’ll provide compensation for any missed portion of your tour.
The train takes just under two hours.
Your Rabbie’s Guide will meet you at Penrith Station with the other guests who started the tour in Edinburgh or London. Penrith Station is small, and you’ll easily find them. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the guide may not be at the bus stop to meet you. Don’t worry, they’ll be there as soon as possible. If you have problems finding your bus, just give us a call on +44(0)131 226 3133.
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
We advise you take out travel insurance. You can click here for excellent rates.
Reisen Sie persönlicher und authentischer in kleinen Gruppen von maximal 16 Personen.
Wir versprechen 100%ige Zufriedenheit oder Ihr Geld zurück.
Garantierte Abfahrten: Sie buchen, also reisen Sie auch
Unsere umweltfreundlichen Touren unterstützen die örtlichen Gemeinschaften