Sample Itinerary (2 Weeks) Self Drive
Day 1
Land London Heathrow
Pick up car head for Windsor
Day 2
Windsor to Bath
Day 3
Bath
Day 4
Bath to Cotswolds
Day 5
Cotswolds
Day 6
Cotswolds to Much Wenlock
Day 7
Much Wenlock to Liverpool / Chester
Day 8
Liverpool to Keswick
Head for the M6 and carry on north
A side trip at Lancaster for the castle www.lancastercastle.com and priory www.priory.lancaster.ac.uk is worth it for the real history buff and the Ashton Memorial www.williamsonpark.com is a good spot to stretch the legs.
At the south lakes junction head for Windermere, just to the north of Kendal take the B5284 for Bowness and the Hawkshead ferry. This is a more picturesque route and avoids the crowds of Windermere and Bowness.
Once off the ferry follow the road to Near Sawrey and Hilltop (Beatrix Potters House) The National Trust operate a timed entry to this house so if you have a bit of a wait it maybe better to book in for a later time and go visit Hawkshead just up the road for an hour first.
Hawkshead is a really pretty little town and Wordsworth Grammar School is well worth a visit www.hawksheadgrammar.org.uk
After Hilltop and Hawkshead head for Tarn Hows for some spectacular views and another opportunity to stretch the legs, a circuit around the Tarn takes about 45 minutes.
Once back in the car carry on along the road towards Coniston where you can take a trip on the steam gondola to hear all about Donald Campbell’s world water speed attempts and the diverse history of the town and lake.
Depart Coniston on the A593 towards Ambleside, once in Ambleside head North up the A591 towards Keswick. This road has been voted the most scenic drive in England and takes you to the NorthLakes over Dunmail raise scene of the last King of Cumbria’s defeat by the Saxon King Edmund, a large cairn of stone in the middle of the road marks where he may have met his end.
Keswick is a beautiful market town and has a large market on Saturday’s; it also boasts a large variety of outdoor shops and makes an ideal base to explore the NorthLakes.
Accommodation
Good Bed and Breakfasts are
www.edwardenehotel.co.uk recently refurbished with a double en suite with shower at £36.00 per person per night
www.hazeldene-hotel.co.uk good views from south facing rooms with a double at £37.50 pppn for minimum 2 night stay
www.elmtreelodge-keswick.co.uk clean and friendly atmosphere with a double at £32.50 pppn
Splash Out
www.derwentlodgehotel.co.uk Situated a mile outside Keswick in the village of Portinscale this is a fantastic hideaway with great food superb views and really friendly staff well worth the extra for a treat.
2/3 nights £48.00 pppn
There are over 73 different Guest Houses in the Keswick area visit www.golakes.co.uk for full listings
Evenings
Keswick has a plethora of pubs and restaurants with Morrells being the best of the bunch. The Dog and Gun is your classic Lake District pub and a firm favourite with real ale conesures it’s also the only place that stocks the local brew.
Day 9
Keswick – Keswick
Day 10
Keswick – York
Day 11
York - London
Day 12
London
Day 13
London
Day 14
London / Depart
