Unique Tours: Lake District

Luxury Lakes Retreat

Relax and enjoy one of England’s most beautiful destinations: our Luxury Lakes Retreat will take you to the Lake District’s most exclusive hotels and restaurants so that you can enjoy the stunning scenery in comfort and style.

Tour highlights can include:

Several of the district’s famous lakes
Luxury four and five-star accommodation in stunning locations
Dining in Michelin Starred restaurants
Exploring the landscape, history and heritage of the Lake District
Romantic journeys by boat and steam train

What's included...

Day 1 - Windermere

We start our journey through the Lake District on the shores of England’s largest natural lake, Windermere. On our first morning we’ll take a step back in time and relax as we ride through idyllic countryside in a traditional steam train. After leaving the train we continue on to the Southern edge of the Lake District to a picturesque village called Cartmel. Here we’ll enjoy lunch at Simon Rogan’s flagship restaurant. L’Enclume makes the best use of the Cartmel countryside as well as vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers from their own 12-acre farm and is regularly rated among England’s best restaurants. We will travel back to Windermere and take a gentle stroll by the lake before retiring to our hotel for the evening. Holbeck Gyll is a stunning country house hotel with a breath-taking view across Windermere whose restaurant is recognised as one of the best in the North.

Day 2 - Derwentwater

You could not wish for a more tranquil getaway than the Borrowdale Hotel: this four-star establishment is set in a peaceful valley near the shores of Derwentwater and surrounded by stunningly beautiful fell views. After spending the day exploring the lakeside walks and venturing further afield to the astonishing stone circle at Castlerigg, Borrowdale Gates is the perfect place to unwind by an open log fire with award-winning Lakeland cuisine.

Day 3 - Bassenthwaite

The Lakes Distillery is the largest distillery in England and produces a malt whisky of outstanding quality and one of the finest gins and vodkas available in the UK. The distillery is located next to Bassenthwaite Lake in a converted 1850s Victorian model farm. On a tour of the distillery you will take you on a journey of distilling heritage that spans over 200 years and culminates in a tasting session for each of the spirits created in this unique place. Set in the secluded splendour of 400 acres of deer park and woodland, bordered by the beauty of Bassenthwaite Lake and framed by the dramatic Skiddaw mountain and lake district fells, is Armathwaite Hall. This luxurious country house hotel will be our home for the evening.

Day 4 - Ullswater

Ullswater is without a doubt one of the most beautiful of all the lakes and is the location that inspired William Wordsworth’s famous “Daffodils” poem. Today we will head onto the water as we take a peaceful cruise around Ullswater Lake on a classic steamer: we are free to hop off at any of the piers to further explore the attractions that surround Ullswater such as Pooley Bridge village or Aira Force waterfall. Once we have uncovered all of Ullswater’s charms we will head to Glenridding House, this luxury hotel in a classic Regency villa was built circa 1815 and commands incredible views of the lake.

Day 5 - Windermere Again

On the final day of our Lake District retreat we return to Windermere and explore the Lake District’s literary connections. First stop is the pretty village of Hawkshead where Wordsworth was educated and where we will visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery, which is located in a 17th century building which was the former office of Beatrix Potter’s lawyer husband, William Heelis. The gallery exhibits original drawings by the famous children’s author, creator of Peter Rabbit and many other beloved animal characters. Next we head to Rydal House and Garden, Wordsworth's best loved family home for the greater part of his life from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80. It is here, in the heart of the Lake district, with glorious views over Windermere, that the celebrated Romantic poet wrote many of his poems and revised much of his earlier work. Today visitors can see Wordsworth’s attic office where he worked as Poet Laureate and enjoy the spectacular gardens designed by the poet himself. Our final night’s dinner and rest will be at The Samling, an exquisite four-star hotel which is set in 67 acres of private land overlooking Lake Windermere and offer Michelin Star dining.