Beautiful scenery in the Lake District

Highlights of The Lake District

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

5 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £835 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

The Lakes

From Derwentwater in the north to Windermere in the south, there are over sixteen lakes spread across the Lake District. Take to the water on a guided boat tour or paddle across under your own steam and watch the world drift by.

Roam the hills

With classic trails and quaint paths criss-crossing the area, the Lake District is a walker’s paradise. Enjoy the great outdoors and climb England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike. After a day in the hills, relax in a local inn and listen to your fellow hikers’ stories from the day.

Literary history

The Lakes have inspired many literary greats. Explore the lives and stories of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth at their dedicated museums.

Charming villages

Exploring the many picturesque villages in the Lake District. From Grasmere to Hawkshead, the distinct slate material in the buildings and winding lanes contribute to the Lake District’s UNESCO World Heritage status.

Historic wonders

Ancient history is all around, from the 5,000-year-old stone circle at Castlerigg to the scenic Roman Fort of Hardknott.

The great outdoors

In addition to hillwalking and water-based activities, there are many other outdoor activities to enjoy. Bike hire and horseback riding are available in Keswick, or you could travel to nearby Whinlatter Forest where you can spot rare wildlife and enjoy panoramic views across Bassenthwaite Lake.

A Stunning Self-Drive Tour in the Lake District

This tour of England’s magnificent Lake District explores one of the most scenic and iconic locations in the UK.

With its many lakes to navigate and mountains to climb, this is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy an idyllic retreat in picturesque towns and villages, and learn about the fascinating literary and historical past of this beautiful area.

The Lake District is undeniably one of England’s most scenic locations. It is the largest national park in the country and the only park in the UK with World Heritage status, due to the way the area has been shaped over the centuries, by farming, mining and tourism. With lakes and hills aplenty, charming villages and historic sites to visit, there is a whole host of activities to enjoy.

This tour spends quality time exploring the Lake District in all its glory. Whether you decide to climb Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, or enjoy a rewarding day walking in the fells, you will be treated with stunning views.

Explore one of the many lakes on a boat tour, or paddle yourself and watch the world drift by. Walk through the quaint villages of Grasmere and Hawkshead, with their winding lanes and classic slate built homes. Or visit one of the lovely museums in the area and learn how the Lakes inspired great literary figures such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in the Lake District

Arrive in the Lake District, England’s mountain country where the opportunities for exploration are endless. Take to the hills, roaming over historic trails offering classic mountain views. Or cruise across one of the many lakes.

Your first destination is Keswick, situated in the north of the Lake District on the shores of Derwentwater.
Overnight – Keswick

Day 2: North Lakes Sightseeing

A full day to explore all the sites in the northern region of the Lakes. Begin with a tour on Derwentwater and explore one of its several islands. Or walk around the ancient stone circle of Castlerigg. Enjoy the surrounding lakes and valleys and all they have to offer.
Overnight – Keswick

Day 3: Keswick to Grasmere

Travel south to the central lakes and explore the charming village of Grasmere – a picturesque and classic Lakeland destination. Discover the history of Grasmere’s most famous resident, the poet William Wordsworth.
Overnight – Grasmere

Day 4: West Lakes Sightseeing

Today you could explore the western stretches of the Lake District. Visit the well-preserved Hardknott Roman Fort or the majestic Muncaster Castle.

Alternatively, enjoy the views from England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike.
Overnight – Grasmere

Day 5: South Lakes Sightseeing

Visit some of the most popular sites in the Lake District, such as exploring the famous Lake Windermere by boat. Walk around the charming village of Hawkshead with its quaint streets and shops, or amble through the picturesque village of Coniston.
Overnight – Grasmere

Day 6: Depart the Lake District

This is when your Highlights of The Lake District self-drive tour comes to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 5 nights including traditional English breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of England with our recommended driving route
6 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

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