Escape to the Lake District - Steam & Cruise

With postcard panoramas of craggy hilltops, mountain tarns and glittering lakes, it's easy to see why the Lake District is by far the UK's most popular national park and inspiration for many writers and poets. Soak in the atmosphere of the spectacular fells, the rolling hills, deep blue lakes and timeless villages that continue to attract visitors from all over the world. With its stunning landscapes - lakes, mountains, coastline and historic sites, there's no better place to unwind from the daily stresses. Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 4 or 6 nights with dinner & breakfast- Porterage- Welcome tea/coffee (not Cumbria Grand)- Some entertainment (not nightly - Cumbria Grand only)- Tea / coffee after dinner- Use of leisure facilities at hotel (where applicable)- One way trip on Haverthwaite & Lakeside Railway- Entrance to Lakes Aquarium- One way cruise from Lakeside to Bowness- Visits to Bowness & Ulverston- Return ticket on Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway- Lakeland Explorer Excursion to Ambleside, Keswick & Ullswater (optional for 5 day / included for 7 day)

So much to see and do
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, sit back and relax as your journey takes you northwards. A suitable lunch time stop before arriving at your hotel for the next 4 or 6 nights DBB\n\nDay 2 - 4 (or 6) - At leisure in the Lake District with two or three included excursions and one optional excursion\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nLakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, Lakes Aquarium & Windermere Cruise (All tours)\nJust a short journey by coach takes you to charming Haverthwaite Station to travel back in time aboard nostalgic 1950s carriages hauled by a beautifully restored and maintained steam locomotive. Enjoy the 3½ mile journey on the former Furness Railway branch line to Lakeside at the foot of Windermere where you disembark with time to visit the Lakes Aquarium (entrance included). The aquarium is home to a wide array of creatures from local freshwater and marine fish to reptiles and amphibians. Be amazed as you pass through the underwater tunnel where sturgeon, carp and diving ducks swim. From here you will join the 'steamer' for a 40-minute Windermere cruise to Bowness, one of the Lake District's most popular destinations. Enjoy some freetime here before re-joining the coach to head back to the hotel\n\nUlverston & a Ride on La'al Ratty (All tours)\nHead to Ulverston, a fine town in the centre of the Furness peninsula, with colourfully rendered old houses, a labyrinth of cobbled streets and inviting side alleys. Stan Laurel (Arthur Stanley Jefferson) was born in Ulverston, (then in Lancashire but now Cumbria), 1890. The Laurel & Hardy Museum is open daily (entry not included - approx. £7.50 pp in 2024). There is also an indoor market which is open daily except Wednesdays. From here drive up the West Coast to Ravenglass and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Miniature Railway, a narrow-gauge steam railway along which you can explore seven miles of spectacular scenery to the foot of England's highest mountains. It is affectionately known as La'al Ratty, meaning 'little railway' in olde Cumbrian dialect. Return fare is included (40 minutes each way). Head back to the hotel later today\n\nLakeland Explorer - Ambleside, Keswick & Lake Ullswater (Optional for 5 day tours / included for 7 day tour)\nYour coach takes you to lovely Ambleside today via the Grizedale Forest Park passing by Graythwaite Hall and Esthwaite Water. Popular Ambleside is located at the northern end of Windermere, perfectly located in the heart of the national park. Surrounded by majestic Lakeland fells, Ambleside's roots are in the medieval woollen trade, but the town you see today is primarily Victorian, built of traditional grey slate. From here head north passing Lake Thirlmere to Keswick, the thriving main town of the Northern Lakes, within walking distance of Derwentwater. After time at leisure to explore and have a spot of lunch, continue to beautiful Lake Ullswater with a short stop at Glenridding before heading back south ascending the rugged Kirkstone Pass with its lonely in (closed) at the summit. Drop back down to Windermere and back to the hotel\n\nOPTIONAL EXCURSION\nMorecambe (7 day tour only)\nTake a trip out to the classic seaside resort of Morecambe where the sweep of the bay is a major attraction with the Lake District fells visible beyond. Enjoy the many pleasures of the seaside and be sure to stroll along the flat, award-winning promenade to see the stature of one of Britain's' most treasured comedians - Eric Bartholomew - who took the stage name Eric Morecambe when he met his comedy partner, Ernie Wise. Take a walk along the Stone Jetty, the remains of the original harbour, now transformed into a lovely walk out into the bay. Maybe even enjoy a cuppa in the 1930s art deco masterpiece Midland Hotel.\n\nReturn Day - After breakfast, say farewell and return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.Lakeland Hotels
Grange Hotel, Grange-Over-Sands (5 days - May only)\n\nThe smart 4* Grange Hotel enjoys an unrivalled position in the pretty little coastal town of Grange-over-Sands. This lovely setting, with its breath-taking panoramic bay views, is only fifteen miles from Lake Windermere, and provides an ideal gateway to the awe-inspiring majesty of the Lake District National Park. \n\nGuest bedrooms at the Grange are stylishly decorated with every comfort to ensure your stay is as relaxing as possible. Each room has its own en-suite facilities, with bath or shower, tea/coffee tray and complimentary bathroom spa toiletries created in Cumbria. The perfect place to relax after a day exploring the Lakes. \n\nThere is a stylish restaurant as well as a lounge and terrace. Leisure facilities include a pool, jacuzzi, sauna & steam. Lift to all floors.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCumbria Grand Hotel, Grange-over-Sands (5 days - August, September & October)\n\nSet within the Lake District National Park, the 3* Cumbria Grand Hotel makes an excellent base to explore this beautiful part of England. The historic Cumbria Grand Hotel was built in 1880 and is located only a short drive from the majestic and popular Lake Windermere within the Lake District. The hotel sits in 20 acres of private gardens and woodlands and overlooks Morecambe Bay. \n\nThe grounds offer a garden area, tennis court, putting green and woodland/fitness walk and indoors you will find a full sized snooker table, pool table, table tennis, dartboard as well as the main restaurant and bar lounge. \n\nThere is a lift to all floors and all guestrooms feature television, hairdryer, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNewby Bridge Hotel (7 days - July only)Located in the southern Lakes area, with lovely country views, the 3* Newby Bridge Hotel is a traditional hotel that has been welcoming guests for years. Situated within its own grounds, the hotel is traditionally decorated with several rooms having original features including wood panelling and log fires. \n\nAll 45 bedrooms are traditional in design and are equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is no lift, however a limited number of ground floor rooms are available. The restaurant has plenty of natural daylight and overlooks the gardens whilst the bar is cosy with a real fire. \n\nThere is also a relaxing lounge with sofas and a fabulous open fire, a games room with a pool table and an outside terrace at the front of the hotel overlooking the lake. Leisure facilities include a small indoor swimming pool, steam bath, steam room and gym. \n\nAll singles are double for sole use\n\n