Discover the Heart of English Lakeland

Self-guided walking holiday in England

From £ 590.- / 8 days
Price per person based on 2 people sharing

  • +
  • Self-Guided
  • Trail
View over the Lake District National park in England. Group of walkers posing in front of mountains in the English Lakeland. Someone walking across an old stone bridge crossing a small river.

Explore the beautiful Lake District National Park during this self-guided walking holiday in northern England.

The English Lake District, or English Lakeland, is famous throughout the world for its beautiful and dramatic scenery. Mountains rise from sea level to almost 1000 metres and are intersected by lush green valleys, containing numerous beautiful lakes. You’ll also see many examples of the rich history and varied heritage of the area.

Accommodation in the Lake District

Accommodation is available in two categories:

A: Standard. Guest houses, bed and breakfasts or farms, with twin or double occupancy (private bathrooms may be available some nights and are booked if available, but are not guaranteed). Breakfast is included. Dinner is not included but is always available within easy reach of the accommodation base.

Guest house in the English Lake District.
Accommodation in the Lake District
View onto a small hotel in a Lakeland village.

B: Superior. It’s possible to upgrade to ‘superior accommodation’ at additional cost. In this category you will stay in small hotels, inns or luxury bed and breakfasts (rooms with private facilities en suite available every night) with twin or double occupancy. Again breakfast is included every day, and dinner may be included (except for night(s) spent in Windermere at the beginning and/or end of the tour). Please contact the holiday provider, through the contact form, for more information.

A limited number of single rooms is available on payment of a supplement.

Walking in the Lake District

Group of people on a walk in the low mountains of the Lake District.
View over a rural landscape in the Lake District in England.

This walking holiday can be done at two grades, moderate or strenuous. The strenuous applies if you walk literally from door to door every day and involves distances of up to 20 Kilometres (12 miles) with up to 800 metres (2600 feet) of height gain. But on every day with more than 11 kilometres (7 miles) of walking, there is the option of doing the first half of the walk, then completing it by public transport (on the one day when public transport is not available we can arrange a taxi pick-up, which is at no extra cost provided it’s set up in advance).

Height gained on the walks is mainly up to 500 metres, but up to 600 metres on one day and a second day optionally. Some previous hiking experience is advisable.

Heart of Lakeland walking holiday itinerary

Walking path going between low mountains covered at the sides by heather.
View past a stone wall towards a low mountain in the Lakeland.

The Heart of Lakeland walking holiday itinerary is flexible and can be adapted to your wishes and preferences. It’s possible to extend the tour by adding extra sightseeing or walking days.

Day 1 – Arrival in Windermere and meeting with a representative of English Lakeland Walks.

Day 2 – Walk to Coniston via Hawkshead and picturesque Tarn Hows, with public transport available from Hawkshead if required (7 miles or 12 kilometres to Hawkshead, 11 miles or 18 kilometres to go the whole way, with 350 or 500 metres respectively of height gain).

Day 3 – Day in Coniston. Sightseeing or further self-guided walking available.

Day 4 – Walk to Eskdale via Seathwaite in Dunnerdale, which many regard as the most beautiful and peaceful of the Lakeland valleys. A taxi rendez-vous can be arranged if required at Seathwaite around lunchtime (7.5 miles or 13 kilometres to Seathwaite, 12 miles or 20 kilometres to go the whole way, with 600 or 800 metres respectively of height gain).

Day 5 – Day in Eskdale. Sightseeing or further self-guided walking available. It is optionally possible to walk up Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, on this day, but it involves a long approach march, and a better option is to book an extra night at Wasdale Head and climb the mountain from there.

Day 6 – Walk to Wasdale Head via Burnmoor (6 miles or 10 kilometres, with 250 metres of height gain). There is a highly scenic (but longer) alternative for a fine weather day, through Miterdale and by the dramatic ridge of Illgill Head.

Day 7 – Walk to Brandelhow via Styhead Pass and Seatoller in Borrowdale (where public transport is available if required). At Brandelhow catch the launch service to Keswick (6 miles or 10 kilometres to Seatoller, 11 miles or 18 kilometres to go the whole way, with 500 or 700 metres respectively of height gain). A taxi can be booked from Keswick back to Windermere (at extra cost), or the regular service bus may be used.

Day 8 – Departure day

Dates and Availability

A lake in England's Lake District.
Walker in a moorland landscape.

Prices for this walking holiday are from £590.- for 7 nights/8 days in standard accommodation; from £675.- for 7 nights/8 days in superior accommodation.

The Heart of Lakeland walking tour can be booked to start on any date after Easter and before mid October, subject to availability of accommodation. Starting or finishing during Bank Holiday weekends is not normally possible: tours “straddling” Bank Holidays may be possible if booked well in advance, and with some flexibility over the itinerary.

There is a train station in Windermere, where this walking holiday starts. From Manchester airport it is possible to reach Windermere by train in around 2 hours.

The price per person for this walking holiday is for up to 4 people travelling together. For larger groups, a special package with a group rate can be put together. Please contact the holiday provider, through the contact form, for more information and prices for larger groups.

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    Map of England showing the location of the Discover the Heart of English Lakeland Self-guided walking holiday

    Holiday Type:

    Self-GuidedTrail
    Walking Holiday


    Board Basis:

    Bed & Breakfast

    Price:

    From £ 590.- / 8 days
    Price per person based on 2 people sharing

    Features:

    • Luggage transport
    • + Multiple accommodations

    What's included:

    • 7 Nights accommodation with English Breakfast
    • Luggage transport
    • Map sections with the recommended route highlighted
    • Personalized route descriptions
    • The option of travelling with the luggage if required
    • Boat ride on Derwentwater

    NOT included:

    All other costs, including travel costs to the starting-point of this holiday.

    Walking Grade:

    hills
    • Level terrain or hills
    • Easy walking
    hills and low mountains
    • Hills to low mountains
    • Easy to moderate walking

    Best time to go:

    End of April to mid October

    Contact Details:

    Discover the Heart of English Lakeland, a Self-guided walking holiday in England by English Lakeland Walks

    Contact: Alan Heppenstall
    Telephone: +44 (0)15395 34793
    +44 (0)7795 693662

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    Languages spoken:

    English, Italian

    Getting there:

    • Manchester Airport (141 km)
    • Windermere Train Station (2 km)

    Location map

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