DETAILED ITINERARY

WED Aug 10 - DEPART Home City
Travel overnight to England. As a fully licensed travel agency we are happy to assist with air and land arrangements to meet up with this tour. There are direct trains from Manchester Airport to Windermere. (There is also rail service from Euston station in London to Oxenholme, then a connection to the train from there to Windermere). Our hotel is about 2 miles from the station (in Bowness-on-Windermere) and taxis are always there. I will travel today from Toronto on Air Transat and welcome anyone to join me.

Day 1: THU Aug 11th - Arrive in BOWNESS-ON-WINDERMERE, ENGLAND
Welcome to the beautiful English Lake District ! For those travelling on your own we will meet at our hotel in Bowness-on-Windermere. There will be time to explore and settle in before our Welcome dinner.

Day 2: FRI Aug 12th - AMBLESIDE
After breakfast this morning, we will travel to the lovely town of Ambleside at the north end of Lake Windermere. A thriving woollen industry grew here due to its’ market charter attained in 1650. During the 17th and 18th centuries Yeoman farmers and landowners became wealthy and it is from this period that the current town identifies itself with the Victorian architecture. Along with shops, galleries and cafes there is a lovely walk right from the centre of town up a gentle grade to ‘Stock Gyll Force’ - a lovely cool waterfall.

Day 3: SAT Aug 13th - GRASMERE and DOVE COTTAGE
We have discovered a lovely 3 km walk which is part of a walk called the 'Coffin Route'. (Before there was a church in Rydal Mount bearers would carry the coffins from here to be buried in the churchyard in Grasmere). This a popular walk for locals too. For those who would like to do the walk with me we be let off at Rydal Mount and the rest will be taken on to Grasmere where we will all meet up at Dove Cottage. We will have a guided tour through the 1st home of William Wordsworth, where he wrote most of his famous works. Wordsworth and his family are buried in Grasmere and right beside the lovely old church is the world famous Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread factory. Its secret recipe guarded since 1854 is wonderful, so do leave time to visit here too.

Day 4: SUN Aug 14th - ASHNESS BRIDGE AND KESWICK
After breakfast today our first destination is Ashness bridge. This single-track stone bridge covers a sparkling waterfall. The view looking down onto Derwentwater and across to the towering peaks of Skiddaw is breathtaking. We will walk further along this small road with views overlooking the lake. We are then off to nearby Keswick. This is where the pencil was invented and the museum tells the story very well. We will take time for lunch in this busy market town with time to visit the local shops in the pedestrianised town centre.

Day 5: MON Aug 15th - YEW TREE FARM, HAWKSHEAD and HILL TOP COTTAGE
After breakfast this morning we are off to the west and will take a country walk that will end at Yew Tree Farm. Beatrix Potter owned Yew Tree Farm in the 1930s and opened a tea room to help the tenant farmers stay and live a traditional life in the Lake District. It is still home to many of her furnishings. Yew Tree Farm featured as 'Hill Top' in the movie "Miss Potter" starring Renée Zellweger. It is one of the few white stucco structures referred to locally as ‘cruck-framed. The current owners raise native Belted Galloway cattle and Cumbrian Herdwick sheep keeping the tradition of 'Fell Farming' alive. After refreshing ourselves in their lovely tea room we are off to the village of Hawkshead. This charming village is home to the Beatrix Potter Gallery which holds her original water colours of all her animal characters: Peter Rabbit, Jamima Puddleduck, Mrs Tiggy Winke and all the others. Then, it’s off to HILL TOP FARM. Beatrix’s beloved farm house is small and adorable. We will take the time for a proper visit of her house and shop before returning to Bowness.

Day 6: TUE Aug 16th - BOWNESS - OPTIONAL 'FELLS' WALK
The 'Fells' are the beautiful bald mountains that make the lake district famous, not to mention beautiful. We have arranged to take a local guide today for a lower fells walk. The grade is moderate and offers amazing views of the surrounding countryside.

Day 7: WED Aug 17th - FREE DAY in BOWNESS
Tudor style half –timber houses, slate stone roofs, old shops, winding cobbled laneways, beautiful old wooden ferry boats, swans and all. It is always good to have a free day to finish up, explore, do some shopping etc.

Day 8: THU Aug 18th - LEAVE for LONDON
After breakfast today we leave for London. We arrive into London in the early afternoon and check into our htoel in the centre of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 9: FRI Aug 19th - FREE DAY in LONDON
This is a day to do whatever you like in this wonderfiul ancient city. I and some our passengers are interested to visit the British Museum and we invite anyone along who would like to join us.

Day 10: SAT Aug 20th - LONDON
I invite anyone along who would like to join me to visit the Tate Modern Gallery today. After visiting the gallery I invite anyone to join me to walk across the Millennium bridge to visit St. Paul's Cathedral. Tonight we have the option to go to the musical hit "JERSEY BOYS" - please book early to be able to take advantage of this great, great show. I will be going to this and hope many of you will join me!

Day 11: SUN Aug 21st - DEPART for HOME CITY or plan to extend your hoilday in England or Europe
After breakfast our program is complete. We are happy to assist to make onward or return arrangements for you. Interested in extending your holiday in England or Europe?