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Cumbria Rail tours

Our most recommended Cumbria Rail tours

Lake District: Western Lakes Full-Day Tour

1. Lake District: Western Lakes Full-Day Tour

Discover the beautiful sights of the Western Lake District on this adventurous full-day tour. This tour will take you off the beaten track as you discover the magnificent scenery of the Lake District with its beautiful mountains and dramatic lakes. Make your way over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes, the steepest passes in England we drive past the extraordinary remains of Hardknott Roman Fort, 1,000 feet up on the fells. Enjoy lunch at a traditional country inn. In the afternoon you will drive onward to “Britain’s Favorite View” at Wastwater, England’s deepest and most dramatic lake. Your next destination is the splendid 14th Century Muncaster Castle, where you can explore its internationally acclaimed gardens and World Owl Trust. The beautiful scenery of the Coniston Fells and Coniston Water bring an end to this classic tour of the Lake District.

From London: Lake District Tour with Cream Tea & Cruise

2. From London: Lake District Tour with Cream Tea & Cruise

Meet a local tour representative at Euston Station to collect your tickets and itinerary for the day, then enjoy a relaxing train journey to Oxenholme in the spectacular Lake District National Park. On arrival at Oxenholme you will be met by a local guide, who will take you on your tour of the Lake District. This tour is the ideal way to explore the best of the Lake District, which is famous for its Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth connections.  Enter the National Park and travel north alongside Lake Windermere to the medieval village of Hawkshead. Explore this fascinating village where Wordsworth went to school. Continue on towards the renowned beauty spot of Tarn Hows for a photo stop before driving through Yewdale, passing Yew Tree Tarn, used in the film Miss Potter. Next journey into the famous mountainous valleys of the Langdales, which have been carved by glaciers to form spectacular u-shaped valleys. Arriving at the lakeside village of Waterhead you will join a lake cruise on England’s largest lake, Windermere, and sit back and enjoy the views of the Lakeland Fells (local word for mountains). Arriving at Bowness Bay, enjoy a cream tea at the Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, once owned by Beatrix Potter. You will then be taken back to Oxenholme Station for the train back to London.

Lake District: 3-Day Small Group Tour from Manchester

3. Lake District: 3-Day Small Group Tour from Manchester

Day 1: Collect your train ticket at the station, travel from Manchester to Penrith, and meet your tour guide on arrival. The tour begins by entering the Lake District National Park and travels along the northern shores of Ullswater. This lake is often described as England’s most beautiful lake, and it is here you get the chance to take a forest walk and see the mighty Aira Force waterfall. You then travel towards Keswick, stopping outside the town to visit the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones, thought to have been built over 5,000 years ago and once a lively hub of ancient pagan rituals. You have a short journey into the lively market town of Keswick where you are dropped off at your accommodation and free to explore the charming town. During July/early August this tour stays in Windermere. Day 2: After breakfast, you take in views of Ullswater Lake as you head along country roads to its southern shores. You continue further south and travel over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass towards the lovely Lake Windermere. Here you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the Lake or eat lunch while enjoying sublime views of the surrounding scenery. After lunch, you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards Coniston Water. Your next stop is the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School. After exploring the cozy village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as the loveliest spot that man hath found. There is free time to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy. And there is Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread shop you have to visit to try the best gingerbread in the world. In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick. Day 3: After a leisurely breakfast, you are picked up at your accommodation and head for the Whinlatter Forest Park and over the Whinlatter Pass into the most dramatic landscapes that the Lake District has to offer. Your journey along winding lanes, past the shores of Crummock Water and Buttermere, and towards the Honister Mountain Pass. Stopping amongst the mountains you have the opportunity to visit old slate workings, where a small number of Cumbrians continue to make their living. After refreshments, you continue through the forests of Borrowdale, passing Derwent Water, where there is free time for lunch and shopping. Once you have eaten lunch, you begin your return journey, heading towards Penrith where you join your comfortable train for your journey back to Manchester or Manchester Airport.

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What people are saying about Cumbria

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 13 reviews

Graham is a very considerate and knowledgable escort guide. It was raining, he lent the other guests and me the umbrellas, he was such nice gentleman. Time arrangement was perfect too, we have enough time to see the sightseeing points. The incl. tea set was at a decent hotel, lovely place shouldn't missed. Although the travel operator using no in-person contact, the details and info provided were clear and easy to understand. Grateful I have joined the tour to see this stunning Lake District with my naked eye.

I was so fortunate to be the only customer on the tour that day, so I had the van and the driver/guide to myself. He did a fantastic job of ensuring I got to all of the tour spots even though my train from London was delayed en route by 50 minutes. I can certainly see why people rave about the natural beauty of the Lake District. The peaks are stunning and the history is fascinating! Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience this beautiful region.

Great driver/guide, the explanations were interesting and the stops great. Lots of lovely picture opportunities. I highly recommend tours in the Lake District, especially if you want to do minimal walking, are short on time, budget conscious, and not a confident driver along narrow, winding and steep routes.

An enjoyable and well organised trip. The scenery is wonderful. The driver is extremely helpful and friendly. The explanation with lots of culture and history which clearly portrays the company and the driver do have love and passion in the Lake District.

This is a tour off the beaten track, a journey in a mini bus which goes quite high up in the mountains offering stunning views of the lakes and surrounding natural beauty. The guide Kevin was extremely knowledgeable and friendly and professional.