3 day lake district tour from london

3 of the best Lake District Tours from London

Almost all of the Lake District National Park is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and for good reason too. It’s bursting with biscuit-tin villages, craggy fells and tumbling waterfalls, and bustling market towns ripe for exploring. 

(Photo: GetYourGuide.com)

The Lake District is situated in the northwest of England, almost at the opposite end of the country to London. Mercifully, Blighty is a small place and it’s possible to make it to the lakes in under four hours. There are dozens of tours from London to the Lake District to choose from, catering to every taste – from outdoor enthusiasts to Beatrix Potter fans. To help make your decision a little easier, we’ve rounded up a few of the best Lake District tours from London based on itinerary and value for money. 

From London: Lake District Tour with Cream Tea and Cruise

This action-packed day tour from London ticks off some of the Lake District’s most beloved experiences in less than 24 hours – castles and cream teas included. There’s a leisurely cruise around Lake Windemere, a trip to the famous  Langdales valleys and a cream team at the Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, once owned by Beatrix Potter. Plus, you’ll get to explore chocolate box villages like Hawkshead, where Wordsworth himself went to school. It’s an early morning start, but you’ll get back into London just in time for dinner too.  From £225 per person. 

Book at GetYourGuide.com

Lake District: 3 Day Small-Group Tour From London

This three-day tour dives deeper into the Lake District’s more rugged scenery, beyond the crowds. The price includes two nights of B&B accommodation with breakfast in Keswick, a pretty market town brimming with galleries, tea shops and independent shops. Highlights from the trip include a trip to Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage in Grasmere, a cruise along lovely Lake Windemere and a stroll to see the Aira Force waterfall. All transportation is included in the price, including railway tickets from London and a luxury mini-coach with a  knowledgeable guide while you’re in the Lake District. From £409 per person. 

Private Lake District Tour 

If you’re travelling in a group of up to eight people, it’s worth considering a private tour. This day trip from London is run by former History teachers – the perfect addition to any group.  Lake Windemere, Keswick and the Beatrix Potter Gallery are all on the cards, but the tour is customizable, so you can pick and choose where you want to go too. The price includes transport and lunch at a quintessential English pub. From £595 per group. 

Book at Viator.com

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Lake District

3 days tour.

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Tour Overview

03 days - lake district (code: uklk), tour highlights.

Peak District - Bakewell & Buxton

Lake District Drive through

Lake Windermere Cruise

The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway steam train

Stratford Upon Avon

Price Includes

Return Transportation by deluxe AC vehicle from selected pick up point

2 Nights accomodation in a 3/4 Star Hotel

2 Indian Dinners

Entrance & sightseeing as mentioned in the Tour Highlights

All tips and service charges

Premium service of a Star Tours Representative

The Star Difference

Selected pick ups available nationwide

Tips and service charge included

Premium service of a Star Tours Representive

ABTA Protection

Pick Up Points

Please Note: All pick ups are Northbound Services and all drops will be Southbound Services.

Pick ups are subject to availability and change.

Tour Itinerary

Other information, 2024 usd dates & prices.

Price per person based on 2/3 adults sharing a room

Child 2 - 11 years must share a room with 2/3 adults

Infants 0 - 23 months price is from $160 for a seat in coach only

Max occupancy per room is 3 person (excluding infants)

$55 reduction will apply for 2nd child without a bed

Single supplement will be an additional $130

Country Details

In England the currency you will require will be Pounds (GBP/Sterling). Star Tours’ advice passengers to exchange any spending money for their holiday before they actually travel. Whilst on tour it is very convenient to change money, and most places we will be visiting will have ATM machines or accept credit/debit cards.

We also advise our passengers to keep some change in coins on them whilst on tour as using toilets in many parts of the UK is not free.

An important point to note whilst on a touring holiday is that some long journeys are unavoidable especially when travelling from city to city.

It is advisable passengers carry necessities that they may need for the day such as water, dry snacks, cameras etc. with them in their hand luggage.

For this tour, it should be noted that the travel times are extensive on this tour.

Please see a summary of the distances you will be covering below:

Foreign Office Travel Advice

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office click on the link below to get Country specific details, as Scotland is part of the UK there are no advisories for people travelling from the UK.

For a full list of the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office click here

Breakfast will be provided at the hotels. The breakfast is usually in a separate dining area of the hotel, and is usually a continental breakfast, which will consist of tea, coffee, bread, cereals, fruit and yogurt.

Passengers can choose from different diets, including vegetarian, Jain or non-vegetarian (Halal will not always be available) meals. Passengers should advice their tour representative of their preferred diet on the day one. The meals are pre-set buffet and a choice of menu is not available. Meals will be provided with Tap Water only.

Lunches are usually vegetarian only and are provided outdoors at a service station/rest area where limited or no seating is available. Lunch is served in a picnic style buffet arrangement. Dinners are usually provided within the hotel or restaurant in a separate dining facility. You should always consult your tour representative if you are not sure of what ingredients a dish contains.

Not all hotels in this tour will have air-conditioning so you should carry a small portable fan with you especially during the summer months.

Please also note that not all hotels provide a kettle so if hot water is required for warming milk etc. in the hotel then it is advisable to carry a bottle warmer/kettle as well as a thermos flask. Passengers may also want to carry a small travel iron and hairdryer etc., as many hotel rooms may not have these facilities.

If you use services such as the phone or mini-bar or pay TV whilst in your room, you will have to pay the hotel directly when you check out; these services are not included in your tour cost.

The maximum occupancy per room on this tour is 3 person(s).

Other Advisories

High altitude.

Particular attention should be paid to the baggage allowance for this tour, this can be found on our general information page. Excess baggage may not be allowed on the coach.

There will not be WC facilities on the coach on this tour.

Pick up and Drop off points & Times

Passengers should arrive at their pick-up point no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Your pick-up point, address and time will be stated on your invoice. If you have selected a pick-up time outside of Wembley then you will be confirmed your pick-up time.

Visa Details

You do not require Schengen visas for this tour, however if you hold a non EU passport then you will require UK Visa. Please consult the British Embassy in your country of residence.

Passengers can be well prepared by ensuring they are carrying appropriate clothing, footwear and accessories. Passengers should also be aware that during the winter months most of the sightseeing will be in the dark as, in Scotland, the day becomes dark very early during winter. Passengers should consult with Star Tours at the time of booking if they are unsure.

Wheelchairs & Child Seats

We will accept lightweight manual wheelchairs for travel, subject to them being capable of being stowed in the luggage hold of the coach.  It is also essential that a family member is also on tour to push their wheelchair. Star Tour’s will also request hotels for suitably equipped rooms; however, this is only on a request basis and cannot be guaranteed. It should be noted Ben Nevis is not fully accessible for a wheelchair user. Some part of Lake District will have unpaved parts, which may not be suitable for wheelchairs.

In most of Europe, the use of child seats in coaches is mandatory for children under the age of 12 or who are shorter than 150 cm. Children under 7 years old or less than 125 cm tall must use a child seat with a harness or a restraint system. Children between 7 and 12 years old or between 125 and 150 cm tall must use a booster seat or a seat cushion. It is the responsibility of the child's parent or guardian to provide the appropriate child seat for their child.

Useful links

Home pick-ups.

The map below can be used to check the price of a home pick-up. The map shows the price bands for each area we service.

Unfortunately, there are no home pickup locations at this moment.

Pick-up points.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Early Bird Offers

Book your tour, number of passengers.

A 3 Day Tour to the Lake District from London with Rabbie’s Tours!

Categories England , Lake District , London , Reviews , U.K

Reasons why I had travelled the world but not visited the famous area of the Lake District in my home country? Mainly because since I moved to London I gave up having a car and I knew that a car is needed in the Lake District but I figured that car hire in the Lake District would be expensive.  I didn’t think a Lake District day trip would be possible.

Plus train fares from London up North can be horribly expensive (around £100.00) and I can get a flight to Europe for much cheaper than that!

So when Rabbie’s Tours, a highly rated UK tour company, got in touch with me and asked me if I wanted to do one of their trips from London I didn’t even think twice after seeing that they had a 3 Day Lake District Explorer Tour from London , perfect!

I really enjoyed the trip and we saw so much of the Lake District!  So here is a rundown of what we did on our 3 Day Lake District Tour from London, plus the Positives & Negatives of going on this trip with Rabbie’s Tours, and information on costs!

Rabbie’s Tours Lake District Review

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3 Day Itinerary for the Lake District

When I posted on my Social Media that I was on the way to the Lake District a lot of people asked me where in the Lake District I was going? I wasn’t sure because firstly, that’s the bonus of being on a tour- not having to plan it or think about the finer details, is it not? Secondly, I thought I was going to see all of it and they made me doubt whether that was possible, maybe I was only going to see a section of it?

Well, we may not have seen every inch of the Lake District as that would have taken a lot longer than 3 days but wow, did we cover some ground! I pinned everywhere we stopped and as you can see on the map below, we stopped a lot and went far and wide around the Lake District!

Re the Itinerary, it’s important to note that every tour will be slightly different. Our itinerary got completely changed as there was an event happening in Keswick which meant we stayed in Bowness-on-Windermere instead and although we saw everywhere noted in the tour description, we did it on completely different days than detailed in the original itinerary.

Day 1 

Lake Windermere

I got on a Virgin Train at London Euston at 9:30 am and by 12:30 I was getting off at Penrith station and straight onto the coach with our guide Roger and the rest of the group. We had a quick lunch stop and toilet stop in Penrith right away before heading into the Lake District National Park.

We drove straight to Lake Windermere where we spent an hour and a half exploring the lake on our own before being taken to our accommodation in Bowness-on-Windermere just a few minutes from the Lake. I was staying at Holmlea Guest House which was perfect for what I needed. (Accommodation isn’t included in the tour price, more info on that below!)

We had that evening to ourselves so I decided to climb Orrest Head which was such a good decision, the view from the top was incredible! Due to the queues for the boats being so long in the afternoon I decided to do an Evening Cruise instead and that was another very good life decision as it was a beautiful, clear evening and I saw such an impressive sunset!

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Kirkstone Pass

We woke up to cloud and rain on Day 2 which was totally opposite to the weather on Day 1 as you can see in the photos. This just proves how temperamental the British weather can be, especially up North in the Lakes so remember to pack for all kind of weather!

We met down by the lake at a comfortable time of 9:00 am and headed straight to Kirkstone pass which gives a view of Patterdale in the distance and on route whilst driving through we passed the 3rd highest pub in the UK . Even in the rain, it was a gorgeous view!

Ullswater Lake

Next up was the impressive Ullswater Lake, often described as England’s most beautiful lake , but Roger reminded us that someone has said that about every lake in the Lakes!

Aira Force Waterfall

We only stopped briefly for photos but that was all that was needed before driving the very short distance to Aira Force waterfall , the largest waterfall in the Lake District. The itinerary describes this as a forest walk, and it is, but it’s by no means a hike and very easy apart from the steps down to the waterfall and back up, however, you still get a beautiful view from the top so the steps are not mandatory.

I was a little disappointed by the waterfall as it isn’t that big but I can imagine it winter it’s a bit more impressive because despite the rain today the UK was in the middle of a heatwave!

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg Stone Circle was next, again only for a brief stop but it was really interesting to see and hear Roger talk about. It’s the second most visited stone circle in the UK , aside from Stonehenge, despite there being an estimated 1300 stone circles in the country. Luckily, it wasn’t as busy as Stonehenge !

Our lunch stop was the pretty market town of Keswick, it definitely has more going on than Bowness-on-Windermere or Windermere and I really liked that. We had nearly 2 hours here to explore on our own which was perfect, a very short walk through the town took me to Derwent Wate r, Keswick’s Lake. I didn’t get to see much of it due to the literal downpour that was happening at this time but it was still really nice and it’s possible to do a boat trip on the lake and the surrounding mountains were incredible. It was also a lot less touristy than Lake Windermere,  although that may have been because of the weather.

I headed back into the town and got lunch at Fellpack which I would fully recommend, it’s such a nice, cosy cafe and the cafe started after a conversation and dream in a pub a few years ago so it was nice supporting an independent cafe, plus their food and coffee are great!

The afternoon was filled with more lakes, we stopped at a viewpoint to see the actual, only ‘Lake’ in the Lake District , the others are actually called ‘Waters’ or ‘Meres’ but because this does get a bit confusing we called them all Lakes and I’m sure a lot of people do too.

Crummock Water and Buttermere Lake

Then we drove to Crummock Water and a bit further down to Buttermere Lake, we had photo stops in both and Crummock was by far my favourite , it’s totally gorgeous! Roger pointed out that this area of the Lake District has a totally different feel to it, people don’t randomly drive this way unless they’re going to somewhere in this area and I think this really showed, it felt much quieter and wild!

Honister Slate Mine

Honister Slate Mine was the next step and this was probably my least favourite as I found it pretty boring, although the weather and cloud didn’t help as we couldn’t see much of the surrounding scenery.

Following this we headed to Bowder Stone , we had to walk about 10 minutes up an easy track to reach the stone, and as Roger said, you can’t miss it! It’s a huge stone believed to have fallen in the ice age and now it’s a bit of a tourist attraction, it was cool but a little underwhelming too.

Surprise View

We ended the day on a high though as before we drove back to Bowness-on-Windermere to have the evening to ourselves and to relax, Roger took us to Surprise View, and what a surprise of a view it was ! The tour’s don’t always come up this way because the roads are small and it gets so busy however due to the weather and time of day it was quite quiet and Rogers risk paid off, we were the only ones there!

On the way down we stopped at Ashness Bridge which is said to be the most photographed bridge in the Lake District and is therefore pretty iconic!

Hawkshead Village

Day 3 was pretty chilled and a great way to end the trip. We were on the road by 9:00 am again heading to Hawkshead Village which is a beautiful, quaint and very little village . Due to how early it was the village was very quiet and a 45 minute stop was more than enough. Roger said that usually, the tours visit here on Day 2 when it’s a lot more alive and busy.

We were doing well for time and Roger had been telling us all bout Wordsworth, a famous poet from the Lake District so he very kindly did a quick 3 minute stop at the house of Wordsworth before heading into the village of Grasmere. A lot of people asked me if I was going to be going to Grasmere in the Lake District so I was glad we went and I can totally see why they suggested for me to go!

Grasmere is bigger than Hawkshead but not by a huge amount. It has a few shops and plenty of tea-rooms. There’s a river running through it and it’s surrounded by mountains, there’s a daffodil Garden for Wordsworth which is nice and serene and next to it, a divine smelling Gingerbread Shop selling Grasmere Gingerbread !

This was an early lunch stop so I had some soup and picked up some food for the train back to London as I knew we wouldn’t be getting back to London until 18:30.

From here we headed straight back to Penrith , we were doing well for time and there was no rush to get on the train. Luckily the Saturday afternoon train back down to London was nice and quiet and although it was an hour longer than the train on Day 1 we did get back to London bang on time!

Rabbie’s Tour Review – Positives

Our Guide Roger was really great , he was very knowledgeable and passionate about the area, despite being from Scotland rather than local to the Lake District. He knew when to talk on the bus and gave us some really interesting information, history and stories however there were long periods where he let us listen to music and relax which is really nice as some of the group said they were on a tour with another company before this and the guide spoke the whole time which does get annoying.

As mentioned our 3 day Lake District Itinerary did get changed from the original itinerary because of an event happening in Keswick and I really liked that Rabbie’s allow their tour guides to mix up the itinerary and be flexible to give us the best tour and experience.

The fact that the cost of the tour includes train travel from London is brilliant in my opinion (more details on costs below). Train travel from London up North can be disgustingly expensive unless booked at the exact right time and even more expensive when left to the last minute so it’s nice knowing that this cost is locked into the tour cost.

We had a lot of freedom on this tou r which I really liked, late afternoon and evening on Day 1, evening on Day 2 and all 3 lunchtimes were free for us to explore and do what we liked. As a solo traveller, I understand that some people might not like this and would prefer to stay with the group but there’s always the chance to ask the rest of the group if they want to meet up or go for food together. Personally I do like travelling alone and exploring on my own so I love that I got enough solo time whilst being on a tour, it was the perfect balance of solo and group time for me.

The bus was comfy , especially as it wasn’t completely full, and it had huge windows to take in all the views from!

Rabbie’s Tour Review – Negatives

I honestly couldn’t say a negative thing about the tour itself , I really enjoyed it and I was really happy.

In terms of the people who were on my tour, we had a nice group but a broad range of people from a few solo travellers to older couples and a group of friends and a family whose first language wasn’t English. Everyone was nice and we all spoke but we did mostly keep ourselves to ourselves. Rabbie’s attracts such a wide range of people of different ages and countries which is perfectly fine and actually really good, but if you’re travelling solo and hoping to meet backpackers and travellers your age, it is a hit and miss as to who will be on the tour.

The only other thing is that the tour cost as shown on the website does not include accommodation . Usually, tours like this do include accommodation and from a first glimpse this is a little deceiving as it doesn’t give you this information until later on in the details and adding on accommodation does bump the cost up. However the positive is that you can choose accommodation to suit your budget and needs (more on that below!).

Cost of a 3 Day Lake District Tour

The price of the Lake District Explorer Tour with Rabbie’s is between £255.00-£305.00 depending on when you go. Looking at availability on their website, the average price of the tour is £295.00 in Summer / High Season and £281.00 in Autumn / Off Shoulder Season.

As mentioned, this tour includes transport to and from London which is really really good. A return train from London to Penrith is roughly £80.00-£110.00 alone so if you take that off of the tour cost above, the actual tour is pretty cheap! The rest of this tour cost goes towards transport on all 3 days over the Lake District and a very good tour guide.

Accommodation is NOT included within the tour rate above however, this gives you the opportunity to pick accommodation based on your budget and preference.

Accommodation Suggestions:

I stayed at Holmlea Guest House in Bowness-on-Windermere which I would recommend, you can check rates and availability here .

If you’re on a budget, Oakfold House comes up as one of the cheapest in Bowness-on-Windermere, check rates and availability here .

And if you’re staying in Keswick instead (Rabbie’s will be able to confirm this for you when you book), then prices are even cheaper!

Denton House is in a great location and one of the cheapest places to stay when I look on booking.com, check out rates and availability here !

So is Rivendell Guest House, which also has great reviews, check rates and availability for there here !

For more options, have a look at Booking.com here , I love Booking.com as they have great cancellation options incase plans change!

There are no additional costs for activities unless you want to go on a Boat Tour around Lake Windermere. There are also no hidden or surprise entrance fee’s or park fee’s which really helps with the budget!

Meals are not included either (although breakfast will probably be included in your accommodation cost), so it’s up to you where you eat lunch and dinner as there are no set restaurants which is great as again it allows you to stay in budget and eat somewhere of your preference.

I really didn’t spend that much at all and had I been budgeting more I could have easily of saved money on Dinner and Lunch by getting something at a supermarket.

Here’s what I spent in 3 days in the Lake District:

Day 1 Lunch – Lunch at Subway in Penrith (don’t judge me, we had to get something quite quickly) – £3.00

Day 1 Snack – Ice Cream by Lake Windermere – £1.80

Day 1 Dinner – Chips by Lake Windermere – £2.50

Day 2 Lunch – Coffee & Wrap at Fellpack in Keswick – £8.50

Day 2 Dinner – Thai in Bowness-on-Windermere – £13.00

Day 3 Lunch – Soup & Take Away Cake for the Train in Grasmere – £8.50

Extra Activity – Evening Cruise on Lake Windermere – £11.50 (Day Time Cruises are £8.50)

I hope this helps you decide whether to go on The Lake District Explorer Tour with Rabbie’s Tours . I really enjoyed it and I 100% recommend it to you.

To Book Your Tour: Click Here !

I was offered this trip complimentary by Rabbie’s Tours however all opinions and thoughts are my own.

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sara veeramah

Thursday 7th of October 2021

Hi I have never solo travelled - would you recommend this for a 1st timer ?

TheWanderingQuinn

Yes the Lake District would definitely be ok to be solo in. People are friendly in the area and used to a lot of tourists ?

Wednesday 22nd of August 2018

So glad you enjoyed the Lake District! The fact that the tour company covers the cost of trains from London is amazing. I found on my first trip that the Lake District actually has really decent bus routes, some of which pass by the starting points for major walks! I wrote a massive post on the Lakes a few months ago if you're interested: http://www.awaywithmaja.com/ultimate-beginners-guide-englands-lake-district/ it's much harder without a car, but certainly can be done! :)

Thursday 23rd of August 2018

I did!! Yess so good as like I said, they can be pricey as I’m sure you’re aware!

I was surprised but glad to see a fairly good bus connection, definitely easier to drive or have a driver yes but good to see there are buses and thanks for the link! I’ll check it out :)

Friday 3rd of August 2018

You make the point about there being only one named lake in the Lake District - but then ignore it! (Bassenthwaite Lake for readers who can't be bothered to Google it ;) )

Windermere is just Windermere - not Lake Windermere. It's like calling London 'London City'.

Apart from that little rant, the Rabbies Tour sounds like a great way to get a quick introduction to the Lake District. You seem to cover a fair bit of ground, and yet still have free time to relax and choose your own path a bit. Nice compromise.

Thank you for the comments, noted!

Yep it was a really great way of seeing the area :)

• £240.00 From per person

3 Day Lake District Explorer from London

This tour combines a train journey from London with an adventure through the best sights of the Lake District. You may get a little poetic in the Lake District. The lakes are so lovely; you’ll concoct verses about their beauty. William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage is so fascinating; you’ll be inspired to rhyme about the 19th century lifestyle. And the mountains are so magnificent you’ll get lyrical about their rugged peaks and soothing slopes.

This tour includes a return train journey from London Euston to Penrith.  On arrival in Penrith, your driver-guide meets you and takes you through the best of the Lake District. Take this tour and discover why this delightful area inspired England’s greatest poets and writers.

Tour Highlights

• Ullswater - The second largest lake in the English Lake District is famous for its sublime, tranquil beauty
• Aira Force Waterfall - A lovely stone bridge crosses the fabulously flowing waterfalls
• Castlerigg Stone Circle - It’s like a miniature Stonehenge. Although you can decide whether it’s more beautiful
• Lake Windermere - You can choose to wander the shores or put on your sailing hat and go for a cruise
• Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage - Visit the largely unchanged cottage where England’s premier poet composed his perfect poems
• Derwent Water - This gorgeous location was used in Star Wars - The Force Awakens. But the lasers and spaceships seem a million miles away from this peaceful area
• Honister Pass - Simply relax and enjoy the views of the monumental mountains

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - penrith castle, ullswater and keswick.

Explore the ancient ruins of Penrith Castle and take as many photographs as you can at ‘England’s most beautiful lake’, Ullswater then relax in the market town of Keswick.

You depart London Euston Station and head north to the historic Cumbrian market town of Penrith. Here you have the chance to enjoy lunch and explore the imposing ruins of Penrith Castle. This uniquely coloured castle played a key role in defending the border from invading Scots.

After lunch we enter the Lake District National Park and travel along the northern shores of Ullswater. This lake is often described as England’s most beautiful lake, and it’s here we give you 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’re dropped off at your accommodation and free to explore the charming town.

(During July/early August this tour may stay in Windermere).

Day 2 - Lake Windermere, Hawkeshead and Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage

Stare in wonder at the views on an optional boat trip, Lake Windermere and wander around the cosy village of Hawkeshead then jump into the world of William Wordsmith at his Dove Cottage and Daffodil Garden.

After breakfast, you take in views of Ullswater Lake as we 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 Hawkeshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School. After exploring the cosy village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. There’s free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy. In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick.

Day 3 - Whinlatter Pass and Honister Mountain Pass

Set your sights on sweepings views from atop the Whinlatter Pass and learn about the slate mines at the Honister Mountain Pass.

We pick you up from 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. You 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’s free time for lunch and shopping. Once you’ve eaten lunch, you head towards Penrith station.

Your guide will drop you off at the station, where you catch your train back to London Euston Station.

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Important Information

• Discounts for students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don’t carry children under 5 years old).
• Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes.
• One 15 kilogram bag per person.
• After booking your tour, we’ll contact you about your train journey.

Tour Inclusions

• Transport on a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach.
• Air conditioning as standard.
• The stories and services of a driver-guide.
• 2nd class return Virgin Rail travel from London Euston to Penrith Station.

Departure Information

• Departs 08.45 – London Euston.
• Returns 17.59.

Accommodation

• We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre.
• But during busy periods there can be a walk of up to 30 minutes.
• We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard.
• The prices below are for guidance only.

B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard

• The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast.
• The cost is between £30.00 – £35.00 per person per night.
• A single standard is between £35.00 – £60.00 per night.

B&B En/suite

• The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price.
• The expected cost for a room, based on two people sharing, will be between £40.00 – £50.00 per person per night.
• The expected cost for a single room will be between *£55.00 – £65.00 per night.
• If you travel during a busy period, you can expect to pay up to *£75 – £80 per night.
• Rooms with a view are limited and may be more expensive.
• In Ireland B&B’s will be around €45 – €55 per person per night.
• Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals.
• Breakfast is included in the price.
• The expected cost of Hotel 3* is between £65.00 – £85.00 per person per night.
• Hotel 4* is approximately £75.00 – £120.00 per person per night.
• Please be advised that 4* hotels aren’t available in some smaller rural areas of the Scottish Highlands and islands.
• In Ireland, Hotels are around €55 – €65 per person per night.

A hostel consists of dormitory rooms with 4 to 16 bunk beds. Towels aren’t provided, but you can hire towels there. The bathroom facilities are a short distance from the dorm room. Kitchen facilities are equipped so you can make your own meals. The cost is between £15.00 – £25.00 per person per night.

Please note that SYHA hostels only offer same gender dorms. Some independent hostels will offer mixed rooms (males and females together). If you have a preference, please let us know at the time of booking.

FAQ’s

What meals are included.

Breakfast is included on all overnight tours.  Lunches are not included, unless otherwise stated.  Evening meals are included when stated on the tour itinerary.  On tours of seven days or more, generally fifty percent of dinners are included.  Please check the itinerary page for exact details.

Where does the trip depart from?

Each UK trip will have a dedicated pick up point in central London.  Shorter duration trips will normally depart from Victoria Coach Station, with longer duration trips leaving from the London Reception Centre, near to Waterloo train station.  Departure points will be confirmed before booking a tour.

Can I get picked up from my hotel?

Pick up from hotels is not possible.  You will need to make your own way to the departure point.  However some tours do have a designated hotel departure, which you can stay in prior to the trip.  Please ask at time of booking for departure points and we can direct you to local hotels.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included where specified on the itinerary.

Can I pay in dollars?

All tours are quoted and charged in pounds sterling, but you can pay using your local card and currency.  We will debit the card in pounds sterling and your bank will use their exchange rate at that time to deduct the amount in your local currency.

What time does the trip leave and return?

Departure times will vary depending on the itinerary.  European tours departing from London will usually leave between 05.00am and 07.00am.  Multi day UK tours will leave between 06.00am and 07:30am.  Day trips will depart between 07.00am and 09.00am.  European and worldwide tours that start in an overseas city will have a welcome reception on day one of the tour which is usually around 18.00pm.

Return times vary depending on the itinerary.  All the full day coach tours should be finished by no later than 19.00pm, traffic permitting.  The train tours return between 20.00pm and 22.00pm.  Longer duration trips will return between 16.00pm and 19.00pm.  All times will be confirmed at time of booking.

Is this a definite/guaranteed departure?

A definite departure is guaranteed to operate for that given departure date.  A trip that is not yet designated a definite departure is not yet guaranteed to operate based on current booking numbers.  If a trip and departure date you are interested in is not yet definite, do not let this discourage you from booking.  The more paid passengers received, the odds of the trip operating increase.  In the slim case that the operator withdraw a trip you are booked on due to a lack of numbers, you are entitled to a full refund of any funds already paid towards the tour, or if flexible with your time, we can move you onto another departure.

Who travels on these tours, who else is booked?

Whilst we can not confirm exactly who else is booked on a tour, we can guarantee you will be travelling with fellow liked minded travelers who share a passion for travel, fun, adventure and discovery.  All tours will be run by English speaking guides and age ranges will vary.  The beauty of taking a guided holiday is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

Are transfers included from the airport?

In general, if you are joining or departing your guided holiday on the first or last day, return transfers between the airport and hotel are included (excludes itineraries starting and/or ending in London).  You’ll find specific information on the itinerary’s page.

What optional excursions can I do and can I book them now?

Optional experiences are available on some tours.  These are activities that are not automatically included, but offered during your trip to enhance your travel experience.  These are all bookable whilst on the tour via your tour guide/travel director.  These are payable by cash or card.

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Our Most Popular Essentials

London attractions, music concerts, sports tickets, festive tours.

There are so many and we cater for everyone so it may be a case of a leisurely out of London trip to Stonehenge or you may want the buzz and excitement of a theatre tour of London – all the glitz and glamour is there. Out of London, we offer all sorts of adventures: Roman Baths, Shakespeare country, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton – you name it. Same with London – we don’t just do the round London tours – we can take you to Kew Gardens or we can take you on an expedition on the roof of the O2 Dome to the platform at the top offering spectacular views.

3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from London

• 2 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast
• Professional Driver Guide
• Transport by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
• 2nd class return rail travel from London Euston to Penrith station
• Small-group tour (maximum 16 people)
• Entry/Admission - Rabbie's
• Lunch, dinner and refreshments
• Admission fees
• Entry/Admission - Lake Windermere
• Entry/Admission - Honister Slate Mine
• Euston Rd., London NW1 2RT, UK London Euston Train Station, Kings Cross, London NW1 2DU
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Minimum age to participate is 5 years old. We are sorry, children under the age of 5 cannot join our tour.
• After booking your tour, we'll contact you about your train journey (London Euston - Penrith)
• Collect your ticket from the ticket machines using your bank or credit card and the 'collection reference' number we send you
• Most travellers can participate
• This trip combines a return train journey with one of our tours. It's a fast and sustainable way to get you to where you want to go. You get picked up by a Rabbie's mini-coach from Penrith Train Station
• Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
• Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately
• Lake Windemere Cruise - We reserve tickets for you. If you want to join this cruise, please purchase your ticket whilst on tour.
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers
• If you cancel at least 22 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 21 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

• t0rui 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour to Burford, Bibury, Oxford!!! Actually we went on Jan 2023. So the evaluation was a bit late, but still this was so great that we want to write it now… The tour was as below. Started at 9:15, we went firstly to Burford, then to Bibury, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum. At Burford, we had time for lunch at a great bakery, and could see the old beautiful town! And among those sites, Bibury was very wonderful, with the landscape, the old architecture!!! Oxford was also great with its tradition! We found the Turf Tarven, built from 12th century! We also could see some colleges, universities at Oxford… Because we booked 2 nights at Costwold, so we didnt go back to London with the bus, we asked John (the tour guide) to drop us near the railway in Oxford, and from Oxford we got on the train and made it to Costwold late that evening… Overall, this tour was very good… John, the tour guide was also very nice… Recommend to other people to book this tour… We hope to be able to visit England, Costwold again the future… Read more Written 7 April 2024
• FarAway209253 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Knowledgeable Guide; Lovely Sites Excellent guide. She did a great job and provided just enough information. Everything was timed out perfectly. The guide pamphlet for Oxford was very helpful. Great views in the Cotswolds. Read more Written 2 April 2024
• americanmaid97 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles More transportation than a tour It was okay. We enjoyed our time in Oxford. Not enough time in Burford. The driver guide was really just a driver. We were hoping for more information about the area and the attractions. Barry seemed to know little. What we were hoping for was a guided tour. It would have been nice to have a guide go with us around Oxford or the villages. But if not that, at least have info while driving. So, while we enjoyed exploring on our own, this tour was really just transport. Read more Written 31 March 2024
• notablemention 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommended day out James the tour guide made the day very interesting and fun. I loved it so much. The bus stopped for toilet stops and told us where to visit. James knew all the spots of interest for Harry Potter fans too Read more Written 31 March 2024
• Wanderer763257 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles “Just right” tour As we had participated in a Rabbie’s tour previously, we had high expectations; our tour guide Dan and the trip itself definitely met them. This tour proved to be “just right” — the stones at Avebury were magical; the bakery in Lacock offered delicious pastries, and Bath was beautiful. Dan provided fascinating commentary about the locations, and his reliability put us at ease. We will hopefully participate in more tours like this in the future. Read more Written 25 March 2024
• nsingh80 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Place Must do if you’re visiting London for a few days. It’s a short drive and such a beautiful village/town. Highly recommend it. Read more Written 25 March 2024
• hazizav 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Nice way to break up our visit to London Our tour guide was personable and gave us excellent background information about each site and what to do, as well as information about things we passed along the way. The mini coach very comfortable. Overall it was a great tour and our teenage children enjoyed it as well. Read more Written 18 March 2024
• winkywacky 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Bouncing along The one problem with this tour was the driving experience. It was so bumpy to be unsafe. Please check the shocks. I feel sore today from bouncing along. Read more Written 17 March 2024
• BBBBTravel 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles John was terrific The tour itself was comfortable and well organized. I enjoyed hearing about the history, culture etc. John was a great storyteller, kind of funny and knew his stuff. Had a wonderful dinner the last night with the friendly group from all over the world. Wonderful discussion. Definitely thinking, intellectually curious people. Loved it. The only issues I had would not reduce my five star review. 1 - after seeing Ireland and Scotland, it didn’t seem there was much to see. We did go early March and it was rainy but I was disappointed in what the area had to offer. And 2 - had to wear my earbuds because wasn’t a fan of John’s choice of music. That said, Rabbies is the only tour we will take in the future. If John is the caliber of guide, we will go. Read more Written 17 March 2024
• deb30856 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 5 day Devon and Cornwall trip Our guide/driver Dean was kind, considerate and very knowledgeable on the history of all the places we visited on this 5 day tour. The meeting point was fairly easy to find, the coach was comfortable. This tour provides a good over view of the regions visited and provides lots of ideas for future adventures. My only negatives would be not having enough time in Tintagel to visit the medieval church and to hike out to the castle. Also, more time in Glastonbury to climb the Tor or visit Chalice Well in addition to the the cathedral ruins would have made this a 10/10 experience. My favourite of the entire journey was Dartmoor National Park - somewhere I will make an effort to visit in the future. I highly recommend touring with Rabbie’s. And great thanks to Dean for making the 5 day journey so enjoyable and informative. Read more Written 13 March 2024
• Elena P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great ! Good job, Dan ! Dan , our driver and guide, was great ! His accent, stories , advice (where to eat, what to visit ) , his driving ...everything outstanding! Great job ! The places we visited were amazing ! We will come back for another trip with Rabbie's again ! Very well done ! Read more Written 9 March 2024
• AustintoBoston 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Hassle Free Lovely way to see Oxford and the Cotswolds Villages in a joint day trip from London, without having to worry about train schedules or a car rental. Spent more time in Oxford than the Cotswolds, with plenty of time to get a coffee in the Cotswolds and lunch in Oxford. Be warned that if you want to tour any of the buildings in Oxford these require separate tickets, and on the day we were there the library was closed for a private event. Probably good to look into ahead of time. My only gripe is that for a "tour," I didn't find the driver particularly entertaining, he basically didn't say anything at all the entire multi-hour drive there apart from a few comments once we were close. In many ways this felt more like a small-group transport service than a tour, but still worth it in my opinion. FYI: the traffic on the way back into London was atrocious (typical we were told) - get off at the nearest spot in the city that the driver offers to stop at and take the tube the remainder of the way - trust me. Read more Written 3 March 2024
• CharlesArmyBrat55 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles First trip to Oxford Loved the guide provided by Rabbies. The coach was very nice and comfortable. trip to Oxford took a couple hours but once arrived we were left off to handle our visit. We arranged for a walking tour with students as guides which was great. However, two hours in Oxford is not sufficient so expect the desire to come back. the next two stops are awesome and very pretty little villages. some great shopping in Belford. Arrived back in London in good time to find a dinner spot. Would arrange trips with this group without hesitation. Read more Written 27 February 2024
• 426ancad 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Touristic jewels It was a really nice trip in February 2024. The minibus was nice and comfortable and our guide Francis was great: an excellent mix of pleasant humor, great tips and information, conversation and silence at the right time (his playlist was very nice as well). The places were what we had expected only slightly busier; the architecture, the atmosphere and luckily the weather did not disappoint. Read more Written 17 February 2024
• 216tempusf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Terrific. You will love it. I've now been on three Rabbie's tours; one to Devon and Cornwall, one to the Outer Hebrides, and one to the Orkneys. Had a marvelous time and many indelible experiences on each. Emily is one of the best guides imaginable; she was witty, acerbic, and hilarious. Rabbie's seems to hire only personable and well-prepared guides; they are also flexible and extremely helpful about changes to routine, slight additions to the program, etc. On Emily's tour, I saw a hillside filled with rippling streams and heather in full bloom; I asked if we could stop and she gave us one of my best experiences ever. The photos will always remind me of that interlude of pure joy and magic. Read more Written 7 February 2024

More to explore in London

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from London provided by Rabbie's

The Lake District

England's premier national park.

Picture this. You're children's author Beatrix Potter . Well... maybe not quite yet. For now, you're just Beatrix. A little girl on holiday with her family in the Lake District . Tucked up at the base a bramley apple tree, toes wiggling in the cool blades of grass, you see a dusty rabbit dash a cross the field before you.

Overhead, a Red Kite circles. Your heart spikes. Will that cute little bunny be its next meal?

Now, we're not saying this was the moment that inspired Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit , but it's certainly possible, isn't it? The beauty of the Lake District has inspired many famous writers over the years. We just love Wordsworth's poems, don't you? 

But what we care about is your experience. How will the Lake District move you? To words? To tears? Perhaps you're a photographer. Or maybe you love nothing more than staring at trees. Whatever draws you in, the Lake District is one of England's greatest destinations.  

Explore the Lake District tours

Why you'll love the Lake District

Rolling Hills

Lush green hills and valleys tumble across this gorgeous landscape. It’s no wonder the likes of Wordsworth and Tennyson were inspired by its boundless beauty.

Charming Villages

Cosy pubs, welcoming teahouses and Grasmere’s famous home-made gingerbread await you in the villages of the Lake District. Bask in the warm hospitality of the locals.

Mysterious Stone Circles

Castlerigg Stone Circle is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and engulfed in mystery. Secret Pagan rituals took place here five thousand years ago. Will you feel the shadows lurking around you?

Tranquil Lakes

Whether the sun is shining, or mist is gathering on the shores, the lakes in this part of England are enchanting. On a still day you can view entire vistas in the glassy reflection of the water.

Lake District Tours

5 BEST Lake District Tours from London (2024)

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Ready to book the best Lake District tours from London?

You’ve come to the right place because I’m covering the top 5 Lake District tours from London here!

How do I know?

I’ve lived in London since 2012 and have been to the Lake District so many times since moving here since it’s amazing and charming and relaxing and all the best things about the UK.

And of course, I’ve had to get there, so have taken a fair few tours of the Lake District from London over the years!

Unlike my guide to the best Lake District tours , these ones are specifically departing from London, so they’re a fantastic resource if you’re staying in the city and want a day trip or a couple day break.

I’ve only included quality tours in this list so you know that you’re getting the best of the best.

Want me to get to the point?

The best Lake District tour departing from London is this Lake District rail trip from London .

⏳ Don’t have time to read the whole list?

The best tour of the Lake District from London is this Lake District rail trip from London .

Click here to check prices and availability.

It’s got great reviews and a consistently high rating, so you can’t go wrong.

But let’s jump into the other great tours of the Lake District that leave from London.

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

Easy Guide: Best London to Lake District Tours

1. lake district rail day trip from london : lake district tours from london.

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 60+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  13 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR

• Meet your Expert Guide in Oxenholme
• Return Rail Journey
• Free Wi-Fi On Board (Train Only)
• Return Train tickets (between London Euston and Oxenholme Station (reserved seats)

Discover the wild beauty and literary history of England’s Lake District on a guided day trip from London that includes round-trip train tickets .

You’ll travel in a comfortable minivan and visit stunning places like Lake Windermere , the charming village of Hawkshead , and the peaceful Tarn Hows .

If you go during the summer, you’re in for a special treat.

You can explore Hill Top, the farmhouse that inspired Beatrix Potter ‘s famous stories.

You’ll also get to enjoy a relaxing cruise on the lake and have a delicious English tea at the Lindeth Howe hotel.

You can make your journey even fancier by upgrading to first-class train tickets.

During the winter, the trip is a bit different.

You’ll get to see Rydal Mount and Gardens , where you’ll learn a lot and have a cream tea.

Then, you’ll visit Bowness and can choose to enter the World of Beatrix Potter, a cool place that brings her stories to life.

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

⭐️  RATING:  4.6 out of 5 Stars, 19+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 day | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Round-trip train tickets to Lake District National Park with reserved seats
• Scenic lake cruise
• Visit medieval Hawkshead village

Head over to London Euston station for a calm train ride to Oxenholme in the amazing Lake District National Park.

When you get to Oxenholme, a l ocal guide will meet you and show you around the Lake District.

This guided tour is the best way to see the most interesting parts of the Lake District, which is famous for its connections to Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth.

Start by going up north along the edge of Lake Windermere to a village called Hawkshead .

This is where Wordsworth went to school.

Then, go on to a beautiful place called Tarn Hows where you can stop and take pictures.

After that, drive through Yewdale and pass by Yew Tree Tarn , which was in a movie called “Miss Potter.”

Next, go into the big valleys of the Langdales , which were shaped by ice a long time ago and look really amazing.

When you reach the village of Waterhead by the lake, you’ll go on a boat cruise on Windermere , the biggest lake in England.

Sit back and enjoy the view of the big hills, which the locals call Lakeland Fells.

When you get to Bowness Bay , have a special tea with cream at Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, where Beatrix Potter used to live.

At the end of the day, the guide will take you back to Oxenholme Station for the train ride back to London.

3. Overnight Lake District with Afternoon Tea & Cruise from London

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 5+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 days | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Free Wi-Fi On Board the Train
• Culinary Aspect (cream tea on Day 1)
• One night’s hotel stay in the Lake District with Breakfast

Discover the amazing beauty of the Lake District National Park on an overnight trip from London .

Travel by train through scenic routes to reach this stunning park and enjoy a guided tour .

Cruise on Coniston Water , a big lake in the area.

See where Beatrix Potter, a famous author, used to live at Hill Top, and have a yummy traditional afternoon tea.

Stay in a nice 3 or 4-star hotel , and after a tasty English breakfast, have your own adventure on the second day.

You’ll have a guided tour to explore the amazing Lake District National Park, go on a boat ride on Coniston Water , visit Beatrix Potter’s old home, Hill Top, and the old village of Hawkshead .

Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea at Lindeth Howe , where Beatrix Potter also lived.

4. 3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from London : Lake District trip from London

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 5+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 days | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• 2 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast
• Professional Driver Guide
• Transport by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
• 2nd class return rail travel from London Euston to Penrith station
• Small-group tour (maximum 16 people)

Embark on a fantastic 3-day journey to the picturesque Lake District, a region that captures the essence of both British history and the wonders of nature.

What makes this adventure special is that you’ll be part of a small group , ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience throughout your trip.

To kick off your adventure, you’ll hop on a train departing from London .

This train journey provides the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the changing landscapes as you make your way towards the Lake District.

Once you arrive, you can leave all the planning and logistics to the experts – your transportation and accommodation are all taken care of, leaving you free to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking surroundings.

The itinerary for this tour has been carefully crafted with you in mind.

It’s ideal for those who want to make the most of their time in this rural paradise.

From the mesmerizing Ullswater Lake that reflects the beauty of its surroundings to the scenic drive through Kirkstone Pass, every moment is a chance to connect with the stunning natural environment.

One of the highlights of your journey will be a visit to Dove Cottage , the former home of the renowned poet William Wordsworth.

Here, you can step into the world that inspired his words and gain a deeper understanding of the connection between this great poet and the landscape that surrounded him.

Throughout your trip, you’ll travel in style and comfort aboard a top-of-the-line Mercedes mini-coach .

This comfortable mode of transportation ensures you can relax and enjoy the sights without any worries.

It’s a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of London, allowing you to fully embrace the tranquility of the Lake District.

When it comes to accommodations, you’ll be treated to two nights of cozy and comfortable lodging.

This gives you plenty of time to unwind, recharge, and truly appreciate the beauty and serenity of the Lake District.

5. Self-guided Lake District Tour from London : tours to Lake District from London

While it’s not something you can book, it is possible to do your own self-guided tour of the Lake District from London .

Obviously you can rent a car and make the drive, but I would only recommend this if you’re very familiar with driving in the UK.

Instead, you can book your own tickets from London to Oxenholme Train Station, using Omio , and you can then either get a train to Windermere (the closest lake) which takes about 20 minutes, or you can arrange for a taxi.

This will allow you to explore the Lake District for the day on your own terms, as once you’re dropped off in Windermere, you can walk your way around the local area and go down to the lake and do some hikes.

This is a fantastic option for those who are a bit more adventurous or don’t want to be on the schedule of a tour, but still want to see the Lake District from London.

Heading to London? Want the best tips?

Check out my Ultimate Guide to London for Visitors. Using text, images and video, this guide is packed full of tips, tricks, safety advice, knowledge on how to get around and what to do, and more!

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3 day Lake District itinerary: 3 Epic Days In England’s Lake District

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no additional cost to you.

Looking for expert recommendations for your visit to the Lake District in England? You have come to the right place. In this post, Fiona (a native Brit), shares with us the ideal 3 day Lake District Itinerary. In other words, how to experience the perfect 3 days in Lake District UK.

Quaint rural villages, stunning landscapes and of course the beautiful lakes make this part of Northwest England worth visiting as you’ll discover in this Lake District itinerary. The Lake District lies in the heart of a Cumbria. It’s a National Park with Unesco World Heritage status, and its breathtaking vistas are numerous. 

For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s an overwhelming amount of walks that take you across the fells and tarns. On return to your base, you’ll find an abundance of cosy pubs with log fires, real ale and friendly locals. Lovers of food have three Michelin starred restaurants to enjoy and plenty of local goodies to savour.

The area also has a close affinity to literature and art. It’s thanks to the author Beatrix Potter that the landscape of the National park has remained untouched. 

Beatrix loved the Lake District so much that she purchased 4000 acres and 14 farms which she donated to the National Trust upon her death. A formidable lady who achieved so much given that women’s place in society during the late 19th and early 20th century.

Note: You can learn more about Beatrix on this half-day tour which takes you to visit her home and also all the scenic areas that made her fall in love with The Lake District region.

In addition, The renowned poet William Wordsworth was born and indeed spent much of life in Cumbria. The natural beauty of the area inspired many of his famous poems, including Daffodils.

Getting around Lake District

The easiest way to get around the Lake District is by car. If you are worried about your carbon footprint, you can hire an electric vehicle through Co-Wheels . There are charging points on the car parks at Coniston, Grasmere and Glenridding. 

Some buses regularly run along the main road and around the area, but if you want to reach the Lake District hidden gems, you will need a car. 

Lake District 3 day Itinerary – How to spend the perfect 3 days in Lake District!

Spend the morning exploring the  attractions of Grasmere Village . Start at St Oswald Church where you can see the grave of William Wordsworth and enjoy the splendid views of the river from the daffodil garden.

Take a walk along some of the coffin route which is known for being one of Britains best trails. Along the way, you’ll pass both Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. Both are former homes of Wordsworth and well worth visiting. 

Its an easy walking route that’s mostly flat and you can reach Rydal Mount in under an hour. From the church, turn left and continue along the main road towards Ambleside. Follow the signs to Dove cottage and then look out for the public footpath to Alcock Tarn and Coffin Route to Rydal.

From Rydal, you can catch the 599 bus back to Grasmere or continue walking around the full circuit of Rydal Water which will take a couple of hours.

If you have limited time, you can also book a full-day tour to see the best ten lakes in the Lake District .

Dove cottage

Dove Cottage was home to William Wordsworth and his sister for eight years. You can take a look inside the picturesque cottage and see some of his famous manuscripts at the museum next door.

Rydal Mount

From Rydal Mount, you get fantastic views over Lake Windermere, the largest body of water in the lake district. Wordsworth lived here between 1813 and 1850.  Take in a tour of the house and gardens which are beautiful. You can see the family rooms which display portraits, artefacts and first editions of his works.

The fells give a perfect backdrop to the exquisite garden which is filled with shrubs, rhododendrons and lawns. The view of the Rydal Water is particularly stunning from the summer house. If you are visiting in early April, take a walk to Dora’s field before leaving to see the stunning array of daffodils. The small area lies between the house and the main road next to St Mary’s church. After the death of his daughter, William and his family planted hundreds of daffodils as a memorial to Dora.

You might also like: The best spots to visit in The UK for nature lovers!

Allan Bank House

An alternative place to visit in Grasmere, if you are looking for somewhere to sit and enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside is Allan Bank House.  It’s an easy 10-minute walk here from the centre of Grasmere. Another of Wordsworth’s homes but this one is a little more quirky. 

The National Trust owns the property which has various rooms to enjoy. You can enjoy painting in the art room or get creative in the craft room. There’s a library in which you can relax and read a book, or you can sit by the fire in the study and admire the view.  There’s also a playroom which has loads of toys to keep the children entertained not to mention a fantastic dressing up box.

Grasmere has numerous cafes to chose from for a bite to eat. Personally, my favourite is Greens which has a great selection of salads and sandwiches. 

For dessert, I’d take a walk to Grasmere’s other famous attraction, the Gingerbread Shop. Sarah Nelson’s recipe has been around for decades, and the unique taste is loved by even those who despise gingerbread.

In the afternoon, take the car or catch bus 599 to Ambleside. The small town is one of the most popular places in the Lake District, and during the summer months, there’s plenty of boat rides and water activities to enjoy. 

Catch the ferry over to Brockhole, the National Park visitors centre or hire a rowing boat and enjoy the water.

You could also take a walk to Stock Ghyll Force to see the spectacular waterfall or visit the Armitt Museum, which has an exciting collection of books, paintings and manuscripts.

Evening meal

Lovers of fine dining should not miss the opportunity of eating at the Forest Side restaurant. The ten-course tasting menu at this one-star Michelin restaurant is sublime.  If you prefer somewhere a little less formal, there are numerous restaurants in both Ambleside and Grasmere to enjoy.

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Start the day at Blackwell Arts and Crafts house near Windermere. Blackwell House is a stunning art deco building which enjoys magnificent views over Lake Windermere. It was the former holiday home of Sir Edward Holt, the proprietor of the famous Manchester Brewery Holts. 

The decor of the house is stunning with its stained glass windows, and intricate wooden panelling. One of the highlights is a rare hessian wall-hanging in the dining room. Look out for the neighbouring herd wick sheep in the surrounding fields as they are unique to the area.

How to get to there

Follow the signs to Bowness-on-Windermere and then Blackwell. Take the road to the right at the B5360 at the fork. There are signposts to the house and parking is free when you get there. There are no public transport options to get here, but you could take bus 599 to Windermere and then get a taxi

The world of Beatrix Potter

One of the area’s most visited attractions is the World of Beatrix Potter in the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere. 

For some, this part of the lakes may be too busy, but the attraction is worth a visit. Beautiful Figurines bring to life the enchanting tails from books such as Peter Rabbit. No matter how old you are, the depth of detail and craftsmanship of the characters is delightful. 

The tour begins with a short film which gives a brief, but insightful look into the life of Beatrix and her characters. It takes no more than an hour to walk through the tour, and you can’t help but admire the attention to detail at every point.

Having enjoyed an insight into the characters of Beatrix Potter take a drive to the quintessential village of Hawkshead.

Many of the buildings here date from the 17th Century, and there are some delightful tea rooms and shops. 

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How to get to Hawkshead

To get here, follow the A591 and then the B5286. Cars are not allowed in the village, but there is a car park on the outskirts. If you are relying on public transport, take the ferry from Bowness to Ferry House. Then follow the footpath to Hill Top, which is signposted. From Hill Top, the 525 bus regularly runs in summer between here and Hawkshead.

If you love cats check out Kittchen, a cat cafe in the heart of the village. Their mezzo boards (which include a vegan option) are superb with much of the produce locally sourced. 

An alternative place for lunch is the Minstrels gallery, which is an excellent choice if you fancy indulging in afternoon tea.

Hawkshead Gallery

The 17th Century building was once the solicitor’s office of Beatrix Potters husband. Today it’s a gallery dedicated to her work. 

On display are many of her watercolour paintings, sketches and letters. The narrow corridors and staircases within the old building are also intriguing. The whole place has a lovely ambience and is well worth a visit.

Wray Castle

On your return to Grasmere, stop by the beautiful castle of Wray. You can walk from Hawkshead although its approximately 5 miles or take the minibus 505 if you don’t have a vehicle. 

You can also get to Wray Castle by boat from Windermere in summer.

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The castle is not real; it was built as a private house in 1840, but its splendid turrets and gothic architecture make it a fairy tale building. Inside the rooms are elaborate with grand spaces and narrow servant passages. There’s a Peter Rabbit adventure that you can take or enjoy a stroll around the gardens and waters edge. 

If you have a car, take a drive to the Drunken Duck after leaving Wray Castle. Follow the B5286 and turn left towards Barngates. It’s about a 10-minute drive. The food is exceptional, and the cosy interior is every bit as snug as you could imagine from a traditional English pub.

Take a scenic drive along the A591 to Keswick in the North Lakes. 

If you want to extend the journey, you could take in the Kirkstone Pass. To reach the start of the kirkstone pass head back to Windermere and take A592 through Troutbeck. On either route, the scenery is exquisite, particularly if the sun is shining.

Castlerigg Stone circle

On route to Keswick, it’s worth stopping at the Castlerigg stone circle which is on the road to Penrith just outside of town.

The panoramic views over Helvellyn and high seat make this one of Britains most exquisite stone circles. It’s also one of the earliest, dating back to 3000BC.  The site is free to visit, and you can park near the gate on the lane.

Keswick is a market town, and there’s plenty of shops to enjoy. There are several places where you can hire bikes if you want to explore the surrounds of Derwent water or you can take a boat ride.

I would just stop for a coffee break and continue along the Keswick loop which takes in another of the areas most scenic drives along the Honister pass.

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Keswick Loop

From Keswick take the B5289 towards Borrowdale. For those who don’t mind small roads its worth making a detour to Ashness Bridge one of the most photographed places in Cumbria by professionals. 

Be forewarned the road is narrow, and there are few spots to pass, should you meet another vehicle. It’s also rather steep in places, but you don’t need a 4wd. 

Surprise View – A Hidden Gem

If you drive across the bridge and continue for 1/4 of a mile, you’ll reach one of the hidden gems in this part of the world. 

Few visitors make it up here, but the breathtaking view across Derwent water is one of my favourites. 

There is a small car park and a bench from which you can admire the views across the water to Cat Bells. It even looks stunning if the weather is misty.   Back on the B5289 follow the signs towards Buttermere which takes you through the Newlands Valley.

Along the way stop at Croft House Farm Cafe in Buttermere for a bite to eat. The homemade cakes are delicious, and there’s a good selection of coffee, including ones with flavoured syrup.

The Honister Pass starts at Gatesgarth Farm at the south end of Buttermere. It takes you across Cumbria’s highest points rising to 1167 feet in height at the summit. 

Keep following the signs to Honister slate mine if you are unsure. There are several viewpoints to stop and enjoy the spectacular vistas. It’s simply breathtaking. However, it is not for drivers that lack confidence there’s a steep descent after the quarry, and a low gear ratio is essential. 

You may prefer to book a tour to experience this part of the lake district itinerary. If time permits or if you prefer to skip the scenic drive above, take a visit to Cockermouth. It’s about an hours drive from the end of the Honister pass or 20 minutes from Keswick along the A66.

The colourful town is home to Jennings Brewery if you fancy some beer tasting and you can visit the house where William Wordsworth was born.  There are plenty of small independent shops, which include antiques, arts and crafts and a delightful bookshop. 

The history of the town is fascinating, and there’s an informative display in the centre if you wish to know more. 

You can also pick up a trail leaflet at the tourist information which walks you through the town’s history. After the horrific floods in 2009, one of the largest Romano settlements was discovered here during the clear-up operation.

From Cockermouth back to Grasmere its approximately a 40-minute drive along the A66 and A591.

Where to stay during your Lake District Itinerary

There is no shortage of accommodation throughout the Lake District, with something to suit every budget. Grasmere makes for a good base as its more central than Windermere, but if you’re happy to hire a car, there are some delightful BnB’s that are off the beaten track.

Five-Star Hotel

In Grasmere, the Wordsworth Daffodil and Spa Hotel will not disappoint. With luxurious rooms, an indoor pool, spa treatments, and an awarding winning restaurant, there’s much to enjoy.

Quirky accommodation

Beatrix Potter once owned the Lindeth Howe Hotel . It’s quirky, yet the sophisticated interior is a delight. Unique features such as the hanging books above the fireplace and the butterfly trail carpet that leads to the bar may not suit everyone but they certainly, add character. 

The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Windermere, and the 2 AA Rosette restaurant serves an English style menu with much of the produce sourced locally.

Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge

Heidi’s Lodge is a charming BnB in the heart of Grasmere. There’s free on-site parking, and the rooms enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding fells. It’s the perfect home away from home, which you need to book well in advance as it’s popular.

Best time to visit the Lake District

Whatever time of year you visit there is a good chance that it will rain during your stay. The landscape around here is not green and full of water for no reason. However, between April and September, the weather is warmer, and all the National Trust properties are open. 

During the winter months, some sites close, but it’s much quieter, which makes it more attractive. The restaurants and hotels are open year-round as its a popular place to go hiking in the UK.

Getting to the Lake District from London and Beyond

The nearest airport is Manchester or Glasgow. From Manchester airport, there is a train that connects to Windermere. You can also catch a train from London Euston direct to Windermere which takes approximately three and a half hours. 

Train services also connect Edinburgh and Glasgow with Windermere. On some train routes, you may have to change at Oxendale, which is not difficult.

National Trust Pass

If you are an international visitor, you can save money on entry to National Trust sites by purchasing a pass online.  The pass gives you free entry to over 300 historical houses and gardens throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  For more information click here .

While many visitor’s to the UK enjoy the delights of the London few get out into the countryside. Britains heart is in its rural villages as you’ll discover on this Lake District itinerary.

This is a guest post by: Fiona from the Blog Passportandpiano.com

Author’s Bio: Fiona is an international music examiner whose work takes her to schools all over the world. Her travel blog  Passport and Piano  is growing fast. It provides inspiration, travel tips and resources to help people to visit unique destinations which are away from the ordinary. You can follow her adventures on Facebook and Pinterest @Passportandpiano.

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• Tours from London - Out of London Tours >

Lake District Day Tour by Train from London

Our Lake District day tour from London takes you to some of the most spectacular locations in one of the most beautiful regions in England. Departing from London Euston train station, you’ll travel with reserved seats on Virgin Trains to Oxenholme train station in the Lake District. On arrival, you’ll be greeted on the platform by your highly knowledgeable tour guide who’ll be with you throughout the day. The day will be spent discovering some of the region’s most impressive lakes. Start with a cruise along Lake Windermere, followed by visits to Hawkshead, Hilltop Top and Tarn Hows. Afternoon tea is spent at the family home of Beatrix Potter where you’ll enjoy tea and scones in one of the most idyllic locations in the Lake District. From here, drive through some of the most spectacular landscapes before returning to Oxenholme Train Station, arriving back in Central London in the evening.

Our Lake District day tour from London is available with standard rail tickets. We also offer premium class and first class tickets.

• 08:00: Make your own way to London Euston Station with your printed train tickets for your outbound and inbound rail journeys
• 08:30: Train departs Euston, arriving at Oxenholme Train Station in the Lake District at 11:08
• 11:10: Meet your tour guide and depart the train station for a full day tour of The Lake District, including transportation, tour guide, afternoon tea and all entrance fees
• 18:30: Train departs Oxenholme Station, arriving at London Euston at 21:24. (NB. Train times might vary on Saturdays)

highlights:

• Depart London Euston station at 08:30 on this Lake District day tour
• Having arrived at Oxenholme train station, drive through the beautiful Lake District countryside, admiring the wonderful panoramic scenery
• Visit Windermere, the largest lake in the Lake District with extraordinarily beautiful views
• Enjoy a relaxing cruise along Lake Windermere
• Next stop is Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter. Visit the charming house, gardens and shop of this literary giant who bought the house from the sales of her book ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’.
• Visit the picturesque village of Hawkshead, one of the prettiest villages in the Lake District. Discover its 13th Century church and its connection to William Wordsworth, one of England’s most famous poets. Wordworth’s old Grammar School is located here
• Stop at Tarn Hows, a perfect viewpoint with sweeping views over the lakes
• Arrive at Lindeth Howe Hotel, a former home of Beatrix Potter. Set in 6 acres of majestic countryside, you’ll enjoy a true afternoon English tea with scones, jam and clotted cream.
• Drive back towards Windermere, passing more beautiful countryside and head to Oxenholme train station
• Depart Oxenholme and arrive at London Euston Station at 21:24

Please note that during the winter months, the tour does not visit Hill Top House. Instead, we journey into the Mountains and the Langdale Valley, which was formed by glaciers millions of years ago. The area provides the classic Lake District scenery, you will have the chance to stop at the picturesque Blea Tarn, you might even see a few of the local Herdwick Sheep!

Train Ticket Options

Standard class includes complimentary Wi-Fi, at-seat orders for food and drinks and plug sockets at selected seats.

Premium Class includes complimentary Wi-Fi, at-seat orders for food and drinks, plug sockets at every window seat, extra legroom and a guaranteed table seat.

First Class includes access to the First Class lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary refreshments and food served at your seat (including alcohol), plug sockets at every window seat, extra leg room and a guaranteed table seat.

Tour Includes:

• The Lake District tour includes reserved seats on Virgin Trains
• Standard rail ticket. You can choose to upgrade your rail trip to premium or first class.
• Luxury transportation via minibus around the Lake District
• A friendly professional guide
• Cruise on Lake Windermere
• Entrance fees
• Tea at Beatrix Potter’s family home

Tour excludes:

• Gratuities (optional)

Further details:

• Please print all documents; rail and entry tickets. You will need all these documents for your trip. Please double check you have entered the correct email address, as without the e-tickets you cannot travel
• Cancel bookings up to 14 days prior to departure to receive a full refund
• The house at Hill Top Farm is not open on Fridays. However, the tour will still visit its Garden and Shop during the summer. The visit to Hill Top House or Gardens is not included in the winter itinerary
• We are unable to offer the tour to children under the age of 5
• Reserved seats on the train
• London Euston Station is easily accessible and its underground runs on the Northern and Victoria lines.

Tour Booking

Terms and conditions, you might also be interested.

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3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from London

• 2 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast
• Professional Driver Guide
• Transport by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
• 2nd class return rail travel from London Euston to Penrith station
• Small-group tour (maximum 16 people)
• Entry/Admission - Rabbie's
• Lunch, dinner and refreshments
• Admission fees
• Entry/Admission - Lake Windermere
• Entry/Admission - Honister Slate Mine
• Euston Rd., London NW1 2RT, UK London Euston Train Station, Kings Cross, London NW1 2DU
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Minimum age to participate is 5 years old. We are sorry, children under the age of 5 cannot join our tour.
• After booking your tour, we'll contact you about your train journey (London Euston - Penrith)
• Collect your ticket from the ticket machines using your bank or credit card and the 'collection reference' number we send you
• Most travellers can participate
• This trip combines a return train journey with one of our tours. It's a fast and sustainable way to get you to where you want to go. You get picked up by a Rabbie's mini-coach from Penrith Train Station
• Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
• Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately
• Lake Windemere Cruise - We reserve tickets for you. If you want to join this cruise, please purchase your ticket whilst on tour.
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers
• If you cancel at least 22 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 21 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

• t0rui 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour to Burford, Bibury, Oxford!!! Actually we went on Jan 2023. So the evaluation was a bit late, but still this was so great that we want to write it now… The tour was as below. Started at 9:15, we went firstly to Burford, then to Bibury, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum. At Burford, we had time for lunch at a great bakery, and could see the old beautiful town! And among those sites, Bibury was very wonderful, with the landscape, the old architecture!!! Oxford was also great with its tradition! We found the Turf Tarven, built from 12th century! We also could see some colleges, universities at Oxford… Because we booked 2 nights at Costwold, so we didnt go back to London with the bus, we asked John (the tour guide) to drop us near the railway in Oxford, and from Oxford we got on the train and made it to Costwold late that evening… Overall, this tour was very good… John, the tour guide was also very nice… Recommend to other people to book this tour… We hope to be able to visit England, Costwold again the future… Read more Written 7 April 2024
• FarAway209253 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Knowledgeable Guide; Lovely Sites Excellent guide. She did a great job and provided just enough information. Everything was timed out perfectly. The guide pamphlet for Oxford was very helpful. Great views in the Cotswolds. Read more Written 2 April 2024
• americanmaid97 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles More transportation than a tour It was okay. We enjoyed our time in Oxford. Not enough time in Burford. The driver guide was really just a driver. We were hoping for more information about the area and the attractions. Barry seemed to know little. What we were hoping for was a guided tour. It would have been nice to have a guide go with us around Oxford or the villages. But if not that, at least have info while driving. So, while we enjoyed exploring on our own, this tour was really just transport. Read more Written 31 March 2024
• notablemention 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommended day out James the tour guide made the day very interesting and fun. I loved it so much. The bus stopped for toilet stops and told us where to visit. James knew all the spots of interest for Harry Potter fans too Read more Written 31 March 2024
• Wanderer763257 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles “Just right” tour As we had participated in a Rabbie’s tour previously, we had high expectations; our tour guide Dan and the trip itself definitely met them. This tour proved to be “just right” — the stones at Avebury were magical; the bakery in Lacock offered delicious pastries, and Bath was beautiful. Dan provided fascinating commentary about the locations, and his reliability put us at ease. We will hopefully participate in more tours like this in the future. Read more Written 25 March 2024
• nsingh80 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Place Must do if you’re visiting London for a few days. It’s a short drive and such a beautiful village/town. Highly recommend it. Read more Written 25 March 2024
• hazizav 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Nice way to break up our visit to London Our tour guide was personable and gave us excellent background information about each site and what to do, as well as information about things we passed along the way. The mini coach very comfortable. Overall it was a great tour and our teenage children enjoyed it as well. Read more Written 18 March 2024
• winkywacky 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Bouncing along The one problem with this tour was the driving experience. It was so bumpy to be unsafe. Please check the shocks. I feel sore today from bouncing along. Read more Written 17 March 2024
• BBBBTravel 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles John was terrific The tour itself was comfortable and well organized. I enjoyed hearing about the history, culture etc. John was a great storyteller, kind of funny and knew his stuff. Had a wonderful dinner the last night with the friendly group from all over the world. Wonderful discussion. Definitely thinking, intellectually curious people. Loved it. The only issues I had would not reduce my five star review. 1 - after seeing Ireland and Scotland, it didn’t seem there was much to see. We did go early March and it was rainy but I was disappointed in what the area had to offer. And 2 - had to wear my earbuds because wasn’t a fan of John’s choice of music. That said, Rabbies is the only tour we will take in the future. If John is the caliber of guide, we will go. Read more Written 17 March 2024
• deb30856 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 5 day Devon and Cornwall trip Our guide/driver Dean was kind, considerate and very knowledgeable on the history of all the places we visited on this 5 day tour. The meeting point was fairly easy to find, the coach was comfortable. This tour provides a good over view of the regions visited and provides lots of ideas for future adventures. My only negatives would be not having enough time in Tintagel to visit the medieval church and to hike out to the castle. Also, more time in Glastonbury to climb the Tor or visit Chalice Well in addition to the the cathedral ruins would have made this a 10/10 experience. My favourite of the entire journey was Dartmoor National Park - somewhere I will make an effort to visit in the future. I highly recommend touring with Rabbie’s. And great thanks to Dean for making the 5 day journey so enjoyable and informative. Read more Written 13 March 2024
• Elena P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great ! Good job, Dan ! Dan , our driver and guide, was great ! His accent, stories , advice (where to eat, what to visit ) , his driving ...everything outstanding! Great job ! The places we visited were amazing ! We will come back for another trip with Rabbie's again ! Very well done ! Read more Written 9 March 2024
• AustintoBoston 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Hassle Free Lovely way to see Oxford and the Cotswolds Villages in a joint day trip from London, without having to worry about train schedules or a car rental. Spent more time in Oxford than the Cotswolds, with plenty of time to get a coffee in the Cotswolds and lunch in Oxford. Be warned that if you want to tour any of the buildings in Oxford these require separate tickets, and on the day we were there the library was closed for a private event. Probably good to look into ahead of time. My only gripe is that for a "tour," I didn't find the driver particularly entertaining, he basically didn't say anything at all the entire multi-hour drive there apart from a few comments once we were close. In many ways this felt more like a small-group transport service than a tour, but still worth it in my opinion. FYI: the traffic on the way back into London was atrocious (typical we were told) - get off at the nearest spot in the city that the driver offers to stop at and take the tube the remainder of the way - trust me. Read more Written 3 March 2024
• CharlesArmyBrat55 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles First trip to Oxford Loved the guide provided by Rabbies. The coach was very nice and comfortable. trip to Oxford took a couple hours but once arrived we were left off to handle our visit. We arranged for a walking tour with students as guides which was great. However, two hours in Oxford is not sufficient so expect the desire to come back. the next two stops are awesome and very pretty little villages. some great shopping in Belford. Arrived back in London in good time to find a dinner spot. Would arrange trips with this group without hesitation. Read more Written 27 February 2024
• 426ancad 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Touristic jewels It was a really nice trip in February 2024. The minibus was nice and comfortable and our guide Francis was great: an excellent mix of pleasant humor, great tips and information, conversation and silence at the right time (his playlist was very nice as well). The places were what we had expected only slightly busier; the architecture, the atmosphere and luckily the weather did not disappoint. Read more Written 17 February 2024
• 216tempusf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Terrific. You will love it. I've now been on three Rabbie's tours; one to Devon and Cornwall, one to the Outer Hebrides, and one to the Orkneys. Had a marvelous time and many indelible experiences on each. Emily is one of the best guides imaginable; she was witty, acerbic, and hilarious. Rabbie's seems to hire only personable and well-prepared guides; they are also flexible and extremely helpful about changes to routine, slight additions to the program, etc. On Emily's tour, I saw a hillside filled with rippling streams and heather in full bloom; I asked if we could stop and she gave us one of my best experiences ever. The photos will always remind me of that interlude of pure joy and magic. Read more Written 7 February 2024

More to explore in London

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from London provided by Rabbie's

• £365.00 From per person

3 Day – Lake District Explorer From London

This tour includes a return train journey from London Euston to Penrith.  On arrival in Penrith, your driver-guide meets you and takes you through the best of the Lake District.

Take this tour and discover why this delightful area inspired England’s greatest poets and writers.

The lakes are so lovely, you’ll concoct verses about their beauty.  William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage is so fascinating that you’ll be inspired to rhyme about the 19th century lifestyle.  The mountains are so magnificent, you’ll get lyrical about their rugged peaks and soothing slopes.

Tour Highlights

• Ullswater - The second largest lake in the English Lake District is famous for its sublime, tranquil beauty.
• Aira Force Waterfall - A lovely stone bridge crosses the fabulously flowing waterfalls.
• Castlerigg Stone Circle - It’s like a miniature Stonehenge. Although you can decide whether it’s more beautiful.
• Lake Windermere - You can choose to wander the shores or put on your sailing hat and go for a cruise.
• Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage - Visit the largely unchanged cottage where England’s premier poet composed his perfect poems.
• Derwent Water - This gorgeous location was used in Star Wars - The Force Awakens. But the lasers and spaceships seem a million miles away from this peaceful area.
• Honister Pass - Simply relax and enjoy the views of the monumental mountains.

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - penrith castle, ullswater and keswick.

You depart London Euston Station and head north to the historic Cumbrian market town of Penrith.  Here you have the chance to enjoy lunch and explore the imposing ruins of Penrith Castle.  This uniquely coloured castle played a key role in defending the border from invading Scots.

After lunch we enter the Lake District National Park and travel along the northern shores of Ullswater.  This lake is often described as England’s most beautiful lake, and it’s here we give you 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’re dropped off at your accommodation and free to explore the charming town.

(During July/early August this tour may stay in Windermere).

Day 2 - Lake Windermere and Hawkeshead

After breakfast, you take in views of Ullswater Lake as we 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 Hawkeshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School.

After exploring the cosy village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”.

There’s free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy.  In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick.

Day 3 - Whinlatter Pass and Honister Mountain Pass

We pick you up from 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.

You 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’s free time for lunch and shopping.

Once you’ve eaten lunch, you head towards Penrith station.  Your guide will drop you off at the station, where you catch your train back to London Euston Station.

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Important Information

• Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes.
• One 15 kilogram bag per person.
• After booking your tour, we’ll contact you about your train journey.
• Discounts for Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don’t carry children under 5 years old).

Tour inclusions

• Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach.
• Air conditioning as standard.
• The stories and services of a driver-guide.
• 2nd class return Virgin Rail travel from London Euston to Penrith Station.

Departure details

Departs 08.45 – London Euston

Returns 17.59

Tour accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight? You stay in the lively market town of Keswick. (During July/early August this tour may stay in Windermere).

How does the accommodation work? Your tour excludes accommodation; but when you book, you can ask us to reserve local accommodation for you, or you can choose to reserve your own accommodation in the overnight locations.

I want you to book my accommodation, what happens now? Once you’ve booked your tour, we’ll reserve all your accommodation, and your driver will drop you off with your hosts. You’ll pay your accommodation directly. Most don’t accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash.

What if I want to change my accommodation booking? Changes to accommodation cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability. A minimum amendment charge of £5.00 will apply.

I booked my own accommodation is there anything I need to do? You’ll need to contact us with your accommodation details. Please only reserve accommodation within the overnight towns that your tour stops in.

Your driver will drop you off at your chosen accommodation as long as it’s relatively central.

What if I cancel my tour at short notice? If you cancel less than three days before departure, you may be liable for the cost of your first nights’ accommodation. And occasionally you may be liable for all your accommodation costs.

What are the accommodation types and what do they cost? We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre.

We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard. The prices below are for guidance only.

B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast. The cost is between £30.00 – £35.00 per person per night. A single standard is between £35.00 – £60.00 per night.

B&B En/suite The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price. The expected cost for a room, based on two people sharing, will be between £40.00 – £50.00 per person per night. The expected cost for a single room will be between *£55.00 – £80.00 per night.

Hotels Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals. Breakfast is included in the price. The expected cost of Hotel 3* is between £65.00 – £85.00 per person per night. Hotel 4* is approximately £75.00 – £120.00 per person per night.

Hostels A hostel consists of dormitory rooms with 4 to 16 bunk beds. The bathroom facilities are a short distance from the dorm room. Kitchen facilities are equipped so you can make your own meals. The cost is between £15.00- £25.00 per person per night.

Please note that SYHA hostels only offer same gender dorms.  Some independent hostels will offer mixed rooms (males and females together).

FAQ’s

What meals are included.

Breakfast is included on all overnight tours.  Lunches are not included, unless otherwise stated.  Evening meals are included when stated on the tour itinerary.  On tours of seven days or more, generally fifty percent of dinners are included.  Please check the itinerary page for exact details.

Where does the trip depart from?

Each UK trip will have a dedicated pick up point in central London.  Shorter duration trips will normally depart from Victoria Coach Station, with longer duration trips leaving from the London Reception Centre, near to Waterloo train station.  Departure points will be confirmed before booking a tour.

Can I get picked up from my hotel?

Pick up from hotels is not possible.  You will need to make your own way to the departure point.  However some tours do have a designated hotel departure, which you can stay in prior to the trip.  Please ask at time of booking for departure points and we can direct you to local hotels.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included where specified on the itinerary.

Can I pay in dollars?

All tours are quoted and charged in pounds sterling, but you can pay using your local card and currency.  We will debit the card in pounds sterling and your bank will use their exchange rate at that time to deduct the amount in your local currency.

What time does the trip leave and return?

Departure times will vary depending on the itinerary.  European tours departing from London will usually leave between 05.00am and 07.00am.  Multi day UK tours will leave between 06.00am and 07:30am.  Day trips will depart between 07.00am and 09.00am.  European and worldwide tours that start in an overseas city will have a welcome reception on day one of the tour which is usually around 18.00pm.

Return times vary depending on the itinerary.  All the full day coach tours should be finished by no later than 19.00pm, traffic permitting.  The train tours return between 20.00pm and 22.00pm.  Longer duration trips will return between 16.00pm and 19.00pm.  All times will be confirmed at time of booking.

Is this a definite/guaranteed departure?

A definite departure is guaranteed to operate for that given departure date.  A trip that is not yet designated a definite departure is not yet guaranteed to operate based on current booking numbers.  If a trip and departure date you are interested in is not yet definite, do not let this discourage you from booking.  The more paid passengers received, the odds of the trip operating increase.  In the slim case that the operator withdraw a trip you are booked on due to a lack of numbers, you are entitled to a full refund of any funds already paid towards the tour, or if flexible with your time, we can move you onto another departure.

Who travels on these tours, who else is booked?

Whilst we can not confirm exactly who else is booked on a tour, we can guarantee you will be travelling with fellow liked minded travelers who share a passion for travel, fun, adventure and discovery.  All tours will be run by English speaking guides and age ranges will vary.  The beauty of taking a guided holiday is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

Are transfers included from the airport?

In general, if you are joining or departing your guided holiday on the first or last day, return transfers between the airport and hotel are included (excludes itineraries starting and/or ending in London).  You’ll find specific information on the itinerary’s page.

What optional excursions can I do and can I book them now?

Optional experiences are available on some tours.  These are activities that are not automatically included, but offered during your trip to enhance your travel experience.  These are all bookable whilst on the tour via your tour guide/travel director.  These are payable by cash or card.

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Our Most Popular Essentials

Out of london attractions, london attractions, sports tickets, music concerts, christmas tours, new years eve.

There are so many and we cater for everyone so it may be a case of a leisurely Out of London trip to Stonehenge or you may want the buzz and excitement of a theatre tour of London – all the glitz and glamour is there. Out of London, we offer all sorts of adventures: Roman Baths , Shakespeare country, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton – you name it. Same with London – we don’t just do the round London tours – we can take you to Kew Gardens or we can take you on an expedition on the roof of the O2 Dome to the platform at the top offering spectacular views.

So we offer Out of London, Around London, Theatre and Hotels and then there are the spectacular Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day tours – what a way to celebrate the fun season.

3 Days in the Lake District: Everything You NEED To Do

Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀

Even if you only have three days to explore the Lake District, it’s still a chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery England has to offer. The 2362 square kilometres of English countryside is famous for its mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and traditional English villages, and it is  undoubtedly one of the most beautiful national parks in the UK.

Three days is a good amount of time in the Lake District to do some hiking and watersports, regardless of the weather. It also gives you a chance to wander around the quaint Lake District towns like Ambleside and Grasmere and stop to enjoy some hearty English pub food.

This post details how to experience and enjoy the Lake District in three days, and how to fill your time with both adventure and sightseeing.

Visiting the Lake District? I’ve got a whole ton of epic Lake District content on my blog! Check it out:

• 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
• What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide
• Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots

Want to see epic photos and videos from these experiences?

Follow me on Instagram! As we travel, I post everything live on Instagram, so check out my recent highlights and posts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, drop me a DM!

3 Days in the Lake District: A Summary

As I previously said, three days in the Lake District is a perfect amount of time to see what the National Park has to offer. To ensure you have a good base to explore all of the main attractions, I recommend either staying in Ambleside or Keswick . These are both popular locations for first-time tourists in the area. Bear in mind accommodation in the Lake District books up fast, so book as early as you can!

➡ Check out cottages and accommodations in Ambleside here , or view cottages in Keswick here !

Once you have your accommodation booked, I recommend pre-booking car hire . Whilst you can explore the Lake District via public transport, if you only have three days, you’re on a tight time schedule! We rent our cars in the UK from this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world.

Then comes the fun part – planning your Lake District trip! With your car and accommodation sorted, now all that’s left is to plan the best few days exploring one of England’s most beautiful national parks. And that’s where I come in!

In this three-day itinerary, you will visit the main towns of the Lake District, stopping off for a pint of beer and a traditional roast dinner. You’ll try different watersports, hikes and adrenaline-pumping activities (which can be swapped out for a much calmer activity if you like to go at a slower pace).

The Lake District is not only one of my favourite places in England, but it’s one of my favourite places in the world. From the scenery, the lakes, the people, the pubs, the cobbled streets and of course, the food – the Lake District has something for everyone.

Want to start your digital nomad life?

Check out my ebook page (click here!) to see if there’s a guide that suits you. I’m here to help you leave the 9-5 and work remotely around the world! 💻 🌎

Where to stay in the Lake District

If you’re only staying in the Lake District for a few nights, I recommend staying in Ambleside. Ambleside is known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, and is one of my  personal favourite areas , as it’s within walking distance of Lake Windemere.

If you’re only visiting the Lake District for a short time, it’s an easy way to see some of the quintessential grey slate buildings, traditional pubs, and modern Lake District restaurants.

• If you’re a solo traveller in Ambleside , I recommend staying in the  YHA Hostel.  It’s a short distance from the centre of Ambleside, and you’ll be able to meet other solo backpackers. ➡  BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
• Want a cute and cosy cottage in Ambleside?  Our favourite is  Grayling Cottage . It’s just a one-minute walk from Ambleside town centre and is beautifully decorated. ➡  BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
• For a luxurious one-night stay in Ambleside,  check out  The Ambleside Inn .  It’s an 18th-century hotel which will give you a true ‘English countryside’ experience. ➡  BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!

How do I get around the Lake District?

If you can, take a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport.  Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from  this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡  LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

However,  if you haven’t got access to a car, exploring the Lake District in a day can still be done!  The Lake District has amazing public transport (a lot better than some of the rest of the country), and you can whizz around on buses and boats. For more information about travelling around the  Lake District without a car, you can check out my guide here.

➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District? We rent our cars in the UK from this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

Don’t forget insurance!

Whilst you’re backpacking, you will always need insurance. We use SafetyWing, for the most flexible, reliable and budget-friendly options. They have the best cover for worldwide, long-term trips, and at the most affordable backpacker prices! You can check out their cover here.

Tips for driving in the Lake District

Driving in the Lake District  is an experience due to its narrow and winding roads.  Most of the time the roads won’t be too busy, unless you are travelling during the English summer months (June – August). When driving around the Lake District, just be sure to:

• Keep an eye on the weather, as it can change quickly. The Lake District experiences a lot of rain.
• Parking can be expensive. Download the apps RingGo and JustPark to make parking easier and quicker.
• Be prepared for wildlife crossing the road at any time of day.

➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District?  We rent our cars in the UK from  this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗  LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

Day 1 in the Lake District

📍 Starting point: Bowness-on-Windemere

🏡 End point: Ambleside

☀️ Morning: Start your morning with a coffee at one of the many cafes in Bowness-on-Windemere. This is a great starting point due to how close it is to Lake Windemere. There’s also lots of car parking for you to leave your car if you want to head down to the lake.

Lake Windemere isn’t great for wild swimming due to the amount of large motorized boats, but it’s a good lake for watersports. There are a number of kayak and paddleboard rentals near Bowness-on-Windermere’s town centre. If you’d rather not get wet, you can book a ticket to cruise around the lake on one of the larger ferries. You can disembark at any village you choose, or just loop around and end in Bowness-on-Windemere.

🥾 Afternoon: Strap your hiking boots on and head to Orrest Head. Starting from Bowness-on-Windemere (click here for exact location ), it’s just a twenty minute circular hike with amazing Lake District views.

🍷 Evening: Finish your day in the town of Ambleside. Known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, it’s full of pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. Dine in a pub or Italian restaurant and enjoy a pint of beer or a large glass of red wine! Not sure which pub to choose in Ambleside? Check out my detailed Ambleside pub guide here.

Alternatively, head to the Waterhead Pub to watch the sunset over Lake Windemere. They serve both food and drink, and have a large beer garden on the edge of the lake. It’s a great option if it’s a sunny day!

Booking hostels?

Choosing the right hostel as a backpacker is crucial to how successful your trip will be. Always use Hostelworld.com for the cheapest rates, widest availability and most importantly – honest reviews from other travellers! Click here to view the best hostels for your trip.

Day 2 in the Lake District

📍 Starting point: Grasmere

🏡 End point: Coniston

☀️ Morning: Grab a coffee in the small town of Grasmere . Known for being the home of famous poet William Wordsworth, you can spend some time here wandering the streets and eating gingerbread from the world-famous Gingerbread House. You can also visit William Wordsworth’s former home, Dove Cottage.

Alternatively, grab coffee in Grasmere and hike one of the best walks in the Lake District ; Helm Crag . This is a 2 hour circular hike with incredible views, and you can get back to Grasmere in time for lunch!

🥾 Afternoon: After Grasmere, drive around 30 minutes south to Lake Coniston. This is one of the best and most scenic lakes in the Lake District for wild swimming. There are public spaces to the north of Coniston Water for you to set up your towel and chairs ready to swim. Alternatively, head to the Coniston Boating Centre for hire of paddleboards, rowing boats, motor boats, kayaks and canoes.

🍺 Evening : For dinner, head to a traditional pub in Coniston. It’s only a small town, so all of the pubs are within walking distance of each other. Depending on what you want to eat, the Black Bull pub is excellent for pub food with a cosy roaring fire, or Sara’s Indian is one of the best Indian restaurants in the national park! On a budget? Get traditional fish and chips from ‘Our Plaice’!

Day 3 in the Lake District

📍 Starting point: Tarn Hows walk

🏡 End point: Keswick

❗️If you want to hike England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike, you will need a full day. Day three’s itinerary can be swapped out for a day of hiking Scafell Pike if you wish. Bear in mind, it’s not an easy hike, and you will need moderate-good fitness. You can find out more about the Scafell Pike hike here.

☀️ Morning: Grab coffee and breakfast near your accommodation, and then head to Tarn Hows for an easy morning walk. Tarn Hows is one of the prettiest walks in the Lake District, and if you’re there for long enough, you can take a picnic and picnic blanket.

🥾 Afternoon: For lunch, drive 20 minutes north to the 500-year-old pub in Rydal; The Glen Rothay Hotel and Badger Bar . Known for it’s hearty food and pub atmosphere, it’s a great place to sit after your walk. After lunch, drive north to Keswick. One of the Lake District’s largest market towns, it’s a good area to wander around, shop and buy souvenirs. It also has some great pubs if you’d like an afternoon pint!

Optional: If you’re into history, you can head to the Castlerigg Stone Circle around five minutes east of Keswick. It’s only a short trip, and you don’t need longer than 30 minutes there.

🗻 Evening : For your final evening, I recommend heading to the Latrigg viewpoint. It’s one of the easiest and best viewpoints in the Lake District, and takes just 15 minutes to walk to from the car park. You can either take fish and chips from the Old Keswickian in Keswick to enjoy the view, or head back to the town to enjoy dinner afterwards. Woodstone Pizza and Flamegrill is a great restaurant if you’re in the mood for Italian food!

Top tips for visiting the Lake District for the first time

🚗 Hire a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport.  Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from  this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡  LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

⚠️ Don’t try to do too much. There’s a lot to see and do in the Lake District, and if you try and do it all in three days, you’ll end up burning out. Pick just a few activities and towns to explore.

🥾 Pack hiking boots . Even if you’re not planning on hiking Scafell Hike or one of the larger peaks, it rains often in the Lake District. Hiking boots give you extra grip. Plus, you’ll notice most people in pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes wear their hiking boots everywhere. It’s the done thing there!

☔️ Expect rain, even in the summer months. But don’t worry, there are still lots of things to do in the Lake District in the rain.

🗺️ Carry a physical map. Unfortunately, there are a lot of areas where wifi and mobile data will not reach. If you’re hiking some of the famous summits, you will need a map for directions. It’s easy to get lost, and they’re serious mountains!

📲 If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. This also helps with GPS. ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

🏊🏼‍♀️ Wild swimming isn’t allowed in every lake in the Lake District. Be sure to check before you start swimming.

🗣️ The Lake District has a lot of its own words. For example, you may see the words ‘pike’ and ‘crag’, and have no idea what they mean! For reference, here are some of the most popular Lake District terms:

Pike:  a rocky, pointed summit (like Scafell Pike )

Rigg:  a ridge or edge

Fell: a hill

Dale:  a valley

Tarn:  a small (and usually cold) lake. They can be found all over the Lake District.

When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year ; as it’s an ‘any kind of weather’ destination in the UK. However, if you want the  cheapest accommodation prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring).  During the  winter months  (November – February), you can expect layers of snow to be covering the trails and paths.

Summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive  months to visit the Lake District, as well as being the busiest. But of course, it’s when you’ll get the best weather, with dry, hot and sunny days.

➡  Visiting the  Lake District in winter ? Check out  this detailed guide  on what to do during the colder months.

3 days in the Lake District: FAQs

1) is 3 days in the lake district enough.

Three days in the Lake District is a great amount of time to visit as a first timer. It gives you enough time to do some of the famous Lake District hikes, wild swim in the lakes and to explore some of the traditional villages. However, the longer you can spend in the Lake District, the better! We return year after year and still aren’t close to scratching the surface. There’s a lot to do there!

2) How can I spend 3 days in the Lake District?

If you only have three days in the Lake District, you can do things such as renting a paddleboard, wild swimming, having a pint or Sunday roast in an English pub, hiking Scafell Pike and Hevellyn, walking around some of the towns and taking in the views at some of the most beautiful viewpoints.

3) When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

4) What can I do if it rains on my 3 day Lake District trip?

Rain is common in the Lake District, and it can rain at any time of the year. If it does, don’t worry, there are plenty of things you can do. Many of the easy walks in the Lake District can still be done in the rain (as long as you have a waterproof jacket and hiking boots to not slip).

Other things to do in the Lake District when it rains include a visit to Dove Cottage, eating dinner in a traditional English pub, visiting the Beatrix Potter Museum, taking a trip to the cinema and shopping in Ambleside.

5) What do I need to pack for the Lake District?

If you’re visiting the Lake District for the first time, I recommend packing:

• A lightweight  waterproof jacket
• Hiking boots  
• An  umbrella
• A  waterproof day bag
• A  waterproof phone case  
• A  portable charger
• Lots of layers
• A GoPro  for waterproof camera footage
• A  waterproof backpack cover
• A chilly bottle  to keep your water at a drinkable temperature
• A  Dry Robe , as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water (even when it’s raining)
• As well as using bug  spray , we have midge-repellent wristbands .

6) How do I get to the Lake District?

Wondering how to get to the Lake District? If you’re already in England, the easiest way is via car.

🚗 Some driving times include:

• London to the Lake District:  4 hours 45 minutes
• Manchester to the Lake District:  1 hour 15 minutes
• Birmingham   to the Lake District:  2 hours 30 mins

🚝 Or, if you’re travelling by train;

• Manchester to Windemere: 2.5 hours
• London to Oxenholme: 2.5-3.5 hours
• Glasgow to Oxenholme: 2 hours

✈️ If you’re coming from overseas, the closest international airport is Manchester Airport. You can then hire a car from the airport and drive around 90 minutes to reach the Lake District National Park.

7) Do I need a car to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re visiting the Lake District and are short on time, I recommend hiring a car. However, it is possible to  get around the Lake District using public transport.

If you’re looking to hire a car in the Lake District, we rent our cars from  this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡  You can check out the  prices for car hire  in the UK now!

8) What tours should I do in the Lake District? 

Looking to book a tour in the Lake District?   Tours  are one of the best ways to see the  hidden gems of the country you are visiting.  If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!

When travelling, we use  this company to book our tours .  Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else! 

➡ You can check out available tours in the  Lake District with prices here!

9) Do I need a SIM card to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth  downloading an eSIM  on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs  are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are  eSIMs  available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡  You can check out the prices and packages for  eSIMs here!

3 Days in the Lake District: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know for planning 3 days in the Lake District. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District,  make sure you let me know over on  Instagram  or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at  first-time backpackers on a budget.   I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend  (read more  here !), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Lake District content,  all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates  here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Other Lake District posts:

• Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (Essential Guide)
• BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District
• Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
• Getting Around the Lake District Without a Car (+ Solo Travel Tips!)

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MEET THE AUTHOR!

Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.

If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).

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The Perfect 3 or 4 Days in the Lake District Itinerary

Last Updated on January 17, 2024

by Sarah Dittmore

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

One of the UK’s most alluring destinations in England, planning a 3 or 4 days in the Lake District itinerary is an absolutely unforgettable thing to do in this area in the north of the country. Essential to add to many England itineraries or even to explore if you’re venturing onward to Scotland , you will never regret spending time in the Lake District.

Known for its stunning waterways and gorgeous scenery, the region will take your breath away. However, there’s more to do in the Lake District than just enjoy the views. Whether riding a steam train across the countryside, hiking to breathtaking overlooks, touring buildings from the 13 th century, or just lounging by the lake, a visit to the Lake District is guaranteed to be a blast.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in the Lake District?

One of the first questions that will come up when planning your trip is how many days to spend in the Lake District. Some visitors may be drawn to a longer, weeklong visit and this can be a great way to see the area while also enjoying plenty of R&R at the hotel.

However, the truth is that 3 to 4 days is plenty of time to take in all of the beauty and enjoy some of the quirks and hidden gems of this region.

If you have 3 days in the Lake District, you will have time to go on several hikes, visit the lakes in all of their beauty and see some of the top historic sites in the area. However, if you have 4 days, you will also have time to visit the coast and take in some more highlights of Cumbria.

Getting To & Around the Lake District

Navigating the Lake District is fairly easy. The roads are well-maintained and comfortable to drive with plenty of stops for food and petrol.

Renting a car may be more expensive, and you may need to get comfortable with driving on the left side of the road depending on where you’re coming from, but you may find it is worth it for the freedom and flexibility it gives you on your trip. You can browse Rentalcars.com to compare options for car rental.

However, public transport in the Lake District is widely available and relatively affordable. You can get trains to the Lake District from London , Glasgow , and Manchester . You can browse routes here .

Once in the Lake District, the National Express and Stagecoach Bus both offer a variety of routes that connect different towns and tourist destinations around the Lake District.

While the buses will help you get from point A to B, there are some stops along the way in this Lake District road trip itinerary that may make it worthwhile to rent a car instead.

3 to 4-Day Lake District Itinerary

The Lake District is a beloved destination for international and local visitors alike. Referring to both the district and the National Park, the Lake District is known for its sprawling glacial lakes, the fell mountains that surround the waters, and the history and British culture woven throughout the surrounding towns.

With 3 days, you’ll be able to enjoy the water, go for a few hikes, and check out some of the history and literary associations that the area is famous for.

Those who choose to spend 4 days will also have a chance to visit the coast and tour a National Heritage site.

No matter how long you choose to stay, this itinerary will help you make the most of your visit.

Day 1 – Windermere, Wray Castle, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top & More

Located alongside a lake by the same, Windermere is a picturesque British town featuring Tudor-style buildings and a quaint, laid-back atmosphere. In the town itself, you’ll find plenty of delicious restaurants, cute shops, and even the odd art gallery.

But the main event is Windermere Lake, and what better way to kick off your trip to the Lake District National Park than with a visit to the largest lake in England?

Lounge on the beach, go for a swim, or simply sit by the water and take in the views. However you choose to spend your time, a visit to this jaw-dropping lake is a must.

Orrest Head Viewpoint

To get better acquainted with the beauty of the Lake District, the next item is a visit to the Orrest Head. This easy, 2.8-mile loop hike takes you from Windermere to the Orrest Head Viewpoint, and shouldn’t take more than an hour and a half.

The hike is accessible to all levels and, at the peak, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding countryside.

One of two hikes in this itinerary, the hike to Orrest Head Viewpoint is a great way to get a sweeping overview of the place where you will be spending the next 3 to 4 days.   

Wray Castle

After your hike, it’s time to take in some of the Lake District’s history. Wray Castle is a gothic revival castle that was built in 1840 by a retired surgeon and later inherited by his nephew, Hardwicke Rawnsley, who served as the vicar of Wray Church.

The National Trust has owned the castle since 1929 and in addition to touring the building, visitors can stroll the paths that weave through the estate, picnic on the lawn, or see the photographs of Rupert Potter that hang on display in the dining room.

Visiting the grounds is free, but touring the inside of the castle is ticketed unless you’re a National Trust member.

Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top

Situated just 15 minutes south of Wray Castle, you can continue your tour of the region’s history with Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse.

For both the literarily inclined and those just interested in British history and culture, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top is a must-see. Though best known for her children’s book series, The Tale of Peter Rabbit , Beatrix Potter also worked as a natural scientist and conservationist.

Beatrix Potter’s house still stands atop a small hill in the Lake District and visitors can explore her house and garden, enjoy a meal at the pop-up café, and shop for souvenirs.

Tickets to enter must be booked in advance. You can also organise a half-day tour that includes a visit to the house as well as some nearby attractions.

Sunset at Kirkstone Pass

Now that you’ve gotten a sense of the region’s history, it’s time to head back to the shores of Windermere Lake in time to watch the sunset. While there’s no bad place to camp out and watch the sunset, a favorite is Kirkstone Pass, the highest pass in the Lake District.

A ten-minute drive up the A592 from Windermere will take you to Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside. From here, you can pull off the road at the car park beside Kirkstone Pass Inn and enjoy the views.

This perspective gives you a sweeping view of the sun setting over the hills and peaks like Scafell Pike, but those who choose to stay by the water won’t be disappointed either, as along the shores of Windermere Lake you’ll often be able to see the way the sky paints rainbow hues across the water.

Day 2 – Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, Stott Park Bobbin Mill & Fell Foot Park

Lakeside and haverthwaite railway.

The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway is an old-fashioned steam train that runs along a railway that’s been in the region since the 1850s. Watch the country stream by and experience the joys of riding a steam train.

Return tickets cost £10.50 for adults and £6.30 for children. On one end of the railway, in Haverthwaite, you can check out the Haverthwaite Station Tea Room, where you can grab a bite to eat.

On the other end, in Lakeside, head to the Lakes Aquarium to learn more about the local animal life.

Stott Park Bobbin Mill

An oft-overlooked attraction, Stott Park Bobbin Mill is 5000 times more interesting than it sounds. Yes, it is a functioning mill where wooden bobbins are made, but it’s so much more than that.

The passionate tour guides will give you a hands-on introduction to what it was like to work at the mill and you’ll find yourself fascinated and engaged from the moment you arrive until the time you leave.

While you don’t need to book in advance, tickets can be cheaper if you book online.

Fell Foot Park

After the railway and the mill, it’s time to head back to the water. Fell Foot Park is a beautiful, lush park that sits on the southern end of Windermere Lake.

In addition to simply enjoying this lovely park, it’s a great place to settle for an afternoon of water activities.

While at Fell Foot, you can rent kayaks, rowboats, or paddleboards; enjoy a picnic on the lawns; go for a swim in the lake; take a walk in the gardens; or dine and shop at the local cafes and boutiques that are spread around Fell Foot.

Day 3 – Ullswater, Howton & Hallin Fell

Ullswater steamer to howtown.

Now that you’ve spent 2 days exploring the area around Windermere Lake, it’s time to head north to Ullswater, the second-largest lake in the Lake District at about 7 miles long.

One of the best ways to see what Ullswater is all about is to ride the Ullswater Steamer to Howtown Pier. You can start at Howtown Pier and book a return trip, or pick up the steamer at Glenridding Pier or Pooley Bridge Pier and ride it to Howtown Pier.

Return tickets can be purchased in-person or in advance online. Whatever route you take, take your time enjoying the open deck, saloons, and beautiful views.

Hike to Hallin Fell

On the steamer, you’ll get to see the Lake District by water, but once in Howtown, you can explore by land by heading a few miles south to the Hallin Fell hike.

This 1.3-mile loop trail is relatively easy and takes around an hour to complete. The hike itself is a beautiful romp through the countryside, featuring an old stone church and some stone ruins, but the true highlight is the views of Ullswater from the peak.

Ullswater Lake

When you’re done hiking, head back to the lake to enjoy an afternoon by the water. Of course, you can always spend a few hours simply lounging by the lake and exploring the local shops and restaurants, but the more adventurous visitors might enjoy something a bit more active.

Activities include such things s sailing lessons through the Glenridding Sailing Centre or kayaking and cliff-jumping with Lake District Outdoor Activities.

Alternatively, head over to the nearby lake of Derwentwater and the lovely town of Keswick. Poetry fans also could head a bit south and visit St Oswald’s church in Grasmere and see the grave of William Wordsworth. You could also visit the nearby lake of Rydal Water. For those who are only spending 3 days, this marks the end of your Lake District itinerary.

Day 4 – Ravenglass & Muncaster Castle

If you’ve decided to spend 4 days in the Lake District, this is a great chance to head to the coast.

Ravenglass is a small village on the coast of the Irish Sea. It takes about an hour to drive to Ravenglass from Windermere, or 2.5 hours to get there via train. Either way, it’s a gorgeous route through the western half of the Lake District.

Once in Ravenglass, you can visit the sea, hang out on the sandy shores of Drigg Sand Dunes and Beach, and explore the quaint coastal village before heading to Muncaster Castle.

Muncaster Castle

Though the castle has gone through many renovations over the centuries, the first version of Muncaster Castle was erected in the 13 th century atop Roman foundations from 79 AD. The final additions to the estate were completed in 1917.

Now, the castle and grounds are open to visitors at a cost of £19.00 for adults and £9.50 for children (though you can save 10% by booking online). In addition to touring the castle and surrounding gardens, visitors can view the on-side Hawk and Owl Centre, home to birds of prey and featuring daily flying displays.

Muncaster Castle hosts regular events, exhibitions, and festivals, so be sure to check the website before your visit to see what’s on!

Where to Stay near Lake District

The Cavendish Arms – Located in the village of Cartmel, this inn is an excellent mid-range option in the Lake District. There are a number of cosy and comfortable rooms on offer and there is also a breakfast and dinner menu available.

Embleton Spa Hotel – For those looking for a bit of luxury while in the Lake District, then this hotel is an excellent choice. They have a great location, a wonderful spa and restaurant on site and plenty of plush rooms to ensure you have a lovely stay.

Kendal Hostel – If you’re travelling solo or on a tight budget, then this hostel is a great option. They have both dorm beds and private rooms available and good self-catering facilities for those who want to make their own meals.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Lake District hotels!

The Lake District is one of England’s most popular tourist destinations and with good reason. With so many ways to spend your time, from hiking and playing in the water to exploring literary attractions and historical sites, there’s a little something for everyone in the Lake District.

Are you planning to visit the Lake District? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

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The Perfect 3 Days in Cornwall Itinerary

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About Sarah Dittmore

Sarah is a writer for The World Was Here First. A California native, she loves travelling around her home state as well as visiting places further afield. She has spent over a decade travelling the world and writing stories inspired by the people and places she encounters along the way.

Hi Sarah, thank you for the article. I am planning for a family trip for 2 to Windermere end of Dec for 4 days. I will be staying in Windermere. Is there any local tour operator in Windermere I can contact for a 4 day tour you suggested above and could you kindly suggest an approximate cost for 2 persons. Appreciate your help.

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3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from London

• 2 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast
• Professional Driver Guide
• Transport by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
• 2nd class return rail travel from London Euston to Penrith station
• Small-group tour (maximum 16 people)
• Entry/Admission - Rabbie's
• Lunch, dinner and refreshments
• Admission fees
• Entry/Admission - Lake Windermere
• Entry/Admission - Honister Slate Mine
• Euston Rd., London NW1 2RT, UK London Euston Train Station, Kings Cross, London NW1 2DU
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Minimum age to participate is 5 years old. We are sorry, children under the age of 5 cannot join our tour.
• After booking your tour, we'll contact you about your train journey (London Euston - Penrith)
• Collect your ticket from the ticket machines using your bank or credit card and the 'collection reference' number we send you
• Most travellers can participate
• This trip combines a return train journey with one of our tours. It's a fast and sustainable way to get you to where you want to go. You get picked up by a Rabbie's mini-coach from Penrith Train Station
• Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
• Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately
• Lake Windemere Cruise - We reserve tickets for you. If you want to join this cruise, please purchase your ticket whilst on tour.
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers
• If you cancel at least 22 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 21 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

• t0rui 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour to Burford, Bibury, Oxford!!! Actually we went on Jan 2023. So the evaluation was a bit late, but still this was so great that we want to write it now… The tour was as below. Started at 9:15, we went firstly to Burford, then to Bibury, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum. At Burford, we had time for lunch at a great bakery, and could see the old beautiful town! And among those sites, Bibury was very wonderful, with the landscape, the old architecture!!! Oxford was also great with its tradition! We found the Turf Tarven, built from 12th century! We also could see some colleges, universities at Oxford… Because we booked 2 nights at Costwold, so we didnt go back to London with the bus, we asked John (the tour guide) to drop us near the railway in Oxford, and from Oxford we got on the train and made it to Costwold late that evening… Overall, this tour was very good… John, the tour guide was also very nice… Recommend to other people to book this tour… We hope to be able to visit England, Costwold again the future… Read more Written April 7, 2024
• FarAway209253 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Knowledgeable Guide; Lovely Sites Excellent guide. She did a great job and provided just enough information. Everything was timed out perfectly. The guide pamphlet for Oxford was very helpful. Great views in the Cotswolds. Read more Written April 2, 2024
• americanmaid97 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles More transportation than a tour It was okay. We enjoyed our time in Oxford. Not enough time in Burford. The driver guide was really just a driver. We were hoping for more information about the area and the attractions. Barry seemed to know little. What we were hoping for was a guided tour. It would have been nice to have a guide go with us around Oxford or the villages. But if not that, at least have info while driving. So, while we enjoyed exploring on our own, this tour was really just transport. Read more Written March 31, 2024
• notablemention 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommended day out James the tour guide made the day very interesting and fun. I loved it so much. The bus stopped for toilet stops and told us where to visit. James knew all the spots of interest for Harry Potter fans too Read more Written March 31, 2024
• Wanderer763257 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles “Just right” tour As we had participated in a Rabbie’s tour previously, we had high expectations; our tour guide Dan and the trip itself definitely met them. This tour proved to be “just right” — the stones at Avebury were magical; the bakery in Lacock offered delicious pastries, and Bath was beautiful. Dan provided fascinating commentary about the locations, and his reliability put us at ease. We will hopefully participate in more tours like this in the future. Read more Written March 25, 2024
• nsingh80 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Place Must do if you’re visiting London for a few days. It’s a short drive and such a beautiful village/town. Highly recommend it. Read more Written March 25, 2024
• hazizav 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Nice way to break up our visit to London Our tour guide was personable and gave us excellent background information about each site and what to do, as well as information about things we passed along the way. The mini coach very comfortable. Overall it was a great tour and our teenage children enjoyed it as well. Read more Written March 18, 2024
• winkywacky 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Bouncing along The one problem with this tour was the driving experience. It was so bumpy to be unsafe. Please check the shocks. I feel sore today from bouncing along. Read more Written March 17, 2024
• BBBBTravel 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles John was terrific The tour itself was comfortable and well organized. I enjoyed hearing about the history, culture etc. John was a great storyteller, kind of funny and knew his stuff. Had a wonderful dinner the last night with the friendly group from all over the world. Wonderful discussion. Definitely thinking, intellectually curious people. Loved it. The only issues I had would not reduce my five star review. 1 - after seeing Ireland and Scotland, it didn’t seem there was much to see. We did go early March and it was rainy but I was disappointed in what the area had to offer. And 2 - had to wear my earbuds because wasn’t a fan of John’s choice of music. That said, Rabbies is the only tour we will take in the future. If John is the caliber of guide, we will go. Read more Written March 17, 2024
• deb30856 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 5 day Devon and Cornwall trip Our guide/driver Dean was kind, considerate and very knowledgeable on the history of all the places we visited on this 5 day tour. The meeting point was fairly easy to find, the coach was comfortable. This tour provides a good over view of the regions visited and provides lots of ideas for future adventures. My only negatives would be not having enough time in Tintagel to visit the medieval church and to hike out to the castle. Also, more time in Glastonbury to climb the Tor or visit Chalice Well in addition to the the cathedral ruins would have made this a 10/10 experience. My favourite of the entire journey was Dartmoor National Park - somewhere I will make an effort to visit in the future. I highly recommend touring with Rabbie’s. And great thanks to Dean for making the 5 day journey so enjoyable and informative. Read more Written March 13, 2024
• Elena P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great ! Good job, Dan ! Dan , our driver and guide, was great ! His accent, stories , advice (where to eat, what to visit ) , his driving ...everything outstanding! Great job ! The places we visited were amazing ! We will come back for another trip with Rabbie's again ! Very well done ! Read more Written March 9, 2024
• AustintoBoston 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Hassle Free Lovely way to see Oxford and the Cotswolds Villages in a joint day trip from London, without having to worry about train schedules or a car rental. Spent more time in Oxford than the Cotswolds, with plenty of time to get a coffee in the Cotswolds and lunch in Oxford. Be warned that if you want to tour any of the buildings in Oxford these require separate tickets, and on the day we were there the library was closed for a private event. Probably good to look into ahead of time. My only gripe is that for a "tour," I didn't find the driver particularly entertaining, he basically didn't say anything at all the entire multi-hour drive there apart from a few comments once we were close. In many ways this felt more like a small-group transport service than a tour, but still worth it in my opinion. FYI: the traffic on the way back into London was atrocious (typical we were told) - get off at the nearest spot in the city that the driver offers to stop at and take the tube the remainder of the way - trust me. Read more Written March 3, 2024
• CharlesArmyBrat55 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles First trip to Oxford Loved the guide provided by Rabbies. The coach was very nice and comfortable. trip to Oxford took a couple hours but once arrived we were left off to handle our visit. We arranged for a walking tour with students as guides which was great. However, two hours in Oxford is not sufficient so expect the desire to come back. the next two stops are awesome and very pretty little villages. some great shopping in Belford. Arrived back in London in good time to find a dinner spot. Would arrange trips with this group without hesitation. Read more Written February 27, 2024
• 426ancad 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Touristic jewels It was a really nice trip in February 2024. The minibus was nice and comfortable and our guide Francis was great: an excellent mix of pleasant humor, great tips and information, conversation and silence at the right time (his playlist was very nice as well). The places were what we had expected only slightly busier; the architecture, the atmosphere and luckily the weather did not disappoint. Read more Written February 17, 2024
• 216tempusf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Terrific. You will love it. I've now been on three Rabbie's tours; one to Devon and Cornwall, one to the Outer Hebrides, and one to the Orkneys. Had a marvelous time and many indelible experiences on each. Emily is one of the best guides imaginable; she was witty, acerbic, and hilarious. Rabbie's seems to hire only personable and well-prepared guides; they are also flexible and extremely helpful about changes to routine, slight additions to the program, etc. On Emily's tour, I saw a hillside filled with rippling streams and heather in full bloom; I asked if we could stop and she gave us one of my best experiences ever. The photos will always remind me of that interlude of pure joy and magic. Read more Written February 7, 2024

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3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from London provided by Rabbie's

WATCH LIVE: See the total solar eclipse as it moves across the US

One of the biggest celestial events of the decade has arrived in the form of the total solar eclipse that will make its way across parts of Central and North America on Monday.

You can watch a livestream of the rare event here beginning at 12 p.m.

Dozens of cities across the Midwest, Plains and South regions will be in the path of totality, or where the sun's visibility will be completely blocked by the moon. Expect skies to darken as other phenomena take place throughout the afternoon.

What is a solar eclipse?

According to  National Geographic , a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, creating a shadow on our planet called an umbra.

There are also different kinds of eclipses. A total eclipse occurs when the moon blocks out the entire sun and a partial eclipse occurs when the moon only blocks part of the sun.

What is a total solar eclipse? What happens during a total solar eclipse?

According to the  Indiana University official website , a total eclipse takes place when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, placing the Earth in its shadow. The time it takes place, as well as the duration, are influenced by factors like the distances between the sun, moon and Earth, the moon’s phase and the axial tilt of the Earth and moon.

Does it get dark during a total solar eclipse?

Yes. The closer one's location is to totality, the greater the darkness and duration. During a total solar eclipse, the moon eventually lines up perfectly between the Earth and the sun, blocking out light.