• Kirkstone Pass - Begin the afternoon with a climb to the Kirkstone Inn, the highest inhabited building in the Lake District. Enjoy a stop to admire the views down the valley to Lake Windermere and Ambleside. This historic coaching inn is near the summit of the Lake District’s highest pass open to motor traffic. Take advantage of photo opportunities here.
• Ullswater Lake - From the stop, the road descends into Kirkstone Pass, with steep valley walls on either side, passing the church-shaped rock that gives the valley its name. Stop at the viewpoint for photos of the road winding down to Brothers Water. Ullswater was one of the first areas in the Lakes acquired by the National Trust.

The narrow road meanders past the lake, down to the Ullswater valley, and into the charming village of Patterdale, a starting point for popular hill-walks, including the Striding Edge path to Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in the Lakes. The only other village in this valley is Glenridding, where you first glimpse Ullswater, the National Park’s second-largest lake.

Travel along the western shore of the expansive and sparkling lake, following in the footsteps of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. At Wordsworth Point, they saw the wild daffodils that inspired one of Wordsworth’s famous poems. Stop here to access the lake shore for splendid views of what Alfred Wainwright described as “that loveliest of lakes, curving gracefully into the far distance.”

• Castlerigg Stone Circle - Depart Ullswater and head north and west towards Keswick. Passing impressive mountains and fells, Blencathra’s sheer scale and slender rock fingers running south from its high ridge line are awe-inspiring. Blencathra, one of the most northerly mountains in the Lakes, has six separate fell tops, the highest at 868 meters. One notable feature is the steep ridge called Sharp Edge, visible as you pass the mountain’s base. This area is a walker’s paradise, with challenging fells even on mild summer days. Stop among these rugged mountains at the spectacularly located Neolithic stone circle, Castlerigg.

Castlerigg Stone Circle stands on a natural plateau with a 360-degree view over the surrounding fells. Comprising 38 free-standing stones, some up to 3 meters (10 feet) high, it is one of Britain’s earliest stone circles, dating back 4000 to 5000 years. The breathtaking location allows for a brief stop before heading to Derwentwater’s shores for the next destination.

• Ashness Bridge - The journey continues along Derwentwater’s eastern shores, a popular destination for generations. Beatrix Potter’s favorite holiday homes, Lingholm and Fawe Park, are located here, and even Star Wars scenes were filmed in this area. Driving along the wooded eastern shore, the road forks, climbing a narrow, steep track into the wooded fell side. As the trees clear, Ashness Bridge, the next destination, appears.

Ashness Bridge is the most photographed bridge in the Lake District, and its beauty is evident upon arrival. This popular viewpoint offers spectacular views over Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite Lake, and the River Derwent.

• Surprise View - Continue further up the fell to the well-known beauty spot, Surprise View, where you can see how ice sheets carved out this impressive landscape. Enjoy an uninterrupted view across Derwent Water to Bassenthwaite and the distant shores of Scotland.
• Lake Grasmere - After capturing the spectacular view, return along Derwentwater’s shores and head towards Ambleside. Pass Thirlmere, originally two smaller lakes, purchased by Manchester City Corporation Waterworks in 1889. The area was dammed, creating a vast reservoir, submerging the settlements of Armboth and Wythburn.

At the water’s foot, travel back along Dunmail Raise, the flattest mountain pass in the Lake District, leading to Grasmere. Dunmail Raise is also the name of a large cairn on the pass’s top, where legend says Dunmail, the last king of Cumberland, is buried after being slain by the English.

The road descends from the fells, leading to Grasmere’s shores, the seventh lake. William Wordsworth lived at Dove Cottage here, and as the journey continues, pass Nab Cottage, home of his friend and author, Thomas de Quincey.

• Rydal Water - The road winds along the shore to Rydal Water, the eighth and final lake. The water often reflects the surrounding fells beautifully. Pass Wordsworth’s last and favorite home off the road at Rydal as the journey returns to Ambleside for the first drop-off point.
• Bridge House - Entering Ambleside, view the iconic Bridge House, the smallest house in Cumbria!
• Lake Windermere - Those returning to drop-offs in Bowness or Windermere will drive along Windermere’s shore, the largest lake in England.
• Windermere - Pickup is available from most hotels in this area.
• Bowness-on-Windermere - Pickup is available from most hotels in this area.
• Ambleside - Pickup is available from most hotels in this area.

• Comfortable private transportation
• Complimentary on-board WiFi
• Climate-controlled in-vehicle air conditioning
• Engaging live commentary on board
• Mobile device charging points at every seat
• Expert guide accessible throughout the tour

• Food and drinks

• Lake Windermere, a dazzling view of the biggest lake in the lake district.
• Kirkstone Pass
• Brothers Water
• Patterdale
• Glenridding
• Ullswater
• Glencoyne
• Picturesque drive along Ullswater’s shores.
• Castlerigg Stone Circle
• Ashness Bridge
• Surprise View offering breathtaking scenes of Derwent Water and in the distance, Bassenthwaite Lake
• Thirlmere
• Dunmail Raise, the minor mountain pass and the rumoured resting place of King Dunmail.
• Grasmere, categorized as one of the smaller lakes in the English Lake District.
• Rydal Water

• All passengers, including children of any age, must have a seat purchased for them
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather
• As there is a little walking involved on the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.