Highlights

  • Walk in the footsteps of the Roman Legions who defended Hadrian's Wall
  • Remote and magnificent countryside the best of England's far North
  • Visit William Wordsworth's homes near Grasmere
  • Visit Beatrix Potter's garden
  • Walking in the beautiful Lake District the inspiration of poets, painters and philosophers

The landscape that inspired Wordsworth and Coleridge is our home for this journey across the romantic Lake District and rugged Northumberland.

Following the course of Hadrian's Wall, we trek through wild, unpopulated country, climbing low fells and high crags, crossing open moorland and following remote bridleways. We see the remains of Roman towns, bath houses and military forts, meander through sleepy northern villages and eat hearty pub lunches.

A highlight of this trip is our time at Lake Windermere, the largest and most impressive of the lakes. We also visit Rydal Mount, Wordsworth's elegant home, and Beatrix Potter's garden at Hill Top.

Sunday Overnight: Langley Castle Hotel

We rendezvous in Newcastle, then drive to our 14th century castle hotel in Langley. We'll gather for the lntroductory Talk and Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

Monday Overnight: Another Place

Walk along the best parts of Hadrian's Wall; its fine condition is a testament to the brilliance of the Roman Engineers who constructed it nearly 2000 years ago. We stop to visit Housesteads, a fort occupied by Roman soldiers for 300 years, then rejoin the path on the high crag. We descend for a welcome pub lunch at The Twice Brewed Inn, before continuing along the Wall in the footsteps of the Roman Legions.

Tuesday Overnight: Another Place

Walk along the banks of the River Eamont to Barton church and along lanes and bridleway tracks to the serene village of Askham for lunch at a traditional inn on the village green. Then on to Askham Fell where people of past millennia built cairn circles and tumuli, and now hardy sheep graze on the tough heather.

Wednesday Overnight: The Waterhead Hotel

Greet the day with our first sight of the impressive hills and mountains of the Lake District. Magnificent Ullswater is in view as we meander to Howtown where we take the ferry to Glenridding and a pub lunch. We drive over dramatic Kirkstone Pass to Troutbeck, a sleepy old village above the valley, where we walk along tracks, through farms and woodlands, to the shores of Windermere and our lakeside hotel at Ambleside.

Thursday Overnight: Rothay Garden Hotel

We take the ferry across Lake Windermere to view Wray Castle before we begin our morning's walk along the peaceful banks of the lake. A woodland walk brings us to Far Sawrey for lunch in the famous village pub, the Tower Bank Arms. We visit Beatrix Potter's garden at Hill Top and enjoy the classic views of the Langdale pikes before arriving in Hawkshead village for a private tour of the small grammar school where poet William Wordsworth studied Classics.

Friday Overnight: Rothay Garden Hotel

Walk the paths of the Romantic poets around Grasmere, Wordsworth's favorite lake. We visit the family home at Dove Cottage and his final residence at Rydal Mount. After lunch in the famous Britannia Hikers Inn, our afternoon walk takes us to Elterwater in the Great Langdale Valley. We return to our hotel for our Farewell Dinner.

Saturday

Morning transfer to Penrith rail station for onward connections.
Moderate
"It's really cool that you make friends and then seek each other out for future Walks."
Terrain: Picturesque pathways dipping and rising into Britain's wildest unpopulated areas. Modest hills. 10-12 miles walking per day.

TRIP DETAILS

6 nights from
US $3,995.00
Per Person, Double occupancy
(Single Supplement US $595.00)
Our Wayfarers friends' Price is US $3,795.00

Dates

31-MAY-20 - 06-JUN-20
27-SEP-20 - 03-OCT-20
Request booking
Arrival: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Departure: Oxenholme Rail Station
Hadrian's Wall & The Lake District Map

Hotels - Where we stay

Langley Castle

Langley Castle

Built in 1350, during the reign of Edward III, the castle has retained its architectural integrity and is regarded as one of the few medieval fortified Castle Hotels in England. Set in its own ten acre woodland estate, this is a peaceful and tranquil refuge in which to escape from today's hustle and bustle. The sumptuous drawing room has a blazing log fire in winter, stained glass windows and rich furnishings.

The greatest attention to detail is given to dinner preparation and local produce, seasonal fish and local game are all specialities of the chef. All guest rooms have private facilities and are luxuriously appointed.

The Wayfarers' guests stay in the secluded Castle View rooms and suites which are conversions and extension of other listed buildings within the grounds, commanding magnificent views of the castle itself.

Another Place

Another Place

Another Place might be a funny name for a hotel, but you're going to like this unique hotel on the sorts of Ullswater. Set on 18 acres of National Park land, relaxation is the order of the day, with many opportunities for lakeshore walks, garden ambles, or swimming with beautiful outdoor views from the indoor Swim Club. Guest rooms are ample size with full bath (some rooms with shower), WiFi, safe, fridge, coffee maker and hair dryer.
Waterhead Hotel

Waterhead Hotel

The Waterhead Hotel, near Ambleside, cleverly combines traditional Lakeland elegance and stunning setting with the comfort of a new luxury four star Town House Hotel. Every detail is designed to offer a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, calm moods and a fresh approach to service. Bedrooms have all the usual facilities including ensuite bathroom, flat screen TV, phone, hairdryer, DVD player, internet access, coffee/tea making facilities and a lake or part lake view. Wi-Fi internet access is only available in the bar and reception areas. Guests receive full complimentary membership of the Low Wood Leisure Complex located 1 mile away. Facilities include feature pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, solarium, gymnasium, squash court and hair and beauty salons.

Rothay Garden Hotel

Rothay Garden Hotel

Perfectly positioned on the edge of picturesque Grasmere village, and nestling in two acres of riverside gardens surrounded by majestic fells, Rothay Garden is a beautiful, four star hotel. Owned and operated by Chris Carss and his dedicated team for nearly twenty years, Rothay Garden has recently benefited from extensive redevelopment.All the bedrooms offer luxury ensuite facilities including internet access, ten-channel TV, welcome tray, hairdryer and complementary toiletries and bathrobes. The two-rosette Conservatory Restaurant at Rothay Garden is an attraction in its own right, with its contemporary furniture, clean elegant lines and great views overlooking the hotel's two acres of gardens.It has an excellent reputation for high quality food, professional service and dishes are prepared using the freshest of regionally sourced produce.

Start planning your trip

What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation

  • Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
  • A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
  • Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
  • Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
  • Demonstrations, wine tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
  • All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
  • Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
  • First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
  • All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
  • Wine with dinner
  • On-trail snacks and refreshments
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants