Swallows, Amazons & Peter Rabbit - 3 days

Lake District 3 Day Tour – Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd August

**Please note that for this tour departing 20th August 2012 we have 2 spaces left sharing the same twin room** 

We are heading to the North West corner of England, to the beautiful Lake District where mountains and villages sit in harmony with streams, rivers and lakes. Designated a National Park in 1951 one major factor in drawing enthusiasts of literature here is that the views and landscape have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. One can look at the scenery that the Lake poets would have gazed on with hardly any difference. One can see through the eyes of Wordsworth, Southey or Coleridge. Moreover, this is the land of Swallows and Amazons, following in the shadows of the Walker and Blackett children in Arthur Ransome's famous books, not forgetting the schoolboy stories of Geoffrey Trease and, last but by no means least, the tales of Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Jeremy Fisher and Squirrel Nutkin brought to us by Beatrix Potter.
 

Our journey will takes us across England and onto Kendal, as we enter the stunning National Park. We head down to Bowness on Windermere for a journey by boat across the largest of England's lakes passing Belle Isle, used as a setting in Swallows and Amazons, to the foot of the lake at Lakeside. We then explore the rest of the National Park by coach before settling in to our overnight accommodation.

The next morning, after breakfast, we head over to Hill Top Farm to visit the home of Beatrix Potter, now maintained as a museum by The National Trust. We spend the first part of the day learning of the stories behind the famous characters and of her influences and the legacy she left behind. After lunch we drive over to Coniston Water to the Ruskin Museum (entry extra) where there is a collection of items, including the boats, referenced by Arthur Ransome in his works. Although the museum is primarily concerned with the 19th century art critic and writer John Ruskin, there are many other things on display including items concerning Donald Campbell who died on Coniston while attempting the world water speed record. 
 
We end the day in the market town of Keswick on the banks of Derwent Water before return to our hotel.
 
Our final day is spent in Grasmere where William Wordsworth is buried. There will be time to visit Dove Cottage (entry extra), his former home or to take a short walk with your guide along the banks of the River Rothey from Grasmere to Rydal Water, Wordsworth's favourite lake before we meet for lunch in beautiful Ambleside and return to London.

Price Includes:

• 3 days hire of executive touring coach
• 2 nights 3* Hotel/B&B accommodation based on twin/double ensuite rooms. Accommodation within 45 minute drive of Lake District
• Services of a professional tour manager for 3 days
• Boat cruise on the Lakes
• Entry to Hill Top