The Lakes and Dales of England - Small Group Tour

Meet and greet inside the terminal building at Heathrow and transfer to Hampton Court Palace. Transfer time is 25 minutes.

Hampton Court is a tale of two palaces: a Tudor initially built for Cardinal Wolsey before transferring ownership to Henry VIII and a grand baroque palace for King William III and Queen Mary II. Visiting feels like entering the Tudor era and walking across a courtyard and through a door. You then fast forward in time by 200 years. 

Take a tour through Britain's fascinating history, hear King Henry VIII's full story, and see the rooms Henry and his court would recognise. Step into the 1700s and see the architecture of Sir Christopher Wren, the designer of St Paul's Cathedral. He removes half of the Tudor building and replaces it with an elegant baroque Palace. The Thameside palace, designed to impress, has 1390 rooms, 18 courtyards and 750 acres of gardens and parkland.

A day at Hampton Court is a chance to explore one of Europe's most extraordinary Royal homes. 

Lunch: Casual lunch at Hampton Court.

Once everyone feels refreshed, we meet for a cocktail and assist people making their way to dinner at either the hotel or one of many fabulous neighbourhood restaurants. 

Overnight: St. Pancras Hotel, London.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Head north by train.

The St. Pancras Hotel is a 5-minute walk to Euston Station; a porter service can be provided if required. We will catch the high-speed train to Lancaster. Our seats will be in the First Class carriage, where a full breakfast will be served. In this case, you have the option for breakfast at the hotel (not included) or breakfast on the train, which will be included. 

Our journey to Lancaster will take around 2 hrs 30 minutes. We take the 30-minute drive to the historic market town of Kirby Lonsdale. The town is known for the 14th-century "devils" bridge, painted by JMW Turner (England's most famous painter) in the 1800s. After a stroll through the town, we stop for lunch at the 17th Century Sun Inn - included before heading to Levens Hall.

Levens Hall has an intriguing history, and the House Guides will be on hand to tell you more. Owners since 1170, the de Redman family sold the property to the Bellingham family in the 16th century; they enlarged and remodelled the house, only to have it gambled away in a game of cards before it was acquired by Colonel James Graham in 1688. It subsequently passed through the female side of the Howard family during the 18th century and then to the Bagot family in the late 19th century. 

The ten acres of Gardens at Levens Hall, dating back to the 1690s, are a sight to behold. They retain many original features, including the world’s oldest topiary gardens. This surreal and unique collection of ancient box and yew trees, in abstract or geometric shape, rises up from a beautiful display of underplanting, populated with an ever-changing array of over 30,000 bedding plants, all grown in the greenhouses onsite.

Our final drive, a scenic 20-minute journey, will take us to our Lake District retreat.

Evening: Welcome dinner at the Cavendish Arms, Cartmel, at 7.30 pm included.

Overnight: Private Manor House.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Beatrix Potter and Herdwick Sheep

Buffet breakfast at the house: Consisting of yogurt, toast, cheeses, fruit, cereals and tea and coffee. For English breakfast upon request for an extra charge. 

After breakfast, we head to Hill Top, the famous farmhouse that once belonged to Beatrix Potter, author, farmer and conservationist. Your guide will give you an introduction to the life and times of Beatrix Potter before you can explore the house. Expert guides within the house elaborate on the history of the house, the region and Potter's life.  

The characters Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, and Jeremy Fisher. The creation of Beatrix Potter, undoubtedly inspired by the enchanting scenery whilst on holiday in the lakes, dreamt up her stories and eventually lived in the lake district, winning prizes for breeding Herdwick sheep. Much of the region's appearance is largely down to the efforts of Beatrix and fellow conservationists. 

We walk to Cathedral Cave and stroll through the series of interlinking tunnels. 

Lunch: We stop for lunch at the lovely Queens Head Pub, Hawkshead - Included.

The ancient Herdwick Sheep breed, which has roamed England's hills for thousands of years, is a unique part of our tour. We have arranged an exclusive private interaction with a special flock that is comfortable with close human contact. This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these iconic animals. The Lake Districts' UNESCO World Heritage status owes much to the sheep and the traditional methods of hill farming. 

After a day filled with exploration and new experiences, we return to the house for a tranquil evening. We start with a calming yoga session, perfect for unwinding and reflecting on the day's adventures. As the sun sets, we enjoy a private bird of prey display, a serene and captivating end to the day. 

Evening: Casual dinner at the house; local small dishes, included. 

Overnight: Private Manor House.

Breakfast and Lunch included

Immerse yourself in England's glorious landscapes.

Buffet breakfast at the house: Consisting of yogurt, toast, cheeses, fruit, cereals and tea and coffee. For English breakfast upon request for an extra charge. 

Today (depending on the weather), transverse Scafell Pike and into Wast Water, England's deepest lake. Scafell comes from old Norse, meaning "fell" or mountain with bald head. The pike (peak) forms part of the inactive volcanic element of the region. The peak is part of a horseshoe of pikes. The ridges of which will lead us to Wast Water, a glacial lake, the surface of which is 200 ft above sea level, the bottom is 50 ft below sea level. 

This is a serious hike of around nine miles of steep pathways, dales and a little scramble here and there. Expect sun, rain, wind and stunning scenery. 

We will stop in a sheltered dale for a picnic lunch and be picked up by our mini coach at the end of the hike. Depending on our schedule, we will stop for a late lunch at a rustic pub, The Strands and Screes Inn - Included. 

For those not up for the challenge, there will be gentle walks available and the option to stay at the house. 

Overnight: Private Manor House.

Breakfast and Afternoon Tea included

Climb fells and scale Pikes.

Buffet breakfast at the house: Consisting of yogurt, toast, cheeses, fruit, cereals and tea and coffee. For English breakfast upon request for an extra charge. 

Depending on your personal ability, we will take on Striding Edge, a famous knife-like ridge taking us to the peak of Helvellyn. We climb to Red Tarn, take on the ridge and head down Swirral Edge. This is one of England's most spectacular hikes. We will have easier route options for hikers on the day. 

Once we get to a convenient spot to stop, we will breakout the tea and mountain energy bars. 

We stop in Glenridding for a very welcome afternoon tea, included.

Evening Gastro Tasting menu option: Our high-end Gastro pub meal at L'Enclume, not included, option only.

Intertwined and deeply connected to Our Farm, L’Enclume represents Simon Rogan’s extraordinary gastronomic vision. "

"Our Farm, located less than a mile away from the restaurant, is at the core of everything that we do. It’s a farm designed by growers and chefs to produce a world-leading growing operation with taste and flavour as our main concern. It not only gives us that sustainable platform to build on the amazing quality ingredients that are essential to our dishes but also connects the restaurant to its surroundings.

It’s total control, being able to grow exactly what you want when you want and pick every service for freshness. Everyone gets involved, and we all spend time there. There’s nothing like sewing a seed and seeing it all the way through to the plate. It’s an extension of our kitchen, applying the same ethos, drive and attention to detail".

Evening pub option: Option to travel to Cartmel and enjoy lunch in the village, 

Overnight: Private Manor House.

Breakfast included

To the Dales and Fountains Abbey.

Buffet breakfast at the house: Consisting of yogurt, toast, cheeses, fruit, cereals and tea and coffee. For English breakfast upon request for an extra charge. 

We head into the lush green Yorkshire Dales, cruising on "B" roads, passing miles upon miles of stone walls and glacial carved hills dotted with millions of sheep. See the geological wonders of the Butter Tubs, Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and the impressive waterfall of Hardraw Force.  

We stop for a free time lunch at Fountains Abbey before seeing this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage visitor attraction. The site is a ruined ancient Cistercian abbey and an 18th-century green water garden. King Henry VIII dissolved Britain's monastic institutions in the 1530s, and over 100 "romantic" ruins litter the countryside. Fountains must surely be the most beautiful of them all, with the addition of green water gardens made of moon-shaped pools of dark water reflecting the trees growing on the craggy boundaries.

Dinner: On your own in York. The city is famous for having a pub for everyday of the year, there are 365, and around 150 restaurants with the city walls. Early on in the trip we will provide a city and restaurant guide.

Overnight: The Grand, York.

Breakfast included

Wander the medieval streets of old York.

Breakfast is included at the hotel.

York started life as a military town in the Roman period. Became a Viking stronghold and then a medieval gem. York once held the title of Britain's second city and became famous for the manufacturing of chocolate and confectionery.  

Your guide will take you on a 2,000-year journey through the snickets and backstreets before exploring the huge Minster, one of the largest gothic buildings in the world. Spend the afternoon shopping or visiting the various museums and galleries. 

Lunch and dinner on your own. 

Overnight: The Grand, York.

Breakfast included

Make the trip special and join us for a tour of one of England's great Stately Homes.

Breakfast included at the hotel.

Chatsworth House, in its golden, neoclassical splendour, is an accurate illustration of the vast power and wealth of the British aristocracy. This stately house and grounds, comprising of 126 rooms, is everything you hope to experience from a stately home. It has ornately decorated interiors, the finest art and furniture and a rich tapestry of family history. 

It is thought that Jane Austen visited Chatsworth in 1811 and, when writing Pride and Prejudice used it as her inspiration for Darcy's house, Pemberley. Discover Britain's first-ever National Park, The Peak District National Park - with its hilly and distinctive landscape. The story of the Peaks is a story of a historical connection between the land and us humans. Its dramatic geological scenery holds clues to our archaeological past.

The alternatively option is to catch the fast train to London (not included) but we will assist with your ticket purchase if required.

Lunch: Casual lunch on your own at Chatsworth House. 

Drop off at Heathrow. 

Please get in touch with us for private tours of London.