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Captivating Cumbria
5 day holiday - Sunday 6th July 2025
Highlights...
Lowther Castle
Scenic Coach Tour with Blue Badge Guide
Tullie House Museum and Gallery
Cumbria is one of the most sparsely populated counties in England. Due to it being predominantly rural and one of England’s areas of Natural Beauty, the area has been an inspiration for artists and writers. Cumbria is steeped in history based round the invasions, migrations and settlements that happened, as well as battles and skirmishes between England and Scotland. Carlisle is a Cathedral city and the county town of Cumbria. It is currently England’s biggest city and offers an abundance of places of interest.
The Lake District is England’s largest National Park and an AONB and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The captivating landscapes, picturesque villages and the famous and beautiful lakes are sights not to be missed. This stunning scenery was home to many giants of literature, the most famous being William Wordsworth, but Coleridge and Southey are also known as Lake Poets.
In the heart of Cumbria lies the historic, market town of Penrith. It is home to Ullswater and Lowther Castle, which are linked in history by the ‘Yellow Earl’ – Lord Lonsdale. In 1912, the Raven was made a temporary royal yacht and her decks painted yellow to mark a visit of the German Kaiser to the home of the ‘Yellow Earl’ at Lowther Castle. The castle is the most popular tourist destination in Cumbria. It stands on a site occupied by the Lowther family for over 800 years, with the current castle being completed in 1806. In 1957 the fate of the castle was sealed when James Lonsdale removed the roof, chimney pots, door handles and fireplaces to sell, leaving behind an empty shell.

North Lakes Hotel & Spa 4*
We will be staying at the 4-star luxury North Lakes Hotel and Spa which is conveniently placed on the edge of the Lake District and an ideal location for us to explore Cumbria. This hotel boasts charming hospitality, and indulgent spa and award-winning dining. The spa is free for all guests and the tranquil space can be used to relax and unwind. The facilities include an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna, as well as spa treatment rooms (additional cost for treatments), and a gym. The bedrooms have stylish decoration and en-suite facilities with complimentary toiletries. There is a lift to the bedrooms. Dinner will be in the restaurant and offers home cooked food using the best seasonal produce from local suppliers. The three-course dinner each night includes two glasses of wine or soft drinks.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday 6th July
Arriving by door-to-door car at the Crowne Plaza, you will be greeted by your Tour Manager who will be with you throughout the holiday. Coffee or tea with pastries will be served before we board the coach. We will make our first stop at the Mill at Worston for a light lunch and then continue our journey. Our second stop will be at Farington Lode, Preston where we will have coffee or tea and cake as well as an opportunity to stretch our legs. Afterwards we carry on to North Lakes Hotel & Spa where we can check in and settle before our evening meal.
Day 2 – Monday 7th July
Ullswater Steamers and Lowther Castle are our destinations today. We board the steamer at Pooley Bridge and cruise to Gledridding once known as one of the most important mining villages in Britain. The journey offers an opportunity to take in the stunning scenery, including the wild daffodils on the lake’s shore that were the inspiration for Wordsworth’s poem ‘The Daffodils’. On the east side of the lake red deer can be spotted in the fell. After our hour-long cruise, we will travel to Lowther Castle, set in a stunning and unspoilt corner of the Lake District National Park. Here we will enjoy a light lunch on arrival before being joined by a volunteer guide to show us round the exhibition and introduce the history. This will then lead us into the gardens and castle ruins, where we will have free time to explore.
Day 3 – Tuesday 8th July
Today we will be joined by our Blue Badge Guide Anna, who will lead us on a scenic coach tour into the heart of the Lake District to experience stunning scenery taking in two mountain passes and five lakes! During our tour we will visit Holehird Gardens, described as a ‘garden for all seasons’, peep inside Dove Cottage (the creative home of William Wordsworth), and explore Grasmere with its ancient parish church, Wordsworth graves and the world-famous Grasmere Gingerbread shop. During the tour Anna will give a commentary to guarantee we don’t miss anything and there will be opportunities for photos to ensure we take the amazing scenery home with us.
Day 4 – Wednesday 9th July
Today is based mainly in Carlisle around the popular places of interest in the county town. We will start our day with a visit to the imposing building, Carlisle Cathedral. Here we will be able to see the 14th century, Great East Window and hear about the fascinating history. Next is Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery. We will have lunch before a human history talk on the Carr’s and the Cracker Packers, followed by some free time to explore the museum further, giving us the opportunity to take in the fine and decorative art, human history and natural sciences on display. On our return journey to the hotel, we will stop at the hidden gem Hutton-in-the-Forest. This magnificent country house, sits in extensive and diverse grounds giving it a glorious setting. The ancient family home has been owned and lived in by Lord Inglewood and his wife since 1989. We will have a tour of the house, which was created over six architectural periods, spanning 600 years. The centuries of history in the house are shown through the architecture and furniture of the period.
Day 5 – Thursday 10th July
After breakfast we depart for home. We will have our first comfort and refreshment stop at Farington Lodge, Preston and then continue on to our lunch stop. Our two-course, farewell lunch with tea or coffee will be at The Mill at Worston. Following this we will continue on to the Crowne Plaza where refreshments will be served before our door-to- door cars arrive.

Total Price of the Holiday: £2,175 per person
Deposit: £200
Balance Due: 17th May 2025
Whats Included:
- Door to door cars from your home to the meeting point and back
- Coach travel throughout the holiday
- 4 nights at North Lakes Hotel & Spa
- 3-course dinner with two glasses of wine every night
- Full English or continental breakfast every morning
- Light lunch with coffee or tea on four days
- 2-course lunch with coffee or tea on last day
- Morning refreshments on the first and last days
- Admission/talks/tours at all properties visited on excursions stated in the programme:
- • Lowther Castle and Ullswater Steamer
• Panoramic coach tour with Blue Badge guide • Holehird
• Dove Cottage
• Carlisle Cathedral
• Tullie House Museum
• Hutton-in-the-Forest - Gratuities
- The services of your Tour Manager throughout your stay
- V.A.T.
ROOM UPGRADE: Upgrade your room to a Superior Room for an extra £140
For more information or to book call
020 4568 3377
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Business Hours
- Mon - Fri
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- Sat - Sun
- Closed
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