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South Lakeland Holidays by Curlew Guided Walking
William Wordsworth likened the ridges of the Lake District to the spokes of a great wheel radiating from a hub of high mountains. The valleys in between drain towards the coast through a string of lakes including Windermere, the largest lake in England. More recently this is the setting for the film "Miss Potter" starring Rene Zellweger and Ewan Macgregor. The real Beatrix Potter had her home at Hilltop Farm near Hawkshead. There is a great richness and variety of walking here and our holidays reflect this diversity. Lake and riverside paths, beautiful woodland trails and some of the highest mountains in England are yours to enjoy. The classic Lakeland valleys of Coniston, Langdale and Grasmere are connected by a network of old tracks once used by traders, shepherds and miners. From Elterwater, the "Swan Lake", we walk past foaming waterfalls to peaceful Little Langdale with its pretty tarn and packhorse bridge. Nearby, Lingmoor Fell provides a magnificent viewpoint for the higher peaks all around. The fine walk over Loughrigg and Silver How threads a maze of rocky knolls and tiny pools overlooking Grasmere and Rydal lakes. |
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| Our circuit around Tarn Hows encapsulates the best of South Lakeland: the cascades of Mary Glen, the serene Tarns and the delectable little tops of Black Crag and Holme Fell. Hidden in the birch and oak woodland are remnants of past industry from the echoing Cathedral Cavern to tiny dam pools now choked by fragrant myrtle. The rolling countryside around the foot of Windermere is famous for damson blossom in the spring. From the 16th Century Cartmel Fell Chapel our walk takes in jewel-like tarns deep in the woods and the heather-clad summit of Gummer’s How with the lake spread out below. |
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Many of the high Lakeland mountains can be climbed. Centuries-old packhorse trails start our walk to the towering Langdale Pikes, the site for several prehistoric stone axe factories. The great pyramid of Bow Fell and the roller-coaster crest of Crinkle Crags are both exceptional mountain walks from Great Langdale. The views across the uninhabited upper reaches of Eskdale to the mighty Scafell range are breathtaking. In the Coniston range we can start a superb circuit of Wetherlam and Swirl How from the charming cottages of Tilberthwaite before descending into the wild Greenburn Valley with its cascades and old copper mine ruins. |
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A steep climb from the shore of Thirlmere takes us through pine and larch past lily-studded
Harrop Tarn to the open ridge of Ullscarf, a mountain said to be at the centre of the Lake
District. To the east, the quiet and secluded valley of Kentmere leads us up onto the High
Street range where soldiers once marched along the highest Roman road in the country. From
Grasmere our route to Fairfield visits Grizedale Tarn whose waters are said to hide the crown of
a Celtic king before a thrilling path leads us to the summit.
"I have had a marvellous walking holiday in the South Lakes. The arrangements you made for me were perfect ... Once again the walks were first-class" A. Haenraets, Evertsoord, The Netherlands. |
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Accommodation: Bowness by the shore of Windermere makes an ideal centre with easy access to both high mountains or more gentle countryside.
Our venues include Melbourne and Langdale View Guest Houses (both VB 3 Stars) and White Lodge Hotel (VB 4 Stars) small, family-run establishments close to each other and the lake.
A new venue for us this year is Beckside Cottage (VB 3 Stars) in Windermere village.
Cost (week): £405 (£415 peak season) to £450per person based on sharing a twin or double room.
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Station: Windermere then a short bus or taxi ride.
Links to coach and rail sites can be found on our Links Page.
Dates: April 19th, May 24th (Bank Holiday), June 21st, July 26th, September 13th and October 11th. To see more of what is included in all of our holidays please see the section on our Home Page . |
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