Cumbria & Lake District

Cumbria and the Lake District have some of the finest expanses of British countryside and this region has spellbound the adventurous traveller since the earliest days of tourism.

Situated in the far north-west corner of England, the northern boundary of Cumbria runs along the Scottish Border, known as the ‘Debatable Lands’, where the ancient border city of Carlisle is found. The west of Cumbria is bounded by the Irish Sea. The Pennine range divides Cumbria from Northumberland to the east. The south of the county is bordered partly by sea and partly by the Yorkshire Dales and Lancashire.

The English Lake District is found in the mountainous heart of Cumbria, and attracts visitors from all over the world with its scenic beauty, its mountains, still lakes and villages which seem to have grown out of this rocky landscape. Stone walls can be seen stretching skywards over all but the highest of hills. The area inspired Wordsworth and other writers and poets – and with good reason. Enjoy five full days touring Cumbria and the Lake District, based at two wonderful hotels, with three nights in each.

As well as the whole of the Lake District, also known as The Lakes or Lakeland and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cumbria includes the Eden Valley, the North Pennines, the Furness Peninsula, and a small part of the Yorkshire Dales.

This tour is fully booked and the waiting list is now open…

Highlights of Cumbria & the Lake District

• Explore the gorgeous Lake District, in the county of Cumbria, England’s most mountainous region
• Visit the Lakeland Motor Museum
• Drive the renowned Hardknott & Wrynose Passes – and the Kirkstone & Honister Passes
• Explore stately homes such as Holker Hall, medieval Levens Hall & Sizergh Castle
• Learn about the Arts & Crafts movement at Blackwell House
• Drive around the lakes/waters of Coniston, Windermere, Thirlmere, Ullswater, Bassenthwaite & Derwent
• Visit Beatrix Potter’s home at Hill Top and see where Peter Rabbit and friends lived
• Discover the amazing Lanercost Priory
• Uncover the area’s history in the walls and grounds of Muncaster Castle
• Drive along Hadrian’s Wall and see Birdoswald Fort
• Do underground into the Honister slate mine
• Explore the ruins of Lowther Castle and visit the beautiful grounds

Itinerary

May be subject to change.

Day 1: 4 June 2021

Arrive at the Lakeside Hotel and check in to your room. There will be welcome drinks at 7pm followed by a welcome dinner tonight.

Day 2: 5 June 2021 44 miles

Enjoy a circular drive around the south-east corner of Lakeland including some varied and interesting attractions. Head to south to visit the Lakeland Motor Museum with its Campbell Bluebird exhibition. Then drive to Holker and visit the superb stately home of Holker Hall with its beautiful gardens. Continue to Cartmel. This pretty and ancient village is a hidden gem with a delightful village square and some lovely old buildings, including the Abbey. Drive to Grange over Sands, an attractive seaside town overlooking Morecambe Bay, and then north to the medieval pele tower of Levens Hall and Gardens. It’s then a short drive to the National Trust’s Sizergh Castle, another impressive stately home. Continue on to Windermere and Bowness, a lovely lakeside town with plenty of attractions. Drive south alongside Lake Windermere and visit Blackwell House, a beautiful Arts & Craft House, before heading back to the hotel. Dinner is included.

Day 3: 6 June 2021 83 miles

A fun day of driving. Head across to Coniston Water and drive alongside, past Brantwood, where John Ruskin, the famous English art critic lived, and round to Coniston village. Visit the Ruskin Museum as well. Continue along the western side on Coniston Water and south towards Broughton in Furness. Drive across the moors and dales to the impressive Muncaster Castle. Tour the castle and the beautiful grounds. Continue on to Ravenglass, an attractive village overlooking the estuary of the Esk River. Then enjoy the drive over Britain’s most famous passes, the Hardknott and then the Wrynose. The views are stunning and the road can be challenging – but that’s just what Classic Travellers enjoy! At the end of the Wrynose Pass turn into Little Langdale which then leads into Great Langdale.  Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 4: 7 June 2021 49 miles

Leave the Lakeside Hotel and head north to Hawkshead and then Sawrey, home of Beatrix Potter, where you can visit Ms Potter’s home and see some of her beautiful drawings of Peter Rabbit and friends. Continue to Ambleside, then drive over the beautiful Kirkstone Pass before looping back to Ambleside and Grasmere. Head north past Thirlmere and continue on, past Ullswater to the pretty village of Askham and stay for the next three nights at beautiful Askham Hall.

Day 5: 8 June 2021 110 miles

Explore the northern reaches of Cumbria, starting with a fabulous drive from Penrith to Alston – a drive that will leave you inspired and invigorated – and in love with your car! The views are also wonderful. From Alston head north up to Hadrian’s Wall and take time to visit Birdoswold Fort. Drive along the path of Hadrian’s Wall to Lanercost Priory, a peaceful place to explore. Then head to the ancient city of Carlisle before continuing to Bassenthwaite. Return to Askham. Dinner is not included this evening but there is a great pub in the village or another fabulous local pub nearby.

Day 6: 9 June 2021 71 miles

Enjoy a drive around the northern part of the Lake District. Head across to Keswick and then up along the western shore of Bassenthwaite. Drive the Winlatter Pass from Lorton and take a tiny lane south to the charming village of Buttermere. It’s then across the Honister Pass where you can visit the working Honister Slate Mine. The road continues up by Derwent Water to Keswick. Turn south and drive past Thirlmere to Ambleside again and drive the full length of the Kirkstone Pass to Ullswater. Return to Askham Hall for a final dinner.

Day 7: 10 June 2021

Indulge in a hearty Cumbrian breakfast and then depart for home.

Accommodation

The tour will stay in two hotels, with three nights in each. The first hotel, the luxurious Lakeside Hotel & Spa, is right on the southern shores of Lake Windermere, seamlessly blends country house character with contemporary four-star luxury. We have lakeview rooms for everyone’s comfort, offering unrivalled views of Lake Windermere. The scene is set for luxurious warmth as soon as you step into the entrance hall with its cherished heirlooms and treasures. Antique furniture and oak panelling nestle alongside plump sofas, contemporary artworks and hand-crafted chandeliers for an eclectic yet homely feel. Stretching to the lakeshore, the landscaped grounds are perfect for a stroll allowing you to admire the picture-perfect view across the lake and fells. There is also an indoor pool and spa.

 

The second hotel isn’t really a hotel at all. Askham Hall is a luxurious, intimate, unpretentious home from home which is up-to-date, full of charm and somewhere you can kick off your wellies at the front door. This manor house (a Grade I listed Pele Tower expanded in Elizabethan times) is the former family home of Charles Lowther and his sister, Marie-Louisa. They grew up at Askham Hall with their parents, the 7th Earl and Countess of Lonsdale. In late 2013, they opened the hall as a ‘Bohemian home from home’. They have created a hotel of character.  The bedrooms are in the Pele Tower and a 17th-century wing. The drawing room has books, paintings, framed photographs – the epitome of a wealthy family home. There’s an honesty bar in the library. In the restaurant, Cumbrian-born chef Richard Swale serves a short, seasonal menu. The cooking is seriously good and now is bestowed with a well-deserved Michelin star. Enjoy well-presented local food, enhanced by vegetables and herbs from the hall’s garden. There is also a spa and outdoor heated pool.

Requirements

The Cumbria & Lake District Tour is open to classic, vintage and sports cars of any age. However, the most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, deserving of the vehicles we love, relish character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers.

Classic Car Hire

We have partnered with Northumbria Classic Car Hire if you would like to hire a classic car for this tour. Please mention Classic Travelling on booking to secure the best rates

Bespoke Fitted Luggage

Make packing for your next tour simple and easy. Classic Travelling Luggage offers bespoke fitted cases for a large range of classic and sports cars.