Literary Walking in the Lake District

Arrive in Windermere, on the shores of the largest natural lake in England.
We'll transfer you by taxi to the Wordsworth Hotel & Spa in Grasmere.Premium
Hotel

Welcome to Wordsworth country! After a gentle walk this morning around the
meandering River Rothay, you’ll leave the village along the shores of
Grasmere Lake, passing St Oswald’s Church - Wordsworth’s final resting
place - and Rydal Water, of which the poet wrote: “Like a fair sister of
the sky, Unruffled doth the blue lake lie, The Mountains looking on.”
You’ll visit majestic Rydal Hall and Gardens - Wordsworth’s family home -
and perhaps stop for a tasty pub lunch before following the old coffin road
back to Grasmere; Nab Scar looms ominously above you and there are wonderful
views across the water to Silver Howe. Back in Grasmere you can spend time at
the Wordsworth Museum, Dove Cottage (where the poet lived with his sister
from 1799) and the renowned Grasmere Gingerbread Shop!Premium Hotel

It’s all about stunning scenery today as you make your way to the village
of Coniston. After a short climb through either Hammerscar Plantation -
overlooked by Loughrigg Fell and with incredible views over Langdale - or the
shaded paths of the National Trust’s High Close Estate, you’ll descend
into the breathtaking Great Langdale Valley where you’ll pick up the
Cumbria Way walking trail. Here you’ll find Elterwater, the smallest of the
Lake District’s 16 lakes and popular with huge Whooper Swans from
Scandinavia! Follow the foaming River Brathay, enjoying spectacular views of
the striking Langdale Pikes, and you’ll reach charming Skelwith Bridge - a
perfect spot for riverside refreshments. We recommend a visit to the
cascading waterfalls of Skelwith Force and Colwith Force, and the picturesque
fishing spot of Tarn Hows, en route to your elegant hotel.Premium Hotel

Coniston has inspired many literary greats and it’s not hard to see why.

Heading south along the Cumbria Way you’ll meet the shores of the pristine

Coniston Water which served as the inspiration for Arthur Ransome’s

much-loved Swallows and Amazons. The majestic Old Man of Coniston - the local

area’s highest fell at 803m – dominates the village skyline and presides

over your route. Heading away from the lake you’ll find the old Viking

village of Torver; the Church House Inn, which dates from 1378, is a great

place to stop for a drink before making your way back to Coniston. This

afternoon you could pay a visit to the Ruskin Museum, or head to the Black

Bull, Coniston’s compact, multi-award winning brewery. The bar here has

hosted several famous names including Turner, Coleridge and more recently,

Sir Anthony Hopkins!Premium Hotel

Today you’ll visit Brantwood, the former home of Victorian writer,

philosopher and artist John Ruskin. In a picturesque setting overlooking the

lake, Brantwood is filled with fine paintings, beautiful furniture and a

collection of Ruskin’s personal treasures. After your visit, head into the

peaceful Grizedale Forest, a shady gem located between the lakes of Coniston

and Windermere. The forest offers superb lake and mountain views and -

perhaps unusually - a number of sculptures hidden away in the trees!

Grizedale extends across Monk Coniston Moor and your last stretch of

today’s walk takes you all the way to Hawkshead Moor, from where you’ll

descend into Hawkshead village. Your home for the next two nights is the

superb, 17th century Queens Head Inn which overlooks the cobbled village

square.Premium Hotel

The choice is yours today. Fans of Beatrix Potter will enjoy the National
Trust's Beatrix Potter Gallery in the centre of Hawkshead, followed by a
visit to Near Sawrey's Hilltop Farm, the former retreat of the world-famous
children's author. Now in the hands of the National Trust, Hill Top is a
delight to explore. Wander the 17th century rooms where you'll find Potter's
original writing desk, and walk through the pretty cottage garden - the
inspiration for many of Potter's tales! Another option is to head east, via
pretty green meadows and the shimmering Blelham Tarn, to visit the National
Trust's beautiful Wray Castle. Back in Hawkshead, be sure to reward yourself
with one of the brewery's award-winning ales!Premium Hotel

After breakfast, if you have pre-booked a transfer, a taxi will take you to
Windermere station.We recommend adding an extra night to your holiday, to
take advantage of our walk from Hawkshead to the popular lakeside town of
Bowness-on-Windermere (12km/7.5mi/3.5hr). The route takes you through pretty
meadows and woodland and up to Latterbarrow Fell (245m) from where you’ll
enjoy incredible views across Windermere to Bowness. Descending to the
lakeside, you’ll follow a waterside path along Windermere’s tranquil
western shore; catch a ferry across to Bowness and take some time to explore
this ever-popular town, before retiring to your Laura Ashley-designed hotel
overlooking Lake Windermere.