Tour Ref: SL6/1
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Easter amid the majesty of the English Lake District – what an opportunity. Spring really is the best time to visit the area before the summer crowds arrive and with a freshness to the landscape. Then, cross into Scotland for the Lowther Hills and venture into the North Pennines – scenery throughout. Treat yourselves to an Easter getaway to remember.
Carlisle is the perfect springboard for our tour and is a very pleasant city indeed. Never visited? You might be surprised. It boasts historic city walls, a huge castle, a pedestrianised and open centre, as well as a Cathedral. Our hotel is perfectly placed, right outside Citadel Station.
This super holiday has a Lakeland experience from the off. We meet at Penrith Station, early afternoon, and after a short drive to Pooley Bridge are immediately on the water - Ullswater that is. This is said to be the prettiest of all the lakes and we will enjoy a full-length cruise to Glenridding at the foot of Helvellyn. We then track north to Carlisle arriving early enough for one to explore the locale before dinner.
A huge Lake District circular starts by train around the Cumbrian coast to Foxfield. This is a really scenic ride as it hugs the coast with distant views of the Isle of Man in one direction and the Lakeland Fells in the other. Our coach meets us here and takes us to Haverthwaite for a nostalgic transport combination. The local transport museum is sure to rekindle memories of vehicles you have owned or travelled in. Then, it’s the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway which delivers us to the foot of Windermere. Onto the water we venture, with a gentle but stunning cruise to Bowness. Our coach then climbs over Kirkstone Pass and back to Carlisle.
A day of literal highlights awaits. Another rail inspired start sees us travelling across to Haltwhistle – the centre of Britain! Then, it’s a pleasant drive across to Alston where there is the chance to explore England’s highest market town. Then it’s narrow-gauge action between here and Slaggyford courtesy of the South Tynedale Railway (the highest of its kind in England). Our day continues with a visit to Hadrian’s Wall before the fascinating Roman Army Museum nearby.
Time for our border crossing so passports at the ready. We whizz past Gretna Green, heading for the Lowther Hills. This is a particularly beautiful part of the country and perched up top is Leadhills Village. The Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway is the highest adhesion line in the UK and extremely remote. After a morning of fun here we descend into Wanlockhead itself for the fascinating lead mining museum that includes the option of an underground experience. Our late afternoon indulgence is a visit to Ellisland Farm, former home of Robbie Burns, where our visit is enhanced, appropriately, with a wee dram!
Bank Holiday Monday sees us back in the Lake District, travelling into it’s heart . We head for Coniston Water and a morning cruise on the NT Steam Yatch Gondala reliving Swallows and Amazon county. Afterwards, we meet up with our herd of Mountain Goats to climb over the passes by mini bus, seeing views that can’t be accessed by coach. This drops us into Eskdale for La’l Ratty. Narrow gauge steam on this treasured line could be the holiday highlight.
Time to head for home but let’s make it a memorable finish. We head back over Kirkstone to Bowness and arrive at the incredible Windermere Steamboat Museum. A committed preservation project awaits, with many pristine lake boats to view and, perhaps, a steamy cruise as a finale. Then it’s up the hill to the station for the Windermere branch-line, finishing this Easter escape at Oxenholme Station where homeward bound journeys commence.
As one might expect this historic hotel is situated directly outside Carlisle Station with the city walls and former courthouse facing it. The property has in recent years undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and boasts comfortable rooms throughout. There is a substantial, well-appointed, bar and dining room but the real joy is that the vibrant city centre is right outside – you will love it, we are sure! – as Best Western are!
