York and the Lake District Small-Group Tour from London (5-days)

York and the Lake District Small-Group Tour from London (5-days)

Join this five-day adventure exploring York and the Lake District from London, where you'll savour beautiful scenery in the Lake District and visit Stratford-upon-Avon and Cambridge as you travel through the heart of Britain. This small-group tour will you'll take you on a journey of spectacular scenery, literary legends and historic cities...

• Enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Lake District and historic cities like York and Cambridge
• See the homes iconic literary figures William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter
• See the Magna Carta in Lincoln Castle, take-in the imposing York Minster and visit King's College Chapel, Cambridge
• Small-groups with a maximum of 16 passengers, starting & finishing in London
• Includes: 4-nights accommodation, Tour Leader and minibus transportation

Itinerary

Day 1: Cambridge & Lincoln

Stop At: University of Cambridge, The Old Schools Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TS England
The adventure begins by departing London and travelling to the iconic city of Cambridge, home to the world famous university. Whilst here you'll be able to visit some of the famous colleges where the likes of Stephen Hawking & Sir Isaac Newton studied, partake in a Cambridge tradition; punting and have lunch.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lincoln Cathedral, Exchequergate House 18A Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PX England
We’ll continue north to the historic city of Lincoln. Here you can visit the magnificent Cathedral or explore the historic Castle where you can see an original copy of the Magna Carta, written in 1215.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: overnight destination - York

Day 2: The Yorkshire Dales and southern Lakes

Stop At: Aysgarth Falls, Aysgarth, Yorkshire Dales National Park England
This morning we'll travel through the beautiful green valleys of the Yorkshire Dales. Meander along country lanes towards the stunning Asygarth Falls, which featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: St Ostwalds Church, Silver Street, Askrigg, Yorkshire Dales National Park DL8 3HS England
Next we'll stop in the traditional Yorkshire town of Askrigg; fictional setting of All Creatures Great and Small, based on the novels of James Herriot.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sizergh Castle Near Kendal, Cumbria, Kendal LA8 8AE England
Absorb the scenery on our way from the Dales into the Lake District, where the lunchtime stop is Sizergh Castle, a place with a history dating to the fourteenth century.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside LA22 0LF England
This afternoon you’ll visit the quaint Hill Top; formerly the home of author Beatrix Potter, who wrote the Tales of Peter Rabbit.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: overnight destination - Windermere (first night)

Day 3: The Best of the Lake District

Stop At: Dove Cottage, Grasmere LA22 9SH England
Today, your journey features some of the highlights of the Lake District. You’ll begin by heading to the village of Grasmere, where you can sample the famous gingerbread and visit Dove Cottage; home of the celebrated poet William Wordsworth.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Castlerigg Stone Circle, Castle Lane Underskiddaw, Keswick CA12 4RN England
We'll visit the neolithic monument of Castlerigg stone circle; one of Britain's most scenic ancient sites and thought to be over 4,000-years-old.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Keswick Museum, Station Road Fitz Park, Keswick CA12 4NF England
Enjoy breath-taking mountain scenery as you travel along the Honister Pass; one of Britain’s most dramatic roads. Next, head to the market town of Keswick, where we'll stop for some lunch.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ullswater Lake, England
This afternoon we’ll drive along the beautiful Ullswater Lake, and make a stop at the beautiful Aira Force waterfall.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Lake Windermere, Windermere England
Now we travel back to Windermere, where you’ll have the opportunity to take a boat trip on England’s largest lake.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: overnight destination - Windermere (second night)

Day 4: York

Stop At: York Minster, Minster Yard Deangate, York YO1 7HH England
Today we return to York, and then have the afternoon free to explore this historic and beautiful city. There’s so much to do here including; visiting the magnificent York Minister, discovering the Roman & Viking history of the city, exploring the world-renowned National Railway museum, taking a walk along the city walls, wandering through the historic central streets known as ‘The Shambles’, trying a traditional Yorkshire pudding, or joining one of the famous ghost tours.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: overnight destination - York

Day 5: Hardwick Hall & Stratford-upon-Avon

Stop At: Hardwick Hall and Gardens, Doe Lea, Chesterfield S44 5QT England
This morning we visit Hardwick Hall, one of Britain's great Elizabethan houses. The stunning house and gardens were created in the 1590's by Bess of Hardwick, and who became the second wealthiest female in the land, after Queen Elizabeth I.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Shakespeare's Birthplace, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QW England
We’ll continue south to the last stop Stratford-upon-Avon; home town of the world’s greatest playwright; William Shakespeare. Here, you can explore the charming town and see some of the places with a connection to Shakespeare, including his birthplace
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.