Lake District: Windermere Cruise & Cream Tea

Departure from Euston Station
You will need to be at Euston Station by 8am with your train e-tickets for your outbound and inbound rail journeys. Your train will depart at 8:30am and arrive in to Oxenholme Station at 11:08am. A tour guide will be waiting for you outside the station.
For added comfort and to have refreshments and food served at your seat, you can choose to upgrade your rail trip to first class.
Beatrix Potter Tour
Leave Windermere in the early afternoon and head along the shores of Lake Windermere, learning about the history of the area and lake along the way from our knowledgeable, local driver-guides. You will catch several glimpses of the glittering lake as you drive towards the central Lake District.
If there is time, you may be treated to a stop at the National Trust site, Wray Castle. Wray Castle is a beautiful mock-Gothic castle which stands tall on the North West shore of Lake Windermere. Boasting beautiful views of the surrounding fells the castle is a popular destination for national park visitors. This castle has connections to Beatrix Potter as when she was 16 years old, her parents brought her to Wray Castle for a summer holiday. (Please note this stop is not guaranteed, it is dependent on timings and Hill Top entry times).
Onwards you’ll travel through more of the Lake Districts landscapes, areas which inspired Miss Potter when writing her famous Tales of Peter Rabbit. On route you may spot some of the native Herdwick sheep grazing in the fields. Beatrix Potter was a committed and respected farmer and had her own flock of Herdwick Sheep.
Next the tour stops at Hill Top Farm located in Near Sawrey, once owned by the famous author this beautifully preserved building is as enchanting as traditional farm houses come. Beatrix Potter purchased the farm in 1905 with the royalties from her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. When Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top Farm it was a working farm and remained that way throughout her lifetime and still is today. When Beatrix Potter died in 1943, Hill Top Farm was left to the National Trust and the provision was it place that the house was left exactly as she had left it and it stays that way to date.
Onward to the beauty spot Tarn Hows, this man made tarn provides some of the most incredible views in the Lake District. It has been the inspiration for many artists and writers and once you visit, you will understand why. On a clear day you can see the Langdale Pikes, a favoured adventure for walkers. The 1 ¾ mile route around the tarn is level and well maintained making it accessible for wheelchairs and prams. Beatrix Potter purchased Tarn Hows as well as nearby Monk Coniston estate to help conserve and protect them and when she died left half to the National Trust at cost and the other half in her will.
Next stop, Coniston, is a beautiful village which is well known for Coniston Water and Donald Campbell CBE, who broke the world water speed record of 276mph. You might also catch a glimpse of a Steam Yacht Gondola thats a rebuilt Victorian steam powered yacht that offers cruises on Coniston Water.
Admiring the views, the tour will NEXT take you to the final stop which is a trip to Hawkshead. Hawkshead is a charming medieval village full of narrow alleys and characterful squares. It is home to a grammar school which was established back in 1585 and where the famous English poet, William Wordsworth went to school. Overlooking the village on a hill, you can also find St Michael and All Angels Church that has been there since 16th century. Whilst were talking about Hawkshead we also must mention the delicious Hawkshead Relish Company, which is definitely worth a visit! Hawkshead is a village where you get a real sense of history and it is a great place to explore, which is why we include it in so many of our tours. With further strong connections to Beatrix Potter, Hawkshead village was the location of her local solicitor husband, William Heelis office which today is Beatrix Potter’s Gallery. The 17th century building remains mostly unaltered and houses many original items, drawings and illustrations.
Hill Top House entrance is included in your package.
Please note: Hill Top House is closed on certain days throughout the year, on these dates the Best of the Lake District tour is available.
Best of the Lake District Tour
This fantastic Lake District tour departs from Oxenholme, Windermere, Bowness, and Ambleside every afternoon throughout the summer. It introduces the culture and history of The Lake District, which created the landscapes you see today. Learn the significant of farming on the Lake District and how it helped the National Park achieve UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017.
The tour starts in Windermere and heads towards the Langdale Valley, which is filled with heritage and farmland. On route to the Langdale valley you will drive along the famous Lake Windermere and our driver-guide will tell you many stories about our wonderful National Park.
Driving through the Langdale’s you will experience some spectacular views, including views of the Langdale Pikes. The Langdale Pikes are iconic and the most easily recognisable peaks in the Lake District. The Langdale’s are where you will usually find many native Herdwick Sheep, as they stroll across road and lay out in the fields, it really is a fantastic photo opportunity.
From here you travel over to Blea Tarn, which is a stunning body of water that sits between Little Langdale and the larger Greater Langdale. It is situated in the heart of the wild Lake District and we certainly think it is a hidden gem!
After stopping for a photo at Blea Tarn, you will NEXT take a scenic route to visit Coniston by going through the Yewdale Valley. The Yewdale Valley is bounded by steep, craggy fells and it offers visitors some magnificent scenery. Nearby you can also find Yew Tree Farm, which was once owned by childrens author Beatrix Potter, she purchased the farm back in 1929 and left it to the National Trust when she died. You might also recognise Yew Tree Farm from the 2006 movie, Miss Potter.
Coniston is a beautiful village which is well known for Coniston Water and Donald Campbell CBE, who broke the world water speed record of 276mph. You might also catch a glimpse of a Steam Yacht Gondola thats a rebuilt Victorian steam powered yacht that offers cruises on Coniston Water. You will have time to take in the stunning scenery at Coniston before heading to Tarn How’s. Tarn Hows is another one of the Lake Districts hidden gems. It has been the inspiration for many artists and writers and once you visit, you will understand why. After admiring the views, the tour will NEXT take you to the final stop which is a trip to Hawkshead.
Hawkshead is a charming medieval village full of narrow alleys and characterful squares. It is home to a grammar school which was established back in 1585 and where the famous English poet, William Wordsworth went to school. Overlooking the village on a hill, you can also find St Michael and All Angels Church, that has been there since 16th century. Whilst were talking about Hawkshead we also must mention the delicious Hawkshead Relish Company, which is definitely worth a visit! Hawkshead is a village where you get a real sense of history and it is a great place to explore, which is why we include it in so many of our tours.
The Best of Lake District afternoon tour will NEXT come to an FINAL by departing Hawkshead but before you head back to Windermere youll enjoy a lake cruise. Sit back and enjoy the views from Lake Windermere. Afterwards you will be dropped back to your starting location with a camera full of fantastic memories.
Cream Tea at Lindeth Howe - Family Home of Beatrix Potter
Cream Tea at Lindeth Howe is included on both tours. Even if you’re not a fan of the author you can sit back and enjoy some of the best scenery the Lake District has to offer.
You will enjoy a deliciously British cream tea at Beatrix Potter’s family home. A classic Lakeland country house hotel in Bowness, Lindeth Howe is set in 6 acres of its own private garden. Tuck in to fresh clotted cream, jam and scones in this beautiful setting. Your guide will escort you to the train station for your return journey back to London. You will leave Oxenholme at 6.31pm, arriving at Euston Station at 9.19pm. (Departure times on Saturdays may vary, so please refer to your welcome pack on the day.)
Standard class includes complementary Wi-Fi, at-seat orders for food and drinks and plug sockets at selected seats.
Premium Class includes complementary Wi-Fi, at-seat orders for food and drinks, plug sockets at every window seat, extra leg room and guaranteed CHART seat.
First Class includes access to the First Class lounge, complementary Wi-Fi, complementary refreshments and food served at your seat (including alcohol), plug sockets at every window seat, extra leg room and guaranteed CHART seat.