Private Tour: 8 Lakes and magnificent scenery - Afternoon tour
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
• Lake Windermere, views of the largest lake in the lake district.
• Kirkstone Pass
• Brothers Water
• Patterdale
• Glenridding
• Ullswater
• Glencoyne
• Scenic drive along the shores of Ullswater.
• Castlerigg Stone Circle
• Ashness Bridge
• Surprise View looking out over Derwent Water with spectacular views towards Bassenthwaite Lake
• Thirlmere
• Dunmail Raise the low-level mountain pass and legendary burial place of King Dunmail.
• Grasmere one of the smaller lakes of the English Lake District.
• Rydal Water
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All passengers, including children of any age, must have a seat purchased for them
Children must be accompanied by an adult
The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather
As there is a little walking involved on the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes
What To Expect
Kirkstone Pass
Your afternoon starts with a climb, all the way up to the Kirkstone Inn,the highest inhabited building in the Lake District, for a stop to take in the views back down the valley right the way down to Lake Windermere and Ambleside. This once important coaching inn sits almost at the summit of the Lake District's highest pass that is open to motor traffic. We stop for photo opportunities.
Ullswater Lake
From our stop the road plunges down into the Kirkstone Pass properly with the valley walls rising up steeply on either side, past the church shaped rock from which the valley gets its name and on to the viewpoint for a photo stop of the ribbon of road as it descends down to Brothers Water. This lake was one of the first places in the Lakes to be acquired by the National Trust. The thin strip of road winds past the lake, down to the Ullswater valley and on to the charming and popular village of Patterdale. This the starting point for a number of popular hill-walks, most notably the Striding Edge path up to Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in the Lakes. The only other village in this valley is Glenridding and it is here that we get our first glimpse of the National Park's second largest lake, Ullswater. We follow the road along the western shore of the vast and sparkling lake almost in the footsteps of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. It was here at Wordsworth Point that they saw the wild daffodils, the inspiration for one of Wordsworth's most famous poems. Your next stop is here to allow you to access the lake shore for some splendid views of what the celebrated Lakeland writer Alfred Wainwright described as "that loveliest of lakes, curving gracefully into the far distance".
Options
Hotel Departure 2:00pm
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Private transportation
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Live commentary on board
charging points for most mobile devices at all seats
Knowledgeable guide available throughout the tour
Food and drinks
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
English Lakes Tours delivered an absolutely flawless afternoon in the Lake District!
R8022FIandrewp,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00English Lakes Tours delivered an absolutely flawless afternoon in the Lake District! Our guide was incredibly knowlegeable, sharing fascinating history and local stories that brought the scenery to life. Seeing eight distinct lakes in just one afternoon felt relaxed rather than rushed, thanks to the perfect pacing and the pristine private vehicle. The route was stunning, offering breathtaking viewpoints and hidden gems we never would have found on our own. If you want a premium, stress free, and deeply engaging way to experience the beat of the Lake District, this private tour is worth. Every single penny. Highly recommend!
Cannot recommend enough!
Siva R,Aug 31, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing tour. Children and adults equally enjoyed a lot! Tim is a very knowledgeable and considerate guide. Highly recommended
Wonderful
Shemina,Aug 15, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic tour! Couldn't have been better. I've been on several solo tours and loved them all but this time was traveling with family and decided to book this private tour. Tim was lovely and lively and the tour gave my family much more than just a glimpse of the lakes I love. Thank you so much!!!
Great introduction to the Lakes and surrounding area
snilloc6,Jun 11, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our first time in the Lake District and we are so glad we did this tour at the start. It was informative and we saw all the main sights some of which we may have missed. We learnt so much and avoided the stress of navigating parking, narrow lanes etc. Well worth it. The Covid arrangements, the vehicle, booking, timings was all without hitch. Duncan our driver and guide was outstanding. He was knowledgable, entertaining, caring, helpful, professional and an excellent and safe driver. We thought the all day tour would be tiring but there were plenty of stops and the time went really quickly thanks to Duncan’s commentary. So glad we did the tour. Excellent
Wonderful half day Private Tours in the Lake District :-)
JasMax44,May 2, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely first class! Tim was a pleasure to have as a driver - knowledgeable, very amicable and all in all the experience was exactly as we could have hoped. My wife and I did 2x half day private tours and cannot realistically fault the trips in any way. Highly recommended - thanks to Tim for our great experience :-)
Awesome experience!
Rahul B,Apr 15, 2021
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience! The tour really made our day and the visit to the lake district. Our tour guide, Tim, was really great and kept us engaged throughout. Recommended for all visitors to the lake district!
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Operated by English Lakes Tours