




Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour takes you to:
• Lake Windermere
• Kirkstone Inn
• Kirkstone Pass
• Brothers Water
• Patterdale
• Glenridding
• Ullswater
• Lake Cruise on Ullswater.
• Castlerigg stone circle
• Lakeside at Keswick
• Surprise View
• Ashness Bridge
• Honister Mine
• Honister Pass
• Buttermere
• Crummock Water
• Moss Force waterfall
• Thirlmere
• Dunmail Raise
• Grasmere
• Rydal Water
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
Lake Windermere
Your day starts with a climb up from the shores of Windermere
Kirkstone Pass
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. From here 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. We stop in 2 places on the Pass to allow you to take photos.
Pickup 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
Select a pickup point
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
26 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
710annaleighc,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Tim was a wonderful guide. We learned so much about the area, the famous authors from each town and he drove us so smoothly through the mountainous terrain. Highlight for us was seeing all the small towns along the way and doing some small town shopping.

237russellz,Apr 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This is a stunning visual and informative tour you must do if you want to see a broad cross section of the Lakes District in a single day! Your certified driver will cruise you over serpentine lanes and parkways while your guide narrates the history, geography and details of this historic region. You will go places missed by most tourists in a clean comfortable van immersed in a constant three dimensional view of breathtaking landscapes and vistas. Included is a lake journey, stops for observation and a break for lunch and quick shopping. It’s a full day but is over much to quickly. We throughly enjoyed Jillian’s commentary and Sandra’s superb driving over some very challenging terrain! It’s a close up in one day of the Lake District one can not possibly achieve without them. As Wordsworth said. “Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher."


RetireAndRejoice,Oct 19, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
This was the perfect way to see the Lakes District! We loved being picked up and returned to our hotel on Lake Windermere. Gillian and Sandra were our talented, engaging guide and driver (respectively). Gillian was knowledgeable, entertaining and shared amazing information and stories about the area and local legends. Sandra was an incredible driver, especially on narrow roads on a rainy day. They gave us plenty of time for taking pictures and rest stops. We would do this tour again in a heartbeat. We highly recommend it!




R385KLneilm,Sep 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
The tour was excellent, taking us through the breathtaking lakes scenery and including a fabulous trip on Ullswater lake. The tour guide was genuinely interesting and informative and the small group size (6) made the whole experience far more personable. Definitely recommended.
packedandready2go,Jul 19, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
We took the full day tour of the Lake District which was fantastic. tin was a great tour guide. the tours take place in a nice modern minivan with speakers in front of each passenger so one can clearly hear the guide. Our guide, Tim,did an excellent job. His commentary was informative and interesting. We stopped at many of the lakes, took a boat ride, visited Wordsworth's grave, stopped at the famous gingerbread store and enjoyed the fantastic scenery. Highly recommended.
mansurj2020,Jul 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
Very well organized and the views were amazing. The tour guide was very good and knowledgeable. Overall excellent tour and highly recommended
Flyer37937154292,Jun 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
Fantastic. Really enjoyed the whole day. The comedy duo of Gillian and Sandra made the day. Gillian with her incredible, knowledgeable commentary and Sandra with her superb safe driving. The tour itself got us a brilliant overview of the area which we had never been to and encouraged up to go back to certain places over the next few days. Brilliant tour with the very best guides




annaaA9871NG,Nov 17, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our guides, Sandra and Julian were wonderful and fun to spend the day with. Very knowledgeable, impeccable driving and they shared many interesting details. Would highly recommend.




D5285XZtonih,Sep 24, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
A memorable day, Jill and Sandra, our guides, were very pleasant and knowledgeable, they gave us plenty of photo opportunities too.
Getaway814019,Jul 27, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
Second time doing a tour with English Lakes Tours & I can’t recommend them enough! Tried them out for the first time in December for a winter tour and had such a good time admiring the scenery and beauty of Lake District. Took my family for a summer tour this time and everyone was in awe of the mountains, lakes, and sheep. Our guides Jilian & Sandra (as well as a guy for the winter tour, sorry I’ve forgotten his name!) are so knowledgable and could answer all of our questions and more. + they have amazing driving skills navigating the narrow & hilly roads.
Operated by English Lakes Tours