3-Day Lake District Explorer Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
Overview
Available languages
72 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the beauty of England’s Lake District on this unforgettable 3-day small-group tour from Edinburgh. Journey through rolling hills, dramatic mountains, and sparkling lakes as you explore charming villages, historic stone circles, and the landscapes that inspired Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Travel in comfort with a friendly driver-guide who brings the region’s stories to life.
Enjoy free time to wander picturesque towns, cruise on Ullswater, and take in breathtaking views from Honister Pass. With intimate group sizes and carefully crafted itineraries, this tour offers a unique, personal experience of one of Britain’s most enchanting destinations.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding.
Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately. To ensure that bookings for passengers traveling together are not separated, please inform us if you have multiple bookings.
When booking three or more people, efforts will be made to book a combination of suitable rooms (double/twin/family). Preferences should be noted upon booking in the Special Requirements section
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg of luggage (44lbs); one medium sized suitcase/bag similar to airline standard carry-on luggage (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
Lake Windemere Cruise (included) - We reserve tickets for you.
B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. If you have difficulty with stairs, please mention it to us as lifts will not be available in this type of property.
Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
In order to retain the integrity of the tour and try to ensure that all our customers have the best possible experience, we do cap bookings from any one party to 8 passengers
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 21 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 21 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What‘s Included
Cruise on Lake Windermere (45 minutes) included
Professional Driver Guide
2 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast
Transport by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Admission fees: unless specified
What To Expect
Edinburgh - Moffat - Aira Force Waterfall - Castlerigg Stone Circle - Keswick
Accommodations
You stay in the lively market town of Keswick.
Moffat
Enjoy the stunning rolling landscapes of the Galloway Hills and Southern Uplands as we make our way to our first stop of the day: the Victorian spa town of Moffat. Though the area feels serene today, it has a rich history marked by conflicts and border skirmishes over the centuries.
Penrith
Leaving Moffat, we continue south across the border into England, making our way to the historic market town of Penrith in Cumbria. Here, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy lunch and explore the impressive ruins of Penrith Castle. This uniquely colored castle once played a vital role in defending the border against invading Scots during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
Aira Force Waterfall
After lunch, we enter the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has captivated poets and visitors for centuries. Traveling along the northern shores of Ullswater - often described as England's most beautiful lake - you'll have the chance to take a forest walk and witness the majestic Aira Force waterfall.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Next, we head toward Keswick, stopping just outside the town to visit the mysterious Castlerigg stone circle. Believed to be over 5,000 years old, this ancient site was once a lively hub of pagan rituals.
Ullswater Lake - Lake Windermere - Hawkshead - Grasmere
Accommodations
You stay in the lively market town of Keswick.
Ullswater Lake
The second largest lake in the English Lake District is famous for its sublime, tranquil beauty.
Lake Windermere
Next, we journey to the stunning Lake Windermere and the charming village of Bowness-on-Windermere. Here, you’ll have time to enjoy lunch before boarding a relaxing 45-minute cruise across England’s largest lake, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and timeless beauty.
Hawkshead
Your next stop is the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School.
Grasmere
We'll then take narrow country lanes north to Grasmere, which Wordsworth called “the loveliest spot that man hath found.” Enjoy free time to visit Wordsworth's Dove Cottage, taste the famous gingerbread, or unwind in the peaceful Wordsworth Daffodil Garden.
Honister Pass - Scottish Border - Edinburgh
Whinlatter Forest
We pick you up from your accommodation and begin our journey through Whinlatter Forest Park, crossing the stunning Whinlatter Pass into some of the most breathtaking landscapes the Lake District has to offer.
We travel along scenic, winding lanes, passing through the charming village of High Lorton and along the shores of Crummock Water and Buttermere, en route to the dramatic Honister Mountain Pass. We'll pause among the towering mountains, offering you the chance to capture photos and reflect on the historic slate workings, where a small number of locals still earn their livelihood.
Lake District
After a refreshment break, we'll continue through the lush forests of Borrowdale, passing by Derwent Water, where you'll have free time for lunch and some shopping.
Biggar
Following lunch, we'll bid farewell to the Lake District and start our return journey, heading towards Penrith and further north as we cross the border back into Scotland. Our route then takes us through the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, where we'll stop in the historic town of Biggar, a royal burgh since 1415. From there, it's a leisurely drive through the countryside, arriving back in Edinburgh.
Options
Hotel Single Occupancy Room
Accommodates 1 person in a single en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 x single bed).
B&B Single Occupancy Room
Accommodates 1 person in one single en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 x single bed).
B&B Double Occupancy Room
Double en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 large bed).
Hotel Twin Room
Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (2 x separate single beds).
Hotel Double Occupancy Room
Double en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 large bed).
B&B Twin Room
Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (2 x separate single beds).
Reviews
42 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
3 Day Lake District
scottecarrothers,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an awesome experience, Bruce was a great guide with a lot of knowledge and history facts. The lodgings were very nice. I would recommend this trip highly.
Wonderful tour to Lake District with Roger
BarbaraAlan12,
Oct 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We very much enjoyed our 3-day tour to the Lake District. Our guide, Roger, was terrific and very knowledgeable. He imparted lots of interesting insights, yet gave us plenty of time to just enjoy the scenery to the accompaniment of entertaining music. Thank you Roger and Rabbie’s!
A magical trip to the Lake District
Britta S,
Sep 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a lovely trip that had an amazing balance between villages, natural sights, the laid back and those opportunities to do a little hike, if you so chose… but never necessary. Great views wherever you stood were in abundance! I want to give a special thanks to Graeme who made the trip perfect! Great sense of humor and great knowledge of all our stops. Thank you, thank you for making our trip to the Lake District a treat!
Tour guide, Roger, was...
Carri J,
Jun 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
3.00Tour guide, Roger, was thoughtful & interesting. The B&B (Eden Green) was perfect in every way imaginable! The published itinerary, however, was not clearly stated and we ended up seeing things not listed & missing out on sites that were listed. A more detailed explanation of all stops would be more helpful.
Lake District Journey
Bruce P,
May 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Traveling the rural roads of the Lake District with an experienced driver/guide and viewing the scenic countryside and villages. Memorable!
3 Day Lake District Explorer - Magical and Memorable
F1727FWolivial,
Apr 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My 3 day Lake District Explorer tour with Rabbies was wonderful! I was the only person booked on so was lucky enough to be personally escorted by Keith and Grahame. The sites were absolutely stunning and Keith is a brilliant driver with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I felt thoroughly looked after from start to finish and couldn’t recommend Rabbies enough! If you’re keen to explore a new place as a solo traveller then don’t hesitate to book - you’ll be in great hands. Thank you Keith and Grahame for making my trip so memorable and enjoyable! Just make sure you pack for all weather conditions as the Lakes can be unpredictable…
A wonderful tour of the Lakes District with Rabbis
RickH WA,
Jul 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Lakes District is a beautiful place to visit with green hills and valleys and large rock outcrops and waterfalls. Lots of hiking being done by many people of all ages but the roads are very narrow but other drivers are well aware of that fortunately. I stayed in Keswick overnight where there are heaps of places to stay and a great choice of places to eat. This area is very scenic and I strongly recommend a tour of at least 3 days as there is a fair amount of travel involved from Edinburgh.
A great experience
329hindj,
Jun 23, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an unforgettable trip tour to the lake district with Keith. The breathtaking landscapes were amazing, and the tour offered unique and exciting experiences. Keith's extensive knowledge added immense value to the journey; his captivating commentary on the history and culture of each destination enhanced our experience. Keith warm demeanor and exceptional service made the trip even more enjoyable.Also, the well-curated playlist perfectly matched the places we visited, creating a magical atmosphere! I highly recommend this tour for an incredible adventure filled with knowledge, beauty, and unforgettable moments. Thanks for the wonderful memories!
Great trip with a great tour guide i.e. Andy.
519travelp,
Aug 15, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Did this tour with my family and couldn't have asked for more. The trip was well planned with ample of stops and breaks for sightseeing. There were a few mini-hikes involved but all of them were optional (great for me because I like hiking but a bit stressful for the parents). The tour guide was clearly well equipped with immense knowledge of the place and went into sufficient amount of history of the places we visited without ever making it feel like a boring monologue. Overall, very pleased and would recommend to all who'd rather ditch the car and do the tour with a small group.
Rabbies and Roger made our first visit amazing.
G5153HFmikel,
Aug 11, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Phenomenal experience! Roger was a gracious and knowledgeable guide who we thoroughly enjoyed. The Lake District was nothing like what we expected to find in England (our first time there). The beauty, at time, brought tears to our eyes. We were also grateful for the office staff who had to deal with my anxieties when our train was canceled. We eventually got on a later train and Roger was waiting and ready for us in Penrith. We were so pleased with our experience we booked another Rabbie tour for a one day to Oxford and the Cotswolds (but that’s another review).
From £451.78
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