Highlights of Our 6-Day Self-Drive Lake District Tour
Discover Keswick & Ancient Stone Circles
Begin your journey in the heart of the Lake District, exploring Keswick and the Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of England’s oldest and most scenic prehistoric sites.
Scenic Adventure in Keswick
Choose between a private lake cruise, a guided mine tour, or an exhilarating mountain biking experience, all while soaking in Keswick’s breathtaking landscapes.
Grasmere & Wordsworth’s Legacy
Stroll through Grasmere Village, visit Dove Cottage & St Oswald’s Church, and explore Windermere and Ambleside, two of the Lake District’s most charming spots.
Mountains or Castles
Hike Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak, on a private guided walk, or explore the history of Muncaster Castle with its fascinating past and stunning gardens.
Lakeside & Fell Adventures
Wander the historic village of Hawkshead, cruise across Lake Windermere, or take a private guided walk up the Old Man of Coniston, a stunning fell with breathtaking views.
Grand Farewell at Lowther Castle
End your trip exploring the majestic ruins of Lowther Castle & Gardens before returning your rental car and departing from the Lake District.
What’s Included in Your Self-Drive Tour?
Rental Car – A reliable and comfortable vehicle for your adventure.
Handpicked Accommodations – Well-located stays offering comfort and convenience.
Attraction Access – Optional entrance tickets tailored to your preferences.d to your preferences.
Ferry Crossings Arranged – Smooth and hassle-free island travel.
Exclusive Private Experiences – Optional guided tours for a deeper connection to each destination.
Seamless Itinerary Planning – We handle all logistics so you can focus on the journey.
24/7 Support – Assistance whenever you need it, every step of the way.
What’s Not Included:
Meals (unless specified in the itinerary)
Fuel and personal expenses
Any extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Interactive Map For Our 6 Day Self-Drive Tour Route
Vehicle Hire Options For This Tour
Our flexible vehicle hire options allows you to choose from econmy vehicles to luxury models.
Choose from a range of high-quality vehicles tailored to your journey, from compact cars to spacious SUVs and people carriers.
$ - Compact
$ - Economy
$$ - Standard
$$$ - Luxury
$$$ - SUV
$$$ - People Carrier
Day 1: Arrival in the Lake District & Castlerigg Stone Circle
- Travel to Penrith (Lake District) and Pick up your Rental Car
- Keswick, United Kingdom
- Castlerigg Stone Circle
- Check in to Keswick accommodation
Total Drive Distance: Approx. 20 miles (32 km)
Total Drive Time: Approx. 35 minutes
Day 1: Detailed Tour Description
Your self-drive adventure through the Lake District begins as you arrive in Penrith, collect your rental car, and set off towards Keswick, a lively market town on the shores of Derwentwater. This scenic drive introduces the region’s rolling hills, shimmering lakes, and charming stone villages.
Before heading to your accommodation, take a detour to the Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of Britain’s most breathtaking prehistoric monuments. Dating back over 5,000 years, this Neolithic stone circle sits in a stunning natural amphitheater, surrounded by panoramic views of the Skiddaw and Blencathra mountains. Unlike some of the more well-known circles in England, Castlerigg offers a peaceful and immersive experience, making it the perfect first stop to soak in the Lake District’s ancient history and raw beauty.
After exploring, drive into Keswick, where you can check in to your accommodation and explore the town at your leisure. Stroll along the Derwentwater lakeshore, browse independent shops, or enjoy a traditional pub meal with views of the surrounding fells before a restful night’s sleep.
Day 2: Exploring Keswick & Optional Guided Experiences
- Depart your Keswick accommodation
- Option 1: Keswick Private Lake Cruise
- Option 2: Honister Mine Guided Tour
- Option 3: Keswick: Mountain Bike Guiding
- Stay at your Keswick accommodation
Total Drive Distance: Varies based on activity choice
Total Drive Time: 10-30 minutes, depending on activities
Day 2: Detailed Tour Description
Wake up to crisp mountain air and stunning lake views, as today is all about discovering Keswick’s outdoor adventures. Choose from three exciting experiences, each offering a different perspective of this spectacular region:
Option 1: Private Lake Cruise on Derwentwater: Enjoy a scenic cruise on a private boat, drifting along Derwentwater’s shimmering waters. With panoramic views of Catbells, Skiddaw, and Borrowdale Valley, this relaxing journey offers plenty of opportunities for short walks, island visits, or lakeside picnics.
Option 2: Honister Slate Mine Guided Tour: If you’re fascinated by industrial history and adventure, this option takes you deep inside England’s last working slate mine. Discover the gritty heritage of Cumbrian mining, explore atmospheric underground tunnels, and even challenge yourself on the Via Ferrata, a thrilling rock-climbing route with breathtaking views over Honister Pass.
Option 3: Mountain Biking Around Keswick: Opt for a guided mountain bike tour through Keswick’s rugged trails for an adrenaline-filled day. Choose from scenic woodland paths, lakeside routes, or more technical descents, with expert guidance tailored to your skill level.
Return to your accommodation for another cozy evening after a thrilling or tranquil day in Keswick. Enjoy a meal at one of the town’s gastropubs, serving hearty Cumbrian specialties, or take a relaxing sunset walk by Derwentwater before resting up for tomorrow’s journey.
Optional Extra Private Tour: Private ‘Lakes & Legends’ Rowing Adventure on Derwentwater
Instead of a standard boat cruise, take a traditional wooden rowboat out onto Derwentwater, accompanied by a local storyteller. Row to mystical islands, hear tales of Lakeland spirits and even enjoy a private lakeside picnic with local cheeses and wines.
Day 3: Journey to Grasmere, Literary Landmarks & Windermere
- Check out of your Keswick accommodation
- Grasmere Village
- Dove Cottage & St Oswald’s Church Tickets
- Windermere and Ambleside
- Check in to your Grasmere accommodation
Total Drive Distance: Approx. 15 miles (24 km)
Total Drive Time: Approx. 30-40 minutes
Day 3: Detailed Tour Description
After breakfast, check out and make your way south through the heart of the Lake District, passing through some of the most picturesque landscapes in England. Your first stop is the village of Grasmere, a place immortalized by the Romantic poet William Wordsworth.
In Grasmere, visit Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s former home, where he wrote much of his famous poetry. The attached museum offers insight into his life and inspiration, showcasing original manuscripts and artifacts from the early 19th-century literary world. A short stroll away is St. Oswald’s Church, where Wordsworth and his family are buried. Take a moment to reflect on his poetic legacy before sampling Grasmere Gingerbread, a unique and locally made delicacy that’s been a favorite since 1854.
Continuing south, drive towards Ambleside and Windermere, two vibrant lakeside towns known for their scenic charm and outdoor activities. Windermere is England’s largest natural lake, offering plenty of opportunities for leisurely exploration. Take a lakeside walk, stop for lunch at a café with panoramic water views, or visit the quirky shops dotted around the town center.
Once you’ve soaked in the atmosphere of Windermere, check in to your accommodation in Grasmere, ready for another day of adventure in the Lake District.
Optional Extra Private Tour: Wordsworth’s Legacy: Private Poetry & Landscape Experience
Go beyond the standard tour of Dove Cottage with an exclusive poetry walk through Wordsworth’s favorite hidden spots, led by a literature expert. You’ll visit secret inspiration points in Grasmere and Rydal, read his poetry in the landscape that inspired it, and even have the chance to write your own verse.
Day 4: Adventure or Heritage – Scafell Pike or Muncaster Castle
- Depart from your Grasmere accommodation
- Option 1: Scafell Pike Private Guided Walk – England’s Highest Mountain
- Option 2: Muncaster Castle Tickets
- Stay at your Grasmere accommodation
Total Drive Distance: Approx. 35-45 miles (56-72 km) depending on activity
Total Drive Time: Approx. 1-1.5 hours
Day 4: Detailed Tour Description
- Depart from your Grasmere accommodation
- Option 1: Scafell Pike Private Guided Walk – England’s Highest Mountain
- Option 2: Muncaster Castle Tickets
- Stay at your Grasmere accommodation
Day 4: Detailed Tour Description
Wake up in Grasmere, ready for a day of either adrenaline-pumping adventure or historical exploration—the choice is yours!
Option 1: Private Guided Walk Up Scafell Pike
If you’re up for a thrilling challenge, opt for a private guided hike to the summit of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain at 978 meters (3,209 ft). This rewarding climb offers breathtaking panoramic views over the Lake District, the Irish Sea, and even Scotland on a clear day. Your expert guide will lead the way safely, sharing insights into the area’s geology, history, and local legends. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or looking for a guided introduction to fell-walking, this is an unforgettable way to experience the raw beauty of the Lake District.
Option 2: Muncaster Castle & Gardens
For a more relaxed yet equally immersive day, travel to the western side of the Lake District to visit Muncaster Castle, a medieval fortress with over 800 years of history. The castle, still a family home, is renowned for its impressive period rooms, extensive art collection, and ghostly legends. The surrounding gardens and woodlands provide stunning landscapes to wander through, and you can even visit the Hawk & Owl Centre, home to one of the best bird of prey displays in the UK.
After an adventurous or cultural day, return to your Grasmere accommodation for another cozy evening. Relax in a quaint pub with a locally brewed ale, or enjoy a hearty meal with scenic mountain views before preparing for the next leg of your journey.
Day 5: Hawkshead, Windermere & the Old Man of Coniston
- Depart from your Grasmere accommodation
- Visit Hawkshead
- Option 1: Windermere Lake Cruise Tickets
- Option 2: Old Man of Coniston Private Guided Walk
- Stay at your Grasmere accommodation
Total Drive Distance: Approx. 30 miles (48 km)
Total Drive Time: Approx. 1 hour
Day 5: Detailed Tour Description
Start the day with a scenic drive to Hawkshead, a picturesque medieval village known for its cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages, and literary connections. Beatrix Potter once lived nearby, and William Wordsworth attended school here, making it a must-visit for literary enthusiasts. Wander the historic market square, pop into local shops, or visit Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, where Wordsworth was once a student.
From Hawkshead, continue towards Lake Windermere, where you have two unique activity choices:
Option 1: Windermere Lake Cruise
Experience the Lake District’s largest lake from a relaxing cruise, offering spectacular views of wooded hills, elegant lakeside homes, and distant fells. Choose from a short round-trip cruise or a longer journey to Bowness or Ambleside, stopping to explore at your leisure.
Option 2: Private Guided Walk – The Old Man of Coniston
If you prefer an active experience, embark on a private guided hike up the Old Man of Coniston, one of the most iconic fells in the Lake District. This challenging yet rewarding hike takes you past abandoned copper mines, crystal-clear tarns, and rocky outcrops, leading to a summit with breathtaking 360-degree views over Coniston Water, Morecambe Bay, and the distant peaks of Snowdonia in Wales.
After your chosen adventure, return to Grasmere for a final night of relaxation in the heart of the Lake District’s literary and natural beauty.
Day 6: Lowther Castle & Farewell to the Lake District
- Check out of your Grasmere accommodation
- Lowther Castle & Gardens Tickets
- Drop off the Car Hire & Depart the Lake District
Total Drive Distance: Approx. 45 miles (72 km) to Penrith
Total Drive Time: Approx. 1 hour
Day 6: Detailed Tour Description
On your final day in the Lake District, drive north towards Lowther Castle & Gardens, a stunning historical estate with a fascinating story of grandeur and ruin. The castle ruins, surrounded by 130 acres of beautifully designed gardens, make for an atmospheric and scenic farewell to the region. The exhibition inside the castle tells the dramatic story of the Lowther family, while the expansive grounds offer woodland walks, hidden pathways, and a beautifully restored parterre garden.
After exploring Lowther Castle, drive back to Penrith to return your rental car, marking the end of your six-day self-drive adventure in the Lake District. Whether heading home or continuing your travels, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories of rugged landscapes, historic sites, and the peaceful charm of England’s most beloved national park.
Optional Extra Private Tour: VIP After-Hours Tour of Lowther Castle & Private Dinner in the Ruins
Instead of just visiting Lowther Castle, explore it after hours with an exclusive candlelit tour, discovering its abandoned halls, secret gardens, and historic treasures. Finish the experience with a private fine dining meal inside the castle ruins under a beautifully decorated glass marquee.
