Enchanting Lakeland

Our first stop is Grasmere, regarded by William Wordsworth (WW) as 'the loveliest spot that man hath ever found'. After viewing the Wordsworth graves and sampling some of Grasmere's famous Gingerbread, we move on to Dove Cottage - where WW spent his most inspirational years. You have the option to walk from Dove Cottage along the elevated 'coffin route' to Rydal Mount, another of WW's homes. From Grasmere, we head to Wray Castle - a striking Victorian 'castle' that played a pivotal role in the life of the young Beatrix Potter (BP). Next is Hawkshead for a guided tour of this quaint village. Here you will find the Beatrix Potter Gallery and the old Elizabethan Grammar School where Wordsworth went to school. Nearby is Hill Top - the much-loved home of BP, and completely unchanged from the time she bequeathed it to the National Trust in 1943. If time permits, we will continue on to the Lakeland jewel of Tarn Hows - admired by Tennyson and bought by BP to save it from unwelcome development.