ITINERARY

Day 1: Monday 24th March
We depart from BISC at 8.00am and travel by coach to the north of England. We’ll arrive in the town of Windermere early afternoon for a relaxing walk to the shores of the lake to give you a taste of the natural beauty of the area. Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in England set entirely within the Lake District National Park. It spans 12 miles and has delightful towns and villages nestled on the shore, rich in history and heritage including the town of Windermere which you will discover on foot. After our walk, we will travel and settle into Windermere Youth Hostel, our base for the week, in Troutbeck Valley which is situated on the hillside offering panoramic views of the Lakeland mountains, as well as of Lake Windermere. After our evening meal together there will be an opportunity to learn the names of the rest of the group plus an optional walk to a local inn located in Troutbeck village.

Day 2: Tuesday 25th March
Dove Cottage, situated in Grasmere, was home to the Romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770- 1850) and his family for 8½ years (1799- 1808). It was here that Wordsworth wrote much of his poetry, and his sister Dorothy kept her famous journals. Now owned by the Wordsworth Trust, the cottage has been kept as it was during Wordsworth’s time. Like many buildings in the Lake District, Dove Cottage is made from local stone with white, lime washed walls to keep out the damp. In the morning we shall visit Dove Cottage for a guided tour of the house. Then you can look around the museum at your leisure which tells the story of the poet’s life and work. Grasmere is a charming village right in the heart of the Lake District National Park and Grasmere Lake lies to the south of the village. After lunch in the village we shall climb up Loughrigg Fell with stunning views over Grasmere & Rydal water. The same stunning scenery that inspired and influenced Wordsworth is available for us to see and explore. Don’t forget your camera!

Day 3: Wednesday 26th March
Today we will travel by foot, by boat, by steam railway, and on the river bed in an underwater tunnel! In the morning we take a picturesque walk from the Youth Hostel to the town of Ambleside situated at the head of Lake Windermere. Ambleside, one of the jewels of the Lakes, is set in the centre of the Lake District at the head of Lake Windermere. Blessed with beautiful scenery, this bustling market town will be where we stop for lunch. After lunch we will cruise the entire length of Lake Windermere from north to south arriving at Lakeside to pay a visit to the Aquarium of the Lakes, a unique freshwater fish aquarium situated on the southern shore. The Aquarium recreates the journey of a river from mountain top to sea, and its stunning displays bring you face to face with an array of life found in and around the Lakes, including pike, otters, giant carp, sharks and rays from around the Cumbrian coast. Afterwards we’ll journey on the Haverthwaite Steam Railway through the ever changing lake and river scenery of the beautiful Leven Valley.

Day 4: Thursday 27th March
This morning we will discover the Northern Lakes and travel to the pretty market town of Keswick. Firstly we’ll visit Friars Crag, Derwentwater for our group photo. John Ruskin, who had many associations with Keswick, described the view from Friar’s Crag as ‘one of the three most beautiful scenes in Europe’. Take a walk around the crag and enjoy the clear views of Derwent Isle before we take a private hire boat across the lake, to the shores of Brandlehow Woods. Here we’ll enjoy a leisurely walk along the wooded lake shore away from traffic and crowds before heading to the pretty market town of Keswick for lunch. Keswick offers a wide range of attractions for visitors, from shops and restaurants to museums with a difference. In the afternoon there’s free time to explore Keswick before heading back to the hostel before going to restaurant for dinner on our last evening together.

Day 5: Friday 28th March
The charming town of Kendal, well known for its Kendal Mint Cake, is situated on the edge of the Lake District and is home to one of the country’s oldest museums, founded in 1796, whose fascinating collections include local archaeology, history, geology & a natural history collection from around the globe. Kendal also boasts Kendal Castle, now a ruin, but dating back to the 12th century with brilliant views over the town. The town itself is characterised by the narrow yards and lanes that branch off its main street. Historically it was one of the country's main manufacturing towns from the 14th Century until the 19th Century, with many mills on the River Kent. We’ll spend our final morning in Kendal, which includes a visit to the castle. The rest of the time is your own, to walk around the town, explore the side streets, yards and hidden places before we head down south after lunch. We hope to be back in Bristol by 7pm.

NB: This programme may change slightly depending on weather conditions and other unforseen circumstances.

The BISC Lake District Holiday includes return coach travel, accommodation, breakfast, evening meals and admission costs to the places we visit. The cost is just £225. To book your place on what promises to be a memorable holiday, simply fill in the attached form and return it to BISC with a non-returnable deposit of £50 to guarantee your place. The balance must be paid in full by 9th February 2008. NB: Arrangements can be made to pay by instalments. Ask at BISC for details.