Activity description
Departure from Euston Station
You'll need to be at Euston Station at 8:00 AM with your e-train tickets for your round-trip journeys. Your train will depart at 8:30 AM and arrive at Oxenholme Station at 11:08 AM. A tour guide will be waiting for you outside the station.
For added comfort and to have food and drinks served at your seat, you can choose to upgrade your train journey to first class.
Beatrix Potter Tour
Depart Windermere in the early afternoon and drive along the shores of Lake Windermere, learning about the history of the area and the lake along the way from our experienced local driver-guides. You'll catch several glimpses of the shimmering lake as you drive toward the central Lake District.
If you have time, you can stop at the National Trust site, Wray Castle. Wray Castle is a beautiful faux-Gothic castle perched high on the northwest shore of Lake Windermere. With beautiful views of the surrounding hills, the castle is a popular destination for visitors to the national park. This castle has connections to Beatrix Potter, as when she was 16, her parents took her to Wray Castle for a summer holiday. (Note that this stop is not guaranteed; it depends on opening hours and Hill Top entry times.)
Onward, you'll travel through more landscapes of the Lake District, areas that inspired Miss Potter when writing her famous Tales of Peter Rabbit. Along the way, you might spot some native Herdwick sheep grazing in the fields. Beatrix Potter was a committed and respected farmer and had her own flock of Herdwick sheep.
Next, the tour stops at Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey, once owned by the famous author. This beautifully preserved building is as charming as traditional farmhouses come. Beatrix Potter purchased the farm in 1905 with royalties from her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. When Beatrix Potter purchased Hill Top Farm, it was a working farm, and it remained so throughout her lifetime and continues to be so today. When Beatrix Potter died in 1943, Hill Top Farm was left to the National Trust, and the provision was that the house be left exactly as she had left it, and it remains so to this day.
Heading towards the beautiful Tarn Hows, this man-made lake offers some of the most stunning views in the Lake District. It has been an inspiration to many artists and writers, and after visiting, you'll understand why. On a clear day, you can see the Langdale Pikes, a favorite hiker's adventure. The 1 ¾-mile route around the lake is level and well-maintained, making it accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Beatrix Potter purchased Tarn Hows, as well as the neighboring Monk Coniston estate, to help conserve and protect them, and upon her death, she left half to the National Trust at cost and the other half in her will.
Next stop, Coniston, a beautiful village well known for Coniston Water and Donald Campbell CBE, who broke the world water speed record of 276 mph. You can also catch a glimpse of a Steam Yacht Gondola, a reconstructed Victorian steam yacht that offers cruises on Coniston Water.
Admiring the views, the tour will lead you to the final stop, a trip to Hawkshead. Hawkshead is a charming medieval village full of narrow alleys and squares bursting with character. It's home to a grammar school founded in 1585, where the famous English poet William Wordsworth studied. Overlooking the village on a hill, you can also find the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, which has stood there since the 16th century. While we're talking about Hawkshead, we should also mention the delicious Hawkshead Relish Company, which is definitely worth a visit! Hawkshead is a village that truly captures your sense of history and is a great place to explore, which is why we include it in so many of our tours. With other strong connections to Beatrix Potter, the village of Hawkshead was the site of the office of her husband, a local lawyer, William Heelis, which is now the Beatrix Potter Gallery. The 17th-century building remains virtually unchanged and houses many original items, drawings, and illustrations.
Entrance to Hill Top House is included in your package.
Please note: Hill Top House is closed on certain days of the year. During these dates, the Best of the Lake District tour is available.
The best of the Lake District tour
This fantastic Lake District tour departs from Oxenholme, Windermere, Bowness, and Ambleside every afternoon during the summer. It introduces you to the culture and history of the Lake District, which shaped the landscapes you see today. Learn about the importance of agriculture in the Lake District and how it helped the National Park achieve UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017.
The tour begins in Windermere and continues towards the Langdale Valley, which is full of heritage and farmland. On the way to Langdale Valley, you'll drive alongside the famous Lake Windermere, and our driver-guide will share many stories about our wonderful National Park.
Driving through Langdale, you'll experience some spectacular views, including the Langdale Pikes. The Langdale Pikes are iconic and the most easily recognizable peaks in the Lake District. The Langdales are where you'll often find many native Herdwick sheep, as they stroll along the road and lie down in the fields—a truly fantastic photo opportunity.
From here, you'll travel to Blea Tarn, a stunning body of water located between Little Langdale and the larger Greater Langdale. It's located in the heart of the wild Lake District, and we certainly think it's a hidden gem!
After stopping for a photo at Blea Tarn, you'll take a scenic route to Coniston via the Yewdale Valley. The Yewdale Valley is bordered by steep, rugged hills and offers visitors magnificent scenery. Nearby, you'll also find Yew Tree Farm, once owned by children's author Beatrix Potter. She purchased the farm in 1929 and left it to the National Trust upon her death. You may also recognize Yew Tree Farm from the 2006 film, Miss Potter.
Coniston is a beautiful village well known for Coniston Water and Donald Campbell CBE, who broke the world water speed record of 276 mph. You can also catch a glimpse of a Steam Yacht Gondola, a reconstructed Victorian steam yacht that offers cruises on Coniston Water. You'll have time to enjoy the stunning scenery in Coniston before continuing on to Tarn Hows. Tarn Hows is another of the Lake District's hidden gems. It has been an inspiration to many artists and writers, and after visiting, you'll understand why. After admiring the views, the tour will take you to the final stop, a trip to Hawkshead.
Hawkshead is a charming medieval village full of narrow alleys and squares bursting with character. It's home to a grammar school founded in 1585, where the famous English poet William Wordsworth studied. Overlooking the village on a hill, you'll also find the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, which has stood there since the 16th century. While we're on the subject of Hawkshead, we should also mention the delicious Hawkshead Relish Company, which is definitely worth a visit! Hawkshead is a village with a true sense of history and a great place to explore, which is why we include it in so many of our tours.
The afternoon's Best of the Lake District tour will conclude in Hawkshead, but before returning to Windermere, you'll enjoy a lake cruise. Sit back and enjoy the views of Lake Windermere. Afterward, you'll be returned to your starting point with a camera full of fantastic memories.
Cream Tea at Lindeth Howe – Beatrix Potter's Family Home
Cream tea at Lindeth Howe is included on both tours. Even if you're not a fan of the author, you can sit back and enjoy some of the best scenery the Lake District has to offer.
You'll enjoy a delicious British cream tea at Beatrix Potter's family home. A classic Lakeland country house in Bowness, Lindeth Howe is set in 6 acres of its own private garden. Enjoy fresh clotted cream, jam, and scones in this beautiful setting. Your guide will accompany you to the train station for your return journey to London. You'll depart Oxenholme at 6:31 PM, arriving at Euston Station at 9:19 PM. (Saturday departure times may vary, so please refer to your welcome pack on the day.)
Standard class includes complimentary Wi-Fi, in-seat food and beverage ordering, and power outlets at select seats.
Premium Class includes complimentary Wi-Fi, in-seat food and beverage ordering, power outlets at all window seats, extra legroom, and guaranteed table seating.
First Class includes access to the First Class lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary drinks and food served at your seat (including alcoholic beverages), power outlets at all window seats, extra legroom, and guaranteed table seating.
Notes:
Train timetable: London to Oxenholme Lake District
Meeting time: 8am
Departure from Euston Station: 8:30 am
Arrival at Oxenholme Lake District: 11:08
Beatrix Potter Tour Meeting Point: Oxenholme Railway Station, Booking Office, Platform 1, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7HF
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Oxenholme Lake District to London
Departure from Oxenholme Lake District: 6:30 p.m.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your train departure time to ensure you don't miss your train.
Arrival at Euston Station: 9:19 p.m.
Please note: Hill Top is closed on select dates. You can book the Best of the Lake District tour.
Children under 5 years old are not accepted on the tour for safety reasons.
Once booked, this tour is non-refundable.
Free Wi-Fi is available on the train.
Power outlets are only available in select seats in standard class.
Standard and Premium classes do not include complementary food or beverages. If necessary, purchase them through the in-seat ordering service.
