Home to England's biggest lakes and tallest mountains, the Lake District is an area of electrifying natural beauty and as such, has recently become a World Heritage Site. It has inspired numerous writers, artists and poets and you will not fail to fall under its magical spell either as you pedal its stunning length from serene Lake Bassenthwaite in the north to magnificent Lake Windermere in the south.
This is a strenuous cycling holiday with an utterly staggering ride we are proud to have created, which we want you all to enjoy, and as a result we are recommending electric bikes which are just perfect for this terrain. Our Electric Lakes tour will enable you to cruise not only by steam boat on Ullswater, by launch on Coniston Water and by steam train to Windermere, but also to cruise on two wheels past fells and crags, hill hamlets and hidden valleys, sheep clad slopes and of course, dreamy lake shores too. Much of the route is off the beaten track, through stunning woods, past cosy inns and over fords to small breweries and tiny water mills. Enjoy wonderful gardens, a Georgian town, an intriguing castle, the homes of Ruskin, Wordsworth and Potter, a vibrant food scene and stays in 4 different locations from tranquil lake side to ancient market town and buzzing waterfront. No wonder we call it Electric Lakes!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £2,495 per person
- Luxury
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from £3,835 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
Duration
8 nights
Start & Finish
Tour starts Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays near Lake Bassenthwaite and ends in Bowness on Windermere. Bassenthwaite is near Carlisle and Penrith stations and is served by Glasgow, Manchester and Carlisle airports. Bowness is close to Windermere station.
Hotels
- Classic
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4 inns
- Luxury
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4 country house hotels, all 4 star or above
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Not so gentle cycling. More info...
Electric bikes
Recommended and included
Mileage
3 days of cycling 16 - 24 miles (26 to 38 km) with a further 3 days of optional cycling and 1 day of optional walking
Terrain
Hilly every day
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Electric Bike. Transfers on days 3, 4 and 5. Steam boat on day 4 . Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
15% on hard surfaced cycle paths with the rest on quiet back roads and a one mile section of A road.
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic & Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive Lake Bassenthwaite
Arrive at Lake Bassenthwaite and check into your hotel for the next two nights, located close to this stunning lake - the most northerly in the Lake District area.
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2. Day two
Bassenthwaite to Cockermouth and back
Our host will meet your after breakfast with your cycling equipment and brief you on the tour ahead which begins with a glimpse of the quiet and beautiful northern fells and villages of the Lake District, giving great views of the 4 mile length of Lake Bassenthwaite. This area was inspirational for Wordsworth who lived as a child in Cockermouth. Visit his home there and explore this wonderful Georgian town, also home to Jennings brewery and an iconic ironmongers! The 1450 feet of climbing today then takes you across the River Derwent, past forest and around Binsey Fell before dropping down to rural Bassenthwaite village and on to your hotel.
22 miles (35 km)
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3. Day three
Bassenthwaite to Ullswater
Skiddaw is one of the largest fells in the Lake District at over 3,000 feet high and your ride today takes you around its base and those of High Pike and Saddlback with some fascinating stops enroute. There are huge vistas with towering mountains and rugged moors but also a handful of cosy villages sheltering old mills, co-operative pubs and unique local shops. With 1,800 feet of ascent, gurgling streams, tiny, gated roads and stone walls will lead you to a village inn where we will meet you and transfer you to Glenridding on the shore of Ullswater lake for your next two nights.
24 miles (38 km)
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4. Day four
Enjoy Ullswater
At 9 miles long, you have the opportunity to explore marvellous Ullswater lake by steamer with a saddle free day. Hop on the boat, close by your hotel and alight at the village of Pooley Bridge at the far end of the lake. From here we suggest a walk taking you above the lake to an unspoilt village housing a pottery, listed garden and potting shed tearoom. Walking on along the riverbank you can explore the abandoned and intriguing castle of Lowther which also boasts a well maintained garden. We transfer you back to Pooley Bridge for the return steamer ride to Glenridding.
5 miles (8 km)
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5. Day five
Ullswater to Ambleside
After a short transfer back to your bike, your ride south through the heart of the Lake District involves 1200 feet of ascent and is nothing other than stunning. With fells and pikes to your left and right, the valley road leads you to the waters edge of Thirlmere. After riding its tranquil length, with views of Helvellyn over the water, you cross the pass of Dunmail Raise and freewheel through sheep clad slopes into Grasmere, one of the Lake District's most popular villages, where Wordsworth based himself. Beyond lies idyllic traffic free cycling along the shores of Grasmere and the wooded slopes of Rydal Water, with a gentle pedal into the vibrant town of Ambleside, where you will spend the next two nights.
19 miles (30 km)
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6. Day six
Ambleside to Coniston and back
Here's the most challenging day but perhaps the most rewarding. See a different landscape, full of variety, cycle paths and short, steep slopes with 1,900 feet of ascent. Pedal along the twisting Brathay valley dotted with unexpected foodie delights and picturesque hamlets of stone cottages. Avoid the ford as you cross the river at Little Langdale into mounds of quarried granite leading to an isolated, idyllic farm. Follow the pretty valley and wooded slopes beyond to arrive in Coniston. This small village sits on huge Coniston Water which you can cross by boat to explore the fine house and garden where Ruskin lived and to admire the world water speed records set by Campbell in his boat Bluebird. Your return to Ambleside will not match his pace and follows the outward route!
24 miles (38 km)
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7. Day seven
Ambleside to Bowness on Windermere
Discover Beatrix Potter's Lake District today as you head for Lake Windermere, riding traffic free through acres of woods and along the shores of the lake - the largest in England, perhaps taking in Wray Castle. There's a total of 1200 feet of ascent today with a steep hill to climb to visit Hill Top, once owned by the author and full of her favourite things with vistas across the farmland and countryside she loved and bought to preserve. Here is her heart and soul and Hawkshead village a few miles beyond, quaint but crowded, houses further works of her art. Ride around Esthwaite Water to find her Pigling Bland corner before freewheeling down to the ferry and crossing Windermere. Your stay for the last two nights is in Bowness where numerous ferries allow you options to explore.
17 miles (27 km)
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8. Day eight
Bowness to Lakeside and back
The final day of cycling takes you to the southern edge of the Lakes area, to tidal Greenodd sands through the softer landscape around Lake Windermere, the most southerly lake. With a foot ferry to start the day, and 1200 feet of ascent, you pedal through glorious beech woods with a bobbin mill or a private garden to entice you off the backroads. Villages are sparse but there are some lovely inns before you cycle your last mile to Haverthwaite where you take the steam train and a short puffing ride to Lakeside village. Here you board a boat for the tour finale - a tranquil cruise on majestic Lake Windermere. Lie back and pat yourself on the back as you've just cycled the full length of these electric lakes!
8 or 18 miles (13 or 29 km)
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9. Day nine
Depart Bowness on Windermere
Depart at your leisure today. Windermere has a station.