South Lakes Short Break
Hike between Grasmere, Windermere and Coniston at your own pace on a self-guided walking holiday. Accommodation, luggage transfer and holiday pack included.
South Lakes Short Break
https://www.contours.co.uk/south-lakes-short-break
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A collection of circular walking holidays visiting the lakes and mountains of the Lake District National Park.
From £360 per person
Book your self-guided walking holiday in the Lake District. This UNESCO World Heritage site is England's only true mountain region and contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It provides an enchanting mix of rugged mountains, deep valleys, shimmering lakes, powerful waterfalls and attractive stone-built villages.
Our selection of circular walking trails in the Lake District National Park provide an enticing mixture of scenery, terrain and challenge. Whether you are looking for fabulous views, picturesque settlements, fascinating history or literary inspiration, each of these walks offers something different, and are ideal for an active but tranquil retreat into the Great British countryside.
Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.
From £505 per person
As well as beautiful scenery, the Lake District is also famous for its associations with a number of poets, novelists and essayists. This lovely short break option visits many of the places associated with some of its most famous writers.
Beginning at the iconic Lake Windermere, the trail meanders through valleys, over hills and along riverbanks, and enjoys spectacular views from the viewpoints of Orrest Head and Jenkin Crag. The countless beauty spots and charming villages along the walk have inspired numerous writers and artists through the years, including William Wordsworth, Arthur Ransome, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter, to name just a few.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLSB1 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 3 days walking | £505 | |
| SLSB2 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 4 days walking | £630 | |
| SLSB3 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 6 days walking | £880 |
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLSB1 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 3 days walking | £505 | |
| SLSB2 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 4 days walking | £630 | |
| SLSB3 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 6 days walking | £880 |
Please note that due to the popularity of the Lake District as a holiday destination, accommodations in some towns have a two night minimum booking policy at weekends.
When planning your holiday dates we would advise to avoid arriving in Windermere, Ambleside, Coniston or Great Langdale/Dungeon Ghyll on a Friday or Saturday night if possible. If you are unable to avoid arriving on a Friday or Saturday night an additional supplement may be necessary, or alternatively, transfers to and from nearby accommodation may be provided. Any transfers required are included in the holiday cost. You will be contacted if an additional supplement should arise for your booking.
Please also note that dog friendly accommodation in Grasmere is particularly expensive. Therefore an additional upgrade supplement may be necessary for your accommodation in Grasmere if booking a dog friendly tour. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements.
Travel to Windermere where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Windermere to Grasmere. 10.5 miles (17km) / 1690 ft (515 m) ascent
Grasmere to Coniston. 13 miles (20.5km) / 2100 ft (640 m) ascent
Coniston to Windermere. 12.5 miles (20km) / 1936 ft (590 m) ascent
Depart from Windermere after breakfast
This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.
Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Taking in the sensational views of Windermere from the famous viewpoint of Orrest Head.
Sampling the superb Gingerbread in Grasmere, before wandering through the ‘Daffodil Garden’ and visiting the final resting place of William Wordsworth.
Feeling inspired by the magnificent fells surrounding Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
“What an absolutely incredible few days!! We'll never forget it! Have already recommended the holiday to others. I'm getting tons of feedback and questions on my social media and am pointing everyone to you all.”Ms Goss, USA
“This was wonderful.”Mr Lawshe, USA
“We were very satisfied with the itinerary and the overall planning by Contours. It was a pleasure to walk through this beautiful landscape and the weather was good for walking. Mostly cloudy but little rain. As we are getting old, the six days walk we choose suited us well. I have already mentioned the good planning. It was an added pleasure how varied the accommodation was. It ranged from traditional English B&B, to inns, old hotels and one renovated. We were very satisfied with our walk and your arrangements. I have booked a few times before and would do it again.”Mr Arason, Iceland
“We had great weather, beautiful scenery to walk through and the arrangements ran smoothly.”Mrs Crosbie, UK
“Likewise, my companions and I (6 of us walked together) enjoyed our Contours Lakes District walk. The route and area where we walked are beautiful”Ms Ames, USA
“We really liked the fact that there were lunch spots each day and even some coffee stops!! It was all very lovely and it was great seeing all the villages as well as the countryside between.”Mrs Ashworth, UK
“The countryside was beautiful.”Ms Ames, USA
“It was a beautiful walk, and we were very fortunate with the weather. The accommodation was all well chosen and we enjoyed each place we got to.”Mr Mawdsley, UK
“We absolutely loved it and felt taken care of every day.”Mrs Slob, Netherlands
Dog friendly