3 Night Southern Lake District Family Walking Adventure
The Southern Lake District is always a winner when it comes to family days out; not least because it gets the kids active and away from their screens. Walk through the woods to marvel at Tarn Hows, stock up on gingerbread in Grasmere, or hike to the top of Wetherlam for the most stunning of views. And when you’re not busy bonding with your brood in the great outdoors, relax at Monk Coniston – our Gothic-style country house just a skip away from the sparkling shores of Coniston Water and its namesake village.
What you’ll love
- Under 11s GO FREE
- Enjoying gentle valley strolls or conquering Wainwright’s summits
- Spotting Herdwick sheep
- Discovering places that inspired children's author Beatrix Potter
- Exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Southern Lake District
- Meeting families who share your love of walking
What’s included
- Family rooms available subject to availability
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals tailored towards families, plus tea & coffee
- Guided walking with experienced HF Holidays Leaders
- Choice of up to four guided walks (on walking days)
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival, served from 4.30pm.
Option 1 - Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston
Distance: 4 miles (7km)
Ascent: 800ft (260m)
We’ll ascend through woodland to reach the picturesque Tarn Hows, a famous beauty spot. We’ll circuit the tarns, enjoying the full range of majestic mountain views on offer, before descending through countryside back to Monk Coniston.
What your kids will love: Looking out for Belted Galloway cattle – their distinctive markings might just remind you of an Oreo cookie.
Option 2 - Tarn Hows and Yew Tree Farm
Distance: 6.5 miles (10km)
Ascent: 800ft (260m)
This option follows the same route to Tarn Hows, but we’ll also explore the countryside a little further. Rather than complete a full circuit of the tarn, we head north on the Cumbria Way for a short section, before returning to Monk Coniston. On the way we’ll pass by Yew Tree Tarn and Yew Tree Farm.
What your kids will love: Being on a film set. Yew Tree Farm starred as Beatrix Potter’s home, ‘Hill Top’, in the 2006 film Miss Potter.
Option 3 - Tarn Hows and Black Crag
Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)
Ascent: 1,750ft (540m)
We’ll ascend through woods and walk across open fields to Iron Keld Plantation. Then we’ll traverse open fell to reach our high point of the day, the summit of Black Crag, a recognised Wainwright for anyone bagging fells. After enjoying the impressive panoramic views, we’ll continue to Hollin Bank, where we join the Cumbria Way and return to Monk Coniston via Tarn Hows.
What your kids will love: Standing proud on the summit of Black Crag where the 360-degree views are breathtaking. What can you see from the top?
Option 4 - Low Tilberthwaite and Wetherlam
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)
Ascent: 2,650ft (800m)
A grand day out in the mountains, our most challenging route reaches the top of Wetherlam, after a mild but exciting scramble up Wetherlam Edge.
What your kids will love: Taking on the challenge of scrambling up ‘The Edge’. From the top, imagine the area busy with mining and quarrying activity in complete contrast to today’s total serenity.
Option 1 - Around Rydal to Grasmere
Distance: 4 miles (6km)
Ascent: 600ft (180m)
We’ll stroll alongside one of the Lake District's prettiest lakes, Rydal Water, and have time to explore the grounds of Rydal Hall. It’s then on to Grasmere following the route of an old coffin trail. Keep an eye out for red squirrels on the way.
What your kids will love: Paddling in Rydal Water and seeking out the grotto in the grounds of Rydal Hall. It was built by Sir Daniel Fleming in 1668 to frame the waterfalls, with Wordsworth even describing the view in his poem An Evening Walk.
Option 2 - Above Rydal and Grasmere
Distance: 6.5 miles (11km)
Ascent: 1,050ft (320m)
Starting from the bustling town of Ambleside we’ll follow the River Rothay to Rydal passing the impressive Rydal Hall. We continue above the north shore of Rydal Water, following the same section of coffin trail as option one, but take a slightly longer route into Grasmere. This picture-perfect Lakeland village is famous for being the home of William Wordsworth.
What your kids will love: Finding William Wordsworth’s grave in the village churchyard and sampling tasty Grasmere Gingerbread.
Option 3 - Helm Crag and Calf Crag
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)
Ascent: 2,000ft (620m)
An opportunity to climb Helm Crag, one of the most distinctive Lakeland fells with the ‘Lion and the Lamb’ rock formations on the summit. We’ll follow the ridge to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag before descending via Far Easedale.
What your kids will love: It's a steep climb to the top of Helm Crag, but the views over the nearby lakes are a worthy reward. Channel your inner artist and draw what you see.
Option 4 - Sergeant Man to Helm Crag
Distance: 10 miles (16km)
Ascent: 2,900ft (900m)
We’ll leave the beautiful village of Grasmere and ascend to Easedale Tarn, before taking on the climb to the summit of Sergeant Man. On a clear day we’ll be treated to superb views of Langdale. We follow paths across to Calf Crag, and then stride out along on a fantastic ridgeline, ticking off the tops of Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. It’s then a steep descent back to Grasmere.
What your kids will love: Reaching the famous summit rock formation, the ‘Lion and the Lamb’ – see if you can make out their shape.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Monk Coniston
With a desirable address overlooking Coniston Water (the inspiration for Arthur Ransome’s 1930 novel, Swallows and Amazons), this characterful Grade II-listed house delights with lakeside and woodland walks from the doorstep, décor that stays true to the period feel, and plenty of Beatrix Potter references. While the children's author and illustrator did not live at the Monk Coniston estate (her beloved home was Hill Top, bought in 1905 with the royalties from The Tale of Peter Rabbit), she campaigned with the National Trust to save it from development. She then purchased the entire estate in 1930 and as the new owner she immediately sold half to the organisation, bequeathing them the other half in her will.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Monk Coniston has 30 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: The rooms with a garden or lake view. We also love Room 9 on the first floor for its original features and beautiful views across the gardens and fields that slope down to the shores of Coniston Water.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Monk Coniston
Getting to Monk Coniston
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Monk Coniston
Coniston
Cumbria LA21 8AQ
Tel: +44 (0)1539 441566
By train
The West Coast mainline runs to the east of the Lake District, connecting Oxenholme (which is near Kendal), Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow. A direct train runs from Manchester to Windermere. Local trains from Oxenholme call at Kendal, Staveley and Windermere.
The nearest station to Monk Coniston is Windermere. From Windermere you can take a taxi or bus to Monk Coniston (see below).
Check National Rail for journey times and routes.
By taxi
The journey from Windermere train station to Monk Coniston is 10 miles.
From Oxenholme, it’s double that at 23 miles.
For pricing, please contact Ace Taxi directly.
Ace Taxi
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Ace Taxi*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1539 445445
Email: acetaxiwindermere@gmail.com
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Monk Coniston.
*Ace Taxi is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By bus
From Windermere station catch the 555 or 599 to Ambleside Kelsick Road. Change here onto the 505 to Monk Coniston. The stop is right outside our country house.
Check Stagecoach for bus times.
National Express also run coaches to Lancaster, Penrith and Carlisle where you can catch an onward bus connection into the Lake District.
By car
Car parking is available at Monk Coniston.
Leave the M6 motorway at junction 36. Follow the A590 to Greenodd Roundabout, take the second exit and follow the A5092 before turning right onto the A5084 signposted to Torver. At the T junction turn right onto the A593 and follow into Coniston village. Turn right onto the B5286 and follow for 1.5 miles. The entrance to Monk Coniston will be on your right.
By air
The nearest airport is Manchester International Airport.
There are direct trains every hour to Oxenholme with the journey time around 90 minutes. From here you can change to Windermere or get a taxi (we recommend pre-booking one).
National Rail have up-to-date information on times and routes.
Flying to London Heathrow airport is another option, but it’ll take you at least four hours to reach Oxenholme. Take the train to London Paddington station, then the London Underground to London Euston where you can connect to the main line train to Oxenholme. The journey from here is 2.5 hours.
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
- Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Gloves and a warm hat
- Rucksack with waterproof liner
- Flask for hot drinks
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
- Camera
- First-aid kit
Monk Coniston Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
92Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More
