4 Night Southern Lake District Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday

Early autumn reflections at Coniston Water.
Duration: 4 nights
Type: Tread lightly
Walking Grade: 2, 3 & 5
from £679pp

Explore the best landscapes the Southern Lake District has to offer with walks that start and end on the doorstep of our country houses. With no need for transport, our tread lightly holidays are kinder to the environment and will minimise your carbon footprint. If you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to summit all nine of the nearby Wainwrights – the collection of fells made famous by legendary guidebook author and walker, Alfred Wainwright.

What you’ll love

  • Exploring places that inspired Wordsworth, Ruskin, and Beatrix Potter
  • Discovering charming Lakeland villages
  • Soaking up views of rugged mountains and scenic lakes
  • Spending time with like-minded people in the great outdoors
  • Finding new routes and places to explore with your HF Holidays Leader
  • Staying at Monk Coniston, our Grade II-listed country house

What’s included

  • 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, plus tea & coffee
  • Guided walking with experienced HF Holidays Leaders
  • Choice of up to three guided walks (on walking days)
  • 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 Yew Tree Farm

Distance: 6.5 miles (10km) 

Total ascent: 800 feet (260m) 

In summary: Explore the charming countryside surrounding Monk Coniston and visit the picturesque Tarn Hows, a famous beauty spot.  

Highlight: The picturesque views around Tarn Hows look like they are straight out of the pages of a Victorian tourist guide. 

Option 2 - Hawkshead

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)

Ascent: 1,200 feet (380m)

In summary: A figure of 8 walk visiting the iconic beauty spot Tarn Hows, then across fields and open fell to the pretty village of Hawkshead.

Highlight: Hawkshead with its myriad of narrow alleyways. The countryside that inspired Beatrix Potter.

Option 3 - Black Crag and Holme Fell

Distance: 8½ miles (13.5km) 

Ascent: 1,800 feet (560m) 

In summary: A wonderfully scenic and varied circular walk that starts by visiting Tarn Hows.  We continue to walk through forest, moorland and old quarry workings to link together the two lower Wainwrights of the Coniston group and enjoy fine views from their distinctive summits.

Highlight: Expansive views over Coniston Water, Windermere and the Langdale Fells from the top of Black Crag.


Option 1 - Coppermines and Coniston

Distance: 6 miles (9km)

Ascent: 900 feet (280m)

In summary: We walk from the house and skirt the village of Coniston to ascend into the impressive Coppermines Valley with its fascinating mining history. We then head down over the Miners Bridge, to Coniston village and on to the lakeshore, before walking the final short stretch back to the house. There will be time to explore Coniston village or you may prefer to enjoy a relaxing cruise on the National Trust Steam Yacht Gondola.

Highlight: The fascinating history of copper mining in the area is all around us on this walk. 

Option 2 - Coppermines Valley and Levers Water

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km) 

Ascent: 1,750 feet (540m)

In summary: We walk from the house into the historic Coppermines Valley. We make our way to the shores of Levers Water passing remains of a once vibrant mining industry. 

Highlight: The long and fascinating history of mining and admiring the surrounding mountains from Levers Water.

Option 3 - Brim Fell, Old Man and Dow Crag

Distance: 12 miles (19km) 

Ascent: 3,400 feet (1,040m)

In summary: From Low Water we ascend a little used path to Brim Fell and walk along a high plateau to the Old Man.  The terrain becomes rocky as we descend into Goats Hause and up again to reach the airy summit of Dow Crag.  The finest of ridge descents returns us to Coniston village via Walna Scar and back to the house via the shores Coniston Water.

Highlight: Views opening up as we ascend Brim Fell and the dramatic Dow Crag ridge. 

What to consider when choosing your walk: This option 3 walk is a full-on mountain day that is easily underestimated. Covering a long distance over challenging terrain, it involves a strenuous amount of ascent.


Option 1 - Tarn Hows and Little Langdale

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 1,400 feet (425m)

In summary: A walk past Tarn Hows to the picturesque valley of Little Langdale. Pass the impressive Cathedral Cave hewn out of the hillside and an ancient quarryman's bridge known as Slater Bridge. Return to the house via High Tilberthwaite. An abundance of riches!

Highlight: The juxtaposition of soft, Lake District valley with the relics of an industrial past.

Option 2 - Tarn Hows and Hole Rake

Distance: 8 miles (13km) 

Ascent: 1,775 feet (540m) 

In summary: We head out of the House, up through Hill Fell Plantation, to reach the picturesque Tarn Hows. From above the tarn, we then take a quiet path down to view the iconic Yew Tree Farm. Onto a bridleway and a short section of road, before we cut up across the hillside, over a couple of short rocky sections, on to the deep chasm of Tilberthwaite Gill. We ascend above the gill to near the top, where we turn into the hanging valley of Hole Rake on the flank of Wetherlam. This eventually brings us down into the Coppermines Valley, on down through the village and back to the House.

Highlight: A broad loop taking in the village, impressive mountain scenery, a gorge, waterfalls and ‘must-see’ local sights of Yew Tree Farm and Tarn Hows.

Option 3 - Wetherlam, Swirl How, Great Carrs and Grey Friar

Distance: 12 miles (19km) 

Ascent: 3,850 feet (1,180m)

In summary: A great mountain day starts with a long steady haul out of the Coppermines Valley to gain the summit of Wetherlam.  There fine views towards Langdale and Scafell as we descend to Swirl Hause and face the rocky “Prison Band” up to Swirl How.  Passing a WW2 memorial to a crashed Halifax bomber we reach the dramatic summit of Great Carrs and on to the less-visited Grey Friar.  A fine contour path leads us above the Duddon Valley.  We descend steeply via Levers Water to Coniston Village for a celebratory drink.

Highlight: The exciting ascent of Swirl How and Great Carrs with panoramic views across the Southern Fells  

What to consider when choosing your walk: This option 3 walk is a full-on mountain day that is easily underestimated. Covering a long distance over challenging terrain, it involves a strenuous amount of ascent.


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

Coniston - External.jpg

Getting to Monk Coniston

Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.

More Information

Address 

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

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

Non-member fee: £30 per person.

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.


Holiday prices

Date (Start - End) Itinerary Double / Twin Room Single Room Notes / Offers Trip Notes Book
2025

02 Jun - 06 Jun 2025

4 nights

Tread Lightly

Single from

£679

Double from

£679 pp

from

£679 pp

from

£679

Trip Notes
Book Now

07 Jul - 11 Jul 2025

4 nights

Tread Lightly

Single from

£679

Double from

£679 pp

from

£679 pp

from

£679

Trip Notes
Book Now

22 Sep - 26 Sep 2025

4 nights

Tread Lightly

Single from

£679

Double from

£679 pp

from

£679 pp

from

£679

Trip Notes
Book Now
Duration:
4 nights
Type:
Tread lightly
Walking Grade:
2, 3 & 5

4 nights from £679pp

or call 020 3974 8865

For group bookings of 10+ guests click here

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Carbon Footprint 141Kg of CO₂e

Average carbon footprint per person Learn More