4 Night Southern Lake District Christmas & New Year Guided Walking Holiday

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km) 

Ascent: 1,100 feet (330m) 

In summary: A delightful contouring circuit of Loughrigg Fell with extensive views of four lakes and the surrounding mountains. This walk finishes in the popular Lake District town of Ambleside. 

Highlight: The immense Rydal caves, with their wonderful views over Rydal Water and Nab Scar beyond.

Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 2,050 feet (620m)

In summary: A circular walk from Ambleside, this walk starts with a steep ascent up the side of Wansfell Pike. From here it is generally downhill to Troutbeck and then back around the corner of the fell to Ambleside via Skelghyll woods and Jenkins Crag. 

Highlight: The views on a clear day from the top of Wansfell Pike are stunning. Almost all of the ten miles of lake Windermere are visible to the south, and the ridges of Red Screes and Fairfield extend to the north, a real feeling of being amongst some of the big giants of the Lake District fells.

Distance: 10 miles (16km) 

Ascent: 2,750 feet (840m) 

In summary: Starting in Ambleside, we head north, over Low Sweden Bridge and up onto a fine rising ridge, taking in Low Pike, then High Pike, en-route to the broad summit of Dove Crag. From there, we start our return, with an option to take in Little Hart Crag, en-route to Scandale Pass. Onwards, we head down the valley, near Scandale Beck and eventually back into Ambleside town.

Highlight: The chance to ‘bag’ four Wainwrights and enjoy great skyline panoramas on a clear day.

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. 

Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)

Ascent: 1,750 feet (540m)

In summary: Walking from the House, we cross woods and fields up to Iron Keld Plantation. We then traverse an open fell to Black Crag summit which commands a great viewpoint. Continuing on via Hollin Bank, we join the Cumbria Way, returning to Monk Coniston via the picturesque Tarn Hows.

Highlight: The summit of Black Crag is one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the Southern Lake District. 

Distance: 10 miles (16km)

Ascent: 2,800 feet (860m)

In summary: Head up to Coniston Old Man via the Coppermines Valley and the old slate miners track. From the summit descent via Goats Water to view the magnificent eastern crags of Dow Crag.

Highlight: The view from the top of Coniston Old Man.

Distance:  7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 380m (1,250ft)

In summary: Walk in the historic Coppermines valley and the lower slopes of Coniston Old Man.

Highlight: The history of mining in the area and feeling of being in among the fells.

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.

Distance: 9½ miles (15km) 

Ascent: 2,700 feet (825m) 

In summary: Walking from the House, we head into the Coppermines Valley, ascending via old mine shafts and wheel pits, en-route to the col at Swirl Hawse. From there, we head up to the summit of impressive local peak Wetherlam. Our descent takes us south to Hole Rake and over the Miners Bridge, on down to Coniston village. We then take the footpath back to the House.

Highlight: A walk full of mining history, with a great summit and hopefully the chance for a drink in the Sun Inn in Coniston village near the end. 

Distance: 7½ miles (12km)

Ascent: 800 feet (240m)

In summary: Join the Cumbria Way to Coniston village, then walk the old Coniston to Broughton railway line. Descend through woods and fields to Coniston Water and walk back to the house along the lake shore.

Highlight: The Cumbria Way stretch through meadow and fields with ‘the White Lady’ (a waterfall so called by locals), tumbling down the Yewdale Fells to your right. Beauty as nature intended.

Distance: 10½ miles (16.5km)

Ascent: 1,750 feet (540m)

In summary: Head for Coppermines Valley and walk the lower slopes of Coniston Old Man to reach the old trading route known as Walna Scar. Head on towards Torver then drop down to Coniston Water and walk the shoreline back to the house.

Highlight: Hear the water lapping on the shore as you gaze over the water to the mountains beyond.

Distance: 9½ miles (15km) 

Ascent: 2,9500 feet (900m) 

In summary: Heading from the House through Guards Wood, we pass the two Youth Hostels, as we ascend through old copper ore processing sites in the Coppermines Valley. On via Grey Crag, past the giant Pudding Stone, into Boulder Valley, to reach Levers Water. From there, it becomes a steep ascent on the path up Gill Cove, to Levers Hawse. It is then a pleasant ridge walk south to the summit of Coniston Old Man. Our route back follows the popular path, descending via Crowberry Haws and eventually down into Coniston village, to make our way back home.

Highlight: A less frequented ascent of Coniston Old Man, full of interest.

Distance: 7 miles (11km) 

Ascent: 1,050 feet (320m)

In summary: Walk in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter through the woods from Monk Coniston to the stunningly beautiful lake of Tarn Hows, returning via Yew Tree Farm and Coniston Village; a great walk right on the doorstep. 

Highlight: Yew Tree Farm was donated to the National Trust by Beatrix Potter and used for the film Miss Potter. 

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.

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 2650 feet (800m)

In summary: A grand day out in the mountains, reaching the top of Wetherlam after a mild but exciting scramble up Wetherlam Edge.

Highlight: The sense of achievement on reaching the top having scrambled up ‘The Edge’.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km) 

Ascent: 950 feet (300m) 

In summary: Starting from the village of Grasmere we’ll walk to Easedale Tarn, an impressive glacial lake.  

Highlight: There's time to explore Grasmere, famous as the home of poet William Wordsworth. Don't forget to seek out the poet's grave in the village churchyard, or sample the famous (and very tasty) Grasmere Gingerbread. 

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 1,050 feet (330m)

In summary: We begin in Ambleside, leaving Rothay Park, and skirt beneath Loughrigg Fell, to pass Rydal Water into the village of Rydal. After visiting Rydal Hall and grounds we continue via the ‘Coffin Route’ past Dove Cottage to Grasmere. There will be time to explore this lovely village with its connections to William Wordsworth and of course sample the famous gingerbread. 

Highlight: Grasmere with its connections to William Wordsworth, don't forget to seek out his grave in the village churchyard.   

Distance: 8½ miles (13.5km) 

Ascent: 2,000 feet (620m)

In summary: 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. 

Highlight: It's a steep climb to the top of Helm Crag, but you'll be rewarded with great views over Grasmere.