Name: Southern Lake District Discover More Tour 2025
Brand: DHTour
SKU: 1
Price: $3,080 pp
Availability: InStock

Southern Lake District Discover More Tour: 7 nights based at Monk Coniston, Conistonwater, Cambria, Southern Lake District

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Join us on our captivating small group discovery tour and uncover a lesser-known side of the Southern Lake District. Meet the Herdwick flock at Yew Tree Farm to learn about the region’s hardy native sheep, witness authentic Lakeland craftsmanship at Stott Park Bobbin Mill, and taste award-winning gin with the owners of Shed One Distillery. You’ll also get to listen to a talk about William Wordsworth from the curators of Dove Cottage, and visit Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home. To top it all there’ll be a scenic ride on the Steam Yacht Gondola across Coniston Water.

Tour Details

Highlights:

A talk from Dove Cottage’s curators
Cruising Coniston Water aboard the Steam Yacht Gondola
Visiting Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse retreat
Meeting Herdwick sheep at Yew Tree Farm
Discovering authentic Lakeland crafts at Stott Park Bobbin Mill
Tasting small-batch local gin with the owners of Shed One Distillery

Pick Up Location & TIme

Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8AQ (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

High quality en-suite upgraded accommodation at Monk Coniston
Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach
All entrance fees

Meals

All meals from afternoon Cream tea on arrival day, to breakfast on departure day

7 breakfasts
6 lunches
7 dinners
1 tea

Price Excludes

Airfare
Transfers
Pre / Post hotel nights
Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest railway stations is Windermere)
Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
Travel Insurance

What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

Accommodation at a country house hotel
Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
Knowledgeable leader
Transport between locations

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.

On each Discovery day, you will be walking roughly 3-5 miles (5-8km) throughout the course of the day as you explore the venues and locations we visit. You’ll also be hopping on and off the coach throughout – you should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Most of this walking will be at attractions but some may be across country tracks or footpaths so be sure to bring sturdy shoes. There will also be stairs to climb in the majority of the venues you visit, though other more accessible options may be available. At some venues, there may also be uneven surfaces, such as cobbles or rocky paths.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in at Monk Coniston from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival. (D, T)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 2Wordsworth Grasmere

Today we’ll take a trip to Grasmere and pay a visit to Dove Cottage, home of the famed Lakeland poet William Wordsworth. As well as having time to explore the museum and enjoy the restored fellside Garden-Orchard, we’ve got an extra special experience lined up. We’ll be seated in the library of the Jerwood Centre for an inspiring talk from one of the curators.

In the afternoon, there’ll be a little free time to explore the village. Don’t miss the world-famous Grasmere Gingerbread shop. We’ll then travel to the Great Langdale Valley and enjoy a scenic stroll along the shores of Elterwater. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 3Ruskin Museum, Steam Yacht Gondola and Brantwood

Our morning begins with a visit to the Ruskin Museum. An award-winning ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, the museum tells the story of Coniston from the first Stone Age fell-walkers to the Jet Era of the 50s and 60s when speed ace Donald Campbell broke 4 World Water Speed Records in Bluebird K7 on Coniston Water.

Afterwards we’ll make our way to the lake shore and take a scenic cruise aboard the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola. We’ll hop off at Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin, and be taken on a guided tour of the historic house and gardens, before catching the last sailing of the day back to Coniston. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 4Free day

A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 5Hill Top, Hawkshead and Herdwick Experience

Discover the tale of Beatrix Potter with a visit to her farmhouse retreat, Hill Top. Bought in 1905 with the proceeds from her first book, the Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix used this home, and the surrounding countryside, as inspiration for many of her subsequent books. The lovely cottage garden, a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables is not to be missed.

Next up, we’ll head to the picturesque village of Hawkshead. There’ll be some free time to wander the cobblestone streets and soak up the abundance of culture and history, before taking a short drive to Yew Tree Farm for the Herdwick Experience.

Unique and unforgettable, the Herwick Experience begins with an engaging talk delivered in the barn. We’ll learn of the Herdwicks cultural significance, connection to Beatrix Potter, how their wool is utilised, and much more. We’ll then take a short walk around the farm’s fields, exploring the heritage, architectural features, animals, wildlife and beautiful landscape, before the opportunity to visit the super friendly ‘Ambassador Herdwick Flock’. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 6Haverthwaite, Windermere and Blackwell

Step back in time with a steam train journey from Haverthwaite to Lakeside, a beautiful spot situated at the southern tip of Windermere. From here, we’ll board a scenic lake cruise and hop off at Bowness-on-Windermere, a popular and busy Lakeland town in a delightful setting.

In the afternoon, we’ll stop at Blackwell, a magnificent Arts & Crafts house, before moving on to the fascinating Windermere Jetty Museum. There are some beautifully restored launches on display and the lake’s 200-year boating history is brought to life. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 7Stott Park Bobbin Mill and Shed One Distillery

Experience the Industrial Revolution first hand at Stott Park Bobbin Mill, and see the traditional skills involved in an authentic Lakeland craft. We’ll be taken on a fascinating guided tour of the 19th-century mill and be able to watch demonstrations of the working machinery which still produces bobbins for sale today.

Afterwards we’ll drive to the thriving market town of Ulverston, where there’ll be some free time to explore before our visit to Shed One Distillery. Owners Andy and Zoe will welcome us with a tipple before taking us on a tour of their award-winning gin distillery. We’ll gain insight into the processes and hear the stories behind the spirits, and of course get to taste some, too. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Monk Coniston

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices

Departure Dates	Per person (single or twin)	Single in a double room
2025: April 11	$3,080	$3,360
2025: June 20	$3,250	$3,530
2025: August 1	$3,250	$3,530

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates include room upgrade (premium) and membership fees.

Rates are in $ CAD.

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £10 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8AQ

By Rail:
The nearest train station is at Windermere.

By Taxi:
The 13-mile journey from Windermere railway station takes approximately 30 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Ace Taxi. As a guide price, it cost £25 per 4-seat taxi in 2019. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:

Ace Taxi*
Tel: +44 (0) 1539 445445
Email: acetaxiwindermere@gmail.com
The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Monk Coniston Manager.
*Ace Taxi is not owned or managed by us.

By Bus:
From Windermere station you can catch the 505 bus direct to Monk Coniston – the bus stop is right outside our Country House. Journey time is around 50 minutes.

By Car:
From Ambleside take the A593 signposted to Coniston. Turn sharp left over a narrow bridge, then after half a mile turn left onto the B5286, signposted to Hawkshead. About 3 miles along this road, and just before Hawkshead, turn right onto the B5285, signposted to Coniston. Follow this road over Hawkshead Hill. The road descends then goes around a 180° bend to the left. The entrance to Monk Coniston is on the left about 100yds after the bend. There is car parking available within the grounds.

Hotel Descriptions

Monk Coniston

Wrapped in manicured gardens with stunning views over Coniston Water, Monk Coniston combines country house grandeur and romantic, gothic-style charm with contemporary touches to great effect among the rugged landscapes of the Lake District. Rocky mountains and grassy fells loom all around this handsome home, once owned by Beatrix Potter, and more latterly turned hikers’ hotel and owned by the National Trust. Fell-flecked scenery unfurls from the windows of the bedrooms in the main house, adjoining cottage and counting house. While the setting remains traditional and the grand entrance recalls a traditional era, the interiors have been swept into the present with bold patterns and comfy fabrics. Beyond the house, trails from the doorstep set off to explore the Lake District. Climb famous summits including Bow Fell, the Langdale Pikes and the Old Man of Coniston. Bag a series of Wainwright summits. Alternatively, slip into the beautiful valleys and stroll picturesque lakeside paths in search of secret corners such as Cathedral Cove in Little Langdale.

Address: Monk Coniston, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8AQ

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

Stay in the smartly presented rooms in the main house. With 32 rooms, Monk Coniston has plenty of space and there’s a range ‘Classic’, ‘Premium’ and ‘Superior’ Rooms to choose from. Rooms with a view are well worth the extra spend as you’ll be overlooking the gardens or the lake. Our favourite is Room 9 on the first floor, which contains some of the original features from when it was first built in 1885, a striking sailboat-patterned wallpaper and opens on to beautiful views of the gardens and fields that slope down to the shore of Coniston Water.

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.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive garden, lounge, bar, Lakeland barn for activities, library and board games to borrow

After a day exploring the Lake District, return to the house. Stroll through the extensive grounds with their putting green and croquet lawn and uncover the hidden walled garden on the hill behind the house. Take a turn around the National Trust nature trail and look out for the fabulous, rare mature trees. Stumble on the small secret folly stood quietly among the bluebells when they’re out and the lush green grass when they’re not. Catch up with fellow guests in the bright and spacious lounge or grab a drink from the airy bar and wander down the garden to the bench overlooking Coniston Water for the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner – you might even spot the restored steam yacht Gondola cruising the five-mile length of the lake. After hours, duck into the converted Lakeland barn with its exposed beams and rustic chandelier for evening activities and skittles.

Map

Photos

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Southern Lake District Discover More Tour 2025

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