Lake District Cycle Circuit | Cycling Holiday in Britain | Self Guided Cycling Holiday

On this ride you follow quiet country lanes through magnificent scenery, and each day has its highlights of things to see and do. Virtually the whole route is along quiet country lanes. Our suggested daily itinerary is designed to allow you to reduce the distances involved, should you wish, in order to spend more time in a particular place. So this holiday can be easily adapted to suit your individual requirements.

Grade: Quite demanding despite the short daily distances.

Meals:
You will normally be staying in a town or village where there is at least one place to buy an evening meal. On the rare occasion that this is not possible, we will book you into an accommodation which provides an evening meal (this is not included in the holiday price). Lunches can usually be bought on route and we can advise you of the days when this is not possible. On these days you can book a packed lunch from your accommodation by letting them know the night before or we can book it for you. These usually cost about £5. Alternatively, most of the towns and villages in which you stay have shops where you can buy items to make up your own packed lunch.

When to Go:
April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking or cycling. September tends to be one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather is much more changeable.

Getting there:
By Rail: Easily accessable by train as Penrith has a station.
By Air: Fly to Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool or Heathrow International Airports and transfer by train to Penrith

Day 1 Arrive in Penrith (has railway station).

Day 2 Penrith to Ambleside.
You will leave Penrith along quiet lanes and go through pretty villages to Pooley Bridge at the northern end of Ullswater, before following the lake shore and ascending the Kirkstone Pass. (As an alternative, you can take the ferry from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding). From here is a winding descent into Ambleside. ~ 29 miles

Day 3 Ambleside to Coniston.
The sugggested route takes you along wooded lanes to the village of Hawkshead and on to the home of Beatrix Potter at Near Sawrey. You then cycle beside Windermere before passing through the Grizedale Forest with its Visitors Centre and outdoor sculptures. On then along the shores of Coniston, passing Brantwood, home of John Ruskin, to your accommodation in Coniston village. ~ 27 miles

Day 4 Coniston to Eskdale.
A shorter day, but with some steeper hills, will take you first to the delightful Duddon Valley. Then over Ulpha fell to Eskdale, famous for its narrow-gauge steam railway. ~ 18 miles

Day 5 Eskdale to Loweswater.
This is a day spent in the quieter western side of the Lake District, taking you north from Eskdale to Ennerdale and on to Loweswater. As ever, the scenery is outstanding. ~ 24 miles

Day 6 Loweswater to Keswick. Today the route takes you along first Crummock Water and then Buttermere before climbing the Honister Pass. The mountain scenery here is truly magnificent and constantly changing as you descend into gentler Borrowdale. Views of Derwentwater accompany you as you continue on to the well-known market town of Keswick. ~ 20 miles

Day 7 Keswick to Penrith. You will probably wish to explore Keswick further before setting out. Passing the prehistoric stone circle at Castlerigg soon after leaving Keswick, you follow the quiet lanes across the northern Lake District. Villages you will visit include Greystoke, of Tarzan fame, as you continue to journey's end at Penrith. ~ 20 miles

Day 8 Departure.

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