Tour of Windermere & the Lake District

From the urban hum of Manchester to the serene embrace of the Lake District, Rabbie’s one-day tour offers a poetic escape into one of England’s most storied landscapes – where mirror-still lakes and rolling fells have stirred poets, painters and wanderers for centuries.

Say farewell to the city as you hop aboard a top-of-the-range 16-seat mini-coach, led by a driver-guide who’s part storyteller, part local encyclopaedia – the kind who can turn a dry-stone wall or a passing hilltop into a moment of vivid insight. On this art- and literature-rich route, their commentary weaves together local history, personal anecdote and folklore, bringing the landscape to life in ways a guidebook never could.

First stop? Bowness-on-Windermere – a poets’ paradise, inspiring the likes of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. There’s time here to take a leisurely wander around the town and admire the sublime mountain vistas of the surrounding landscape, or take a 45-minute cruise on England’s largest lake – the first of several make-it-your-own moments throughout the day.

The scenery only grows more dramatic as you travel through the mighty Kirkstone Pass to Grasmere, “the loveliest spot that man hath found.” There’s time to visit Dove Cottage (which inspired what’s arguably the most famous poem in the English language), or simply enjoy the peace of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden beside the River Rothay. Either way, the village’s legendary gingerbread is a rite of passage.

Later, there’s another breath of fresh air at Coniston Water – muse to generations of artists – before a final stop in Hawkshead, the cobbled conservation village where Wordsworth went to school. With roots stretching back to Norse times, its higgledy whitewashed cottages tilt into tight lanes, where sudden gaps between buildings offer glimpses of the fells beyond. It’s a charming place to round off the day, before it’s all aboard back to Manchester.

Winding your way home, you’ll realise this was never just a sightseeing trip. It’s a day shaped by storytelling, guided by someone who knows – and loves – these landscapes and the tales they contain. You’ll come away with new stories and old knowledge, discover hidden corners, and – best of all – leave the logistics and the driving to someone else.

One last reason to choose Rabbie’s? The small group size (maximum 16) isn’t just about comfort – it’s about care. Smaller groups tread more lightly, support independent shops and cafés, and avoid overwhelming the quiet places they pass through. Villages like Grasmere and Hawkshead stay special because visitors arrive gently, not in huge crowds. And yes – it also means more gingerbread to go around.

Tours run everyday from 8:15am to 7:30pm.