Steam Yacht Gondola on Coniston
Gondola is a re-built elegant coal - fired steam yacht providing the most wonderful, nostalgic sailing experience. First launched in 1859, Gondola evokes the splendour and luxury of the Victorian era. Not only can passengers enjoy the stunning backdrop provided by the Coniston Fells and its majestic lake, they can relax in the opulently upholstered saloons and marvel at the gentle gliding motion of this vessel which is indeed an experience in itself. This graceful yacht is part and parcel of the history and heritage of Coniston and plies the lake every year between the months of April to October.

Telephone: 015394 63856

Windermere Cruises
Windermere Lake Cruises operate on England's largest lake from the head at Ambleside, the central point at Bowness on Windermere and the bottom of the lake at Lakeside. You will find a large fleet of launches and steamers that will provide you with views of the lake from its shoreline to the high tops.

From the Waterhead pier at Ambleside you can visit the National Park Centre at Brockhole, shop in Bowness-on-Windermere, or continue to Lakeside, with the Haverthwaite Railway, Aquarium of the Lake and Fell Foot Park.

Telephone: 015394 32225

Website: http://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
Running on three and a half miles of track which was originally part of the Ulverston to Lakeside line, the railway cnnects with the southern steamer station on Windermere at Lakeside. Combined tickets are available for the railway and the boats making it a useful way of getting into the Lakes without taking the car. Steam trains run a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed restaurant, engine sheds, shop, picnic area.

Telephone: 015395 31594

Hawkshead

Hawkshead is one of the most beautifully preserved small towns in the whole of the Lakes, with inter-connecting little squares, overhung 17C timber-framed buildings and cobbled streets. There are several old coaching inns and a host of tea shops and gift shops as well as being the base for the well-known Hawkshead retail outlet. William Wordsworth attended the Grammar School here and boarded with Ann Tyson during that time. It was while at the school that he started writing poems, encouraged by the headmaster.

Ambleside
As a tourist centre Ambleside has a long and favourable history. For well over 150 years the town has earned a living catering for visitors, giving them mostly what they wanted, provided they didn't mind what they got. The last twenty five years have seen a revolution in tourist provision however, as upgrading of catering at all levels has been led by the market and by encouragement from official bodies. Few could nowadays claim that they cannot enjoy the level of catering they expect. All sectors of the market, from campers to gourmets, will find satisfactory establishments in Ambleside and its outlying hamlets and villages. The town is easily reached by road, being 20 miles from the M6 motorway, and is served by several bus services, including National Express. Rail travel is to Windermere, four miles away with easy bus and taxi access. There is a direct Manchester Airport/Windermere rail link. Ambleside is a very convenient starting point for excursions, walking, cycling or driving, into all areas of the Lake District, situated as it is at the hub of the area's road system.

Holehird Gardens
The ten acre hillside gardens at Holehird include a great variety of planting - specimen trees and shrubs, extensive rock and heather gardens, a walled garden, alpine houses and herbaceous borders. The Lakeland Horticultural Society hold three National Collections; Astilbe, Hydrangea and Polystichum Ferns.

Telephone: 015394 46008

Cartmel

A lovely little village, just west of Grange-over-Sands, with a beautiful square, an old village pump still standing and a nice river running through it. It is very picturesque and best known for the Priory, which dates back to 1188, though only the Priory Church and gatehouse remains, now owned by the National Trust.

At Spring and August Bank Holidays, the village hosts Cartmel Races at probably the smallest of National Hunt courses, set at the opposite end of the village to the Priory. As well as horse racing, there is usually a small fairground along with stalls and refreshment tents.

Grasmere
Grasmere Village, the jewel in the centre of the English Lake District. Travellers from throughout the world have been amazed by how much there is to see and do in this pretty Lakeland village. Grasmere village is the ideal destination. Why not try the locally made gingerbread or Kendal mintcake (best eaten while sitting on top of one of the stunning fell tops admiring the view). A walkers paradise. Time your visit to take in Grasmere Lakeland sports and show, The Lakes artists exhibition, Ambleside flower show on the Grasmere sports field or the annual Rushbearing ceremony. Visit Wordsworths Dove cottage or see his grave in the local churchyard, a unique village for all to enjoy.

Castlerigg Stone Circle
The circle consists of 38 stones of variable sizes and shapes; they are all un-hewn boulders, some standing over 5 feet in height, although some have fallen in the 5000 years since their erection. It has been estimated there were originally around 41 stones, so Castlerigg is relatively well preserved when compared with other circles in the British Isles. The stone circle has been tenuously dated at 3200BC, although there is always a buffer zone of a couple of hundred years when trying to date stone circles without accompanying archaeology. Castlerigg does not conform to a true circle, the Northeast face is flattened, perhaps due to some little understood aspect of megalithic surveying. Just inside the eastern end of the circle is a group of 10 stones forming a rectangular enclosure known as a cove, the purpose of which is unknown.

Hardknott Fort
Hard Knott Fort (known to the Romans as MEDIOBOGDUM) is near the Eskdale end of Hard Knott Pass which, with Wrynose Pass, connects Eskdale with central Lakeland. (one of the most thrilling and challenging drives in Lakeland!). The Roman Fort, one of the loneliest outposts of the Roman Empire, built between AD120 and AD138 is on a spectacular site overlooking the pass which forms part of the Roman road from Ravenglass to Ambleside and Brougham at Penrith. The walls surrounded granaries, barracks, and a commandant's house. The baths, with a sequence of three rooms can be seen outside the main walls. An area of flattened ground is believed to be a parade area.

Langdale Valley
The Langdale Valley has to be one of the most beautiful areas in the Lake District. Although situated centrally within the National Park, the Langdale Valley is relatively remote and so your own car is essential, for those without a car its best to hire one. The need for a car is even more important because two of the Lakes highest road passes are found in this area and the views from these roads are breath taking. The Langdale Valley is made up of a number of small villages where facilities are basic - a shop and post office at the most. There are many fine pubs serving good food, are favourite has to be the New And Old Dungeon Ghyll Inns.

Hadrians Wall
Built almost 2000 years ago, parts of Hadrian's Wall are still visible today; the line of it stretching from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west, and the fortifications continuing down the west coast to Ravenglass. As a visitor, you will find that Hadrian's Wall marks more than just the extent of the Roman occupation. There is a host of fascinating forts and museums waiting to be discovered. The Wall is also the centre of Hadrian's Wall Country, a rich and varied corridor featuring some of Britain's most unforgettable scenery and a diverse range of ancient and modern attractions stretching from the east coast to the west coast and ten miles north and south of the Wall. Whether you are looking for secluded country walks or city art galleries, forts and museums, stately homes and castles or fun water parks, Hadrian's Wall Country has it all!