Spring Walking Holidays

April 19th - 24th 2009
   

May 17th - 22nd 2009

The Lake District is particularly beautiful in the spring, with the lambs and spring flowers, as well as the rugged landscape. The pace of this holiday will be a relaxed one and will allow plenty of time for interest stops and photography.

For our spring walking holidays we have included some old favourite routes as well as some new ones. All routes are linear with comfortable transport provided. As usual there will be morning and afternoon options offering leisurely or more energetic routes, and pub lunches are included.

With walking routes of about 5 hours and daily options of between 6 to 11 miles they provide a perfect opportunity for a really enjoyable break, and are well within the capabilities of anyone reasonably fit, although some preparatory exercise would make the days even more enjoyable! Each evening we meet for drinks and discussion of the next days plans, followed by dinner.

Leave the car behind, along with the worries of route finding and have everything arranged for you. All you need are comfortable boots, a small day sack for a camera, spare pullover, waterproofs and possibly a hat and gloves.

WALKING ROUTES
    
Sunday  The introductory afternoon walk will visit the nearby viewpoint of Jenkins Crag, with excellent views of the Langdales and Lake Windermere, returning via Waterhead and the Roman remains of Galava.

Monday The all day Striders walk will climb Skiddaw (one of the four Lakeland mountains over 3000’ high) from the north-west side via Longside Edge. After a marvellous ridge walk we descend swiftly to Millbeck.

The Strollers will be walking along the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, passing Mirehouse, through Dodd Wood and then along the shores of the River Derwent to Keswick. Lunch will be at the Old Sawmill tearoom near Mirehouse.

Tuesday  A drive to Burneside on the eastern edge of The National Park near Kendal to start a riverside walk along the Kent for the Strollers and a climb to Potter Tarn for the Striders, who will descend through the mysterious Frost Hole to meet the Strollers for lunch in Staveley at The Eagle and Child.

In the afternoon we all continue along the Dales Way, through undulating pastoral scenery with fantastic views towards central Lakeland to finish at Bowness.

Wednesday  Starting near Pooley Bridge at the northern tip of Ullswater, the second all-day walk will consist of a vigorous walk for the Striders traversing the high Roman road to High Street and descending to Hartsop.

The Strollers meanwhile will take the lower level path above Ullswater to have their picnic lunch at Howtown. The afternoon offers the alternative of walking the lake-shore path to Patterdale, or a boat-trip to Glenridding and the afternoon exploring the village.

Thursday  We drive into Great Langdale, the Striders walking over Lingmoor Fell and the Strollers walking part of The Cumbria Way around Lingmoor Fell to meet for lunch at the Three Shires Inn.

After lunch the Strollers take a low level route via Colwith Falls to Skelwith Bridge and the Striders a more strenuous route to Yewdale via Tilberthwaite and Holme Fell.
 

Walking Leaders
Dave & Claire Watson moved to The Lake District in 1984. Claire, a history graduate, studied for and became one of Cumbria's first Blue Badge Guides, qualifying in 1990. She has led Guided Walks around the Towns and Countryside of the Lake District and in many other areas of the Country. Claire particularly enjoys sharing her interests in The Romans, Local History, Agriculture, and Natural History. She is a member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding and The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides.
Dave took early retirement from the Engineering Industry in 2004 to work with Claire in their guiding company, which is a member of Cumbria Tourist Board. Dave enjoys walking, cycling, orienteering, photography, and pleasant company ! Together Dave & Claire have explored the wider world, including Peru, Chile, Nepal and South-East Asia, and are both trained Mountain Leaders and First Aiders.

Comfortable walking boots are really essential together with a small day sack for camera spare pullover and waterproofs etc. The more strenuous routes do require greater stamina and a steady pace. It is ultimately the leaders decision as to who should attempt them, but an easier equally attractive walk is always offered with the second leader.

The Walking holidays run from Sunday afternoon through to Friday morning, and the price is per person and includes full English breakfast, 4 course dinner and V.A.T.   Lunch is provided Monday to Thursday, as well as all transportation.

Non-participating partners are welcome, and the cost for them is £80 less than above.

Non-Residents - A limited number of places is available for non-rsidents, with all items of the holiday and dinner each evening included.

We ask for a deposit of £150 per person for the holidays, which can be made by cheque or credit card. This is non-refundable unless the room is subsequently relet; cancellation insurance is available.