Our Home in the Lakes
Our accommodation is situated in tranquil surroundings in lovely
parkland with ancient trees and an attractive garden overlooking
Derwentwater. From the house there is a fabulous view of
the mountains of the Northern Lakes and the pretty river which borders
the park. There are two seminar rooms where instruction in some
of the courses takes place. There is a meeting room for discussions
where there are lectures and other evening activities, as well as
a cosy lounge-dining room with bar. From here there is direct access
to the gardens and extensive lawns. Parking is not a problem: there
is a large car park. If you wish, you can book for a holiday and
take advantage of the excellent facilities on offer without taking
part in any of the courses.
Accommodation
Guests live in the newly built wing of the elegant building
and can enjoy its relaxing and informal atmosphere. The fifteen
single and double rooms are modern and comfortable and have beautiful
views, mostly over the park and the lake, and have ensuite
facilities, a hairdryer and hospitality tray.
Families can be accommodated in family rooms in a separate wing
of the building. If you prefer, you can stay in excellent Bed
and Breakfast accommodation nearby and still take part in the
courses.
Meals
Ample breakfasts vary each day with a variety of cereals
and cooked dishes. At the end of the day you enjoy a first-rate
three-course dinner. The head chef, Caroline, is happy to meet
special dietary requirements and offers a daily choice of a vegetarian
dish and either meat or fish. Anyone who wishes can buy a packed
lunch for organised or individual outings.
Keswick
Our neighbouring small town, Keswick, is only twenty minutes' walk
away over a small footbridge and across the fields. Keswick has
numerous shops, banks and restaurants and excellent pubs.
On Saturdays the market in front of the Moot Hall is worth a visit.
Derwentwater
Around this most beautiful of the northern lakes there is
a variety of excellent walks. Of course, you can also use
the lake for swimming or other water sports. Our hotel
has links with boat hirers where you can hire sailing or rowing
boats, canoes or kayaks.
Free time
Take advantage of the many different and diverting opportunities
surrounding you. The variety of sporting, creative and cultural
activities makes the choice very difficult. Sporting activities
(some of which involve additional cost) range from extended cycle
and mountain-bike tours to swimming, sailing, rowing,
canoeing, kayaking, golf, tennis, horse riding, fishing, climbing
and walking, and many others.
Cultural activities
The rich menu of cultural opportunities includes visits to
the homes of famous poets, painters and writers; to
museums presenting the culture, history and traditions
of the area; to interesting churches, potteries
and art galleries, as well as to an excellent theatre
and cinemas; or to the weekly market, the Grasmere Games,
sheepdog demonstrations and many other local festivities
which will keep you entertained as well as giving you the chance
to meet the local people. On organised day trips from
Keswick you can discover many other parts of the Lake District
or visit Hadrian's Wall, the Yorkshire Dales or even
Edinburgh. As an artist's paradise, the Lake District
offers ideal conditions for landscape painting and photo-safaris.
Artists' materials can be bought in Keswick. If you wish, we can
organise tuition by local artist/teachers and photographers.
Interesting small shops in Keswick and Ambleside offer
attractive shopping opportunities in picturesque surroundings.
Excursions
The
Wider Cumbria, the Scottish Border and Hadrian's Wall: It leads
us through the impressive landscapes of the National Park and through
northern Cumbria into the Scottish Borders. Amongst the many
attractions that we can choose to visit are important prehistoric
stone circles, Carlisle Castle, Roman excavations,
Caerlaverock Castle, the quaint little Scottish town of
Dumfries with its many associations with Robert Burns, medieval
Lanercost Priory and Hadrian's Wall.
Yorkshire Dales National Park: The second excursion can
be booked through your tour guide. In medieval Skipton we
visit one of the best preserved castles in England, Skipton's
Norman fortress. All entry fees are included in the price. After
a pleasant lunch break and a scenic tour we walk to Hardraw Force,
the highest of England's waterfalls. Then we drive through pretty
villages into Cumbria, back to the Lake District and our base.
Seven Walks (included
in the price)
Selected from the most beautiful area for walking in England,
our walks are outstanding even by Lake District standards. There
are four full-day and three half-day walks which range from
idyllic strolls along constantly branching tracks through woods
and beside lakes, with boat trips and picnics in picturesque villages,
visits to pubs and teashops, to demanding mountain walks such as
the ascent of Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. The
individual walks will be tailored to the interests and fitness of
each group and explore lesser-known tracks. Thus, even in
summer, you can enjoy the romance of the mountains, lakes and
woods undisturbed by crowds. The intense greens of the landscape
and the blue of the lakes give new meaning to the concept of colour.
Active walkers will be pleasantly surprised by the many opportunities
for ridge walking. If you wish, your guide will be pleased to
take you on long, demanding mountain walks. The other members
of the group will be offered alternative walks suited to their
abilities. The programme is liable to change.
You should be healthy, enjoy walking and be prepared to walk
for at least four hours. You will need strong boots with good
ankle support and clothing suitable for warm weather, but also for
cooler or rainy days.
Climate
Despite the popular view, it does not always rain in England! The
mild and moderate climate of the Lake District, England's
biggest and most impressive National Park, is influenced by the
Gulf Stream. Often a light breeze blows and even in high summer
the temperature rarely gets too hot for pleasant walking.
Courses offered and evening programmes
We can offer a range of optional courses which complement the
walks. English language classes are available to overseas visitors.
Daytime instruction may be followed by evening lectures and
discussions or slide shows. Most evening programmes come
free of charge. Topics covered can be social, literary, political
or deal with local history and wildlife. There's even a lighthearted,
fun introduction to Scottish country dancing. Evening visits
to pubs are always popular, giving opportunities to meet
local people and to taste the region's beers. The minimum number
required for most courses is six, and a course normally consists
of six three-hour morning sessions in a fortnight.
Courses offered are in painting, photography, creative writing,
a range of outdoor activities and birdwatching. The
cost varies according to the nature of the course. The walking
and sightseeing programme is so designed that those attending courses
will not miss out on any of the activities organised for the whole
group. Other special interest courses can be arranged with local
experts.
Your very friendly and qualified Holiday Programme Coordinator
is an experienced tour guide who knows the Lake District intimately.
Programmes may be subject to change.
" "
Dates in 2002:
holidays run from Monday to Friday (12 days) as follows:
8
July-19 July 2000;
12 August-23 August;
26
August-6 September,
27
July - 2 August (Fr-Fr, 8days)
This tour can be combined with our walking tours in Scotland:
"Western Highlands - In the Footsteps of Rob
Roy", or "Northern Highlights" (Orkneys,
Shetlands, Sutherland), or "Islands and Highlands"
(Skye, Iona, Mull and Western Highlands).
" "
TARIFF:
included in the price: transfers from Manchester Airport and back.
Transfers to and from the walks. Accommodation for 11 nights in
double ensuite rooms (single room supplement) with half-board: hearty
breakfast and 3-course dinner with coffee, seven walks and day excursions
as described above; entry fees as described above; evening talks,
lectures etc as indicated above; qualified guides
" "
PRICES in 2002
£647.30 for 12 days per person sharing
a twin or double room;
£135.00 single room supplement
Not included in the price:
- courses, (course prices may vary depending on the nature of the
course and the numbers attending).
- insurances (we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance).
Bookings from the travel trade welcome.
Book through your travel agent or, of course, book direct with
Rob Roy Tours. Arrival may be by air, rail or private car. Individual
extensions to the holidays can be arranged in hotels, B and Bs or
self-catering accommodation.
Do you want to send us an
E-Mail?
Or call us and we'll call you back!
TELEPHONE and FAX:
0044-(0)-1620-850 408, MOBILE: 0044-(0)-7778-537321.
Address: 630
Lanark Road, Juniper Green, Edinburgh EH14 5EW
E-Mail:
holiday@RobRoyTours.com
