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In the midst of lakes and fells and a landscape sculpted by rushing
waterfalls you have many opportunities for relaxation and making new
friends on idyllic walks or through other activities. Your friendly tour
guide has known the area intimately since childhood and will be delighted to
acquaint you more closely with the countryside, its culture and its people.
The Walks
range from idyllic strolls along constantly branching tracks through woods
and beside lakes, with the chance of boat trips and lunches in rural pubs
and teashops in picturesque villages, to demanding mountain walks such as
the ascent of Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. The guide will offer
alternatives so as not to ask too much of anyone. The individual walks will
be tailored to the interests and fitness of each group as well as to the
weather conditions and will explore lesser-known paths. Thus, even in
summer, you can enjoy the romance of the mountains, lakes and woods
undisturbed by crowds.
You walk in small groups. The minimum group size is just eight people. On
the walks you need only a small day sack to carry your packed lunch, camera
and so on. Often we walk directly from our accommodation.
Accompanying Programme
Impressive Skipton Castle and Hardraw Force, England's highest waterfall,
are included in the sightseeing programme, as are Castlerigg Stone Circle,
one of England's best preserved prehistoric sites, and enchanting villages
that look as if they have come straight from the pages of a picture book. On
several evenings we experience proverbial English hospitality in cosy,
traditional pubs.
You can also visit other attractions. These consist of two former homes of
the poet, William Wordsworth, the massive fortress of Carlisle Castle, Roman
remains, interesting museums, imposing Carlisle Cathedral, many small,
historic churches, abbeys, Gretna Green or Hadrian's Wall.
English Language Course (for second language speakers)
Where more than 6 people are interested, price on enquiry. You will be
taught in small groups (Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced). Your course
leader will help decide your level through conversation and a couple of
written exercises. The course is conversationally based. Topics will be
underpinned by means of written exercises and reinforced through
light-hearted role play. You will improve fluency, build vocabulary, and
become much more confident about using English. Practise your English
through conversation during the walks, or by talking to the locals. On most
days you can combine the language course with the walks.
During your tour you have plenty of time to chat with friendly and amusing
English people over tea and scones, either about solving all the problems of
the European Union, or to engage in a thorough discussion of the weather.
Our Home in the Lakes, Accommodation and Catering
Our accommodation is situated in beautiful, tranquil surroundings in fine
parkland with ancient trees and an attractive garden overlooking
Derwentwater. A pretty river borders the park. From the house there is a
fabulous view of the mountains of the Northern Lake District.
The pleasant single and double rooms are modern and comfortably appointed
with shower/WC, TV, a hairdryer and coffee and tea making facilities.
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Family rooms are also available in a separate wing of the building. As an option
you can stay in a cosy B&B guesthouse where you will be in close contact
with English families.
You enjoy ample continental or English breakfasts and a first-rate
three-course dinner in the evening. The head chef is happy to cater for
vegetarians and prepares good packed lunches and takes care of individual
tastes.
Keswick
Our attractive nearby town, Keswick, is only fifteen minutes' walk away over
a footbridge and across the fields. Keswick has numerous shops, banks and
restaurants and cosy, traditional pubs.
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. Our
accommodation has links with boat hirers where you can hire sailing or
rowing boats, canoes or kayaks.
The wild flower meadows everywhere in spring; the intensive greens, and the
deep blue of the lakes in summer; Autumn's Indian summer with its flowering
heather, and the ever changing moods of the landscape give colour new
dimensions.
Leisure opportunities
Take advantage of the many different opportunities surrounding you. The
variety of sporting, creative and cultural possibilities 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.
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. Cinema and theatre in Keswick, the weekly market, the
Grasmere Games, and many other local festivities 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 York, or even Edinburgh. An artist's paradise, the
Lake District offers ideal conditions for landscape painting and
photo-safaris. Interesting small shops in Keswick and Ambleside provide
attractive shopping opportunities.
Climate
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.
Tour leaders
Most tours are led by Richard. He is a former English teacher and recently
retired vice principal of a British comprehensive school. Richard speaks a
number of foreign languages , leads demanding walking and study tours and
specialises in natural history tours. He has known the Lake District
intimately since childhood.
Sometimes Klaus Frömmel or another of our team of tour guides will lead the
tour. Klaus has lived many years in his adopted country, Great Britain. He
is self-employed as a language and economics lecturer, leads upmarket study
tours, is a qualified mountain leader and a Lake District and Scotland
specialist. Both guides will be delighted to introduce you to the culture,
land and people.
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