Highlights
- Take a historical, 15-stop pub walk through York
- Go canoeing and standup paddleboarding in the stunning Lake District
- Embark on a full-day tour in Ambleside to learn all about Beatrix Potter
- Discover the Anfield Football Stadium and the history of the Beatles in Liverpool
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in London, Transfer to York & Guided Historic Pub Walk | York |
| Day 2 | Haworth and Yorkshire Dales Day Trip | York |
| Day 3 | Canoeing in the Lake District & Walking Tour in Buttermere | Ambleside |
| Day 4 | Many Lives of Beatrix Potter: Full-Day, All-Inclusive Tour | Ambleside |
| Day 5 | Lake District Standup Paddleboarding, Tour Liverpool & Depart London |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in London, Transfer to York & Guided Historic Pub Walk
Welcome to England! After arriving at the airport in London and collecting your belongings, you will take the 4-hour trip to York. Once you've arrived at your hotel, get settled and put on your walking shoes. Spend the day discovering the history of York's beer and pub heritage. The pub walk is led by a city guide, spans two hours, and takes you to approximately 15 pubs, along with a stroll through York City Centre. Learn about each pub's history, from events to notable people to spirits.
Following the tour, do some more exploration of York on your own, enjoy a local dinner and get some rest after the day of travel and pub crawling.
Day 2: Haworth and Yorkshire Dales Day Trip
After breakfast, head back to York City Center to embark on a full-day trip. En route, stop at the Bingley Five-Rise Locks, a spectacularly engineered staircase lock on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Continue to Haworth, home to the famed Brontë family of the 1820s. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum and the Brontë Memorial Chapel in the nearby church, explore the quaint shops on Main Street, and have a leisurely lunch in one of the traditional English cafés. Then, head up Penistone Hill to admire the moorland views toward Top Withens, where the Brontës walked to gain inspiration.
Next, head north for your afternoon in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Arrive in the traditional Dales village of Linton to explore Linton Falls before continuing through the National Park. Stop at Bolton Abbey to explore the Priory Church and ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Priory in its beautiful riverside setting, or take the stepping stones challenge if you are feeling more adventurous.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Canoeing in the Lake District, Walking Tour in Buttermere & Transfer to Ambleside
Today, depart from York and spend the day in nature. Travel toward the Lake District to enjoy one of the most popular activities: a 2.5-hour canoe excursion. Begin by securing your life vest, learning the correct way to hold your paddle, and sitting in your 2-3-person canoe right before paddling and steering out into the beautiful waters. This special canoeing session will send you along a stunning route, whether you're a beginner or an advanced paddler. Take in the hills and mountains that rise from the water's edge and stop for a picnic lunch among the beautiful scenery.
Following the paddle, take a guided, 5-hour walk that spans 8.6 miles (13.8 km) in Buttermere. This gorgeous area of the Lake District has a remote feel and is also home to Alfred Wainwright's favorite mountain: Haystacks. From your meeting point in the valley, walk toward the northwest end of Buttermere and ascend through Burtness Wood to Scale Beck. Make your way up to Red Pike via Lingcomb Edge. Then, from the summit of Red Pike, head southeast along the ridge to take in High Stile, High Crag, and Seat. Next, drop down to Scarth Gap to descend back to the valley and return to Buttermere along the side of the lake.
Following the full day of adventure, head to Ambleside and check in to your hotel. Relax and enjoy the evening on your own.
Day 4: Many Lives of Beatrix Potter: Full-Day, All-Inclusive Tour
Today is dedicated to the "Many Lives of Beatrix Potter Full-Day, All-Inclusive Tour." The guided tour begins at Wray Castle. Learn about the castle and the people Beatrix met there before heading along the steep, narrow Lakehead roads to her home in Near Sawrey. Take a guided walk through the village into Hill Top and its gardens. (Enjoy plenty of time to visit the house, gardens, and gift shop.)
Make a stop for lunch in Hawkshead and visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery to see original manuscripts and illustrations by Beatrix. Take a short guided walk around the village, then explore it more at your own pace. Move on to the beautiful Tarn Hows, part of the Monk Coniston Estate purchased by Potter, which was eventually bequeathed to The National Trust. Discover more about the life of Beatrix as a farmer and conservationist. Travel to Yew Tree Farm, once owned by Beatrix and used in the film "Miss Potter." Stop to snap some pictures before making the drive back to Ambleside.
Next, head into the Armitt Library and Museum to uncover Potter's life as a scientific researcher and illustrator. Get fascinating insights into Beatrix's interest in mycology as a young woman, showcased by her detailed illustrations, which were left to the library in her will.
Following the tour, the final night in Ambleside is yours.
Day 5: Lake District Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Tour Liverpool & Depart London
Head back into the Lake District today for one final excursion: a standup paddleboarding tour guided by Keswick Adventure Centre. From serene paddling to active diving, your session is tailored to suit your needs and preferences, from beginner to expert. Wetsuits and life vests will be provided.
Next, head to Liverpool to take a 2-hour, self-guided, must-see tour (with an audio headset) of Anfield Football Stadium in Liverpool. Go behind the scenes on the LFC Stadium Tour and explore different areas of the stadium: the state-of-the-art home team dressing room, the away team dressing room, the press room, the payer's tunnel, the "This is Anfield" sign, the stunning pitch, and the city views from the highest level of the main stand. As an added bonus, the tour includes entry to the museum, The Boom Room exhibition, and more.
Your final guided tour is "Liverpool by The Beatles," a 4-hour experience through England's fourth-largest city, famously known around the world as the birthplace of one of the most famous music groups of all time. Explore the city and rediscover the story of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Immerse yourself in the lives and stories of The Beatles; your expert guide provides background information and anecdotes as you're chaperoned to the very best locations in and around Liverpool. Sit back and relax as your guide drives you around to experience the highlights.
More Great England Itineraries
Map
