Day 1
Arrive during the morning and settle into the Northern Lakeland hotel, where lunch is available. In the afternoon, take an exploratory tour by minibus and on foot through the stupendous Borrowdale Valley, which will be home for the next three nights. This will include a walk to the Bowder Stone, a much sought after destination of 19th century tourists, and a drive to visit Honister Slate Mine, where the world famous Lakeland Green Slate is produced. Return to the hotel for the orientation meeting, followed by our Welcome Dinner. 1/2 (half a) mile (D)
Day 2
After breakfast we drive to Castlerigg Stone Circle, set in a dramatic position at the heart of the northern Lake District fells. After viewing the Neolithic site, our walk leads by Walla Crag, Ashness Bridge and Surprise View to the village of Lodore. We continue to the landing stage on the lakeshore where we take the Keswick launch service to the town of Keswick. There is time to pick up any last-minute items required for the tour, or simply to browse in this exquisite town. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. 7 miles, 590 feet of climb (B, L, D)
Day 3
Today’s walk leads directly from the hotel to the village of Lodore, then explores the Watendlath valley, well known to readers of the Rogue Herries series of books by Hugh Walpole. From Watendlath the walk leads over heather-covered moorland to the vintage Lakeland village of Rosthwaite in Borrowdale. Return to the hotel, with an optional detour to the top of Castle Crag, a proud little peak with an Iron Age fort, set amidst the rugged grandeur of the valley. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. 6½ miles, 950 feet of climb (not including Castle Crag) (B, L, D)
Day 4
This day sees a change of base from Borrowdale to Cumbria’s border region, which is now famous for its World Heritage site – Hadrian’s Wall.
No Walk.
Following the Roman theme, the visit to the Lake District would not be complete without a visit to Hard Knott Fort, constructed by the Romans in a strategic position on a mountain side over 40 years before the Emperor Hadrian conceived the massive project of linking the east and west coasts of Britain by his amazing Wall. We drive by a mountainous road across Wrynose and Hard Knott Passes, with a stop at the Fort, then continue to the tiny village of Boot, and visit Eskdale Corn Mill, where packed lunches may be eaten. then continue to the tiny village of Boot, and visit Eskdale Corn Mill, where packed lunches may be eaten (option of a pub lunch in case of bad weather). The journey continues by Wastwater, Bassenthwaite and the Caldbeck Fells to Hallbankgate, just south of the line of Hadrian’s Wall. Check into the hotel, our base for the next three nights. No Walk (B, L D)
Day 5
Our explorations of Hadrian’s Wall start with a visit to Birdoswald Fort and a short walk by a section of the Wall to Willowford, where the Romans spanned the River Irthing with a stone bridge. We then drive to the Roman Army Museum, where visitors can step into the life of a Roman soldier and experience existence “at the Edge of Empire”. After lunch, which is taken at the museum’s cafeteria, the afternoon walk leads along a section of the wall eastwards to Caw Gap, where we rejoin the minibus for the drive back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight. 4½ miles, 250 feet of climb (if line of wall is followed rigorously) (B, L, D)
Day 6
We drive to the Roman town of Vindolanda, where it is possible to see the world famous Writing Tablets, besides many other artefacts revealing much about the Roman way of life at this remote outpost of their empire. We then return to Caw Gap and resume our eastwards journey along the wall, arriving at one of the best preserved of all the Wall Forts, Housesteads. There is time to explore the fort before returning to the hotel. Our Farewell Dinner rounds off a memorable week. 5 miles, 300 feet of climb (if line of wall is followed rigorously) (B, L, D)
Day 7
Departure after breakfast. (B)
(Ramblers reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary when deemed necessary or appropriate).
