North Lakes in a Nutshell 2026

Duration

4 Days

Departure Dates

6th July 2026, 5th October 2026

Prices from

£725 Per person

Discover the North Lakes on this short break tour combining beauty, history, and culinary delights. Visit fascinating museums and historic mansions, cruise across the stunning Ullswater Lake, sample award-winning marmalade, and indulge in a distillery tour and tasting plus free time to explore the beautiful market town on Keswick.

Overview
Itinerary
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Penrith ©AdobeStock

4 days from £725

DEPARTS

Monday 6 July 2026

Monday 5 October 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Step into history at Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum
Ride the narrow-gauge railway into the old quarry
Experience a tour and tasting at Lakes Distillery
Visit the historic Dalemain Mansion & Gardens
Sample award-winning Dalemain marmalade
Cruise on a heritage ‘steamer’ across the stunning Ullswater Lake
Enjoy free time to explore the beautiful market town of Keswick
Stay in a beautiful Cumbrian hotel with fantastic spa facilities

Also included in your Tour Fare:

3 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Penrith and, on arrival, we will make our way to the North Lakes Hotel & Spa, our hotel for the next three nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we travel to Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum, the museum of Lakelands Industrial Heritage, where we can take a trip on the narrow-gauge railway that runs into the old quarry and explore the unique collection of machinery. Afterwards, we enjoy free time in the popular market town of Keswick where you can stroll the lakeshore of Derwentwater, explore the quaint shops and cafés, and take time for lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Lakes Distillery and go behind the scenes on a guided tour to learn about flavour creation and sample their fantastic spirits.

B, D

DAY 3

Today, we travel the short distance to Dalemain Mansion & Gardens, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the Dalemain Marmalade Awards. Here, we can wander through the award-winning gardens and enjoy a guided tour through the family house learning about their famous marmalade, with a tasting! Afterwards, we continue to one of England's most beautiful lakes, Ullswater, for a cruise across the lake on a heritage 'steamer' as we take in the stunning scenery and iconic mountain views of the Ullswater Valley.

B, D

DAY 4

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Penrith and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

North Lakes Hotel & Spa, Penrith

Conveniently placed on the edge of the Lake District, the North Lakes Hotel & Spa offers charming hospitality, a stylish restaurant serving flavourful home-cooked dishes, a cosy bar and lounge, and fantastic spa facilities including a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. The comfortable bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Euston	£1,105	£919
Greater London	£1,125	£919
South of England	£1,159	£949
East Anglia	£1,189	£969
South West	£1,085	£915
Heart of England	£975	£845
Midlands	£975	£845
Yorkshire	£829	£779
North East	N/A	£765
North West	£909	£809
South Wales	£1,025	£875
North Wales	£959	£825
Scotland	£979	£855
Join & Leave at Hotel	£725
Single Traveller Supplement	£180
Deposit	£75

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

July Departure Supplement £40

3 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
6th July 2026	£765 Per person	Book Now	Callback
5th October 2026	£725 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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North Lakes Hotel & Spa, Penrith

Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum

Lakes Distillery

Dalemain Mansion & Gardens

Ullswater Steamers

Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum 1 ©Carlisle Kid

Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum 2 ©Chris Allen

Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum 3 ©Chris Allen

Keswick ©Shutterstock

Lakes Distillery ©The Lakes

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