Lake District Private Tour: Grasmere, Hawkshead, Tarn Hows

Grasmere, Blea Tarn, Coniston Water and four more Lake District landmarks in one day

A private 6-hour Lake District tour from Windermere that visits Grasmere, Hawkshead, Tarn Hows and Blea Tarn, with stops at Coniston Water, Rydal Falls and viewpoints across the valleys. A knowledgeable driver-guide leads the route, includes hotel pickup within the Lake District, and stops for photos whenever you ask.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Bowness-on-Windermere1h
2. Coniston Waterpass by
3. Tarn Hows30m

Explore Lake District villages and tarns

• Drive through Bowness and stop at viewpoints
• Stop at Waterhead in Ambleside
• Walk to Rydal Falls or Rydal cave
• Visit Grasmere and gingerbread shop
• See Elterwater and Chapelstile villages
• Drive from Great Langdale to Little Langdale
• Visit Blea Tarn
• Pass by Coniston Water
• Visit Tarn Hows
• Visit Hawkshead village

The experience

Grasmere and Hawkshead anchor this tour. Two villages that have kept their 17th-century character and narrow streets intact. The route threads through the valleys between them, stopping at viewpoints above Bowness and at Waterhead on Lake Windermere's shore before climbing into Great Langdale. That valley alone spans 12,170 acres, much of it National Trust land, and the drive from Great Langdale to Little Langdale opens onto Blea Tarn, which many visitors rank as the day's high point.

The itinerary builds around water and height: you'll see Coniston Water, dominated by the Old Man of Coniston rising to 803 metres, and Tarn Hows, which sits among the most photographed tarns in the North West. Between the major stops, the guide can pull over for short walks (Rydal Falls or Rydal Cave are options), or simply hold for photos at any viewpoint that catches your eye. Grasmere includes a stop at the famous gingerbread shop if you want it. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide provides umbrellas, bottled water and hand sanitizer.

Because this is a private tour, the pace and the stops are yours to set. The driver-guide speaks English and knows the valleys well enough to answer questions about the landscape, the villages and the history as you move through them. Pickup happens at your Lake District hotel or accommodation, and you can be dropped at any destination within the region when the six hours end.

What’s included

• Knowledgeable driver-guide in English.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within the Lake District.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• complimentary bottled water.
• umbrellas and hand sanitizer.
• anytime photo stops at your request.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 2 Oct 2027

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 47 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Brook tours of Windermere

Is this one for you?The tour runs six hours with short walks built in at Rydal Falls or Rydal Cave, so it suits a moderate pace rather than a strenuous hike. Because it is private, you set the stops and the rhythm (linger at a viewpoint or move on), rather than following a group schedule.

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Top questions

What is Tarn Hows like, and how much time do we spend there?

Tarn Hows is a beauty spot and one of the top scenic destinations in the North West of England. The itinerary includes it as a stop, though the exact time you spend depends on how long you want to linger for photos or a walk around the water.

Can we stop for walks during the tour, or is it mostly driving?

Walks are built into the route: you can take a short walk to Rydal Falls or Rydal Cave next to Rydal Water. Beyond those, the guide will stop for photos at any viewpoint you ask for, so the balance between driving and stopping is flexible.

Does the tour include Coniston Water, and what is it like?

Coniston Water is one of the stops on the route. It is one of the most imposing and beautiful of the English lakes, dominated by the Old Man of Coniston, which rises to 803 metres.

Where does pickup happen, and can we be dropped somewhere other than our hotel?

Pickup is included at your hotel or accommodation within the Lake District. At the end of the six hours, you can be dropped at any destination within the Lake District region.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a knowledgeable driver-guide, hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, complimentary bottled water, umbrellas, hand sanitizer and anytime photo stops at your request. The vehicle is thoroughly cleaned before every tour.