Ten Lakes tour of Lake District: Windermere to Ullswater

Ten lakes, four valleys, one stone circle 4,000 years old

A full-day guided tour of the Lake District National Park from Windermere Information Centre covers ten lakes and mountain scenery across Borrowdale Valley, Honister Pass, Grasmere and Ullswater, with on-board commentary in English and stops at Castlerigg Stone Circle. The tour runs 8.5 hours starting at 9:25am. Children must be at least 5 years old, and a multilingual audio guide is available (bring your own headphones). Lunch is purchased at a designated stop. Minimal walking is involved.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Borrowdale Valleypassing by
2. Castlerigg Stone Circle15m
3. Ullswaterpassing by
4. Buttermere Valleypassing by

Full day tour of Lake District

• Meet passengers at main pickup point
• Enjoy scenery of Lake Derwent
• Stop and explore Keswick
• Enjoy scenery of Borrowdale Valley
• Stop at Honister for views
• Pass man made reservoir near Helvellyn
• Stop in Grasmere, visit St Oswald's Church
• Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle
• See Ullswater lake scenery
• Pass Buttermere Valley

The experience

The tour departs Windermere Information Centre at 9:25am and moves through the Lake District National Park in a small mini-coach with live guide commentary. The route passes Lake Derwent before stopping in Keswick, then climbs into Borrowdale Valley, where the landscape opens into steep-sided fells and dense woodland. From there the tour reaches Honister Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in the region, and descends past a reservoir shadowed by Helvellyn.

Grasmere village is a stop where you can visit St Oswald's Church and Wordsworth's grave. The tour then reaches Castlerigg Stone Circle, a 4,000-year-old ring of stones standing on open moorland with panoramic views across the surrounding peaks. From there the route heads to Ullswater, described in the itinerary as stretching seven miles beneath sweeping fells, and finishes at Buttermere Valley, known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the national park.

The day includes toilet stops and a designated lunch break where food and drink are available for purchase. A multilingual audio guide is provided with an access code. You'll need to download the Mountain Goat App before arrival and bring your own headphones, as wifi is not available on the coach. Luggage storage is available at the departure point. Seats cannot be reserved, and each passenger needs their own seat. The tour suits all fitness levels and involves minimal walking.

What’s included

• On-board commentary in English.
• multilingual audio guide with access code.
• transport in a small mini-coach.
• stops at Borrowdale Valley, Honister Pass, Grasmere, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Ullswater and Buttermere Valley.
• toilet stops and a designated lunch break (food purchased separately).
• luggage storage at the departure point.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:25

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Mountain Goat Tours

Is this one for you?See Borrowdale Valley, Buttermere, Grasmere and the Castlerigg Stone Circle in one day from a coach seat, with a guide sharing the Lake District's geology and history at each stop.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Castlerigg Stone Circle and why is it on this tour?

Castlerigg Stone Circle is an ancient stone ring thought to be 4,000 years old, standing on moorland with panoramic views across the Lake District peaks. It's a stop on the tour where you can walk among the stones and take in the landscape.

How long is the tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 8.5 hours and departs Windermere Information Centre at 9:25am. You must be at the correct pickup location by that time. The coach cannot wait for late arrivals or collect from alternative locations.

What happens at lunch and can I buy food on the tour?

There is a designated lunch stop where you can purchase food and drink. The tour does not include meals, so you'll need to budget for lunch at that point.

Do I need to bring anything for the audio guide?

A multilingual audio guide is included with an access code, but you must bring your own headphones and download the Mountain Goat App before the tour starts. Wifi is not available on the coach.

What is the difference between Borrowdale Valley and Ullswater on this route?

Borrowdale Valley is a steep-sided valley with woodland and fells that you pass through early in the tour. Ullswater is one of the Lake District's largest and most dramatic lakes, stretching seven miles beneath rugged mountain scenery, which you visit later in the day.