Lake District tour from Windermere: Castlerigg Stone Circle

Eight hours crossing high passes, stone circles and England's quietest valleys

A full-day private guided tour of the Lake District from Windermere for up to four passengers, with a knowledgeable driver-guide navigating lakes, mountain passes, traditional villages and Castlerigg Stone Circle. The tour includes pickup within the Lake District, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water and anytime photo stops. You travel without sharing the van with other groups.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ullswater30m
2. Castlerigg Stone Circle15m

Full day Lake District private tour

• Stroll garden overlooking Lake Windermere
• Visit Troutbeck village
• Drive over high mountain pass
• Walk next to Ullswater lake
• Explore Castlerigg Stone Circle
• Visit market town near Derwentwater
• See Ashness Bridge
• View Derwentwater from Surprise View
• Tour Honister slate mine
• Visit Buttermere lake
• Pass through Newlands valley

The experience

The day starts with a stroll around a lakeside garden overlooking Windermere, then moves into the narrow, hilly coach road through Troutbeck, an old-fashioned village that has sat on this route for centuries. From there the route climbs to a 1,489-foot mountain pass: an exhilarating drive with views that open across the fells. You stop at Ullswater, the second-largest lake in the English Lake District, for a walk along its shore before heading to Castlerigg Stone Circle, perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles, dramatically sited on open moorland.

The afternoon takes in Keswick, the market town between Skiddaw and Derwentwater, then moves to Ashness Bridge, the most photographed bridge in the Lake District, and Surprise View, where the whole of Derwentwater opens below you. The route includes Honister Pass, where you can visit the last working slate mine in England, and then descends into Buttermere and the Newlands Valley, regarded as one of the most picturesque and quiet valleys in the region. Your driver-guide handles all navigation. You sit back and focus on the countryside. Umbrellas, hand sanitizer and bottled water are provided, and the vehicle is air-conditioned and thoroughly cleaned before departure.

The tour runs eight hours and ends with drop-off at a destination of your choice within the Lake District. Photo stops happen whenever you ask, and the group stays at four passengers or fewer, so there is no jostling for window seats or waiting for strangers.

What’s included

• Knowledgeable driver-guide in English.
• pickup and drop-off within the Lake District.
• air-conditioned private vehicle for up to four passengers.
• bottled water and hand sanitizer.
• umbrellas.
• 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 eight-hour day means an early start and a full schedule of stops, so it suits travelers who want to see the major lakes, passes and villages in one outing rather than spread visits across multiple days. The private van means no group waits or shared itinerary changes, and the four-passenger maximum keeps the experience intimate.

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Top questions

What is Castlerigg Stone Circle like when we get there?

Castlerigg Stone Circle sits on open moorland and is regarded as perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles. You stop there to walk around it and take photographs.

How much walking is involved in a full day?

The tour includes several short strolls: around the lakeside garden at Windermere, next to Ullswater, around Castlerigg Stone Circle, and at Ashness Bridge and Surprise View. These are gentle walks, not hikes, and the itinerary is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can we stop whenever we want to take photos?

Yes. Photo stops happen anytime you request them, so you can pause at any view or landmark that catches your eye.

Does the tour include a visit to the slate mine?

Honister Pass, where the last working slate mine in England is situated, is part of the route. You can visit it during the tour, though entry to the mine itself is an optional stop you can choose at the time.

What if the weather turns wet?

Umbrellas are provided for the tour. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and you can spend time inside it between stops if conditions are poor.