The Lovely Lake District from Kendal

SUMMARY

Dates: Wednesday October 1st to Sunday October 5th  4 nights with 5 walks 2025

Guide: Jessica Emsley

Walking Grade: 2 Goats

Max elevation: 1148ft (350m)

Terrain: Good paths and tracks. Bring poles if you need them.

Max distance: 10.5 miles/16.6km

Base : Stonecross Manor Hotel, Milthorpe Road, Kendal run by Helen.

The hotel is situated on the outskirts of Kendal and an ideal base to walk in the surrounding Lake District National Park. It has all the facilities you need at the end of your walking day with a restaurant serving local food and a spa with swimming pool,sauna,steam room and jacuzzi. Highly recommended we think you will feel nourished and revived at the end of your stay.

The hotel is a 5 minute taxi ride from Kendal railway station – or a 30 minute walk for the walkers!

Arrival : For check in at 15.00  to settle in and have a short walk at 16.00 with your guide  before dinner at the hotel.

Departure: This is after a morning walk on Sunday finishing around 14.00. Plan travel for after 14.00. You will have lunch together in a local cafe at the end of the walk (optional and not included in the price)

Price: £1,300 the price is for solo occupancy and inclusive of all meals and all travel required for walking. If you bring a friend and are sharing there is a discount of £100 per person and the price is £1,200 per person.

What is included:

• Ensuite Room for solo occupancy
• Bed and Breakfast, Dinners at the hotel on 4 nights
• Packed lunches on your 3 full days of walking
• Local travel required for walks
• Specialist guided walks
• Access to all spa facilities

Not included:

• Travel to Kendal
• Drinks at the bar or additional drinks during the day
• Lunch on your final day for those staying( you will end at a cafe for those wishing to lunch together )

DETAILS

We explore the Lake District from the historic market town of Kendal, we explore the surrounding limestone area using lesser known paths in the Lake District National Park. Our walks are varied from fells to woodland, limestone escarpments to rivers. Although the uphill climbs are moderate, the walks are designed to give you fantastic views of mountains and open wild country.

Kendal has a wealth of independent shops and its “yards” make for interesting exploration whilst you are staying.

ITINERARY

Itinerary – this may change subject to weather and at the discretion of the guide. The following itinerary gives you an idea of the walks and what distances you can expect.

Walk 1

16.00 An introductory late afternoon walk around the historic market town of Kendal and its castle to stretch your legs and get to know your fellow guests.

Walk 2 – 10 ½ miles (16.6 kms) 926ft (282m) total ascent

Setting out from the hotel we wander over the limestone escarpment of Scout Scar which gives great views out over Kendal and the surrounding area. We drop down to Sizeargh Castle (National Trust) for our picnic and return to Kendal along the banks of the River Kent passed a Roman fort.

Walk 3 – 7.5 miles ( 12kms) 1148ft (350m) total ascent.

Today we visit Grasmere a beautiful village in the heart of the Lake District. A lovely place to wander around and buy any local products or souvenirs. There is gingerbread made here using the same receipe used for over 100 years. A place steeped in tradition! We walk from here along an ancient coffin trail to Rydal,where the poet William Wordsworth lived. Our walk takes us to Rydal Cave and around two lakes, Rydal Water and Grasmere,where we get far fetching views of the higher Lakeland fells.

We return by local bus.

Walk 4 – 9 miles (14.5kms) 983ft (300m) total ascent
Taking the local bus we walk from Ings across lower fell sides up the Kentmere valley with its horseshoe of mountains surrounding us. It’s here that the River Kent starts and our return from the head of the valley follows it down to Staveley for a welcome cuppa before returning to Kendal on the bus.

Day 5 – 6 1/2 miles (10 kms) 1100ft (335m) total ascent
Walking from the hotel we say our farewells to this beautiful and varied landscape from the top of Cunswicke Scar. We then drop down through ancient woodland and tracks before returning to Kendal by 2pm.