Trip created by Rachael Gavan
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Region: Multi-Location
Trip Type: Wilderness Walking
Accommodation: Classic
Max Group Size: 8
Confirmed: When 3 Traveller(s) Book
Deposit From: £561.25 £561.25

Grading:

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Enjoy fantastic hiking in some of the most beautiful locations in the National Parks of the Lake District and Northumberland. Enjoy coastal hikes and exploring the hills and valleys admiring the sweeping views. Get a real sense of the history behind this landscape as you visit some unique sites and hear their stories.

There are views to suit all tastes in this inspiring landscape and your experienced professional guide will show you the very best hikes and hidden gems as you go.

We enjoy delicious meals and relax in two different locations in hand-picked 4 star hotels.

Trip Highlights

Enjoy some of the finest hiking in Northern England with an expert guide.
Discover the fabulous contrast from the Northumberland coastline to the rolling green hills and valleys of the Lake District.
Step into history as you visit ancient settlements and unique castles.
Walk over the tidal causeway to explore the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Walking Hadrian’s Wall

We meet this morning at the train station in Penrith on the edge of the Lake District. After a brief welcome from your guide, we will then transfer east to one of the most scenic spots on the famous Hadrian’s Wall – the ancient frontier of the Roman Empire. Our walk takes us on a loop that will follow a section of the wall and take in the ancient fort of Vindolanda – one of the best archaeological sites in Britain. After returning to the van we then continue on to the Northumberland coast and settle into our hotel, overlooked by the famous Bamburgh Castle. (L, D)

Walk details: 12km/ 7.5 miles | 152m/ 500 ft ascent | approx. 4-5 hours.

Day 2 – Historic Lindisfarne & Bamburgh

Just north of our hotel lies the spectacular Holy Island, where a priory was established in the 7th century. In the 8th century, the priory was sacked in one of the very first Viking raids on England. On the island, we will explore the ruins and the museum. The island is reached by a tidal causeway so depending on the tide times we will either head to the island in the morning or afternoon. During the other half of the day, we will enjoy a walk from Bamburgh along St Oswald’s Way, taking us along the shore beneath the mighty castle walls. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 7.25km–13km/4.5-8 miles | up to 107m/ 350ft ascent | approx. 4-6 hours (depending on the route choice)

Day 3 – The Moors Of Northumberland

Heading into the hills and moors of the Northumberland National Park today, we’ll pass through the town of Wooler and into the North end of the Cheviots. Today’s walk visits the nearby hills which give excellent views from their summits. From the Humbleton Hill’s fort to craggy Watch Hill this is a route of ups and downs across open country. Don’t forget cameras today as the panoramas that stretch out across the Cheviots are well worth capturing. (B, L, D)

Walk details: Up to 14.5km/ 9 miles | 610m/ 2000 ft ascent | approx. 6-8 hours. (depending on the route choice)

Day 4 – Alnwick & Transfer To The Lake District

Today will be a relaxed day as we leave Northumberland, but not without visiting the historic Alnwick Castle and Gardens, used in the filming of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Here we’ll spend the morning exploring this iconic castle; wandering through the impressive gardens, getting lost in the maze, swinging through the cherry trees and visiting the deadly Poison Garden. We’ll also stop in at Barter Books, a famous secondhand bookshop in an old railway station. This afternoon, we transfer west to the Lake District and settle into our next accommodation among the lakes and fells. (B, L, D)

Walk details: Exploring Alnwick Gardens

Day 5 – Buttermere Valley

This morning, we’ll take a short transfer over the Honister Pass to Buttermere valley. The landscape could hardly be more different here than it was in Northumberland, with high crags and fells towering over Buttermere all around. There are several walks we can choose from so your guide will decide based on the conditions and desires of the group, from easy strolling around the Lake to more challenging routes at a higher level. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 8-13km/ 5-8 miles | 610-914m/ 2000-3000 ft ascent | approx. 6-8 hours
(depending on the route choice)

Day 6 – Borrowdale & Keswick

The Borrowdale Valley is often regarded as one of the most beautiful in all the Lakes. Today we’ll have the chance to walk in this lovely area. Starting from the town of Keswick our route takes us south along the shore of Derwent Water before climbing to the summit of Cat Bells, overlooking the whole valley. After drinking in the views we descend again before taking the ferry back to Keswick. We then have some time to look around and enjoy the lively town before heading back to our accommodation for our last night and a celebration dinner. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 11.25km/ 7 miles | 427m/ 1400 ft ascent | approx. 4-6 hours

Day 7 – Aira Force, Ullswater & Depart

For our final day we will drive to Ullswater and experience another of Lakeland’s most beautiful valleys. The 12km/7.5 mile Ullswater, a huge glacial lake formed by three different glaciers, is the focal point of the valley, surrounded by rugged peaks and grassy slopes. From the shore, we will head uphill, following the course of Aira Beck past a dramatic waterfall and onto the open fell above. From the summit, we enjoy a final fantastic view of the Lakeland fells and Ullswater before descending. Back at the van, we’ll enjoy a traditional cream tea together before driving back to Penrith to drop everyone off at the train station. (B, L)

Walk details: 7.25km/ 4.5 miles | 457m/ 1500 ft ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

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Wilderness Walking

Northumberland and the Lake District

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Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Dates for 2023	Availability	Status	Price	Book
27th May - 2nd Jun 2023	2 place(s) left	CONFIRMED	£2,245	Book Now
8th Jul - 14th Jul 2023	4 place(s) left	CONFIRMED	£2,245	Book Now
5th Aug - 11th Aug 2023	1 place(s) left	CONFIRMED	£2,245	Book Now
9th Sep - 15th Sep 2023	5 place(s) left	CONFIRMED	£2,195	Book Now

Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

This walking holiday is based in two welcoming and quality accommodations; a charming traditional inn and an elegant Victorian hotel. Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities.

Single Rooms

There is no single person supplement charged to solo travellers however you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you wish to reserve a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £575 is charged.

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Meals Read More

All meals are included in this trip from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 7. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

Great food is of paramount importance on all Wilderness England trips and we will enjoy excellent regional cooking throughout this all-inclusive trip.

On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations.

Inclusions Read More

This trip includes the following:

6 nights 4 star accommodation in Inn & Hotel.
Most meals as indicated in the itinerary.
(Meals indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout.
All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Penrith.
Entry to attractions specified in the itinerary.

We do not include drinks or any gratuities you may choose to leave.

Trip Grading Read More: Blue Graded 4-6
Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

Travel Read More

Your Guide will meet you at Penrith Railway Station at 9:00am on Day 1 of your trip.

You will be returned to Penrith Railway Station for 4:00pm on the final day of your trip.

If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip, please get in touch with our team to discuss.

Make This Trip Private

Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

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Jane Gillies

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Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Walking Holidays
Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

Compare walking grades

Trip Reviews

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 3 review(s) of Wilderness Walking – Northumberland and the Lake District

Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

Morag Mottram

Reviewed on 18/06/2019

Age: 60 - 70
Country: Canada
Trip Date: 25/05/2019
Trips Taken: 7

The Bottom Line

Patti Loach

Reviewed on 11/06/2019

Age: 50 - 60
Country: Canada
Trip Date: 25/05/2019
Trips Taken: 3

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

If you can send me a list of the hotels we stayed in, I can be more specific about them. I just can't remember their names. Same for the cycling trip we did with Craig and Lucy. Thanks!

James (Jim) Mottram

Reviewed on 10/06/2019

Age: 60 - 70
Country: Canada
Trip Date: 25/05/2019
Trips Taken: 7

The Bottom Line

Wilderness Scotland

Northumberland and the Lake District

Travel Planning & Advice

Trip Highlights

Did you know?

This trip can be booked as a private departure

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Walking Hadrian’s Wall

Day 2 – Historic Lindisfarne & Bamburgh

Day 3 – The Moors Of Northumberland

Day 4 – Alnwick & Transfer To The Lake District

Day 5 – Buttermere Valley

Day 6 – Borrowdale & Keswick

Day 7 – Aira Force, Ullswater & Depart

Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Details

Single Rooms

Blue Graded 4-6

Photo Gallery

Make This Trip Private

Speak to an Expert

Jane Gillies

Meet Your Guide

Difficulty Grades Explained

Trip Reviews

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

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