Cycle a UNESCO World Heritage landscape where glacial lakes meet historic villages

This isn’t a race but a slow journey by bike, boat, foot, and even steam train through the heart of one of England’s most iconic landscapes. Over nine days, you’ll travel through a mix of open ridges, quiet valleys, and lakeside roads, with the scenery shifting around every bend.

You’ll start in the north, away from the busier parts of the Lake District, and make your way into places that feel truly authentic. Villages where you might pass a baker setting out fresh loaves, or find yourself alone on a lane with only the wind for company. In Cockermouth, you can visit Wordsworth’s childhood home. At Ullswater, a steamer takes you to the far end of the lake, where a peaceful walk leads through Askham to the ruins of Lowther Castle. By the time you reach Windermere, you’ve earned the chance to sit back and let the lake carry you over its tranquil surface.

This tour is designed to slow down the pace. With an e-bike, you can take your time on the climbs and still enjoy the ease of the downhills. It’s about seeing the Lake District in a way most travelers miss.

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Highlights

• Lake Windermere - England’s largest and most iconic lake
• Ullswater - Scenic glacial lake with classic steamer cruises
• Grasmere - Home of poet William Wordsworth
• Coniston Water - Historic lake known for world speed records
• Ambleside - Vibrant hub with shops, pubs, and lake access
• Hill Top - Beatrix Potter’s preserved farmhouse and gardens
• Bassenthwaite Lake - Wildlife and open views
• Dunmail Raise - Historic mountain pass

Learn More

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in England!

Daily program

Day 1: Arrive in Bassenthwaite
Arrive at the peaceful Lake Bassenthwaite, the most northerly lake in the Lake District. Settle in and prepare for the adventure ahead as you take in the tranquil surroundings.

Day 2: Bassenthwaite - Cockermouth - Bassenthwaite (22 mi / 35 km)
Meet your host after breakfast for a tour briefing and receive your cycling gear. Ride through quiet northern fells and picturesque villages, enjoying expansive views of Lake Bassenthwaite. Stop in Cockermouth, the childhood home of poet William Wordsworth, and explore its Georgian streets, historic brewery, and traditional shops. The route includes 1,450 feet of climbing as you cross the River Derwent, circle Binsey Fell, and descend back to Bassenthwaite.

Day 3: Bassenthwaite - Ullswater (24 mi / 38 km)
Today’s ride circles the base of Skiddaw and the surrounding peaks of High Pike and Saddleback. You'll pass through dramatic mountain scenery and hidden villages, each with their own unique character and charm. With 1,800 feet of ascent, narrow country lanes and stone-walled paths guide you to a welcoming village inn, where you’ll be transferred to the shores of Ullswater.

Day 4: Explore Ullswater (5 mi / 8 km)
Enjoy a rest from the saddle with a steamer cruise across Ullswater. Disembark at Pooley Bridge and take a scenic walk above the lake to a quiet village featuring a pottery, heritage garden, and cosy tearoom. Continue along the river to the haunting ruins of Lowther Castle and its elegant gardens. You’ll be transferred back to Pooley Bridge for the return boat to Glenridding.

Day 5: Ullswater - Ambleside (19 mi / 30 km)
A short transfer returns you to your bike for a ride south through the heart of the Lake District. With 1,200 feet of ascent, follow the valley road past Thirlmere, with views of Helvellyn, then cross Dunmail Raise. Glide into Grasmere, once home to Wordsworth, and continue along peaceful paths past Rydal Water before arriving in Ambleside.

Day 6: Ambleside - Coniston - Ambleside (24 mi / 38 km)
This is the most challenging day, with 1,900 feet of ascent and spectacular scenery. Ride through the twisting Brathay Valley, full of hidden gems and tiny hamlets. Cross the river at Little Langdale and continue through rugged granite landscapes to a secluded farm before reaching Coniston. Consider taking a boat across the lake to explore John Ruskin’s former home. Return to Ambleside via the same scenic route.

Day 7: Ambleside - Bowness-on-Windermere (17 mi / 27 km)
Cycle through peaceful woodland trails and along Lake Windermere’s shoreline. Climb a steep hill to Hill Top, the cherished home of Beatrix Potter, surrounded by the countryside she worked to preserve. Visit the artistic village of Hawkshead and loop around Esthwaite Water before descending to the ferry. Cross Lake Windermere to arrive in lively Bowness.

Day 8: Bowness - Lakeside - Bowness (8 or 18 mi / 13 or 29 km)
Begin with a foot ferry and pedal through the softer landscapes of southern Lakeland, covering 1,200 feet of ascent. Ride beneath tall beech trees and along quiet backroads, with optional stops at a working bobbin mill or a lovely private garden. Reach Haverthwaite and board a heritage steam train to Lakeside. Conclude the tour with a serene cruise on Lake Windermere—your reward for cycling the length of the Lake District.

Day 9: Depart Bowness-on-Windermere
Depart at your own pace today. Windermere station offers convenient travel connections.

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Dates & Prices

Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.

Included services

• 8 nights' accommodations
• Breakfasts
• Welcome meeting and tour briefing
• Electric bike equipped with pannier, pump, lock, toolkit, spare inner tube, map holder, and helmet
• Luggage transfers
• Transfers on days 3, 4, and 5.
• Steam boat on day 4
• GPS navigation on an app
• Waterproof phone holder and power pack with charger
• Adventure Handbook with local tips, history, photos, and insider recommendations
• 24/7 emergency line

Tour Company

Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Surface and terrain

This tour is easy to moderate on an e-bike, depending on how much assistance you choose to use. The route takes you off the beaten path through scenic woodlands, across stone bridges and fords, past welcoming inns, small breweries, and historic water mills. About 15% of the ride is on well-surfaced cycle paths, with the rest on quiet country roads. There is one short section—approximately a mile—on a busier road. While it’s possible to complete this tour on a traditional touring bike, it would be a challenging ride and best suited for experienced cyclists.

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport: Manchester Airport (MAN), United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Penrith Station (direct from Manchester, London, or Glasgow)
From Penrith, a local taxi or pre-arranged transfer will take you to Lake Bassenthwaite.

Tour end
Nearest airport: Manchester Airport (MAN), United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Windermere Station (with connections to Oxenholme and onward to Manchester or London)
From Bowness-on-Windermere, it’s a short taxi ride to Windermere Station.