|
We depart central Manchester
at 08.30, collecting those who are combining this tour with
our Wales, Mountains and Lakes tour. A short drive north brings
us to the southern Lake District and our first stop at Holker
Hall.
Back-Roads then take us alongside
Coniston Water with the 'Old Man of Coniston' rising above us.
This will be just the first of many astounding drives up over
narrow passes with the lakes or valleys spreading out beneath
us. At Coniston we'll visit the home of Victorian philosopher,
John Ruskin. Perhaps his most appropriate quote for us as travellers
would be 'there is no wealth except life'. Brantwood is indeed
an extraordinary structure, perched on a narrow shelf at the
foot of a steep mountain (or 'fell') side, high above Coniston
Water and well illustrates Ruskin's concept of 'organic architecture'.
From here we climb another pass
and drop down to Windermere, our base for two nights.
|
Windermere
|
|
Our
initial route takes us to Wordsworth's Cottage at Grassmere.
Then, a back route around Thirlmere to Keswick. Next, a really
gripping ride up, climbing some of the regions steepest gradients,
traversing Borrowdale, with a stop at the falls en route, to
Buttermere. More sublime Lakeland scenery follows as we run
alongside Crummock Water and through the Whinlatter Forest.
We'll have some time at the town
of Keswick and see the prehistoric Castlerigg Stone Circle and,
if there's interest, we could see the museum dedicated to the
lead pencil as this is truly its home!
|
Windermere
|
|
This morning there'll be some
free time to sample the gentle atmosphere of Windermere itself.
Literary fans might enjoy visiting Beatrix Potter's home. Or
perhaps the sailors amongst you will elect to take a rowing
boat on the lake (not included in tour price), or the more sedate
steam paddle boat!
This afternoon see us touring
the undulations of the West Yorkshire Dales. First, to Kirkby
Lonsdale, and to see a unique and frightening Viking gravestone.
The Three Peaks area covers about 160 square kilometres of upland
in the Pennines, with internationally famous limestone scenery.
Much of the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, owing
to the special nature and fragility of its upland ecosystem.
We'll focus on a couple of villages
as we tour the region. Ribblehead, in the centre of the Three
Peaks is itself famous for the Ribblehead Viaduct where the
Settle-Carlisle Railway crosses the boggy moor. This was the
site of an infamous shanty town during the railway construction;
a task that required many tunnels, viaducts and bridges, and
cost many lives. Settle's market charter goes back to 1249,
and on Tuesdays its Market Place has retained many of its old
buildings and its intimate atmosphere, with a wide range of
small, independent shops. Near here is Austwick, the site of
the famous Norber Erratics. These are boulders carried by a
glacier during the late Ice Age and dumped on this limestone
plateau. The limestone supporting them has been eroded away
by rain and wind, leaving the huge boulders supported on small
pedestals of white limestone.
Then, Ingleton, famous for its walks through the local 'glens'.
Village streets are narrow and winding and centred on the tiny
market place. Deep beneath Ingleborough Hill lies a hidden world
which has been sculptured by nature over thousands of years.
Imagine a subterranean landscape, beautifully lit, with gushing
streams and waterfalls, exotic cave formations, and a huge ice-age
cavern adorned with thousands of stalactites. It's the longest
show cave in Britain and it provides us with a wonderful late
afternoon stop.
Finally, to Haworth, home of
the Bronte sisters, where those who are continuing on to our
next tour - The Viking North
- will be dropped and those leaving the tour taken back to central
Manchester.
Accommodation in Manchester tonight is not included in the tour price - we can book additional arrangements as required.
>>Go to tours departing from Manchester
|
|
