Experience The English Lake District:
Member Event in the North of England

On arrival at Manchester Airport, there will be three complimentary scheduled transfers to the resort. 

After check-in the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at the resort. There will be a Meet and Greet at the resort with your Big Journey Company hosts for the week - look out for us in the Reception area today.

In the autumn, the beautiful colours are starting to show on the trees and the sunsets can be dramatic and magical. Furthermore, why not join us on our Essential Scotland tour which precedes the Lakes event? Spend a week discovering the best that Scotland, just over the border, has to offer. What's more, at the end of the Scottish tour, we will transfer you down to the Pine Lakes Resort. Further details on the Essential Scotland tour can be found here

Today we travel north towards the Scottish borders. First, we head to Lanercost Priory. Originally dating back to 1169, the current structure’s roof was stripped by Henry VIII. The Priory and Church at Lanercost were actually built with some of the stones from Hadrian’s Wall itself.

Built by the Romans, the mighty Hadrian's Wall ran from the east to west coast of England, a barrier to protect the Roman province of Britannia from the barbarous Scots to the north. We will travel alongside the wall until we reach the Roman fort of Vindolanda. Excavations are still taking place here and the archaeological dig can be witnessed. We travel back towards Pine Lake, with stunning views of the Lake District Fells in the background.

A highlight for many is enjoying “high tea” at one of the original stately homes of England, Armathwaite Hall. It overlooks the calming waters of Bassenthwaite Lake and is framed by the dramatic Skiddaw Mountain and Lake District Fells. When we have had all the tea, scones, cake and biscuits we can manage we’ll head back to the resort.

This evening there will be a Welcome Dinner in the restaurant at Pine Lake Resort to enable you to get to know the rest of the group better and hear more about the upcoming events.

You will be admiring the best of the Lake District today, taking in many beautiful lakes in one day.

Ullswater is one of the first lakes we will have the chance to admire. Known as ‘the most beautiful lake in England’, it is the second largest lake in the National Park. Upon arriving in the Northern Lakes area, we stop at Castlerigg, a 4,000 year old stone circle surrounded by mountains- a great photo stop.

We will also stop for lunch at leisure with some free time to explore in the quaint town of Keswick. A famous Lakeland market town, it has links to poets Coleridge and Southey.

In the afternoon, we will travel alongside Derwentwater and through the valley of Borrowdale up towards Honister Pass, where there is a working slate mine. Dropping down into the next valley, we will admire picturesque Lake Buttermere as we drive alongside it to reach the top of Newlands Pass and take in the view of Moss Force Waterfall. We head back towards the Southern Lakes driving alongside Grasmere, Rydal Water and the largest Lake in England, Windermere.

This morning we head to the South Lakes area to the west of Windermere, an area associated with famous children’s author, Beatrix Potter. We start the day's exploration at Holker Hall, home of the Cavendish family. Here we will be greeted by their expert guides for a tour of the house and enjoy some time strolling through the traditional English country garden.

Afterwards, we journey Haverthwaite Station to board a scenic steamtrain. The ride will take us along the valley on a historic train branch line to Lakeside Pier. Here we will cruise across Windermere to the Lake District town of Bowness-on-Windermere, where you will have the chance to enjoy some free time in this scenic Lakeland town on the shores of Lake Windermere. Why not visit the World of Beatrix Potter, one of the Lake's most visited attractions, or take a walk through the lakeside park? Your Event Hosts will be on hand to make alternative suggestions and point out places of interest.

Today is a day for you to explore your own interests and head off to discover more of what the Lake District has to offer.

The coach will leave Pine Lake and will stop at Ambleside and Grasmere, often called "The Jewel in the crown of the Lake District." You choose which location you wish to explore for the day as the coach will return to collect you at designated pick-up points in the afternoon.

Your Event Hosts will be out with you and can give you ideas of where to go and what to see so that you can choose how you’d like to spend your day “in the Lakes”. Perhaps a cruise on one of the Lakes or maybe a museum like the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere? Alternatively, why not head on a short walk - perhaps walk from Ambleside to Stock Ghyll Force, a spectacular 70 foot waterfall. There is so much to see and do, so don’t forget your camera!

You will see the best of the nearby Yorkshire Dales on our first touring day from Pine Lake Resort. We travel through the famous Dales of Swaledale, Wensleydale and Dentdale and stopping to admire the famous Aysgarth Falls. A triple-tiered waterfall, it is carved out from the limestone and featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Bolton Castle is our main stop of the day, with an opportunity to hear the stories from the 14th century castle where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned. Travelling through the Dales villages of Muker, Sedbergh and Reeth, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. We will stop at the famous Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes. This local cheese can only be called Wensleydale if made in the village - remember to buy some as we visit!

We will return to the resort for a farewell dinner together this evening.

Sadly, it's the end of our English Exploration. There will be three scheduled departures from the resort to Manchester Airport.