Lake District, Cumbria
At the end of September 2025, Amy, one of our UK team, visited the beautiful Lake District.
Amy had spent many family holidays in the Lake District but wanted to find out more! Over 150 miles were covered visiting and exploring this wonderful county of Cumbria.
The weather set the scene nicely – clear blue skies and crisp Autumnal days.
Amy viewed several attractions that she would recommend for groups. Active groups with specific interests in art, history or gardening would enjoy tours of Levens Hall, National Trust Sizergh Castle, Holker Hall and Dalemain Mansion & Gardens. These attractions are able to tailor tours for their visitors with enthusiastic guides ready to pass on their extensive knowledge.
Amy loved the tour of Dalemain Mansion that had an impressive Medieval banqueting room – one of the tour members was so impressed, he stroked the medieval stones surrounding the doorway and put his foot on the bar under the table that had been moulded by hundreds of feet through the ages! Maybe your group would like to do the same?
Holker Hall, home to the Cavendish family, was full of art work including John Singer Sargent drawings that the guide was so pleased to talk about. The gardens at Holker Hall were very accessible with ramps for wheelchair users or mobility difficulties.
Levens Hall is a destination attraction for some of the best and oldest architectural topiary gardens. At the time of Amy’s visit, the staff were all busy modelling the trees to great effect. The Levens Kitchen has a great reputation serving seasonal inspired fresh local produce.
The fine weather was ideal for an early morning drive to watch a departure of Ullswater Steamers at Glenridding. The Ullswater Lake was like a mirror, perfect for a photograph!
There are many ways of enjoying the spectacular scenery – by coach. by rail or by boat. Amy watched as customers arrived at Lakeside on the steam train then boarded the awaiting cruiser with the team to welcome them on the quayside of Lake Windermere. One of the people queuing to board the cruiser having arrived by rail said to her companion, ‘This is great, we don’t have to wait!’
Bowness-on-Windermere was teaming with visitors arriving and departing on the cruisers. Bowness is highly recommended for a few hours to explore the shops or watch the world go by in one of the cafés.
Amy certainly experienced the ‘Lake District welcome’ with open arms with treats around every corner from Grasmere Gingerbread, Penrith Toffee or Kendal Mint Cake.
The Lake District is a perfect destination for your group wanting to fill the camera with perfect images of stunning scenery and indulge in the history of the notable buildings in the area.
- Dalemain Mansion, Penrith Exterior ©Hermione-Hasell-McCosh
- Holker Hall exterior from gardens
- Aerial view of the East front of Sizergh Castle, near Kendal, Cumbria ©National-Trust-Images-James-Dobson
- Ullswater Steamer awaitng departure on Ullswater Lake at Glenridding
- Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, Cumbria – Trains in station
- Bowness on Windermere landing stage