My husband and I are about to go on our 5th RS tour next month. We love them clearly but we’ve always wanted to try a walking tour in the UK. Basically a company sets up your lodging and transfers your baggage to the next location, leaving you feee to walk the countryside to your next destination.
Has anyone used a used one of the many tour operators out there who do these tours? We are specifically looking to walk in the Lake District of England.
Posted by
Hollis, NH, USA
104 posts
We have done eight long distance walking tours in the UK-- they're quite addicting! Five of those have been booked with Mickledore Travel, and they're the company we prefer. (The first one I booked myself, and the other two weren't offered by Mickeldore at the time.) We're planning on walking Lady Anne's Way this summer.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8392 posts
Another company to look at is HF Holidays.
https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
671 posts
We used Contours to walk the West Highland Way a few years back. They provided great recommendations before hand and excellent service while we were there. I will use them again if we decide on another long distance hike in the UK. https://www.contours.co.uk
Posted by
Lake District, England
5809 posts
For the Cumbria Way (top to bottom of Cumbria), the Dales Way (Ilkley to Bowness in Windermere) and the Hadrian's Wall Trail- https://www.shepherdswalksholidays.co.uk/
Posted by
Yorkshire
1286 posts
Hi Gale -
Macs Adventures do several walks in the Lake District, not necessarily long distance trails. Look them up here - https://www.macsadventure.com
I suspect that the other ‘usual suspects’ will do something similar. I’d try searching the internet by putting in something like ‘self guided walking breaks in the Lake District’ and see what that throws up. If you subsequently need further help or advice, give us a shout here!
Ian
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1323 posts
I second the recommendation of https://www.contours.co.uk/.
We have used them twice (Caledonian Canal and Thames) and would happily use them agsin.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16312 posts
We have done several self-guided walking tours in the UK a with Celtic Trails. But the times we have most enjoyed were with HF Holidays, staying in one of their manor houses. In the Lake District they have two. We have been to the one near Keswick on Derwentwater. The house is right on the lake, and the hikes offered there were varied and interesting, such as Catbells Terrace and Scafell Pike ( the highest point in England).
https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/country-houses/locations/derwent-bank
Here is the program offered for a one-week holiday ( shorter 3- and 4-night programs are offered as well):
Coniston is their base in the southern Lake District:
https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/country-houses/locations/coniston-lake-district-south
Posted by
California Central Coast
180 posts
We used Cotswolds Walks in 2019 for an 8 day self guided tour. They arranged the lodging and did the bag transfers. We had an absolutely delightful time. Loved everything about it. Would use them again.
Posted by
5 posts
We have done three walks with foot trails. I give them an a+. We like them because they dont do the trails everyone else does. They have developed their own network of maps, instructions, and inns to stay in . The inns have all been fantastic, both in accommodations and in service. They will work with you individually on what you want to do and see and prepare a personalized tour for you.