England: The Lake District

The poet William Wordsworth was moved to proclaim England’s Lake District “one of the loveliest places that man has ever found.” Painters John Constable and J.M.W. Turner were also inspired to render the area’s rolling hills, dramatic mountains, and lake-jeweled valleys in paintings treasured today as astonishing achievements in British art. On a walking adventure in this northern region, it is simply nature’s mastery that attracts your admiration. This landscape of varied terrain stirs the wanderer’s spirit following paths through thick woodlands, around tranquil lakeshores, and along ridgelines graced with sweeping views. The Lake District National Park, home to England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and its deepest lake, Wastwater, offers walking in gorgeous scenery punctuated by communities revealing a quintessentially rural English charm. The route to Grasmere Vale, one of Wordsworth’s beloved retreats, the trails around Ullswater and Coniston, two of the most beautiful lakes in all of Cumbria, in addition to the area’s wooded islands and dramatic scenery, all serve to create a distinctive destination for a stouthearted day’s walk.
    The accommodations in the Lake District are set amongst the serenity and scenery that define this lovely region. They offer a warm welcome, comfortable amenities, and close communion with the landscape, thanks to idyllic settings. One property is a country house hotel on the shores of Lake Derwentwater amidst 16 acres of conservation land. The second lodging is a small, family-run hotel located between Windermere and Bowness. Trailside picnics, cozy English pub lunches, and elegant dinners featuring local cuisine all enhance this delightful, authentic experience.