The Cotswolds and the Lake District

De Cotswolds en het Lake District zijn twee van de bekendste natuurgebieden van Engeland. Je vindt er dan ook het beste wat Engeland te bieden heeft: prachtige, weidse landschappen, charmante stadjes en ontelbaar veel historische sites die mee hun stempel hebben gedrukt op de (wereld)geschiedenis. Trek de rollende groene heuvels en ruige bergkammen in voor een onvergetelijke reis dwars doorheen Groot-Brittannië. Doorkruis dit eindeloos fascinerende eiland terwijl je als een koning logeert in onze zalige Caractère hotels.

DAY 1: Arrival in London

You arrive in London by plane or train, the choice is yours. You'll then pick up your rental car and head into the English countryside. Want to spend a night in Europe's most diverse, vibrant city first? You can. Our Caractère hotels in the British capital welcome you with a grandeur like you'll only find in London. Prefer to travel in your own car? That's no problem either, you can easily drive onto the shuttle train that runs through the Eurotunnel. On your way from London to the Cotswolds, be sure to stop in Oxford, one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

DAY 2: COTSWOLDS VILLAGES

Today you set out to discover the most beautiful "postcard villages. By rental car, you'll drive through the 'countryside' and explore the region at your own pace. Do you prefer not to drive yourself? Then the 'Cotswolds tour' is the perfect way to get to know the most beautiful places in the region.

DAY 3: BATH

Although Bath is just outside the Cotswolds, a visit to this beautiful city is a must. Bath is therefore one of the most visited cities in England.The city has been a "place to be" since Roman times because of its Roman baths, which you can still admire today. Get lost in the cozy streets, go shopping or discover the iconic Royal Crescent and The Circus.

DAY 4: LAKE DISTRICT

After a delicious breakfast, it's time to check out, as you still have a brisk drive north ahead of you. Along the way, you'll pass plenty of interesting things, including metropolitan cities like Manchester and Liverpool. But also beautiful landscapes, such as the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. So plenty of opportunities for a stopover. Once checked into the hotel, you can immediately explore the beautiful surroundings, or join us for afternoon tea.

DAY 5: AMBLESIDE & WINDERMERE

Start your discovery of the Lake District with a visit to Lake Windermere - England's largest lake. Stroll through the quaint streets of Ambleside and pick up some original souvenirs. Ambleside, by the way, is a great starting point for several walks around the lake. Windermere Lake is about 18 kilometers long. Don't feel like walking all that way? Then you can also opt for a day cruise on the lake. You can embark at Ambleside, Brockhole, Bowness and Lakeside.

DAY 6: GRASMERE

North of Ambleside you'll find Grasmere and Rydal. These small and quiet lakes offer a nice change from the busier Windermere. The eponymous village of Grasmere is particularly charming. A good ending after a brisk walk. Be sure to try the Grasmere Gingerbread, a time-honored local specialty and reputedly the best gingerbread in the world. Near Grasmere you can also join guided walks through the beautiful countryside, moreover, these are usually free.

DAY 7: DERWENTWATER & KESWICK

Keswick's local lake, Derwentwater, is just a ten-minute walk from this bustling town. To the west rise the hills of Cat Bells and to the east lies the fantastic viewpoint Friar's Crag - thanks to the stunning views, it's like looking straight into a painting. At the southern foot of the lake is the entrance to the beautiful Borrowdale Valley.

You can walk around the lake or, again, opt for a calming canal cruise. There are seven jetties, so you can hop on and off at different places to alternate hiking and a boat ride. End this successful day with a visit to Keswick's lively town center and slide into one of the numerous restaurants for dinner. Just outside the center of Keswick, by the way, you will find the Castlerigg Stone Circle: at least as mysterious as the better-known Stonehenge and free to enter, but if possible even more beautiful because of the dramatic mountainous landscape in the background. Castlerigg, by the way, is the oldest of all British stone circles, believed to have been erected in the Neolithic around 3,000 BC.

DAY 8: BACK HOME

Today you have one last time to enjoy a delicious breakfast and possibly a good morning walk. Then it's time to head to Manchester Airport, where you will return your rental car and board the plane home.

**This is an indication of the price for two people based on a standard room including breakfast, train or plane and rental car in high season. The exact price of your round trip depends on a number of factors such as the period in which you travel, the period in which you book your trip, the choice of your hotels, the duration of your trip ... This indication gives you an idea of the budget for this trip.