Lake District Horse Riding Travel Guide

England's largest National Park is now a World Heritage Site, home to Scafell Pike - its highest mountain, Wastwater - its deepest lake. There are many attractions and places to visit in the Lake District, covering a wide area, this riding holiday is close to Windermere.

Equestrian Escapes offers a choice of the very best horse riding holidays in The Lakes

Things to do and see

Apart from walking the fells – for the non-riders in the group, there is plenty to do in the Windermere area of the Lake District.

World of Beatrix Potter - An indoor re-creation of the Lakeland countryside, complete with sights, sounds and even smells. All of Beatrix Potter's tales are brought to life in three dimensions. Located in Bowness
Brockhole Visitor Centre, Explore 30 acres of stunning gardens, hire bikes for the family, enjoy lake Windermere by boat and let the children blow off some steam on the adventure playground.
Balloon flights High Adventure Balloon Flights - 01539 47599 c/o RM Travel, Rayrigg Road, Bowness-on-Windermere
Boat hire and Cruising - Take to the water to truly experience Windermere. Boats can be hired from Waterhead, Low Wood, Bowness, Brockhole - The Lake District Visitor Centre and Fell Foot Park. These vary from rowing boats to sailing boats or self-drive motor boats. For Cruises there are many different options and tickets allow you to hop off, walk back or just stay on board and watch the mountains, woodlands and islands unfold before you, take a look at Windermere Lake Cruises.
Lakes Aquarium - Set on the lakeshore, this award winning attraction has the UK's largest collection of freshwater fish. Lakeside, Newby Bridge
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway - Hard working steam locomotives travel three and half miles into the Leven Valley. Take a return journey or combine your trip with a lake cruise or a visit to the Aquarium of the Lakes. Located near Newby Bridge
Scenic Drive – you may want to explore further afield in the Lake District – the Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass between Eskdale and the Langdales have gradients of 1 in 3 and Honister Pass between Borrowdale and Buttermere is 1 in 4, making them some of the steepest roads in England!

Where to eat and drink

Winderemere’s food scene has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. Local produce features heavily on most menus, especially dishes such as curly Cumberland sausage, tattie hotpot and Herdwick lamb. And do not leave the Lake District without having the famous sticky toffee pudding!

Punch Bowl Inn -This tucked-away village pub has a growing reputation as one of the best dining pubs around Windermere. The food is ideal for a bracing Cumbrian day: plates of braised boeuf bourgignon with creamy mash, or rib-eye steaks with thick-cut chips and homemade Béarnaise. Crosthwaite, Lyth Valley LA8 8HR tel: 015395 68237

Hooked - This little bistro in Windermere Town does first-class fish and seafood, which changes according to the season. Ellerthwaite Square, Windermere, LA23 1DP tel: 015394 48443
The Masons Arms -Tucked away on a steep hillside east of Windermere, this lovely whitewashed pub makes a lovely lunch spot and an equally delightful dinner destination. On a sunny day, the slate terrace has fine views across the nearby Lyth Valley. Strawberry Bank, Cartmel Fell, LA11 6NW tel: 015395 68486

How to get there

The riding centre is in a rural setting and best reached by car. The average journey time from London and the south east is about five hours. It takes about one and half hour from Manchester and two hours from York.

The M6 runs to the east of the Lake District National Park

Take Junction 36 and then A590 for the southern end of the Lake District. Post codes and directions will be made available at the time of booking.

Train

The West Coast mainline runs to the east of the Lake District, connecting Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow. A direct train runs from Manchester to Windermere. Local trains call at Kendal, Staveley and Windermere. There is also a route following the Cumbrian coastline.

To reach our equestrian centre take the train to Grange Over Sands – a pick up can be arranged.

Change at Lancaster to the Barrow in Furness train and get off at Grange Over Sands

Car Hire in Lancaster Avis 01524 841701, Marshalls Self Drive 01524 67298

Bus

Towns and villages such as Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston and Keswick are linked by bus, with extra services in the summer. Find out more at: GoLakes Travel - buses