Scotland, Lake District and the Peak District National Park - Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th 2026

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During the 4 days we will visit the most beautiful views in Southern Scotland (Dumfries and Galloway), the Lake District National Park and the Peak District.  Starting on Good Friday morning and returning back on bank holiday Monday evening.   The below itinerary is very full, so only suitable for members that are energetic and keen walkers.  Easter is great time for this adventure, not too hot for our walks and sunset is around 7:30pm so will have over 13 hours of daylight each day to explore. 

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Friday 3rd April (Good Friday): Peak district National Park - Bakewell to Chatsworth House

Saturday 4th April: Scotland: Solway coast with sea views, bays, lochs and forest trails  

Sunday 5th April: 2 Scottish walks: 1.Circular walk of Loch Trool (lake) + 2. Merrick walk

Monday 6st April (Easter Monday): Lake District - Cats Bells (fantastic lake views)

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Lake District National Park

If anywhere is the heart and soul of walking in England, its the Lake District, an area of wonderful high mountains, deep valleys and of course lakes.  In the Lakes you will find proper mountains, wild and rugged. We will walk along the best Lake walks, Cat Bells with Derwent Lake this walk have been voted as one of Britain’s top 5 walks.  All the photos you see below are the places we plan to explore during the April event. There are no mountain climbs on this event just big hills to get to high viewpoints for the fantastic lake views.  I have lead walks in the Lakes for over 20 years and believe the walks I have selected are the best for scenery.

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Southern Scotland (Dumfries and Galloway)

Our walk in Scotland will be very contrasting to the other 2 National Park in the Lakes and Peaks, giving you a memorable experience.  There will be lochs (Scottish lakes), coastal views, bay and wild Scottish forest. On Saturday our Scottish coastal walk is along the Solway coast encompassing splendid sea views, bays and lochs.  On Sunday there will be two walks, the first is a circular walk around Loch Trool and is arguably the finest short 5 miles walk in the Dumfries area.  We will walk around the whole lake with high hills all around.​

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Peak District National Park

The Peak District has stunning, raw beauty, dramatic and rugged landscape and natural charm along with picture postcard stone villages have resulted in this to be the second most visited National Park in the world.  We are going to walk from Bakewell to Chatsworth house walk a classic low level walk. will visit Bakewell town infamous for their Bakewell tarts and Chatsworth is a mansion house where the film "Pride and Prejudice" was filmed.

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Friday 3rd April 2026

08:00               Meet at Colindale tube station 

08:00-11:45    Drive to the Peak District  

12:00-13:00    Lunch at Bakewell

13:00-14:30    Walk from Bakewell to Chatsworth House (3 miles, 1 hill)

14:30-15:00    Break at Chatsworth House

15:00-17:15    Continue walk from Chatsworth to Bakewell (3 miles)

17:30-18:00    Snacks break at Bakewell

18:00-21:30    Travel to our Premier Inn hotel with dinner on route 

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Saturday 4th April 2026

07:00                  Breakfast at Hotel

08:00                  Drive to a fantastic farm shop to pick us cakes and lunch

11:00                  Arrive in Scotland for our coastal walk

11:15-18:00        10 miles walk along the Solway coast with sea views, bays, lochs and forest trails 

18:00-18:45        Dinner at a Scottish pub restaurant 

19:00- 20:45       Dinner 

21:00-22:00        Drive to our Premier Inn hotel at Carlisle 

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Sunday 5th April 2026

07:00 - 08:00      Breakfast at Premium Inn restaurant

08:15 - 10:00      Drive to our 2nd day walk in Scotland

10:00 - 12:30      Circular walk of Loch Trool (lake)

12:30 - 13:15      Lunch break

13:30 - 14:30      Drive to 2nd walk

14:45 -  18:00     Merrick walk - passing 2 large lochs

18:00 - 19:30      Drive back to hotel 

20:00 - 21:30      Dinner at hotel

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If either Saturday or Sunday is forecasted to be wet, we may will drive up to Edinburgh (capital city) of Scotland for a short walk (2 hrs) up Arthur's Seat and explore the city.

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Monday 6th April 2026 (Bank Holiday)

As we are return back to London, time is restricted so will leave the hotel before breakfast.

06:00 - 07:00      Drive to the Lake District 

07:15 - 12:00      Extended hike of Cat Bells - Lake walk - best walk of the lakes

12:00 - 12:30      Drive to Keswick (lovely lake town) for lunch

12:30 - 13:30      Lunch at Keswick

13:30 - 13:50      Drive to Castlerigg 

14:00 - 14:30      Photos at 4000 yrs old Stone circle at Castlerigg

14:30 - 20:15      Drive back to Colindale tube station, London

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Transportation:  The cars/minibus transportation is provided if departing from London on Friday 3rd April and return back on Monday 6th April for members that require it.  I will sort out all of the transportation logistics for the whole group.  Organise the departure point, exchange drivers and members contact details in advance and ensure the drivers get to every location during the event on time.  All my volunteer drivers are experienced and confident drivers. The hired mini bus is very comfortable with lots of space and will have a good group atmosphere. 

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Accommodation:  We will be staying at a Premier Inn hotel for 3 nights with 2 sharing with en-suite bathrooms. Room allocation will be based on gender or your own room if you attend with a friend.  Many other groups would book a youth hostel with 4-6 sharing a dormitory with bunk beds which can be noisy and over crowded.  

 

Meals:  I aim to reserve a few good restaurants in advance to give members a choice of cuisine and budget. Most other groups that stay at hostels would be catering at the hostel.  Hostel food is ok but there are many good restaurants in the Lakes, it would be a shame not to experience.  I will send members details of the restaurants selected and ask members to choose.  Meals are not included in the cost as we are not staying at a hostel and I want the group to experience regional food.  

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Fitness:  This event is suitable for members of an average fitness level.  For example, you are able to a walk minimum 2.5 miles per hour on a varied terrain for 10-12 miles within 6 hours.  There will be many breaks to enjoy the scenery, take photos and to rest.  

 

Flexibility: My approach and itinerary is flexible.  If bad weather is forecasted, I am happy to change the itinerary.  Visit a National Trust building or another indoor venues.  Weather can we localised in the Northern region so willing to drive to a different area for a dry walk. 

 

Securing a place: My events are normally over subscribed.  You can reserve your place on any event, months in advance with a £50 deposit.  I understand that member’s work, family & personal situation can change therefore do not require the balance until 10 days prior to the start of each event.  If you can no longer attend before transferring the balance, deposits can be transferred to any other event within the year's programme.

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KIT LIST

Essentials: 

Good waterproof jacket.  Even with no rain forecasted a waterproof jacket can be used to keep your warm during our early morning starts.

Hiking boots (with good grip and ankle support) - don’t forget to bring good quality hiking socks 

4 change of clothing. A few warm items for our early morning starts: base layer, warm fleece, gloves, beanie

Items for hot conditions: broad beam hat, a cap, sun block, sun glasses

 

Other items: 

Wash kit. towels will be provided at the hotel.  A daypack to hold your day kit (water, snacks, jacket)

Trainers to wear in the cars/minibus 

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