The Lake District World Heritage Site offers endless options for historical, natural, and literary exploration trails. This tour focuses on what your guide loves most: the inspirations for some of our best-known writers, poets and artists, including William Wordsworth, S. T. Coleridge, Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome.

About the Hidden Literary Lakeland tour

We can take the bus and boat to Ruskin’s home at Brantwood on the shore of Coniston Water, followed by a visit to Hawkshead, where Wordsworth attended school and Beatrix Potter found many scenes for her illustrations.  Or we could visit Hill Top, Beatrix’s first home in the Lakes, and walk or cycle between Claife Heights – an 18th century viewing station offering beautiful views from the west shore of Windermere – and Wray Castle – summer home to the Potters during Beatrix’s childhood.

For those who like to walk, a visit to Tarn Hows on the Monk Coniston Estate offers stunning views across the tarn to the eastern and central fells. Tarn Hows was one of Beatrix Potter’s first purchases, bequeathed to the National Trust on her death in 1943 and walkers will enjoy its links to both Coniston and Hawkshead.  Then there are William Wordsworth’s former Lakeland homes at Dove Cottage, Grasmere and Rydal Mount, above Rydal Water – linked by some beautiful and historically-rich trails, the darkly named Coffin Trail among them. Walk with us and discover treats such as ‘Wordsworth’s Seat’, reputedly the poet’s favourite viewpoint  over Rydal Water, and Dora’s Field – planted with hundreds of daffodils by Wordsworth and his wife in loving memory of Dora, their beloved daughter.

  • £250 (Full Day)

Enquiry Form

To find out more about our Hidden Literary Lakeland Tours, please complete the Enquiry Form below. It asks you some questions. Your answers will help us to tailor a tour itinerary that matches your interests and requirements.

We’ll share your tour itinerary and details of any additional costs (i.e. for lunch, travel and entry fees to attractions) when answering your Enquiry Form and before asking you to book your tour.



    NatureGreat ViewsGardens & Stately HomesArt galleries & museumsCafé & Pub CultureShoppingLocal HistoryLiterature


    5 minutes10 minutes30 minutesAn hour or more