
Lake District Tours
Join us on unique minivan tours with local guides
Search for Lake District tours
The Lake District is a very special place. Imagine spending a day with us on a tour that delves a bit deeper. One that doesn't just drive by top sights and quaint villages - but takes you into the heart of the Lake District to see each destination through the eyes of the people who know it best; the locals who call it home. And, with small group sizes of up to 7 people, you can expect a more personalised touring experience, avoiding large crowds and overpopulated tourist destinations.
At English Lakes Tours we've spent years creating small group tours that introduce you to authentic experiences and never-to-be-forgotten views while providing the comfort, safety and expertise that comes with travelling on our tours.
What makes our guides different
Visiting from the USA?
A large share of our guests travel from North America, and our tours are built for visitors who would rather not drive here.
Lakeland roads are narrow, walled close on both sides, and the passes are single track with passing places - it is not the place to get used to driving on the left. We collect you, we drive, and you spend the day looking out of the window instead of at a sat nav.
Our guide for American visitors covers the ETA, getting up from London, currency and tipping, what to pack for Lakeland weather, and hotel pickups. Read our guide to visiting the Lake District from America.
Common questions about our Lake District tours
How many people are on each tour?
A maximum of seven guests, plus your guide. We use minivans rather than tour buses, so the group stays small enough to get into the quieter corners of the Lake District and small enough that you can actually talk to your guide all day.
Where do your tours pick up from?
We currently pick up from Ambleside, Bowness, Coniston, Grasmere, Hawes, Ingleton, Keswick, Kirkby Lonsdale, Kirkby Stephen, Oxenholme, Sedbergh and Windermere. Not every tour serves every pickup point, so choose your date in the search box above and the available pickups for that tour will be listed.
Can you collect me from my hotel?
Hotel pickup is available on many of our tours - select "Hotel Pickup" in the search box to see which ones.
What kinds of tours do you run?
Our tours cover Scenery, Beatrix Potter, The Brontes, William Wordsworth and All Creatures Great & Small Tours. Most run as either a half day or a full day, and every tour can also be booked privately for just your own group.
Can I book a private tour just for my group?
Yes. Most of our tours have a private version, where the minivan and the guide are yours alone. Private tours can usually be adjusted to suit what you most want to see - just ask when you book.
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