Algarve Odyssey
The coast, villages and countryside of the Eastern Algarve and then explore the treasures of this most westerly corner of Europe.
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
Explore the peninsulas, coast, cakes and low fells of the southern Lake District.
From£510
England
Jun
Aug
Sep
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 7131471315
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Overview
Explore the low fells of the southern Lake District with its gently rolling wooded hills, ridges that offer extensive views, quiet villages and lakeshores. Before the arrival of the railways, this was the gateway to The Lakes with the route being a guided walk across the sands of Morecambe Bay to Grange-over-Sands on the Furness Peninsulas.
We include walks giving views across Lake Windermere and Coniston Water with the northern Lake District fells providing their dramatic backdrop. There’s a short and enjoyable scenic train journey across the Kent Channel estuary to Arnside to ascend ‘The Knott’ for magnificent views over Morecambe Bay and toward the Yorkshire Dales. We are walking in the area that was home to and inspiration for writers: Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome and John Ruskin.
We are based to the south of the Lake District National Park boundary on the Morecambe Bay coast at Grange-over-Sands. The area has retained a strong Edwardian influence with its promenade and quaint cafes and shops.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
Set within the Lake District National Park, the three star, Cumbria Grand Hotel is the ideal base to go and explore one of the most beautiful parts of England.
The charming, Victorian hotel was built in 1880 and is set in 20 acres of private gardens and woodlands, just south of the Lake District National Park overlooking the sands of Morecambe Bay. The traditional and Victorian appearance of the hotel makes it stand out amongst others in the Lake District. Something which can’t be replicated with modern buildings providing accommodation in the Lake District.
Hotel facilities include:
Free of charge car parking
Half board accommodation in classic, comfortable rooms
All en suite bedrooms have direct dial phone, TV, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities
Free Wi-Fi in the communal areas of the hotel
Tennis court, gardens and putting green outside
Full sized snooker table, pool table, table tennis and dartboard inside
Trip Information
This Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain and is likely to include an element of sightseeing as well. Half day walking will probably include about 3 hours of walking, with full days having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to about 600m. See the 'Proposed Itinerary' section for more information.
We are based in an ideal location to explore the often overlooked south Cumbria coast and the hill country of the southern Lake District fells around Coniston and Windermere. We'll walk sections of the Cumbria Coastal Way with great coastal views over Morecambe Bay towards Lancashire and head into the higher ground of the south Lakeland hills.
The Victorian resort of Grange-over-Sands, a short walk from the hotel, with its traditional old stone buildings, promenade along the bay shore and tea shops is also worth a look.
On your arrival or departure day the house and grounds of Holker Hall stately home near Cark-in-Cartmel and still occupied by the Cavendish family make for a good day out. Visit www.holker.co.uk for more details.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
To reach the hotel:
by car: Leave the M6 motorway at Junction 36 and follow the dual carriageway towards Kendal. Take the first exit, signposted Barrow A590, then pick up signs for Grange-over-Sands. It is a 10 minute drive from the motorway. There is plenty of guest parking at the hotel.
by public transport: the nearest railway station is at Grange-over-Sands, approximately a 15 minute walk to the hotel. Services from here include Carlisle, Lancaster and Manchester airport. With luggage, it may be best to get the short taxi ride from the station to the hotel.
Economical Taxis: (015395) 58901
Grange Travel: (015395) 32820
You may also wish to look at the following website for advice on the best way to travel to the hotel: www.rome2rio.com
The AA and RAC both offer free and detailed on-line route planning facilities on their websites which may help you find our hotels. Details can be found at: www.theaa.co.uk and www.rac.co.uk
Meeting your tour leader and fellow walkers: Please check the time of dinner (approximately 7pm) on arrival at the hotel, and aim to be in the lounge bar half an hour before dinner for an introduction to your leader, an outline of the planned programme for your holiday and the chance to meet your walking companions.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
Passport Information for United Kingdom
Any non UK or EU citizens may be subject to passport, identity card or visa requirements to enter the United Kingdom.
Grange-over-Sands can be reached by train or bus, or by walking about 15 minutes from the Cumbria Grand Hotel. The main concentration of shops, banks, post office and ATMs are located in Main Street. The town itself is a quiet seaside retreat on the southern tip of the Cartmel Peninsula, between the mountains and the sea.
In Grange-over-Sands you can experience charm and tradition with a twist of today. There is a strong Edwardian influence still present with its quaint cafes and shops, which adds to the appeal of the town. Set on the edge of the Lake District National Park, as you would imagine, the surroundings are breathtaking with striking lakes and impressive mountain vistas.
With picturesque views overlooking the bay, the Hazelwood Restaurant in Grange Over Sands offers an attractive setting to enjoy your meal. Your stay at the Cumbria Grand Hotel is on a half board basis and breakfasts and evening meals will be taken in the Hazelwood Restaurant. Packed lunches are not included in the holiday cost as we like to allow you the flexibility. Lunches can purchased directly from the hotel or there will be opportunities to buy supplies each day.
Footwear
Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
Ordnance Survey. Outdoor Leisure series (1:25,000):
Map OL7:
The English Lakes – South-eastern area.
Map OL6:
The English Lakes – South-western area.
The Map Shop
Maps and guidebooks relating to the areas you will be walking in may be bought before your holiday from The Map Shop at www.themapshop.co.uk
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for United Kingdom
No compulsory immunisations are required for holidays in the UK although you should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended for life in Britain. Tetanus immunisation is recommended.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
Although not compulsory for British and EU citizens resident in the UK, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of eventualities such as unexpected cancellation, accident or illness before your holiday or the loss of personal possessions.
Visitors who are not British Citizens (or who are not EU citizens resident in the UK), must be adequately insured to join our holidays and will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance.
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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