2.
How do I get to the Lake District?
Virgin
trains operate a direct service from London Euston to
Oxenholme Lake District station that takes just over
3 hours. To join a Tour A on your day of arrival you
need to arrive at Oxenholme for 1000 to take advantage
of our transfer service.
This means that the Lake District is now well within
reach for a day excursion from London. So why not exchange
the noise and bustle for the fresh air and peace of
the Lake District for a day!
You
can also travel to Windermere station by changing trains
at Oxenholme. If you are short on time, or are planning
a morning tour on the same day as your arrival, we do
not recommend this option. If you miss your connection
you may well miss your tour and no refund would be available.
3.
Can you make a train reservation for me?
When
joining a tour from other parts of the UK you can purchase
tickets and view the latest timetables at trainline.
4.
Can I join a tour after arriving in the Lake District?
Yes
this is possible - though our tours are very popular
and we do recommend booking in advance to guarantee
availability. Many guests enjoy their tour so much that
they join a second tour on the following day your driver/guide
can assist with this when space is available.
5. What is the Climate Contribution Fund?
This
is a local Lake District initiative that invests in
local projects that will help to promote and support
sustainable tourism or which can reduce the amount of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is a great opportunity
for Lake District Tours and their customers to make
a positive contribution towards tackling the problem
of climate change by acting locally. Projects include
investment in cycle routes, woodland planting and maintenance
and peat bog restoration.
 
How does it work?
When
you make a reservation you have the option of
donating £1 to this fund. For every £1 you
donate we will match with £1. In this simple way
we are all helping to minimise our carbon footprint
on the Lake District.
Book
now to make your donation
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Cancellation
6. What if I have to cancel my reservation?
In
the unfortunate event that you have to cancel your tour
please advise us as soon as possible.
If you have to cancel a tour 50% of the tour cost will
be refunded.
There will be no refunds for cancellation on the day of
the tour.
7.
Are there any extra costs I should be aware of?
There
are no hidden costs in our tours – all entrance
fees and boat fares are included. You will need money
for lunch and should you wish to visit inside Dove Cottage
on Tour D.
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The
Tours
8.
How will we recognise our guide?
Your
guide will have a sign for Millennium Travel Lake District
Tours and will be waiting near the Trekkers Cabin cafe
as you exit the train at Oxenholme station. At Windermere
we will meet you off the train or at the waiting area.
9.
What is the minimum/max group size for a tour?
Unlike
other tour operators our minimum group size is only two
persons. This means that you can book ahead in the confidence
that your tour will run.
Our maximum group size is 16 with an average group size
of 6-8 persons.
10.
How often do your tours operate?
Tours
operate daily throughout the year except Tour C Garden
Tour that operates from May to October.
It is important to note that Hill Top Farm is closed from
28 Oct to 31 Mar and on most Thursdays and Fridays throughout
the year. At these times we provide complimentary entry
to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness.
For detailed opening arrangements visit their
web site here.
11.
Do you pick us up from our guesthouse?
Yes
we arrange pick up from either your guesthouse or at clear
meeting points in Bowness and Windermere as shown on the
tour descriptions – whichever is the most convenient
for you.
12.
Can we eat on the bus?
Yes
you can though we do allow time for refreshments and comfort
stops on our tours.
13.
Can you arrange private group tours?
Yes.
We can arrange special tours with or without accommodation
to meet the needs of your group. We organise tours for
the Womens Institute, gardening clubs and special interest
groups. We have access to expert gardeners based at
Holker and Levens Hall, and MLTB qualified Mountain
Leaders to assist with your walking holiday. In short
we are open to any suggestions and will work closely
with you to design the best program for your group.
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When
to visit
14. Can I visit the Lake District at any time of year?
Absolutely!
The Lake District is a year round destination where each
season offers something special for the visitor.
The Spring months of April to June bring blossom covered
hillsides, rhododendron blooms and the famous white damson
blossom of the Lyth Valley that can be seen on Tour C.
May is also the time to see the woodlands carpeted in
bluebells and the famous daffodils of William Wordsworth.
In the Summer months of July/August the Lake District
hills and pastures are a lush green. This is the warmest
time to visit when the sun sparkles off the lakes and
the cooling breeze of a Tour A lake cruise is most welcome.
The warm days and balmy evenings make this a pleasant
time to stroll through the villages and towns of Lakeland.
The Autumn months of September to November are always
a popular time of year for visiting The Lake District.
The area provides an impressive display of natural splendour,
as the leaves turn from greens to golds, reds, oranges
and yellows, all reflected in the mirror stillness of
the lakes. Windermere, Coniston, Grasmere, Derwentwater
and Tarn Hows, near Hawkshead, are just a few of the many
places to see this kaleidoscope of Autumn colours. The
best time to enjoy the colours is when the sun is low
in the early morning at Tarn Hows on Tour D.
In Winter the days shorten and the air can be crisp and
cold. At this time the mountains often look their best
with a dusting of snow set against a deep blue winter
sky. The air is clear and the reflections in the still
waters of the lakes can be breathtaking.
Remember in the Lake District there is no such thing as
bad weather - only inappropriate clothing!
15
Talking of clothing – what should I bring?
Warm
clothes and a windproof jacket can make your stay more
comfortable and means you can sit outside to enjoy the
views from the open deck on the cruise. A small umbrella
can also be handy.
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What
to see and do
16.
Can you recommend places to eat?
There
are many restaurants and cafes in Bowness and Windermere
including traditional fish n chips, Italian, Greek, Thai,
Cantonese and Italian. You should expect to pay around
£8 – 10 for a main course in most restaurants.
In Windermere The Lamplighter pub is popular with locals
and visitors alike as it offers good value and a varied
menu. In Bowness for lunch and homemade cakes and coffee
we recommend the Bowness Kitchen.
17.
Are there many places to shop in Bowness/Windermere?
There
are many interesting individual shops selling souvenirs
and specialist shops such as Peter Rabbit and Friends.
The timing of our tours allows time for exploring these
shops before catching your onward train.
18.
What can we see or do after our tour?
We
recommend that you visit The World of Beatrix Potter www.hop-skip-jump.com
attraction in Bowness - this is also a good place to visit
if it is raining.
The more active can take a 2 hour guided hike above Bowness
for some peace and quiet with superb panoramic views.
You can make a reservation from our contact page or if
space is available book direct with your tour driver.
In good weather you can hire a rowboat or take a cruise
on the lake. You will have taken a cruise from Ambleside
to Bowness as part of Tour A, but you can also take a
45 minute blue cruise of the islands or a 90 minute yellow
cruise to the south-eastern tip of Lake Windermere. You
may even wish to return to Ambleside on the red cruise
to explore the many shops and parks with views of the
hills and lake.
In the evening we recommend
taking a stroll along the lake, walk past the Tourist
Information Centre for views along the lake to the mountains.
19.
Where can I find more information on what to see and do
in the Lake District?
Good
starting points on a visit to the Lake District are the
tourist information centres at:
Windermere Tourist Information Centre
Victoria Street, Windermere
Tel: 015394 46499
windermeretic@southlakeland.gov.uk
The
National Trust own and manage many properties in the
Lake District and throughout the UK. It makes sense
to join and save on entrance fees and benefit from free
parking in most National Trust car parks.
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Accommodation
20. How do you select your guesthouses?
There
are many guesthouses in Bowness and Windermere. Our selection
is based on value for money, quality of breakfast, cleanliness
of rooms and the friendliness of guesthouse owners.
21.
What facilities are available?
For
a general description visit our Accommodations page.
22.
I would prefer to stay in a hotel. Can you arrange this?
Useful
Information
23.
Is Windermere a lake or a town?
The
answer is both! This can be confusing as the village of
Windermere is approx twenty minutes walk from the lake
of Windermere. The village of Bowness on Windermere is
next to the lake and if you are staying in Windermere
there is a regular shuttle bus service connecting the
two villages.
24.
Can I change money in Bowness/Windermere ?
You
can change money at the post office in Windermere and
also at branches of Barclays, HSBC and Natwest bank. There
are four cashpoints in Windermere and two in Bowness.
25.
Where can I use the internet?
There
is internet access at the Tourist Information Centre
in Windermere.
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