The English Lake District and the Borders: Romance to Turbulence

This trip was fantastic and definitely earned 5 stars. The history, architecture, scenery, sheep, cathedrals, castles! The tour leaders were incredibly friendly, accommodating, helpful, and informative! And I must say that my fellow travelers added immeasurable to my enjoyment - smart, kind, and funny. We laughed a lot. We saw so many out of the way treasures. We visited the home of and learned a lot about the incredible woman Beatrix Potter who in addition to being the author and illustrator of children's books did so very much to help preserve the Lake District. It was a very special trip made all the more so when I discovered on google that the castle in the town where we last stayed was the home of the first Duke of Northumberland -- the father of James Smithson, whose bequest funded the Smithsonian Institution. I was thrilled when on some free time I and another traveler were able to tour the duke's beautiful Alnwick Castle.

The enormous amount of history presented was very enlightening, and I’m so glad I was able to participate in this program. There was a surprise around every corner! It was very helpful to read some of the recommended reading listed by R/S ahead of the trip. Awesome trip!!

Airlines: I will never fly Air Canada again. You booked me SEA-MAN and Air Canada canceled my transfer from Toronto to Manchester and rescheduled me twice leaving me stranded at Toronto from 7 PM to 3 AM. I barely made it to Manchester for my 9/3 rendezvous with the group. Hotels: Lindeth Howe was terrific and I appreciated getting a single room though I signed up for a roommate. White Swan in Alnwick was adequate but not as swish as Lindeth Howe. Tour guides: Mountain Goat was OK though I question having the driver also be the 'guide'. Frankly, I would have preferred having a guide who did not drive as well. Itinerary: Carlisle/Tullie House Museum: This was closed when we went to Carlisle. I was very disappointed as it's supposed to have a top notch collection of Roman artifacts. Durham Cathedral: Four hours is woefully insufficient for this huge cathedral. We couldn't get into the cathedral itself until after 12 pm due to a service and we had to leave for Manchester at 2 pm. Muncaster Castle: We spent a lot of time at Muncaster Castle which was not that interesting and only the lunch at the Castle made up for it. I skipped the bird of prey show as it was out in the open under the hot sun. Please consider substituting this visit with the fishing villages of Anmouth, Amble and Craster. Armitt Museum: Lunch time at the Force Cafe (Ambleside) took up so much time we didn't have enough time at the Armitt Museum (Ambleside), sadly, a wonderful museum. Vindolanda: This tour was far too long. More time for the wonderful museum would have been preferable. Blackwell House: Not on the itinerary and almost missed out on seeing this terrific Arts and Crafts house but for Joan, Mountain Goat guide who suggested it for our free day. More time for Seahorses fishing village. Missed Castlerigg Roman fort - very disappointed about this. Kudos for Gondola steam boat cruise, all museums, Lindeth Howe Hotel and Hilltop and Beatrix Potter's fabulous house and garden.

This is the best in-depth program available anywhere. The most value for your money if you want to really explore a place instead of just say you've been there. The word SCHOLAR is appropriate. This does not imply you need a PhD but rather a CURIOUS outlook to learn about people, places and history with other people who are also curious. (A sense of humor helps).

The English Lake District and the Borders was above and beyond my expectations. As a retiree from 35 plus years in public libraries, I was eager to explore the footsteps of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin. I knew a little about the Lake District, had read of its beauty, and always wanted to see it. Visiting this area during spring lambing was enchanting. Between the baby lambs and stunning landscapes, I couldn’t stop watching out the bus window. Our guides, both local, were well versed in the history and most interesting places to visit. I never stopped to think about the Scandinavian connection to this part of England. So many placenames influenced by Viking invaders who settled in the area a millennium ago; Ambleside, Ravenglass, Tarn Hows, Windermere. These warrior invaders settled and intermarried with the locals, as did the Romans before them. The Border area was a draw for my husband, whose ancestors dwelled in the area. As my Reiver descendant friend informed me, “Ya marry a scoundrel…ya are one!" What was once a bloody, lawless, and wild “no man’s land” has an intriguing history ripe for discovery. We walked up a hill through a sheep pasture, to view a remote ruin of a bastle house (fortified farmhouse). Overcast skies, and a cold wind blew over the hill. It was easy to imagine what it was like to live in the late 16th Century. Other highlights were Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Fort Vindolanda, where we watched archaeologists sift through shovels full of earth searching for ancient artifacts. Castles, Catherdrals, great houses, mountains, fertile valleys, small towns and wonderful gardens bursting with spring blossoms. Garden poetry readings, history museums and a cruise on a vintage steam boat. This trip has something for everyone.

I could not have chosen a better trip. The guides (Andy Wilkinson and Gordon Lightburn) were patient, well-prepared, smart, and just fun to be with. The contrast between Romance and Turbulence is, I think, just a brilliant conception for such a tour. We think of the Romance of the Lake District as just a part of that area. We often forget the fiery times of the border reivers. My sister and I had a wonderful experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world. My thanks.

Super Disappointed in this trip. Far too much driving (4+ hours a day) especially in the borders area, where we drove the same long stretches of road literally every day for 4 days. Need to find a better base location that is more central to the itinerary. In the Lake district, we would have appreciated a hotel location which was closer to a lake; we were out of town, but not near a lake, with a view of the parking lot. More "turbulence" than "romance"..

Very poorly organized, way too much time on busses. We were taken on a three-hour drive one morning just as something to do. We were taken to two dull museums and sites, and not taken to museums and sites of great interest.

This trip was fun and informative. It goes to the top of my traveling list.

Great value.

This is a well paced, brilliantly organized tour of two of the most gorgeous parts of Great Britain — the Lakes District and Northumberland. It provides a great mix of castles and cottages, authors and royalty, gardens and ruins, history and geography. Anne Strange is a top-flight guide. She knows her backroads and will take you to wonderful spots off the beaten track. The guide makes all the difference and Anne is a gem. Having just two home bases from which to explore—a gorgeous Country House in the Lakes District and the magnificent Otterburn Castle in Northumberland (yes, you get to eat and sleep in a castle!) just adds to the appeal. This is by far my favorite Road Scholar trip because of the excellent guide, superb accommodations and absolutely stunning countryside. Every day was a fresh experience. Nothing felt tiresome or repetitive. Just remember the raincoat because you will need it!

A comfortably paced tour out in the countryside. The Lake District and Borders area are full of history and beauty. Highly recommend this tour if the above is your cup of tea!