Overview
Key facts
- Duration:6 nights
- Key Facts: Saturday departure
- Suitable for: Children aged 8 years and over (younger children may join the holiday, but may not be able to participate in all the activities). Please see terms for details
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What's included?
- This is a self-drive holiday*
- Transfers to and from activities are all included
- Accommodation: 6 nights’ hotel accommodation in a standard double/twin room
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches (with activities), 3 dinners
- The following activities are included in the holiday: Exploration hike, Derwentwater and ghyll scrambling, climbing and abseiling, the Borrowdale Challenge (order of activities is subject to change)
- All equipment, tuition and supervision from fully qualified instructors
* Please note: As you will not require your own vehicle once in the area, we can provide you with local taxi details, so that you can arrange your own transfers from Penrith train station to the hotel, should you choose to arrive by train. Please speak to our Travel Experts for further information.
The Lake District is undeniably one of the most beautiful regions in England, with its glistening lakes and towering fells providing an exceptional setting for a family activity holiday.
The activities included with this holiday are based around the picturesque Borrowdale Valley and ‘The Queen of the English Lakes’; Derwentwater and your family will walk, climb, scramble, abseil, canoe and sail around this open-air adventure playground accompanied by some of the best guides in the business. These are always hugely popular activities with families, allowing children to be challenged whilst also having a great deal of fun!
Your hotel accommodation is situated at the southern end of Derwentwater, just a scenic 20-minute drive, skirting the lake, from Keswick. Your hotel is also the starting point for your activities. This is a self-drive holiday and although it is possible to do without a car (please speak to our Travel Experts for further information on this) a car does give you some added flexibility in getting to Keswick if you wish to make the most of this traditional Lake District town with its delightful mix of independent shops, outdoor equipment stores, cafés and cosy traditional hikers’ pubs. We highly recommend wandering around the town centre during any free time, especially visiting the local farmers’ market on Thursday.
Just a short walk from the centre of Keswick is Castlerigg stone circle, the Stonehenge of the North! It is not on the same scale as its more showy cousin, but there is no doubt the surrounding scenery is more impressive – definitely worth a visit during any free time.
Image credits: Jay & Lily Collier (clients), Glaramara, Platty+
Agenda
Agenda
Show full agenda-
Day 1 Arrival and Welcome
Upon arrival in the beautifully scenic Lake District, you will be able to check into your accommodation from around 3pm onwards (approximate timing), allowing you the chance to settle in and explore. This evening a welcome meeting will be held with your guide to discuss the week’s programme. This will be followed by a delicious welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Included Meals: Dinner -
Day 2 Exploration Hike
After a hearty breakfast, you will be picked up to spend a day exploring one of the Lakeland Mountains. Your guide will discuss the local scenery and wildlife and, depending on the route, it may include visits to caves and mines which can be found throughout the region. There will be games along the way to allow the group the chance to get to know one another and for the children to make friends. There is no better introduction to The Lakes than this, as the guides here are all local experts. A picnic lunch is included today.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
Day 3 Water Sports and Ghyll Scrambling
This morning will be spent on Derwentwater, known as the 'Queen of the English Lakes'. There will be a range of water based activities for you to experience, including Canadian canoeing and dinghy sailing. Whether you have tried these activities before or are a complete beginner, our instructors will be on hand to ensure you have as much fun as possible and everyone gets the most from the experience.
After a picnic lunch, you will head off to enjoy some ghyll scrambling. Beginning at Stonycroft Ghyll, with the guidance of the instructor, you will make your way downstream with a series of jumps, slides and scrambles; often swimming or wading through the deeper water. This is a brilliant adventure for families!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
Day 4 Free Day
Today your family will have the opportunity to explore at your own pace. You may like to enjoy a stroll around the numerous attractions of Keswick, an independent hike up one of the nearby fells or perhaps an additional local activity (bookable and payable locally).
One of the most popular options for families with older children is the Via Ferrata at Honister Slate Mine. A series of ladders and rungs are installed into the rock face around the mine and allow inexperienced climbers access to areas they would otherwise be unable to reach. There are some real adrenaline rushes to be had and some fantastic views can be seen from the top of the route. The activity lasts approximately two hours and the price includes transfers to and from the activity. Please see the 'Personalise' section for full details or speak to one of our Travel Experts.
You will enjoy a well-earned dinner back at the hotel, this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 5 Climbing and Abseiling
Following a full safety briefing, the group and your guide will head to a local rock face to enjoy a full day of climbing and abseiling. If the weather is unsuitable we will arrange for you to visit the renowned indoor Keswick climbing wall as an alternative. A picnic lunch is included today.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
Day 6 Borrowdale Challenge
The perfect competition to end your week in the Lake District! This fun-filled family day is packed with games, activities and challenges including archery, raft building, problem-solving and orienteering. A great way to round off the activity week on a high... especially if your family wins! A picnic lunch is included today.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
Day 7 Departure
Today you will return home or we can also arrange for you to extend your stay in the Lake District.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
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Glaramara Hotel
Nights: 1-6
Glaramara Hotel is situated in a superbly rural location, surrounded by dramatic fells, lush, green fields and the meandering River Derwent. Only 20 minutes drive from the market town of Keswick, it’s easy to pop along for a visit.
It has 33 rooms in total, the majority of which are double or twin-capacity.
Hotel facilities
- The fantastic hotel restaurant and bar offers a variety of tasty dishes, with plenty of locally-sourced ingredients to enjoy, all cooked by their award-winning chef
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- A drying room, should you get caught in a Lake District downpour!
- Families can enjoy several walking routes from the hotel’s doorstep
Room type
Double and twin rooms: there are 25 double and twin rooms and 8 single rooms, all of which are en-suite. Each room is decorated in a stylish and comfortable fashion and most of them have views of the surrounding fells. Each room comes equipped with complimentary tea and coffee. Toiletries and towels are also provided.
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
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Honister Slate Mine - Via Ferrata
This is the perfect option to fill your free day with adventure at a height and is great for families with older children. Honister Slate Mine’s ‘Via Ferrata Xtreme’ makes for an excellent introduction to climbing. This mountainside ‘iron road’ of rungs and ladders allows beginner climbers to safely scale incredible heights and take in some spectacular views.
Please note that there is a minimum height of 1.3m and a minimum age of 10 years old for this activity
Duration: half day
Please speak to our Travel Experts for a quotation.
From £75 per adult
Dates & Prices
We include more, no hidden costs

Please note: this trip runs from Saturday to Friday throughout the season.
Prices are based on 2 adults sharing a standard double/twin room with 1 child in an extra bed however with older children an adjacent room will be more appropriate – please ask our Travel Experts for a quotation on this basis.
Dates
Departure dates between | |||
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Sat 21 Oct 2023
to Fri 27 Oct 2023 |
Adult price (per person):
£1175.00
to £1315.00 |
Child (8 - 12):
£795.00
to £895.00 |
Enquire |
Next season’s dates and prices
Departure dates between | |||
---|---|---|---|
Sat 30 Mar 2024
to Sat 13 Apr 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£1315.00
to £1475.00 |
Child (8 - 12):
£895.00
to £1005.00 |
Enquire |
Sat 25 May 2024
to Fri 31 May 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£1315.00
to £1475.00 |
Child (8 - 12):
£895.00
to £1005.00 |
Enquire |
Sat 29 Jun 2024
to Sat 24 Aug 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£1315.00
to £1475.00 |
Child (8 - 12):
£895.00
to £1005.00 |
Enquire |
Sat 19 Oct 2024
to Fri 25 Oct 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£1315.00
to £1475.00 |
Child (8 - 12):
£895.00
to £1005.00 |
Enquire |
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Holiday group size (approximate)
Minimum group size of 4 people and maximum 24 (approximately)
Group Size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate
Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.
Minimum and maximum age
The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.
Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.
Itinerary amendments
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.
Medical History and Advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
It is vitally important that you advise us prior to departure of any medical or dietary condition relating to any member of your party so that we may notify our local staff before you arrive. We recommend only drinking bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals and be vigilant about the use of ice in drinks and ice cream.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
The UK Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Booking activities locally
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are correctly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc.) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.activitiesabroad.com/booking-conditions
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
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It was perfect in every way and surpassed all our expectations. 08 August 2020 by Annette Morris & the Dean Randerson Family
We loved all of the activities but especially the ghyll scrambling. It was doable, exciting and safe for all ages and levels of ability. Not one of the activities was least enjoyable. They were all fantastic. Very well organised and perfectly tailored to our group. It was perfect in every way and surpassed all our expectations.
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We all had a great time 04 August 2018 by The Eisenberg Family
Simon was an excellent guide/instructor- very good with the kids, pushing them but also having fun with them. Thank you so much.
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Active Lake District 29 July 2017 by The Buijs Family Group
Simon our guide was great fun and knowledgeable, lovely that he brought his dog along, the kids loved that. Dwayne for abseiling and climbing was also excellent.
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Simon was a perfect guide 13 August 2016 by The Ward Family
Simon was a perfect guide and the activities were challenging and great fun. Mum liked walking up Scafell Pike; Dad liked rock climbing in a beautiful spot; the teenagers liked Ghyll Scrambling. Good to be in Keswick with teenagers, we swam in the lake and went shopping and to the theatre there.