Windermere, Hill Top & Grizedale - £60pp - Official Guided e-Bike Ride

Official Lake District National Park Authority Cycle Tour

All National Parks in England and Wales have two main purposes :

1. Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
2. Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public.

A Bike Tour with purpose...

The Lake District National Park has its own fleet of electric mountain bikes at Hawkshead. Here you have the opportunity to join a Bike Tour with the purpose of fullfilling the Authorities 2nd Purpose as above. So, we will be heading out with the aim of exploring, enjoying and understanding the special qualities of your National Park by bike!

The Lakeside Explorer

From Hawkshead to Wray Castle, Lake Windermere, Hill Top, Grizedale, Coniston and back.

About the Tour

You’ll start this tour in pretty Hawkshead Village, where Beatrix Potter used scenes of the village in her famous illustrated books, we’ll head through farmland, home of the Herdie’s, past stone barns, to Wray Castle, the Potter family’s first Lake District holiday home. Next, we’ll pedal along the peaceful western shore of England’s largest lake, Windermere, before climbing (easy on an e-bike!) to visit Hill Top, Potters Lakeland home. (Entrance Fee extra) Then it’s on to Grizedale Forest where we will explore on peaceful traffic free trails with glimpses of the forests Sculpture Park, created in 1977, and stunning mountain views. Enjoy freewheeling down to Coniston Water for a Lakeside lunch stop. The village is home of Donald Campbells famous Bluebird jet powered boat. The return offers countryside views which inspired William Wordsworth.

Your Ride Leader

Hi, my name is Paul, I am a Bike Tour Leader for the Lake District National Park. I have been guiding since 2010, first as a Mountain Bike Guide in Greece & Turkey, then as a Bicycle Tour Guide for Cruise Ship guests across the Mediterranean. Having joined the National Park in 2019 I currently work at Hawkshead Bike Hire & Tourist Information Centre & consider it a huge privilege to be a able to help its visitors explore by bicycle on rental bikes and guided rides! I look forward to seeing you on a tour!

If you have any questions about this tour & to book, please WhatsApp message or call me directly on 07532 269320 anytime.

Cost

£60 per person. Age 16+

This includes your e-bike, helmet & guided ride which is about 4 to 5 hours including a stop for lunch. (Please bring either a picnic or money for cafe / pub stop)

Group Size

Maximum 6 riders

Minimum 2 riders for the tour to go ahead

These scheduled rides are for open booking - join these with your friends, or alone - you may find new friends!

How to book

1. Contact your ride leader, Paul on WhatsApp 07532 269320 to check the tour is available.

2. Reserve your spot on the guided ride using eventbrite

3. Book and pay for your e-bike online here:

Hawkshead bike hire : Lake District National Park

4. Contact your ride leader, Paul on WhatsApp 07532 269320 to confirm the tour is booked.

Meeting Point

Hawkshead Bike Hire & Tourist information Centre - Advanced Bookings Only

Contact Us

If you have any questions about booking the tour, please contact the Ride Leader, Paul, directly or alternatively contact Hawkshead Bike Hire & Tourist Information Center.

Hawkshead Bike Hire & Tourist Information Center

Main Street, Hawkshead

LA22 0NS

015394 40277

Hawkshead.TIC@lakedistrict.gov.uk

Open 7 days a week: 9.30am to 4.30pm

How to get to Hawkshead

There is Bicycle Parking, Bus Stop & large pay and display car park directly opposite the Tourist Information Centre. Please arrive by Bicycle or Bus if possible. The Stagecoach 505 & Seasonal Cross Lakes Shuttle 525 from Bowness both stop outside the Centre.

FAQ’s

Is there a minimum age for the guided ride?

Yes, all riders must be 16 or above. Persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (18+)

What level of rider is this suitable for?

You should be a competent cyclist for this ride. We recommend previous e-biking experience although not essential.

What terrain will we cycle on?

The route is mostly quieter roads and gravel cycle paths. There are some short steeper sections, both on and off road, but nothing too rocky. There may be roads with a bit of traffic, we try and avoid these where possible. You should be comfortable cycling in all of these conditions.

How long will the tour be?

About 4/5 hrs, 25 miles - The exact distance and time will depend on the ability of the riders, weather, safety reasons and other factors, such as length of stops for sight seeing, photos, lunch etc. The tour leader can change the route and cancel the tour as they deem necerssary.

Do you offer private tours?

Yes we do, these are available on request. You can go at your own pace and the route can be chosen to suit you. Please WhatsApp message your Lake District National Park Guided Ride Leader, Paul on 07532 269320.

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The Lake District National Park Authority is proud to be able to offer this service to it's visitors and we hope that you enjoy your cycle tour.

Every penny you spend with us goes back into caring for your park.