Ten Lakes Tour from Windermere: Our Mountain Goat Review
Can the Ten Lakes tour really show you ten of the Lake District’s lakes in a single day, without you driving the narrow lanes and mountain passes yourself? On Midsummer’s Day in June, Doug and I found out.
We joined Mountain Goat’s Ten Lakes Spectacular tour from Windermere, a full day in a small minibus, taking in Castlerigg Stone Circle, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Keswick, and Grasmere, with lakes appearing around almost every bend. Our favourite moment came halfway through: sitting on the grass with a picnic, looking out over Derwentwater. Here is our full review.
We were guests of Mountain Goat on this tour, but as always, all views are our own.
Quick overview of the tour
| Tour | Ten Lakes Spectacular (Mountain Goat) |
| Departs | Windermere (we joined here); check the tour page for other pickup points and times |
| Length | A full day |
| Group size | Small group, in a minibus |
| Main stops | Castlerigg Stone Circle, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Keswick, Grasmere |
| Lakes on our day | Windermere, Grasmere, Thirlmere, Derwentwater, Buttermere and Ullswater among them |
| Not included | Food and drink |
| Reader discount | Code UKTRAV10 for 10% off Mountain Goat tours |
Check current prices and availability on the Mountain Goat website
Our Trusted Partner
Seeing the Lake District with Mountain Goat
If you would rather leave the driving to someone else, Mountain Goat is one of our trusted partners for exploring the Lake District. They have run small-group tours here for years, with experienced local guides who know the lakes, mountain passes and villages inside out. Tours depart from numerous locations across the Lake District, as well as York, Liverpool and Manchester, so there is usually an easy way to join wherever you are based.
UK Travel Planning readers save 10% with code
UKTRAV10
Why take a tour in the Lake District?
The Lake District is beautiful, but it is not an easy place to drive. The lanes are narrow, the passes are steep, and parking at the popular spots fills up early in summer. If you are not used to driving on the left, it can take the shine off the scenery.
On a small group tour, all of that is someone else’s problem. The guide knows where to stop, where you can park and what you are looking at, and you get to watch the fells go by instead of the road. For us, it also meant seeing the northern lakes around Keswick and Buttermere in one day, which would be a long, tiring drive from Windermere.
Our day
Castlerigg Stone Circle on the summer solstice
Castlerigg is one of Britain’s oldest stone circles, set in a field above Keswick with fells all around it. We were there on Midsummer’s Day, so we were far from the only visitors.
Plenty of people were marking the solstice among the stones, making it a more interesting stop than usual. On an ordinary day, it is a calmer place to stand and take in the views.
Lunch with a view of Derwentwater
The lunch stop is in Keswick, and we loved it. The British weather played ball, and the sun shone in a pure blue sky. We took a picnic and sat on the grass looking out over Derwentwater, with the fells reflected in the water. It is a simple thing, but on a sunny June day it was hard to beat, and it cost nothing.
If the weather is kind, we would do the same again. If it is not, Keswick has plenty of cafés and pubs to duck into.
Honister Pass and Buttermere
Driving over the pass was a highlight in itself. The road climbs steeply between the fells, and the views open out as you go, exactly the kind of road we were glad not to be driving ourselves.
On the other side, Buttermere was lovely: a quieter, wilder lake than Windermere, with the fells rising straight from the water.
Grasmere: Wordsworth’s grave and the gingerbread
Grasmere is the village most closely linked with William Wordsworth, and the poet and his family are buried in St Oswald’s churchyard. It is a peaceful spot and well worth a few minutes.
Right by the churchyard is the Grasmere Gingerbread shop, and there is always a queue. Doug always joins it; I am not a fan of gingerbread myself, so I leave him to it! If you want some, head there first, as the queue can take a good part of the stop.
Back over Kirkstone Pass
The return to Windermere came over Kirkstone Pass, past Ullswater, rounding off a day that really did feel like a tour of the whole Lake District rather than one corner of it.
That evening we walked up Orrest Head, just above Windermere, where you can see the whole length of the lake. If you are staying in Windermere, it is a lovely way to finish a day of touring.
Who this tour suits
We think this tour works for almost everyone. It is a good first day in the Lake District if you want to get your bearings and see which areas you would like to return to. It suits anyone who does not want to drive the passes, and it is ideal if you are staying in Windermere without a car.
The walking at each stop is short and optional, so it also works for travellers who cannot manage long walks or steep ground. The ground at Castlerigg is an uneven grassy field, so take care there if you are unsteady on your feet.
It depends on the weather. This is a day about views, and on a wet, misty day you will see a lot less of the fells. If your dates are flexible, keep an eye on the forecast and book for a clearer day.
Practical tips
- Bring (or buy) a picnic. Lunch is not included, and a picnic by Derwentwater was a wonderful part of our day.
- Dress for changeable weather. Bring layers and a rain jacket, even in summer.
- Join the gingerbread queue as soon as you arrive at Grasmere if you want some.
- Use our code. Use code UKTRAV10 for 10% off Mountain Goat tours.
Check prices and availability for the Ten Lakes Spectacular tour
Final thoughts
In a single day, the Ten Lakes tour covers a remarkable amount of the Lake District, and no one in your party has to tackle the passes. Our favourite parts were the simple ones: a picnic above Derwentwater, the view of Buttermere and the drive over the pass. If you are visiting the Lakes without a car, or just want a day off from driving, it is a lovely way to see the area.
To hear more about the Lake District from Mountain Goat, listen to our podcast chat with Briony, Visiting the Lake District: what to know before you go. You may also find our Lake District Travel Guide and our Lake District itinerary helpful.
