Whisky, Vodka, Gin and a Cruise in the Lake District

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria, England

Your day starts with a climb, all the way up to the Kirkstone Inn, the highest inhabited building in the Lake District, for a stop to take in the views back down the valley right the way down to Lake Windermere and Ambleside. This once important coaching inn sits almost at the summit of the Lake District's highest pass that is open to motor traffic.
From here the road plunges down into the Kirkstone Pass properly with the valley walls rising up steeply on either side, past the church shaped rock from which the valley gets its name and on to the viewpoint for a photo stop of the ribbon of road as it descends down to Brothers Water. This lake was one of the first places in the Lakes to be acquired by the National Trust.


Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Ullswater Lake, Lake District, Cumbria, England

The thin strip of road winds past the lake, down to the Ullswater valley and on to the charming and popular village of Patterdale. This the starting point for a number of popular hill-walks, most notably the Striding Edge path up to Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in the Lakes. The only other village in this valley is Glenridding and it is here that we get our first glimpse of the National Park's second largest lake, Ullswater.
Here you join a 1 hour cruise on Ullswater to relax and see the stunning fells as the boat cruises the full length of the lake.


Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Stop At: The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria, England

You now rejoin your minibus as we leave Ullswater and head north and west towards Bassenthwaite Lake to The Lakes Distillery. This is an award winning distillery that produces Whisky, Vodka and Gin.
There is plenty of time for lunch in the Bistro at the Distillery. Set in a former Victorian cattle parlour, the Bistro's surroundings and inspirations are reassuringly solid, natural and rooted in the Lake District. This is reflected in their food; honest, generous and full of flavour. One of their main goals is to embrace the spirit of the Lake District. They achieve this by using regional ingredients where possible and having a key focus on freshness, flavour and simplicity.
Next, you will be taken on a guided tour of the distillery itself. After the tour you will be given the opportunity to taste a sample of each of the Whisky, Gin and Vodka produced here with expert guidance and a detailed explanation of each of the spirits. You will also be given a £5 voucher each that can be used to purchase any 70cl bottle in the shop on the day.


Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Lake Grasmere, Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England

You now head back towards Keswick and start the return journey to the southern lakes. On the way you will pass Thirlmere, and at the foot of the water, you then head over the mountain pass of Dunmail Raise.
Now the road drops steadily down from the fells and before long, we pass Grasmere village to drive along the shores of Grasmere.

Pass By: Rydal Water, Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria, England

The road winds along the shore until we come to Rydal Water. The water here is often mirror-like still with beautiful reflections of the surrounding fells.