Lake District: The Federation on the ground

The Lake District: Wordsworth's Grasmere, Windermere's mirrored surface, the Langdale Pikes at dusk: is reached via Manchester Airport (ninety minutes onwards by driver) or by FFGR Jets to Carlisle. The Federation arranges private fell walking guides, lake-side picnics with Michelin-standard provisions, boat hire on Ullswater, and stays at the Samling or the Gilpin: two of England's finest intimate hotels. Combined with a Penrith Castle visit and a drive along Ullswater's western shore, a Lake District weekend is one of the most restorative experiences the British Isles offer.