If you’re considering a ‘Staycation’ this summer, then perhaps a short trip to the Lakes, right on our doorstep, is an option. If so, then you might be interested in some new pleasure and pedal packages from lake cruise company Ullswater ‘Steamers’.
New Electric Bike Cruise Explorer Tours combine a lake cruise on England’s most beautiful lake, Ullswater, with a guided electric bike tour led by an experienced and inspirational Blue Badge Guide – a mine of information and interesting facts and figures.
Two different options are available. Tour 1, running on 16th June, is a Lowther-themed tour that also has strong daffodil connections built into its itinerary. The tour starts at 9.30am at Pooley Bridge Pier House at the top of Ullswater for a 9.45am sailing to Howtown. The group disembark to mount their electric bikes, which will be the wind beneath their wings for the rest of the day.
The guided cycle tour includes visiting Gowbarrow, where William Wordsworth saw the daffodils (Lenten Lilies) that inspired his most famous poem. The itinerary then takes the cyclists to Eusemere, Barton Church, Askham village and Lowther Castle, for a tour of the castle and gardens.
En route, the party enjoy a light lunch at the Queen’s Head, Tirril, consisting of home-produced cold meat pie, bread and butter and chutney, with a bowl of chips to share. This tour ends at Pooley Bridge at approximately 5.00pm.
Tour 2 runs on 5th May and 26th July with a Dacre theme. The day starts at Pooley Bridge Pier at the top of the lake at 9.30am for the 9.45am sailing to Howtown. Once everyone is in the saddle of their electric bike, the group will depart for Howtown village, Sharrow Bay and Eusemere, taking in Dacre Church (home to the megalithic stone Dacre Bears and ancient crosses), Dacre Castle and a rare breeds farm at Stoddah famed for its venison and beef (Deer ‘n’ Dexter).
Great views and lots of wildlife sightings are assured and the group can purchase items for their saddlebag from Deer ‘n’ Dexter, if they wish.
This tour enjoys a light lunch at the Horse & Farrier in Dacre, consisting of soup and bread and butter and ends at Pooley Bridge at around 4.30pm.
Both of these tour experiences are available to adults and children aged 14 and above (the legal age required for the riding of an electric bike on the road). With electric power behind them, the cyclists should all be able to tackle the routes with ease, allowing the electric power to take the strain of any hills and rises and kick in when the legs need some help.
• The Lowther tour costs £45 per person and the Dacre tour £40 per person. Book at www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk or call 017684 82229.