The Northern Fells Ramblers’ Retreat
Escape to the tranquil north. Nestled in the shadow of the mighty Skiddaw and overlooking the serene waters of Bassenthwaite Lake, Lake District Castle Inn Hotel invites you to a rambling experience away from the crowds.
This retreat is a celebration of the “Secret Lakes.” While the rest of the District stays busy, the Northern Fells offer wide-open ridges, ancient woodlands, and the only true “Lake” in the Lake District. Whether you’re looking to bag your first Wainwright or simply wander through the Osprey-filled valleys, our historic coaching inn serves as your perfect basecamp for exploration and elegance.
Quiet Summits and Lakeside Serenity at Bassenthwaite
Weekend Retreat
Choose your dateThe Experience
The Skiddaw Massif
Rising directly behind the hotel, the Skiddaw range offers some of the most accessible and rewarding high-altitude walking in England.
Nature’s Sanctuary
Bassenthwaite is a National Nature Reserve. Our walks often include sightings of the famous Ospreys, red squirrels, and the peaceful shoreline paths that mirror the surrounding fells.
A Coaching Inn Welcome
After a day on the trails, swap your boots for slippers and settle into our cosy lounges. With oak beams and roaring fires, the lake District Castle Inn offers the quintessential “hiker’s reward.”
The Itinerary
Saturday: The "Back o' Skiddaw"
08:30 – Hearty Cumbrian Breakfast. 10:00 – The Latrigg & Lonscale Fell Loop: A guided ascent of Latrigg for the "best view in England" over Keswick, followed by a traverse of the dramatic Lonscale crags. 13:00 – The Fell-Top Picnic: Enjoy a chef-prepared rucksack lunch with views stretching toward the Solway Firth. 16:00 – Return to the hotel for a soak in the heated indoor pool or a relaxing sauna session.
Sunday: The Forest & The Heights
09:30 – Breakfast & Leisurely Check-out. 10:30 – Dodd Wood Discovery: A final guided walk through the Douglas Firs of Dodd Wood to the summit for a 360-degree view of three different lakes. 13:00 – Farewell Sunday Roast at the hotel before departure. After a day of exploration, swap your hiking boots for slippers and soothe tired muscles in our heated indoor pool and sauna before gathering around a table to recount the day's triumphs.
*Copyright – Images used with permission from Cumbria Tourism*