Regional UK Departs: Featuring From Manchester Magnificent Lake District and Historic North-West England

22nd January 2026

Our Regional UK Local Departures Series

**** Featuring – From Manchester Magnificent Lake District

and Historic North-West England ****

Image – the Beautiful Tranquillity of Lake Windermere 

A warm and friendly Hello from our Lovely Teams at Backpacker Tours and with our sister-site Best Value Tours, we are delighted to continue our ‘‘Regional UK Local Departures Series‘  series and more great – Helpful Information

For Contact details and do shout with any questions, we are here to help – WhatsApp, Web-Message, Email or use Contact Us. Plus also see our amazing collections; Stonehenge Tours, Stonehenge Inner circle Tours, Regional Depart Day Tours, UK/Ireland Day Tours, London Tours, UK 2-3 Day, Scotland Tours, UK/Ireland Multi-Day Tours, European, Worldwide, Festival and Events, Adventures, Wildlife and Conservation, Safari, Trekking, Ski and Board, Cruise Surf Sail and much more see Backpacker Tours and Have Fun 

From Manchester Magnificent Lake District and Historic North-West England

Image – Serenic Coniston Water, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Interesting local tour history – Coniston Water lies at the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, a beautiful and tranquil region of outstanding natural beauty and is the region’s third largest lake and has attracted settlement and visitors for thousands of years. By the nineteenth century it had become a popular tourist destination, admired for its surrounding fells and clear waters.

The village of Coniston, on the eastern shore, developed alongside this interest and today reflects its heritage through the Ruskin Museum, celebrating John Ruskin and local history. Coniston Water is renowned for innovation and speed. Donald Campbell set several world water speed records here, forging an international reputation. This legacy continues through the annual Coniston Power Boat Records Week.

From Manchester Magnificent Lake District and Historic North-West England

We leave the vibrant city of Manchester behind and travel north into one of England’s most celebrated landscapes, the Lake District National Park. As the scenery unfolds, shimmering lakes, rugged mountains, and ancient woodlands surround us, revealing why this region has long been known as a poets’ paradise. It inspired literary greats such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, and it continues to enchant visitors with its timeless beauty.

Our first destination is Bowness-on-Windermere, beautifully positioned on the shores of England’s largest lake. Here, you can choose to relax on a leisurely 45-minute cruise across Lake Windermere, taking in the ever-changing views from the water, or enjoy free time wandering through the town and admiring the surrounding landscapes at your own pace.

The journey continues through some of the Lake District’s most dramatic scenery as we travel along the spectacular Kirkstone Pass, where sweeping mountain views provide unforgettable photo opportunities. We then arrive in the charming village of Grasmere, famously described by Wordsworth as “the loveliest spot that man hath found.”

You’ll have time to visit Dove Cottage, sample the renowned Grasmere gingerbread, or simply unwind in the peaceful Wordsworth Daffodil Garden beside the River Rothay. Later, we travel past the southern tip of Windermere to the tranquil beauty of Coniston Water, where fresh air and stunning views await.

Our final stop is the picturesque village of Hawkshead, rich in history and charm, with cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages. After exploring, we return to Manchester, arriving at approximately 7.30pm.

For Contact details and do shout with any questions, we are here to help – WhatsApp, Web-Message, Email or use Contact Us. Plus also see our amazing collections; Stonehenge Tours, Stonehenge Inner circle Tours, Regional Depart Day Tours, UK/Ireland Day Tours, London Tours, UK 2-3 Day, Scotland Tours, UK/Ireland Multi-Day Tours, European, Worldwide, Festival and Events, Adventures, Wildlife and Conservation, Safari, Trekking, Ski and Board, Cruise Surf Sail and much more see Backpacker Tours and Have Fun 

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Please see below for more previous ‘Helpful Posts’

from Backpacker Tours and our sister-site Best Value Tours

Steam Train Yorkshire Moors to East Coast Whitby 

Step into one of Britain’s most historically rich landscapes: the Yorkshire Moors. This remarkable region has shaped centuries of life through religion, farming, mining, fishing, and even smuggling. Scattered across its rolling hills are more ancient monuments than anywhere else in the UK—mystical standing stones, weathered stone crosses, and age-old burial mounds—making it an ideal destination for a rail escape steeped in heritage.

Jurassic Coast & Salisbury Tour from Bath

Embark on an enriching full day tour from Bath, designed to unveil England’s exceptional heritage. This tour sweeps across ancient urban centres and spectacular sea-carved shores, unearthing narratives that stretch across countless centuries. Immerse yourself in two distinguished UNESCO World Heritage Sites during one memorable outing. This tour seamlessly interweaves breathtaking natural splendour with profound historical resonance.

Magnificent Salisbury Cathedral

Small Group Touring 

With maximum of 16 guests offers a fabulous personal small group chilled experience with your expert local guide, in a luxury air-coned mini-coach so great for backroad touring where the larger coaches cannot access touring Britain’s regions of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

Small Group Stonehenge, Avebury and Stunning Cotswolds Day Tour from Bristol and Bath

Small Group Touring – Visit Stunning Cotswolds one of Britain’s regions of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

Helpful Information – Please see below for details; reaching Bristol and Bath – This tour departs from Bristol and Bath in South West England. If you are departing from other regional locations in the South, South west and Wales, Bristol and Bath can be easily reached by train. There are direct trains from most regions including Newquay Cornwall, Plymouth, Exeter, Salisbury, Southampton. Cardiff, Swansea and many more.  Visit the official National Rail Site for Train Times

More Helpful Links

Stonehenge Depart from London Day Tours – Stonehenge Morning Inner Circle, Lacock and Bath, Stonehenge Morning Inner Circle, Windsor and Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath, Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cotswolds, Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath with Lunch in Lacock Cotswolds, Stonehenge and Windsor Castle, Stonehenge Half Day, Stonehenge and all afternoon in Bath

More Depart from London Day Tours – Harry Potter Behind the Scenes Studio Tour, Windsor Castle Half Day, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich, Cardiff Day Trip, In Depth Cotswolds with Lunch in Bilbury, Day Trip to the Isle of Wight with Osborne House

London Tours – Full Day Highlights of London Tour, London Royal Highlights: Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace Tour, London Tour with Harrods Cream Tea & Private River Cruise, Tower of London and Windsor Castle Tour, London Open Top Bus Tour & River Cruise with Optional London Eye or Fish & Chips

London Themed Tours – London Classic Rock and Beatles Tour, Vintage Open Top Bus London Tour with Harrods Cream Tea, Camden Music Walking Tour London, Taylor Swift London Walking Tour, London Music Walking Tour in Soho, James Bond Walking Tour 

Depart Scotland Day Tours – Lochs, Castles and Kelpies, Alnwick Castle and Bamburgh, West Highlands and Loch Lomond, Outlander Trail, Waterfalls, Warriors and Whiskey, Loch Ness and Highlands, Fife and St Andrews Coastal Trail, Harry Potter Highlands and Hogwarts Express

Helpful Information to Enjoy Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours in 2026

For a truly unforgettable experience, the Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour is an absolute must to unlock the magic of this mystical and ancient monument, with 1000’s of years of fascinating and much varied history, from the Druids to the Romans, to modern day and everything in between. An exclusive inner circle or also know as private access visit, offers rare access inside the world’s most famous prehistoric monument, which only a few privilege visitors get to enjoy each year.

On our inner circle tours you will be accompanied by an expert Stonehenge Guide who will bring the stones to life for you. Show you and explain the phenomenal ancient mathematical accuracy of the calculations made. How astonishing our ancient ancestors were able to align the vast Sarsen stones and not so small Blue Stones, to all but perfection alignment for; various alignment throughout the astronomical calendar with the sun and moon, setting and rising.

A quite remarkable achievement with the resources 2000 years when the current version of a monument on that site stands. A small part of the 5000 year history at this site of monuments and celebrations. All consumed into the magic the stones hold and that can truly feel as part of the memorable inner circle experience, come see for yourself, it is real.

Stonehenge Inner Circle Calendar

The Stonehenge Inner Circle Summer is considered March to September and most inner circle tours run during that period. Due to ground conservation reasons, currently Stonehenge do not allow access tours in October or November each year. Although there is general talk with more modern conservation techniques this may change in the future and we will announce if that happens.

The inner circle tours are morning or evening (evening when available). There are only limited dates throughout the year when it is possible to be inside the stone circle for the actual sunrise or sunset. If that is an ambition for you, please contact us (contact details below) and we will help free of charge. The time slots most tours enjoy, just after sunrise or just before sunset are spectacular and the way the sun and the moon align with the sun and moon will all make sense, all brought to life by your entertaining and knowledgeable, Stonehenge Expert Guide.

Due to lack of daylight hours, the evening/sunset tours only run March until September, however there are a good amount of morning tours still available December to February. Christmas, there is no access Christmas Eve, Day or Boxing Day, New years Eve or Day.

A wonderous time of year and each year; 20th June Sunset and 21st Sunrise, the site becomes as it has been since ancient times, a place of celebration, worship, music, drum, pipes and much merriment. We offer two outstanding Solstice tours that include options for sunrise, sunset and much more, further details below and we cannot recommend more highly this joyous and invigorating experience.

In Preparation for and clear up after, the Summer Solstice Events, Stonehenge are unable to offer access 16th to 19th and 22nd to 30th June each year. Thus as you will imagine as is by then peak summer, the weeks or so before or after 16th to 30th June are the most in demand of the year and the most popular dates sell out rapidly after launch (expected later this week). If you would like any guidance or assistance with this please contact us (contact details below). We are happy to deal with any questions you have and this is a completely free service.

This still leaves many 100’s of inner circle tours that are available each year and we will be delighted to help you find (free of charge) you best and best Value option and again our contact details are below. We have been commended for outstanding customer service so feel free to contact our knowledgeable and friendly agents whom will be delighted to help with your Stonehenge questions.

Beyond closure dates that occur each year as set out above. English Heritage/Stonehenge occasionally allow filming or other events at Stonehenge, when again inner circle access is not possible. as example there were block dates for filming this year 22nd to 30th September. We have advance notice of such events or filming, so can help you in your holiday date planning. if the Stonehenge inner circle is a must do for you, it is wise to plan that element, before if possible you finalise your holiday dates.

Charming, Vibrant, Colourful and Musical. Various Morris Dancers groups most welcoming attend the Solstice adding much Joy.

Finally a note on prices, which so sorry are frustratingly not cheap, however they are nevertheless still exceptional value. If you extract out any individual entrance costs, the actual tour cost is quite small. Plus great value as luxury transport with free wi-fi and your expert guide are also included. So amazing value for which we promise, will be a memorable and maybe spiritual experience that many experience inside the mystic and mythical ancient stone circle. Come and feel it to believe it.

More randomly, there are occasions when Stonehenge allow filming and so forth, as example 22nd/30th September  this year, so no access were available then. if you would like some help planning your inner circle experience please do contact us, details below and it is a free service.

Whilst so sorry the inner circle tours are not cheap, they are nevertheless still exceptional value, as include all entrance fees. If you extract the attractions entrance fees which are all expensive, you will find the actual tour cost is amazing value. Not least as includes an expert Stonehenge Guide, who will bring the stones alive for you and explain the astonishing accuracy of the alignment of the sun and moon, sunrise and sunset with the stones. Genuinely magical and enchanting.

The regular inner circle tours only depart and return from London, there are no regional departures. So sorry we can only help with tours, if you want Stonehenge Inner Circle tickets only English Heritage will be able to help with that and sorry it is not possible to meet any of our tours en-route or at Stonehenge.

2026 Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours / Dates

Evening Sunset Tour

2026

3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th and 24th March 2026

4th or 7th April 2026

2nd, 5th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 19th 23rd, 26th or 30th May 2026

2nd, 6th or 9th June 2026

4th, 7th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st or 28th July 2026

1st, 4th, 8th, 11th, 18th, 22nd, 25th or 29th August 2026

1st, 5th, 8th, 15th or 19th September 2026

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