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Great British Heritage

The Lake District – Arts & Crafts to Art Deco

Explore a world of wonder and tradition that inspired so many in the Arts and Crafts movement.
Discover the rich artistic and architectural heritage of the Lake District on this fascinating four-day tour led by Professor Anne Anderson. From elegant Arts & Crafts houses and remarkable church interiors to the legacy of John Ruskin, this carefully planned itinerary brings together some of the region’s most significant cultural treasures, set against a backdrop of lakes, fells and historic market towns.

Highlights include visits to Blackwell, one of Britain’s finest Arts & Crafts houses, and Broad Leys, a striking lakeside home designed in the same artistic spirit. Along the way, admire William Morris stained glass, explore historic halls and gardens that inspired generations of designers, and enjoy a cruise aboard the beautifully restored Steam Yacht Gondola on Coniston Water. With expert talks from Professor Anderson throughout the tour, this is an excellent opportunity to gain deeper insight into the people, ideas and craftsmanship that shaped one of Britain’s most influential artistic movements.

From

£1,695

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Three nights accommodation at the four-star Low Wood Bay Resort, Windermere, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.  
  • Discover Arts & Crafts and Art Deco in the Lake District
    Join Professor Anne Anderson for a rewarding journey through the Lake District’s Arts & Crafts heritage. Explore remarkable houses, churches and gardens, enjoy a cruise on Coniston Water, and discover the people, ideas and craftsmanship that helped shape this inspiring corner of Britain.
  • Your Expert Guide
    Expert guide Professor Anne Anderson throughout the tour.
  • Visits & Tours
    All talks, guided tours and admissions as per the itinerary.
  • Transport
    Coach touring as per the itinerary.
Meet Your Expert Guide

Professor Anne Anderson

Anne is an author, broadcaster and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, with a first degree in archaeology and a PhD in English. She was a senior lecturer in Art and Design History for fourteen years, specialising in the Aesthetic Movement, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism.

An experienced international speaker and published author, Anne has inspired Travel Editions travellers for more than fifteen years with her wit, wisdom and enthusiasm. Her tours reveal the connections between architecture, interiors and design, bringing the artistic revolutions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries vividly to life.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Day 1: Arrival and Introduction

Arrive independently from 15:00. Evening welcome drink, talk from Professor Anne Anderson, followed by dinner.

Backwell Arts & Crafts House ©Robin Zahler

Day 2: Blackwell, Broad Leys, and Troutbeck

Begin the day with a visit to Blackwell – The Arts & Crafts House, a masterpiece of design overlooking Lake Windermere. Explore its beautifully preserved interiors and decorative details that celebrate the Arts & Crafts movement. Next, enjoy a guided tour and lunch at Broad Leys, a stunning example of Arts & Crafts architecture and now home to the Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club.

In the afternoon, visit Jesus Church in Troutbeck, a peaceful village church renowned for its exquisite William Morris stained glass windows. Evening talk from Anne, then dinner.

Day 3: Coniston to Brantwood, and the Ruskin Museum

Travel to Coniston for a scenic cruise aboard the historic Steam Yacht Gondola across the lake to Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin. Tour the house and gardens, then return by boat to enjoy free time in Coniston.
Afternoon visit to the Ruskin Gallery before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 4: Midland Hotel and Levans Hall

This morning we visit the Midland Hotel, one of Britain’s finest examples of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architecture. Built in 1933, it includes distinctive Art Deco details such as Eric Gill’s seahorse sculptures and a dramatic spiral staircase overlooking Morecambe Bay. After lunch we visit Levans Hall, a privately owned house which is home to the world’s oldest
topiary gardens and provided inspiration to Arts & Crafts designers.

Return to the hotel for approx. 17.00.

Post-tour nights at the hotel are available at a supplement.

Availability

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Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
27/04/2027
Lake District
£1,695
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £240
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, Windermere
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa blends contemporary comfort with traditional Lakeland charm. The spacious spa features thermal experiences, relaxation lounges, and panoramic lake views. Guests can enjoy elegant dining, a cosy lounge with open fires, and beautiful gardens overlooking Windermere—ideal for unwinding in style after a day of discovery. Car parking is complimentary for Travel Editions guests.

Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. A balance reminder is sent approximately 10 days before balance due date. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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