Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake District, England, UK

Discover the character of northern England, from Manchester’s industrial legacy and influential music scene to Liverpool’s enduring Beatles heritage and maritime history, and into the Lake District to experience its dramatic landscapes, literary connections, historic villages and exceptional local produce.

Private Itinerary
7 Days

Journey Highlights & Signature Inclusions

Explore three very different sides of northern England, combining the cultural energy of Manchester and Liverpool with the timeless landscapes of the Lake District. Discover Manchester’s industrial roots and musical legacy, from the Madchester scene to Oasis and The Verve, before exploring Liverpool’s Beatles landmarks, historic waterfront and iconic Three Graces. In the Lake District, experience exceptional farm-to-table dining at L’Enclume, step into the world of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top, cruise Lake Windermere and travel through the western Lakes aboard the historic Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.

  • 6 nights in boutique 4- and 5-star accommodation
  • 6 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L)
  • Eight-course farm-to-table lunch at L’Enclume in Cartmel
  • Private guided walking tour of Manchester covering its industrial heritage and influential music scene
  • Small Group guided Beatles walking tour including Mathew Street and the Cavern Club
  • Small Group Liverpool heritage, history and culture walking tour
  • Entrance to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home and garden
  • Lake District shared sightseeing tour including the Six Lakes Spectacular and Lake Windermere cruise
  • Entrance to Muncaster Castle & Gardens including Hawk & Owl Centre and flying displays (dependant on season*)
  • Visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle and Grasmere
  • First Class-equivalent steam journey aboard the historic Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
  • First Class return train travel from Manchester to Liverpool
  • Private deluxe transport as indicated
  • Note: Hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included

 

*Muncaster Castle is closed in Winter. Optional substitutions include The Brantwood House & Gardens or Lowther Castle & Gardens

Discover The Itinerary

Explore your itinerary in detail, featuring carefully selected hotels, unique experiences, and premium inclusions designed to elevate your travel experience.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

DAY 1: Manchester

Industrial, creative, and energetic, welcome to Manchester! Meet your private driver for your transfer to your hotel where you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Perhaps explore the Northern Quarter’s independent shops and cafés, visit the National Football Museum, or settle into a traditional pub for your first taste of northern hospitality.

Treehouse Hotel Manchester

Overnight Hotel / or similar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Image from VisitManchesterImage from VisitManchester

DAY 2: Manchester

After breakfast, meet your private guide for an introduction to Manchester, a city transformed by the Industrial Revolution and later renowned for its remarkable contribution to British music and culture. Explore the Northern Quarter and discover the story of the Madchester scene, with connections to bands including Oasis and The Verve, alongside the city’s industrial past. Continue past the Royal Exchange, Midland Hotel, Manchester Town Hall and Albert Square before visiting the magnificent John Rylands Library, one of Manchester’s most atmospheric historic buildings and home to an extraordinary collection of rare books and manuscripts.
Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure, perhaps exploring the city’s independent music shops, galleries and bars or visiting the revitalised Ancoats neighbourhood.

Treehouse Hotel Manchester

Overnight Hotel / or similar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 3: Manchester – Liverpool – Manchester

After breakfast, catch the train from Manchester Victoria station direct to Liverpool. On arrival, discover the city’s extraordinary musical legacy on a shared Beatles small group walking tour, following in the footsteps of the Fab Four through Mathew Street, the Cavern Club, Whitechapel and other landmarks associated with their story, including the Beatles and Eleanor Rigby statues.
After time for an independent lunch, continue your discovery with a shared heritage, history and culture walking tour, exploring Liverpool’s waterfront and historic centre. See the magnificent Three Graces, including the Royal Liver Building, as well as the Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Town Hall, Exchange Flags and the medieval Seven Streets. Enjoy some independent time before returning to Manchester by train and spending your final evening in the city at leisure.

Treehouse Hotel Manchester

Overnight Hotel / or similar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 4: Manchester – Cartmel – Near Sawrey – Bowness-on-Windermere

After breakfast, meet your private driver and leave Manchester behind for the Lake District. Your first stop is the historic village of Cartmel, home to the acclaimed L’Enclume, where you’ll enjoy an eight-course farm-to-table lunch showcasing seasonal produce from the restaurant’s own regenerative farm. The experience reflects the Lake District’s strong connection between landscape, farming and food.
Continue through the spectacular scenery of the Lakes, with time to explore the Great Langdale area before visiting Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home in Near Sawrey. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the cottage and gardens, where the surrounding landscape inspired many of her beloved stories and illustrations. Continue to Bowness-on-Windermere, check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

The White House

Overnight Hotel / or similar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 5: Bowness-on-Windermere – Castlerigg Stone Circle – Grasmere – Bowness-on-Windermere

Today, set out on a shared Six Lakes Spectacular tour through some of the Lake District’s most beautiful landscapes. Travel through the mountains and valleys, stopping at Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of Britain’s most atmospheric prehistoric monuments, dramatically positioned with panoramic views of the surrounding fells. Continue to Grasmere, one of the Lake District’s best-known villages, closely associated with poet William Wordsworth and famed for its traditional gingerbread. After exploring the village and surrounding scenery, return to Bowness-on-Windermere and board a small group scenic cruise on Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake, before enjoying the remainder of the evening at leisure.

The White House

Overnight Hotel / or similar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

DAY 6: Bowness-on-Windermere – Ravenglass – Dalegarth – Muncaster Castle – Bowness-on-Windermere

Meet your private driver and travel west through the Lake District to Ravenglass, a historic coastal village and the starting point of the celebrated Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. Board the steam-hauled train for a nostalgic journey through the spectacular Eskdale Valley to Dalegarth, travelling through some of the Lake District’s most beautiful and remote scenery. Once you disembark, meet your driver to continue to Muncaster Castle*, a historic family home overlooking the Esk Valley. Enjoy independent time to explore the castle grounds and gardens, including the Hawk & Owl Centre, where you can see daily flying displays, before having lunch at your own pace. Return to Bowness-on-Windermere for your final evening in the Lake District.

(Please note that Muncaster Castle is closed in Winter months and will be substituted with other suitable options).

The White House

Overnight Hotel / or similar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

DAY 7: Bowness-on-Windermere

After breakfast, leave the Lake District behind and continue your journey, perhaps north towards the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh or beyond.

Upcoming Departures

Enjoy your private itinerary

Experience the freedom of a private, fully customisable itinerary with Ormina Tours. This itinerary can start on any date, with options to adjust activities, upgrade experiences, and tailor every detail to suit your travel style, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey designed just for you.

  • Depart on any date you choose
  • Fully customisable
  • Unique activities
  • Comfort and privacy

 

*Note: Muncaster Castle is closed in Winter. Optional substitutions include The Brantwood House & Gardens or Lowther Castle & Gardens

From $4,790 AUD PP

Upgrade Options

  • Upgrade to a 5-star hotel: recommended – Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (Manchester), or Langdale Chase (Lake Windermere), with scenic lake views and a tranquil setting
  • Experience Manchester’s sporting heritage with a guided stadium tour, going behind the scenes at one of the city’s iconic football grounds
  • Upgrade with a private guide in Liverpool for a more personalised exploration of the city
  • Explore the Northern Lake District privately with your own driver-guide for a personalised tour and a private cruise on Lake Windermere

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Ormina Tours provide?

Ormina Tours provides land services in Europe. We cover most of Europe and are continually expanding. If your destination is uncommon, please contact us to confirm availability.

We offer Small Group Journeys on set departure dates (max. 12 guests for 2026), tailored private journeys (full F.I.T. services), and booking and coordination of accommodation. From airport transfers to fully customised European travel, we cover everything, except flights

Where is Ormina Tours based, and do you serve clients worldwide?

We are an Australian company with offices in Sydney and Perth, as well as a team in Europe to ensure seamless service delivery. While based in Australia, we cater to clients globally and partner with over 250 travel agents across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

When is the best time to visit Europe, and do your tours operate year-round?

Europe offers charm year-round. May and September are popular for Australians, while beach destinations are busiest in August. Most Small Group Journeys run between April and October, while private journeys are available year-round. Early planning (at least 6 months) is recommended for busy regions like the Amalfi Coast.

Is travel insurance required?

Yes, we require all clients travelling to have travel insurance as this is a requirement for Tour Operators Insurances, otherwise guests must sign a release and discharge of liability waiver for us to accept the booking. If you need assistance arranging insurance, just ask.

Do you cater to travellers with mobility challenges?

We tailor all journeys to our client’s travel preferences and needs, including any mobility challenges whether it is special vehicles, travel scooters, hotel rooms with accessible showers and hoists. We also have expertise on most attractions and towns to know which are more accessible than others.

With our Small Group Journeys, any significant mobility challenge requires an accompanying minder/helper to attend on the tour as it is not always possible for our Tour Directors, drivers and guides to offer continuous care in a group environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

What is the group size, and what happens if only two people book the tour?

Our Small Group Journeys are designed for a maximum of 10 guests (12 guests in 2026) to ensure an intimate experience. A minimum of 2 guests is required to guarantee departure (4 guests in 2026).

Should fewer than four guests be booked, you will have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy the same itinerary as a private journey at a preferential rate, giving you the confidence and certainty to book in advance. If you do not wish to undertake the small group journey itinerary as a private journey and we advised within the require deadline as disclosed, we will provide you with a full refund.

What is included and excluded in a Small Group Journey?

Our itineraries include accommodation, transportation, guided activities, and meals as marked – B (breakfast), L (lunch), or D (dinner). Exclusions typically include flights, city taxes, personal expenses, and any items not explicitly listed in the itinerary.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is optional but appreciated for exceptional service. After booking you will be provided with some tipping guidelines should you choose to do so.

What is the luggage allowance?

Each guest can bring one standard checked bag and one carry-on. Please inform us if you need to bring extra luggage.

What is a private journey?

Private journeys (named City Breaks and Regional Discoveries) are not tours with other people. They are suggested itineraries for the city/region that can be fully customised with prearranged services, allowing independent exploration.

Can I choose my hotel?

For private itineraries, we recommend hotels in our itineraries, we can certainly work to accommodate your preferences.

Hotels are set for Small Group Journeys but you can opt to upgrade your room.

What currency are your tours priced in?

Tours (that is our Small Group Journeys) are priced in AUD for Australian residents, NZD for New Zealand residents, and USD for US residents. Other nationalities will pay in AUD unless otherwise arranged.

Prices are fixed once paid in full. In rare cases of significant currency fluctuations, unpaid bookings may be subject to price adjustments. If this occurs, we will contact you or your travel agent to advise you and you will have the option to either pay the full tour price by a certain date or accept the increase.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, though credit card fees may apply. Domestic wire transfers are also accepted.

What deposit is required?

Deposit amounts vary on the size of the booking and whether the booking includes tickets and admissions that maybe non-refundable or non-transferable after purchase. Full payment is due 3 months before your first service date.

Can I change or cancel my booking after making a deposit?

Changes incur a $100 fee per request unless additional services are added. Cancelling more than 50% of services is considered a cancellation, and fees will apply.
Any cancellation made by you prior to your travel (including any changes to your departure date) will result in the following cancellation fees:

Days of notice from notification to first date of service:

  • 91+ days: Loss of deposit
  • 90–75 days: Loss of Booking Deposit and 50% of the balance of the Tour Price
  • 75 days or less: Loss of Booking Deposit and 100% of the balance of the Tour Price

We always advise our clients to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unforeseen cancellations.

What are Ormina Tours’ COVID-19 guidelines?
  • Follow local laws, wear masks, and maintain social distancing as required.
  • Do not travel if you are symptomatic, recently exposed, or COVID-positive.
  • Stay updated on airline and country-specific protocols.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Reach out to our team for personalised assistance and start planning your next European adventure with Ormina Tours.