Search

Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

London and the Peaks and Lakes of England

London and Manchester rail loop with Peak and Lake District day trips

Illustration of London and the Peaks and Lakes of England

Railbookers runs this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation looping out from London to Manchester and back, traveling by UK Rail. Day 2 in London is a full-day guided tour, taking in St. Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, and a private Thames cruise. On day 3, a train continues to Manchester for a three-night stay. Day 4 is a small-group day trip to the Peak District, stopping in Eyam, Bakewell for its famous pudding, Monsal Head for viaduct views, and Castleton. Day 5 heads to the Lake District, with free time in Bowness, a scenic cruise on Lake Windermere, a train ride from Lakeside to Haverthwaite, and stops at Tarn Hows and Hawkshead. Day 6 brings the train back to London for a final evening. With three guided or small-group days built around independent time in both cities, this suits travelers who want structured countryside excursions alongside room to explore London and Manchester on their own.

What to know before you look closer

  • This package's evidence does not list specific hotels or accommodation tiers; confirm hotel details with the operator before booking.
  • Railbookers' description mentions the Yorkshire Dales alongside the Peak District and Lake District, but the day-by-day itinerary and inclusions list only detail day trips to the Peak District and the Lake District; confirm with the operator whether the Yorkshire Dales is part of your specific booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    Your Journey Begins in London

    Welcome to London! Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the day exploring the city at your leisure. Perhaps visit Buckingham Palace or stroll through Hyde Park.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    London

    After breakfast, join a full-day guided tour showcasing London’s most iconic sights. Begin with a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral before heading to Buckingham Palace to witness the famous Changing of the Guard. Continue to the historic Tower of London to explore its storied past and view the Crown Jewels, then enjoy a relaxing private cruise along the River Thames. Conclude your day with sweeping panoramic views over the city from the London Eye, leaving you with unforgettable memories of England’s vibrant capital.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Manchester

    London to Manchester

    Board a train to Manchester and check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. Spend the afternoon exploring Manchester’s vibrant city center, with its rich industrial heritage and bustling cultural scene.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Manchester

    Day Trip to The Peak District

    Today, Leave Manchester behind and head to the Peak District, starting with a visit to Eyam, a village known for its poignant history with the plague in 1666. Travel onwards to Bakewell, where you can enjoy the town's charm and taste the famous Bakewell Pudding. End your trip with a stop at Monsal Head for stunning views of the viaduct before exploring the quaint town of Castleton, then return to Manchester in the late afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Manchester

    Day Trip to The Lake District

    Escape to the Lake District from Manchester, beginning with free time in the charming town of Bowness, where you can explore shops and cafes by the lake. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Windermere, followed by a train ride from Lakeside to Haverthwaite, before visiting the picturesque Tarn Hows for stunning photo opportunities. Finally, explore the medieval village of Hawkshead, filled with shops and history, before returning to Manchester.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: London

    Manchester to London

    Travel back to London by train and check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Spend your final evening in London revisiting your favorite sights or exploring new ones.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7rail

    Your Journey Ends in London

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you’d like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements. B Save $100 Italy and the Amalfi Coast Save $100 per couple on our 'The Best of Italy and the Amalfi Coast' vacation. Trip Details Trip Highlights Immerse yourself in London’s top landmarks, ending with panoramic views from the London Eye Discover the natural beauty of the Lake District, Peak District, and Yorkshire Dales with private tours from Manchester What's Included Rail travel as per itinerary 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Manchester London city tour including the London Eye Small-group Day Trip to the Lake District from Manchester Small-group Day Trip to the Peak District from Manchester Trains UK Rail Trains in the United Kingdom are run by a number of operators under franchise agreements with the Government. The types of train and facilities therefore vary, even within ... Learn more Options for Your Railbookers Vacation Travel Onboard an Iconic Train Add Extra Nights in Any Destination Take a Roundtrip Journey or Experience a Trip in Reverse Combine Set Itineraries or Create Your Very Own Handpick Your Hotels, Sightseeing, Restaurants, and More Extend your River Cruise See a rail vacation you like, but think it would be even better with an extra day at the beginning or end of the journey? Or an extra day in between in a different destination? Or do you think a vacation would be better in reverse? Discover more options to customize your rail vacation today! Make it Your Own Other Vacations You Might Like Flash Sale London, Paris, and Rome London Paris Zurich Rome 8 Days From $1,459 pp Trip Details Save $100 London and Paris London Paris 7 Days From $979 pp Trip Details Flash Sale London, Edinburgh, and Dublin London Edinburgh Dublin 10 Days From $2,089 pp T

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A full-day guided tour visits St. Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, with a private Thames cruise and panoramic views.
  • Day 3A train carries travelers to Manchester, where the afternoon is free to explore the city center's industrial heritage and cultural scene.
  • Day 4A Peak District day trip visits Eyam's plague history, Bakewell's famous pudding, Monsal Head's viaduct views, and the town of Castleton.
  • Day 5A Lake District day trip brings free time in Bowness, a scenic cruise on Lake Windermere, a train ride from Lakeside to Haverthwaite, and stops at Tarn Hows and the medieval village of Hawkshead.
  • Day 6The train returns to London for a final evening revisiting favorite sights or exploring new ones.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Manchester
  • London city tour including the London Eye
  • Small-group Day Trip to the Lake District from Manchester
  • Small-group Day Trip to the Peak District from Manchester

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, rail travel is included as per the itinerary, on UK Rail between London and Manchester, plus a scenic train ride from Lakeside to Haverthwaite during the Lake District day trip.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation overall, though the London city tour on day 2 and the Peak District and Lake District day trips on days 4 and 5 are run as guided or small-group excursions.
What day trips are included from Manchester?
A small-group day trip to the Peak District, visiting Eyam, Bakewell, Monsal Head, and Castleton, and a small-group day trip to the Lake District, visiting Bowness, Lake Windermere, Tarn Hows, and Hawkshead.
Where do you stay?
The package includes 3 nights in London, split between the start and end of the trip, and 3 nights in Manchester, though specific hotels are not named in the evidence.

Similar journeys