3-Day England Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day England tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffEngland travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Days in Lake District, incl. Windermere and Keswick

  The Lake District reveals its charm from Manchester across 10 destinations including Ambleside, Keswick, and Grasmere. The route includes England's deepest lake, Wordsworth's Dove Cottage, and 5,000-year-old Castlerigg stones, with lodging in traditional Keswick B&Bs.

  

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  • Day 1

    Manchester to Lake District

    Morning: Leave Manchester at 10:00 AM from Store Street near Piccadilly Station. Get there by 9:45 AM and bring only carry-on sized luggage (14kg limit) since mini-coaches have limited space. The trip to Ambleside takes about 2 hours. Afternoon: Walk through Ambleside's stone buildings and stop for lunch at a local cafe. Take the drive up Kirkstone Pass, the highest driveable road in the Lake District, for stunning views. Visit Ullswater, known as England's most beautiful lake, and walk to Aira Force waterfall. The paths can get slippery, so wear good shoes. Evening: Check into Keswick, your home for two nights. You can easily walk around the town center, which has traditional pubs offering local ales and filling meals.

    
  • Day 2

    Castlerigg and Grasmere

    Morning: Visit the 5,000-year-old Castlerigg Stone Circle early. You'll get great photos in the morning light and might have the prehistoric site to yourself. Head to Grasmere next, which Wordsworth called "the loveliest spot that man hath found." Afternoon: Stop at Wordsworth's Dove Cottage (book ahead in peak season) and sample the local Grasmere gingerbread. Have lunch in Bowness-on-Windermere and take a lake cruise if you'd like. "The pace of the tour was great, with just the right combo of walking, hiking and riding," one visitor shared. Evening: Travel back to Keswick through Hawkshead village. Remember that B&Bs are usually 20-30 minutes on foot from town restaurants.

    
  • Day 3

    Lakes and Mountains

    Morning: Drive along Crummock Water and Buttermere for mountain views. Stop at Honister Pass to see the working slate mine and learn about traditional Cumbrian industry. Afternoon: Visit the Bowder Stone and take a final walk by Ullswater. Finish in Kendal, where you can try the famous mint cake. You'll reach Manchester around 18:30. A helpful tip from one traveler: "Consider the possibility of traffic delays, especially during summer months."

    

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• 3 Day Southern England Itinerary, incl. Isle of Wight and Portsmouth

  London, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, and Winchester form the pillars of this 3-day excursion. The package includes 2 nights at 3-star hotels, 2 breakfasts, and visits to Osborne House, The Needles, and Runnymede's Magna Carta site.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to Isle of Wight

    Plan to arrive at London Victoria by 9:00 AM for your 9:30 AM departure. The coach ride to Portsmouth takes about 2 hours. When you arrive, visit the Spinnaker Tower before noon to avoid crowds and enjoy clear views across the Solent. A 45-minute ferry ride will take you to the Isle of Wight. "The ferry ride was smooth and comfortable - grab a seat on the port side for the best views of Portsmouth's naval ships." If you have extra time before your ferry, visit the Mary Rose Museum. You'll need about 90 minutes to explore it properly, and it opens at 10 AM. Consider visiting Quarr Abbey in the late afternoon when sunlight bathes the Byzantine-style architecture in golden light.

    
  • Day 2

    Isle of Wight Exploration

    Start your day at Osborne House right when it opens at 10 AM to avoid tour groups. You'll find impressive Italian-inspired interiors, but make sure to visit the private beach and children's Swiss Cottage in the gardens. These spots offer a more intimate look at royal family life. The Needles are best visited in the afternoon. Skip the touristy chairlift station and head to the Old Battery viewpoint for the best photos of these famous chalk stacks.

    
  • Day 3

    Winchester and Return to London

    Take the 9 AM ferry back to Portsmouth. Winchester Cathedral opens at 9:30 AM. You'll want about 90 minutes to explore its historic interior and grounds. The Great Hall, home to the famous "Round Table," is just a 10-minute walk from the cathedral. When you visit Runnymede, remember the Magna Carta memorial requires a 15-minute walk from the car park. The path can get muddy after rain, so wear good shoes. You'll likely return to London Victoria around 5:30 PM, not 7:30 PM as listed. This gives you extra time for evening plans in London. One traveler notes: "Don't overpack - the 14kg luggage limit is strictly enforced and you'll be carrying your bag up hotel stairs."

    

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• Lake District From Manchester - 3 days

  Lakes and landscapes fill this 3-day tour of 8 locations including Ambleside, Grasmere, and Keswick. A 45-minute Lake Windermere cruise, Aira Force waterfall trek, and Castlerigg Stone Circle visit round out the experience. Two nights at selected Keswick guesthouses include daily guided excursions.

  

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  • Manchester England

    71 mi

  • Ambleside England

    7 mi

  • Lake District National Park England

    8 mi

  • Keswick England

    10 mi

  • Grasmere England

    7 mi

  • Windermere England

    3 mi

  • Hawkshead England

    10 mi

  • Kendal England

    62 mi

  • Manchester England

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