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Grasmere visit and lunch
Hadrian’s Wall photo stop
Border Stone photo stop.
· KBS itinerary states Hadrian’s Wall and Carter Bar photo stops. Double Check.
· Lunch will probably need to be incorporated into Hadrian’s wall stop.
· Entrances are paid by voucher.
· Call Dove Cottage to confirm your reservation as soon as you receive your TM envelope. SEE YELLOW PAGES FOR PHONE NUMBERS.
· YOU SHOULD LOOK TO LEAVE GRASMERE NO LATER THAN 11.30, IF YOUR BOOKING FOR DOVE COTTAGE IS LATER THAN 10.30 YOU MAY LOOK TO GIVE THEM FREE TIME IN THE VILLAGE PRIOR TO THE VISIT. THIS IS A LONG DAY.
Dove Cottage – visit
On approaching the village (A591) from the north, Dove Cottage will be at the eleven o’clock position, behind some cottages, when you turn right towards the village.
The cottage can only accommodate approx. 16 people at a time. Divide the group, if needed. One group can visit the museum whilst the others are in the cottage and then swap. Allow 1 hour depending on size of group. They may be allowed to explore the garden on a fine day. (Toilets here next to the museum – no charge unlike coach park)
Grasmere –
Coach Park – on the right, toilets (fee) and telephone.
CASHPOINTS – Currently only one in the Post Office.
Lots of places for lunching & shopping
Sites
St Oswald’s Church (Wordsworth Family Plot in graveyard)
Sarah Nelson Gingerbread Shop (through churchyard follow aroma!)
Dove Cottage (warn group to take care when crossing the busy A591)
Lake District to Edinburgh – possible Hadrian’s Wall choices:
Choice One:
This should only be considered if you can leave Lake District no later than 11.30. Otherwise follow route outlined on route march.
CHESTERS ROMAN FORT: Take the A69 at Junction 43 of the M6. After 16 miles, take the B6318 to Housesteads Fort. 9 miles further is Chesters Roman Fort. There is a small charge, they pay. This is a potential lunch stop, but call ahead a couple of days to warn the small café. The site contains a full ground plan of a Roman Cavalry fort, a Roman Bathhouse down by the river, and a Museum full of Roman antiquities.
From Chesters take the A6079 (north) for 4 miles and join the A68. Make a stop at Carterbar (border – ¼ hour) and again at Jedburgh (¼ to ½ hour). Take the A68 North, taking in a photo stop at CARTER BAR (border between England & Scotland). Jedburgh is a possible rest stop. Abbey has a car park & Toilets. Jedburgh Woolen Mill has toilets and café.
Allow 3½ hours from Chesters to arrival in Edinburgh, including stops.
Choice Two:
The Sill & Once Brewed: In 2017 the National Parks Authority opened a major Northumberland National Park Welcome Centre to be known as The Sill on the B6318, which includes an 86-seater café. Coach parking fee applies. From The Sill it is half a mile up to the Once Brewed parking area which affords a good photo section of the wall. (During Winter/ Spring the small car park should be empty enough to maneuver a coach, summer trips might be tricky. Discuss with driver). Take the A68 North, taking in a photo stop at CARTER BAR (border between England & Scotland). Jedburgh is a possible rest stop. Abbey has car park & Toilets. Jedburgh Woolen Mill has toilets and café.
Choice Three, but only if itinerary does not state ‘Carter Bar’ photo stop:
Birdoswald Roman Fort: At J43 on the M6, take A69, then follow brown tourist signs to bring you to B6318. Coach park 200 meters away from site entrance. Fort is 200 metres from the car park, entrance fee, small museum and well laid out foundations. Small café. Birdoswald also has a fine section of wall, if just stopping for a photo, can use the car park but no toilets, unless visiting the fort. From Birdoswald retrace your on A69 join the A689 and head for Gretna.