01
Train north
Wigan North Western → Oxenholme · Avanti · direct
12—13 AUG
ONE NIGHT · SOUTH LAKES · SUMMER ’26
Tom’s coming
to the Lakes.
A tiny adventure for Katie & Tom — paddle Coniston, wander the woods, eat somewhere lovely and make 31 hours feel massive.
☀
26°WED · PARTLY SUNNY
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BASECAMPBobbin Mill CottageLow Stott Park · LA12 8AX
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MAIN EVENTCanoe Coniston2 hours · £35 for two
03
FORECASTWarm & bright26° Wed · 26° Thu
THE GOOD BIT
Our loose little plan
Enough structure to fit everything in. Enough space to change our minds.
Booked
02
Arrive in the Lakes
Meet up, grab a drink and head for Low Stott Park
03
Drop bags + easy lunch
Bobbin Mill Cottage, then a picnic or café stop on the way to Coniston
04
Canoe Coniston Water
Two-hour Canadian canoe hire — calm water, big views, just the two of you
05
Bluebird Café & lake wander
Post-paddle cake, cold drinks and a slow shoreline stroll
06
Golden-hour dinner
Go cosy at The Swan, Newby Bridge — or bring dinner home and eat outside
07
Sunset by Windermere
Lakeside is minutes from the cottage. Take a blanket and let the day fade out.
WEDNESDAY’S HEADLINER
Two paddles.
One canoe.
Minimal arguing.
Coniston Boating Centre hires Canadian canoes for two-hour slots. They provide buoyancy aids and the basics; previous experience is requested for canoe hire. Book ahead — summer spaces go.
£35FOR 2 PEOPLE
UP TO 2 HOURS
Check canoe availability ↗Hire can be cancelled if wind conditions are unsafe. Kayaks are the beginner-friendly backup.UP TO 2 HOURS
ACTUALLY IMPORTANT
Tom’s trains
Direct both ways. Tickets are in the Trainline email/app — and the 16–25 Railcard needs to come too.
OUTBOUND · WED 12 AUGAVANTI WEST COAST
10:26WIGAN NORTH
WESTERN
WESTERN
🚆44 MIN · DIRECT
11:10OXENHOLME
LAKE DISTRICT
LAKE DISTRICT
Advance Single · specified train · seat reserved · 1 adult
RETURN · THU 13 AUGAVANTI WEST COAST
17:47OXENHOLME
LAKE DISTRICT
LAKE DISTRICT
🚆43 MIN · DIRECT
18:30WIGAN NORTH
WESTERN
WESTERN
SplitSave tickets · stay on the same train through Preston · seat reserved
IF WE FANCY IT
Three brilliant detours
Pick one for Thursday afternoon. Trying to do all three is how lovely trips become admin.
ON THE DOORSTEPStott Park
RAIN-PROOFLakeland
MAXIMUM LAKESWindermere
Stott Park
Bobbin Mill
Working Victorian machinery, woodland and the satisfying knowledge of why your cottage has that name.
Explore ↗Lakeland
Motor Museum
30,000 exhibits, Bluebird speed legends and a riverside café. Adult entry £13.25.
Explore ↗Windermere
Yellow Cruise
A 90-minute return from Lakeside to Bowness. Big scenery, zero effort, £20.20 each.
Explore ↗THE “DON’T FORGET” LIST
Pack light.
Pack the Railcard.
Tap items as they go in the bag. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
0 of 8 packed