Rothay Garth

We have Planted 17 trees!

Credit: Cumbria Tourism

Make Cumbria Greener

Go CO2 free & we plant a tree!

Our mission is to make Cumbria Greener by 2037 by reducing the carbon footprint of those travelling into Cumbria to ensure the lakes may continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. We are joining forces with many hotels across Cumbria to encourage guests to help sustain the Lakes’ beauty. Join Innovation Catalyst and Lancaster University in their exciting cooperative-pilot project. Play an active role in the Green Experience. 

Plant a tree

Travel by public transport and we will offset your CO2 by planting a tree. Simply opt into the 'Go CO2 free and we plant a tree' when booking. If booking by email simply quote the code: 'GREEN' when making your reservation.

See below for more detail on our UK tree planting and ways to have a sustainably conscious stay!

Discover
Grasmere

Discover Grasmere

(Wordsworth museum and the heaton cooper gallery)

You can walk through the churchyard and visit the graves of the Wordsworth family (picking up some of the world-famous gingerbread on your way past) and then enjoy the Wordsworth Grasmere experience which has just reopened after a £6.5 million renovation project.

See the cottage where the Wordsworths lived and visit the museum. If the weather is good you could walk back around the lake and enjoy the wonderful views. If not, hotfoot it back to the Heaton Cooper art gallery and Mathilde’s cafe. The cafe has a modern airy design , an imaginative menu, and delicious homemade cakes which rival any in Cumbria. 

Hire
Mountain Bike

Hire Mountain Bike

Get to Windermere train station where you can prebook mountain bikes for hire. From the station head to the Windermere ferry and cross the lake with your bikes. On the other side, there is a great area for mountain biking on the fire tracks and through the woodland. 

You are bound to be peckish when you get back to Windermere. We recommend the award winning Crafty Baa (which has won the UK pub of the year.) The beer is great and the bar snacks are unpretentious and seriously delicious.

Visit
Ambleside

Visit Ambleside

If the weather is bad or you don’t fancy more walking then Ambleside is a great destination. There are two cinemas in Ambleside: Zeffirellis and Fellinis. Both are super spacious with comfortable seats for filmgoers, and also house vegan/vegetarian restaurants with great deals.

From Ambleside you can catch a lake cruise trip over to Bowness or take a beautiful stroll back to Grasmere along the coffin route.

Walk
The Hills

Walk The Hills

In grasmere you have stunning walks on every side and to suit all appetites. The 2 hour walk to Easedale Tarn is popular for it’s pretty waterfalls and the swimming at the top.

The wild and somewhat forgotten Alcock Tarn is also worth a trip, offering views over Grasmere towards the langdales. If you are looking for a longer walk you could head over loughrigg fell to skelwith bridge. For the big challenge the fairfield horseshoe is a full day out with huge views in every direction. 

Faeryland And The Rowing Boats

Faeryland And The Rowing-Boats
For something completely different, nothing beats the pure relaxation of hiring a rowing boat in faeryland. This extremely quirky cafe on the edge of grasmere lake rents out traditional rowing boats by the hour. Taking the boat out is incredibly peaceful – there are hardly any other boats on the lake, the quiet sploshing of the oars and the incredible landscape are the antidote to a stressful life.

Travel to Victorian House

From Manchester Picadilly

Option 1 Public Transport (2hr 55 min) Total of 0.01 metric tons of CO2E.

Windermere (83.2miles) by train to Windermere. Bus rail interchange to Grasmere village (9.9 miles Bus no. 555/599.) 

 

Option 2 Drive (1hr 39 mins)

0.02 metric tons of CO2E (based on an average miles per gallon of 38.8.)

From London Euston 

Option 1 Public Transport (4hr 40 min) Total of 0.02 metric tons of CO2E. 

London Euston by train Oxenholme Lake District (247.7 miles.) Oxenholme Lake District – Windermere (10.2 miles.)

Windermere-Bus Rail Interchange – Grasmere Village Hall (9.9 miles) Bus number 555/599. 1 minute walk to Victorian House Hotel.

0.02 metric tons of CO2E. 

Option 2 Drive (4hrs 42 mins) 278miles 

0.07 metric tons of C02E (based on an average MPG of 38.8)

The Innovation Catalyst is designed for SME leaders interested in connecting with academic expertise and like-minded peers to address the opportunities and challenges posed by the Net Zero Carbon agenda.

About Catalyst

Click on the map to see where CO2 free activities are located!

Request a room or more information

Please let us know if there’s anything else you wish to discuss or whether you require childrens beds, have any dietary requirements or need a dog friendly room.