Beatrix Potter, a pencil museum, eating, boating and walks.
7 days I think would be too much for most people, but hey if you like walking this is the place to be. Private tours to where? (see above)

we've only spent long weekends in the Lake District, but in different parts of it so if you want to see it all, you'd definitely need a week. Besides the endless walking [A.E. Wainwright spent his whole life walking the fells and recording his routes] there are gardens, boat trips, and stately homes to see.

There are a number of threads on this board dealing with the lake District and there was one recently where the poster had used Mountain goat tours [which I have seen but never used myself] and spoke highly of them.

here's the link:

http://www.mountain-goat.com/

you could also look at TA to see what other tour companies operate there.

Hi rb,

I'm also in the planning stages.

Here are a few things that I have found of interest to me:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/local-to-you/north-west/things-to-see-and-do/lake-district/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hilltop/
http://www.visitcumbria.com/kes/castlerigg-stone-circle.htm
http://www.holehirdgardens.org.uk/
http://www.levenshall.co.uk/
http://www.mountain-goat.com/
http://www.muncaster.co.uk/
http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wordsworth-house/

Hope this helps


http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/local-to-you/north-west/things-to-see-and-do/lake-district/

The Lake District is one of the most scenic parts of England. I've been numerous times and feel I have only just scratched the surface, so 7 days is a drop in the ocean - depending of course what your interests are.
I personally wouldn't contemplate going without using my car, but others seem to get by on public transport. You'll get around but you'll miss a lot.
Windermere is one of the busiest parts of the entire area, if not the busiest.
What time of year do you plan to visit? It's an area of the country that gets a LOT of rain so if you plan to do some walking and climbing then do have a plan B. It can rain and rain for days even in the summer!
There's a lot of literary connections in the area that go beyond Beatrix Potter. Wordsworth for instance, and the other Lake poets, plus Ruskin.
Ira - to your list could I add -
1) Blackwell, a beautiful Arts & Craft house open to the public
http://www.blackwell.org.uk/
2) Rheged - perfect for a rainy day
http://www.rheged.com/
3) Lakeland store - wonderful shop and a very good cafe
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/stores/windermere
4)Tebay Services - an award winning destination place for locals and visitors to buy wonderful food. We self cater when we stay in the Lakes and the meat, pies, cheese, bread etc here is terrific
http://www.westmorland.com/farm-shop-1

Is 7 days too much?

Well we had a yacht on Windermere for seven years and still found corners of interest.

In addition, to the very good suggestions above I would add

The theatre by the Lake : Keswick
Castlerigg stone circle Keswick
the walk around Derwentwater
Afternoon tea at the Michelin star Holbeck Ghyll

Its has done some very thorough research as those are off the beaten track places are really good finds. If any gets north Tullie house museum in Carlisle in very good.

I would second Morgana on Rheged but the same operators have lost the plot at Tebay service station. We pass there every Friday, a meal was second nature but not any more it isn't what it used to be just too big a grounp of companies now.

Mountain Goat have a very good reputation and the train service will get you to inland Windermere, Bowness is 3 miles down the road on the lake. The local bus service is very good and extensive.

I would base myself at Bowness in Windermere, although I do know an absolutely gorgeous and great value B&B at Ullswater.

What a shame about Tebay. I used to dream about their pies!
I agree about Ira's research. Holehird Gardens is a good call - we went there for the first time last year and thought it was beautiful. Free to get in, and they also give you a superb view of the Lakeland hills. We went on a beautiful, sunny clear day and a woman stood next to me with tears in her eyes saying it was the most beautiful view in Lakeland.
I've had lunch at Holbeck Ghyll and loved it. There's apparently a fab view from the dining room but it was a foul day and we couldn't see a thing!