Women's Walking Adventures in the Lake District

Every year, International Women's Day invites us to reflect on how far we've come, and to think about what it really means to give women the space to thrive. At Ramble Worldwide, we've long believed that the world is more beautiful on foot, and that the outdoors has a quiet power to restore, challenge and connect us. Our Women's Activity Week at Hassness Country House in the Western Lake District is a celebration of exactly that.

 Nestled on the shores of Buttermere, it's a week shaped entirely around you: your pace, your goals, and your enjoyment. Whether you're a seasoned rambler or someone who's been quietly curious about trying something new in the great outdoors, here's everything you need to know.

Walking has always been a force for good. It clears the mind, strengthens the body, and has a remarkable way of putting life's challenges into perspective. When you add the Lake District as your backdrop, with its shimmering lakes, ancient fells, and valley paths that have been walked for centuries, the effect is something rather special. 

Our Women's Activity Week isn't something we created to mark a date on the calendar. It's something we created because we believe women deserve a week that's genuinely, unapologetically theirs: no compromise, no keeping up, just good company, great scenery, and the kind of activity that leaves you feeling quietly brilliant.

Our Women's Activity Week is a female-only, multi-activity break based at our very own Hassness Country House in the Western Lake District. Running over seven nights from Friday to Friday, it's a fun, non-competitive week that introduces you to a wonderful variety of outdoor pursuits in one of England's most spectacular settings. 

The programme weaves together hill walking on Buttermere's celebrated trails, Nordic walking through Whinlatter Forest (where red squirrels have been known to make an appearance), yoga and Pilates sessions, aerobics and circuit training, and a half-day on the water kayaking or paddleboarding. For the braver souls, there's even the option of a refreshing wild swim in the tranquil waters of Buttermere itself. 

There'll be no military-style boot camp moments. As our own tour description puts it: "There'll be no military people screaming at you to do push-ups in puddles or throwing you around an assault course." What there will be is early starts, fresh air, genuine encouragement, and the kind of home-made cakes that make every step worthwhile.

Walking holidays have a wonderful way of bringing people together, and many of our holidays attract a strong community of women. But our Women's Activity Week is something a little different. For many women, walking in a female-only group feels different. It feels easier, more relaxed, more honest. Conversations flow more freely. Worries about keeping up, or holding others back, tend to dissolve quickly. 

Our walk leader, Clare Bonnick, who has led every Women's Activity Week since it began, describes it well: "What makes this tour special is the unique combination of women coming together in their own shared space with no other guests, trying different activities that may take them out of their comfort zone." 

When you have the whole of Hassness Country House to yourselves, with no other guests, something shifts. The welcoming country-house atmosphere and the all-women group create a combination that's surprisingly hard to find elsewhere, and one that many guests say they didn't know they needed until they arrived.

Around half of all Ramble Worldwide guests travel solo, and our Women's Activity Week is particularly well-suited to solo travellers. If you've always wanted to try a walking holiday but weren't sure about going alone, this is the ideal place to start. 

There's an easy sociability to life at Hassness Country House that makes meeting people feel natural rather than forced. Shared packed lunches on the fell, afternoon cake and tea back at the house, and long evenings around a table with a view of the lake: these are the moments where friendships quietly take root. Many guests return year after year, and not just for the scenery. 

Clare notes that some guests have gone on to make significant life decisions after conversations during the week: "People have sometimes made big life decisions after discussing things with others on this tour. It's absolutely the unique combination that sets this apart." 

Whether you come alone or with a friend, you'll find your people here.

International Women's Day falls on 8th March each year, but the spirit behind it doesn't have to be confined to a single day. With dates available in May and July, it's well worth checking availability early. 

And for those moments when the week really delivers, it delivers in style. Clare shares the story of one repeat client who had found the ascent of Rannerdale Knotts terrifying the previous year, vowing never to attempt it again. A year later, fitter and in a far more positive frame of mind, she "completely aced the climb." Clare reflects: "It was a real pleasure to share that moment on the summit with her." 

That's the kind of week this is.

Our Women's Activity Week at Hassness Country House runs from Friday to Friday. Dates are available in May and July. 

To find out more or check available dates, visit the Women's Activity Week page on our website or call our reservations team on 01707 331133. We love talking about our holidays, and we'd be delighted to help you plan a week to remember.