A relaxed weekend based in Kendal, bringing 22 cars together for Honister, Whinlatter, Hartside and flowing Pennine roads.
The Lakes Route 2026 brought together 22 cars — including McLarens, Aston Martins, Ferraris and 911s — for a relaxed weekend of driving, scenery and good company. Castle Green Hotel acted as the single base, with a smaller car park reserved exclusively for Route GT throughout the weekend.
That fixed base changed the feel of the event: guests could arrive on Friday, settle in, reconnect and then enjoy two full driving days without repacking or relocating.
Friday arrival, Saturday in the Lakes and Sunday across the Pennines.
Many guests arrived on Friday and settled into Castle Green Hotel, which remained the base for the whole weekend. Route GT had exclusive use of a smaller car park, creating a private line-up of 22 cars every time the group returned.
The evening gave new guests time to settle in and returning members time to reconnect before the driving began.
Saturday began in sunshine and moved into the fells over Honister Pass, followed by Whinlatter and a forest lunch stop. The afternoon opened into faster A-roads before the route climbed across Ault Whits Brow and paused beside the water.
Back at the hotel, a three-course dinner closed the first driving day in a relaxed, social setting.
With Kirkstone Pass still closed, the route diverted around Ullswater and climbed Hartside Pass before running across the Pennines. Long, flowing roads and wide views gave Sunday a different character from the tighter Lake District sections.
The group returned to the hotel for the closing event, with an optional Sunday lunch giving those who had time one final chance to sit together before heading home.
