BBgt

In my recent post on our N. England and Scotland itinerary, it was suggested that we start by flying into Manchester and going to the Lake District before driving on to N. Yorkshire, Northumberland and into Scotland. I'm not crazy about the idea of spending the night in Manchester, but also don't want to drive straight off an overnight flight. I see that trains go from MAN to Penrith, but then it looks like we'd have to take a bus to Keswick, which is where we've considered staying. Is this about the sum of our options, or am I missing something? Bottom line is, I'm trying to decide whether to start our trip in Manchester or Edinburgh for the above mentioned destinations.

jamikins

You can take the train direct from Manchester Airport to Oxenholme. From there you can catch a quick shuttle train to Ambleside or Kendal. I think that only takes about 15 mins on the shuttle and Ambleside is lovely. I have never been to Penrith. Why did you choose that location?

BBgt

Actually, I thought Penrith was the closest the train got one to Keswick, so no reason other than that. We were considering Keswick mainly because I'd read that the northern Lake District was a bit quieter than the southern part, but Ambleside does look lovely, so I'll look more closely!

janisj

Your main problem will be where/how to get a car after you do get to the Lake District. I assume that after a day or two you will be renting a car for the rest of your itinerary.

If so, you'll have to return to some large town/city/airport to get your car. For that reason starting w/ one night (could be in Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh or elsewhere)

BBgt

That was my next question, Janis, because we would like to get a car after getting to the Lake District.

My inclination is still to start in Edinburgh, but I thought I'd check out other options. Actually, we're trying to decide whether to leave the Lake District in our itinerary or to stick to Edinburgh/Rabbie's trip to the Highlands, Northumberland and N. Yorkshire, but that's a bigger question than I posed in my original post .

janisj

AFAIK there is no place in the Lake District where you can rent a car (other than some small local firms that don't allow one way rentals)

BBgt

Thanks Janis - I hadn't even checked yet. Sounds like we won't be starting from Manchester.

LancasterLad

Why not get the train from Manchester Airport to Lancaster.
Have a couple of nights in historic Lancaster...

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...er-TG-C-1.html

Then either get the bus north direct to Keswick...

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/getTim...x?code=XNAO555

Takes nearly 3 hours, but you'll pass some lovely scenery, and pass through some lovely villages on the way.

Or hire your car from Enterprise at Morecambe, who'll deliver to your hotel...

http://www.enterprise.co.uk/car_rent...r=U309&bid=004

Enterprise are nationwide, and for a fee you can drop the car off wherever you choose.

The drive up the M6 motorway from Lancaster to the Lake District is v.scenic, and it's not that busy either.

BBgt

Thank you for that suggestion, LancasterLad. Mom and I are now considering leaving the Lake District for another visit and concentrating on the east coast - York, N. Yorkshire, Northumberland and a Rabbie's tour from Edinburgh, specifically. Lancaster does look like a very worthwhile place to visit, though.

I do like Enterprise for car rental, and we'll probably use them. As you say, they pick up/drop off, and have one way rental (for a price).

sharone

There are no trains going to Ambleside, from oxenholme you can get to Windermere. Keswick is also just as busy as Ambleside or Bowness all year round.

bu67

We flew to Manchester in 2013, arriving in the middle of the afternoon. Because of the fatigue of the long flight(s) from Texas, I didn't want to attempt driving until I had a good night's sleep. The next morning, we rented a car at the airport and drove to Keswick where we stayed in a B&B for 2 nights. From there we drove to Durham where we spent 2 more nights. After Durham, we headed south into Yorkshire where we spent about a week.

jamikins

Sorry I meant Windermere! Not Ambleside!