We are total beginners at driving in England, and although a part of me would like to take a nice, scenic route from Manchester Airport to the Lakes, I think we should be taking the easiest route.

We will arrive on a Sunday at 1:50pm, and we will be heading up from Manchester Airport to Troubeck, which I believe, is just beyond Windermere.

I've checked with the viamichelin site, and it asks me to pick either:

cumbria-penrith-troutbeck
cumbria-kendal-troutbeck

I think I'm supposed to pick the first option right?

Besides that, is it best to pick the route recommened by the site, or the quickest? It also says it will take about 2 hours - is this time fairly accurate?

I suddenly thought about having pit-stops along the way if anyone need to use the bathroom, and I realized I don't have a clue what to do if we need one - do you plan such stops along the way?

There are TWO Troutbeck's in the lake district

<b>cumbria-penrith-troutbeck</b> is the route to the one via Penrith (near Ullswater) and <b>cumbria-kendal-troutbeck</b> is the route to the one via Kendal (near Windermere).

So first you need to figure out which Troutbeck you want . . . .

Oh - about rest breaks: If you are taking the motorway, there are service areas right on the road. These have petrol stations, shops, cafes/fast food, toilets, sometimes motels, and sometimes tourist info. But they are fairly far apart and w/ their own junctions/exits.

When you look at a map/road atlas - the junctions w/ an &quot;S&quot; instead of a number are motorway service areas. So look at the map before you head out and you will see where you can stop along the way.

ttt

ttt

If you believe it's the one near Windermere, come off the M6 motorway at junction 36 and follow the signs for Windermere. The route becomes scenic once you leave the motorway. It should take an hour and a half to 2 hours. There are service stations where you can stop for a break on the M6 on the way.

You might like to visit Holehird gardens near Troutbeck, little known but beautiful gardens with stunning views across the Lake District.

Thanks Janisj and maria - we are at the troutbeck near windermere, so now I now which one to take.

Thanks for the info about rest breaks and other tips!

There are two really good pubs in Troutbeck. Can't remember their names, but there are only two there. Both have good food, but can get crowded, especially at weekends. Some lovely walks from the village too.

The pubs in Troutbeck are the Mortal Man in the village and the Queens Head http://www.queensheadhotel.com/ which is near the start of the Kirkstone Pass. We've eaten in the Queens Head many times, good food and a lovely 17th century inn.

Maria,

Doesn't the Mortal Man have a good reputation for food also, or am I getting it mixed up with something else?

I believe it is good - though I haven't tried it (yet)

Maria,

I checked the link for the Queen's Head and it seems like a lovely restaurant - is it really a pub?

Do you remember the prices for your meals either for lunch or dinner? The prices aren't posted on the website.

Just topping for Maria

<i>is it really a pub?</i>&quot;

The Queen's Head is a hotel w/ a pub.

Hi Anna, the Queens Head is a hotel, pub and restaurant - you can call for anything from a full meal to just a drink. From what I remember the main courses were in the &pound;10 to &pound;15 range (not been since last summer) and the 3 course set menu (with about 4 choices) was good value which I think was about &pound;15 to 17 a head. The food is usually imaginative and nicely served on oversized plates (but not oversized portions).

As it happens we had planned a trip to the Lakes yesterday and had a lovely 3 hour walk near Elterwater and Langdale and a trip round Holehird gardens, which were full of beautiful spring flowers. In the interests of research, we had a evening meal at The Mortal Man before driving home. The hotel had a nice bar area with a roaring fire, a restaurant and a garden with tables and terrific views. We had a bar meal and both chose lamb shanks, served with crushed new potatoes and rosemary and vegetables. The meal was very filling and good (but not exceptional). Again main courses round &pound;10 to 15 in the bar, though I didn't see the restaurant menu. Lunch menus are sometimes a little cheaper and have more snack options - sandwiches, etc.

When is your trip?

Maria,

Thanks for your reply - we are heading to the lakes on the last week of May.

So, do you actually like to food better at Queen's head over Mortal Man? They seem to be around the same price.

Hi Anna I hope the weather holds for you, it was glorious there yesterday. It's difficult to say which is best after one visit - the meal we had on Sunday wat the Mortal Man as OK and filling but (for me) rather a large piece of lamb with not much of a sauce - the vegetables were fine and cooked just rught. It may be that I didn't choose well from the menu. We've generally had good meals at the Queens Head - the only downside is that service can be a bit slow if they are busy.