Two couples are thinking of touring the English Lake District by car starting September 22 or so. Does anyone know how the weather would be, and also does anyone have any recommendations on where to start, where to stay, how long to stay, etc.? Also, how difficult would it be to then go to Ireland from the Lake District? Possibly fly from Manchester to Dublin?

The Lake District is one of many wettest areas of the uk. My supervisor told me before i went there last summer, so i suppose that in Sept it would remain the same. I didn't have any sunny period at all, always cloudy all day. My friend from Melbourne was surprised about summer in uk because of it. I started my trip from Lake Windermere, to Ambleside, and Eskdale. You can absolutely fly from Manchester to Dublin, but i am not sure what airport is the closest to the Lake district, MAN, liverpool or glasgow. <BR>I hope this would help.

Some years ago my friends and I drove around the UK/Ireland but we came from Ireland to the L.D. rather than the other way, but you could do what we did. We caught the Sealink car ferry from Dunlaoghaire (not sure of spelling after all these years), just south of Dublin, to Holyhead in Wales and drove along the north Wales coast (gorgeous), spending a few nights there before heading up the M road between Liverpool & Manchester to the L.D. You should allow at least 2 days driving.

Claudia, We flew into London and then drove to the Lake District in July '97. We stayed at the Wateredge Hotel, Ableside. The weather was perfect, sunny and 80 degrees for the 3 days we were there. We walked to Ambleside for dinner and hiked into see a waterfall. We were only going to stay for 1 day but it was so beautiful we stayed for 3. We took a boat ride on Lake Windemere and went into Kendall for some shopping. The Wateredge Hotel was beautiful with a full English breakfast but it was VERY expensive. I would highly recommend it if your budget can take it. There was alot more to see and do but we didn't have time to stay. Someday we will go back!

Twice we have stayed at a great hotel called The Grange at Grange Over Sand. It is situated on a hillside, looks like a very imposing mansion, but the rooms were very nice, dining room and food good, grounds beautiful and price reasonable...included with room was dinner and breakfast the next a.m. I would highly recommend it. We had no reservations either time, just dropped by and they had two rooms for four of us and we were the only Americans.

Twice we have stayed at a great hotel called The Grange at Grange Over Sand. It is situated on a hillside, looks like a very imposing mansion, but the rooms were very nice, dining room and food good, grounds beautiful and price reasonable...included with room was dinner and breakfast the next a.m. I would highly recommend it. We had no reservations either time, just dropped by and they had two rooms for four of us and we were the only Americans.

Twice, four of us have stayed at The Grange at Grange Over Sand. It is a very imposing looking hotel on a hill with beautiful grounds, lovely common rooms and dining room. We were the only Americans staying there and didn't have reservations either time. We were shocked how reasonable it was, price included breakfast and dinner. You can't miss it, just alongside the road, on the right, on a hillside.

Twice, four of us have stayed at The Grange at Grange Over Sand. It is a very imposing looking hotel on a hill with beautiful grounds, lovely common rooms and dining room. We were the only Americans staying there and didn't have reservations either time. We were shocked how reasonable it was, price included breakfast and dinner. You can't miss it, just alongside the road, on the right, on a hillside.

Hi Claudia, <BR> <BR> You are going to have to take a chance on the weather both in Dublin and in the Lakes. As regards temperature you'll be fine but both places are renowned for rainfall. <BR> Manchester airport is easily reached from the Lakes - 2 hour drive. However if you've hired a car why not go via carferry from a place called Holyhead just outside Liverpool. <BR> As for staying in the Lakes don't you'll be ripped off! Instead stay just on the edge of the Lakes and travel in each day there are plenty of hotels/ b & bs in Penrith, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and Workington. Alternatively you could stop in Youth Hostels or Camp. <BR> Places to visit- <BR>Ullswater + the waterfalls there (Air o force) <BR>Ambleside Dove cottage where Wordsworth + Coleridge both hung out. + "The hmes of football" - a photographic exhibition on the history of British football. <BR>Keswick - Derwent water + The Old Keswickyean fish and chip shop!! <BR> <BR> cheers Andrew

Hi Claudia, <BR> <BR> You are going to have to take a chance on the weather both in Dublin and in the Lakes. As regards temperature you'll be fine but both places are renowned for rainfall. <BR> Manchester airport is easily reached from the Lakes - 2 hour drive. However if you've hired a car why not go via carferry from a place called Holyhead just outside Liverpool. <BR> As for staying in the Lakes don't you'll be ripped off! Instead stay just on the edge of the Lakes and travel in each day there are plenty of hotels/ b & bs in Penrith, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and Workington. Alternatively you could stop in Youth Hostels or Camp. <BR> Places to visit- <BR>Ullswater + the waterfalls there (Air o force) <BR>Ambleside Dove cottage where Wordsworth + Coleridge both hung out. + "The hmes of football" - a photographic exhibition on the history of British football. <BR>Keswick - Derwent water + The Old Keswickyean fish and chip shop!! <BR> <BR> cheers Andrew

Hi Claudia, <BR> <BR> You are going to have to take a chance on the weather both in Dublin and in the Lakes. As regards temperature you'll be fine but both places are renowned for rainfall. <BR> Manchester airport is easily reached from the Lakes - 2 hour drive. However if you've hired a car why not go via carferry from a place called Holyhead just outside Liverpool. <BR> As for staying in the Lakes don't you'll be ripped off! Instead stay just on the edge of the Lakes and travel in each day there are plenty of hotels/ b & bs in Penrith, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and Workington. Alternatively you could stop in Youth Hostels or Camp. <BR> Places to visit- <BR>Ullswater + the waterfalls there (Air o force) <BR>Ambleside Dove cottage where Wordsworth + Coleridge both hung out. + "The hmes of football" - a photographic exhibition on the history of British football. <BR>Keswick - Derwent water + The Old Keswickyean fish and chip shop!! <BR> <BR> cheers Andrew

Hi Claudia, <BR> <BR> You are going to have to take a chance on the weather both in Dublin and in the Lakes. As regards temperature you'll be fine but both places are renowned for rainfall. <BR> Manchester airport is easily reached from the Lakes - 2 hour drive. However if you've hired a car why not go via carferry from a place called Holyhead just outside Liverpool. <BR> As for staying in the Lakes don't you'll be ripped off! Instead stay just on the edge of the Lakes and travel in each day there are plenty of hotels/ b & bs in Penrith, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and Workington. Alternatively you could stop in Youth Hostels or Camp. <BR> Places to visit- <BR>Ullswater + the waterfalls there (Air o force) <BR>Ambleside Dove cottage where Wordsworth + Coleridge both hung out. + "The hmes of football" - a photographic exhibition on the history of British football. <BR>Keswick - Derwent water + The Old Keswickyean fish and chip shop!! <BR> <BR> cheers Andrew

Hi Claudia, <BR> <BR> You are going to have to take a chance on the weather both in Dublin and in the Lakes. As regards temperature you'll be fine but both places are renowned for rainfall. <BR> Manchester airport is easily reached from the Lakes - 2 hour drive. However if you've hired a car why not go via carferry from a place called Holyhead just outside Liverpool. <BR> As for staying in the Lakes don't you'll be ripped off! Instead stay just on the edge of the Lakes and travel in each day there are plenty of hotels/ b & bs in Penrith, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and Workington. Alternatively you could stop in Youth Hostels or Camp. <BR> Places to visit- <BR>Ullswater + the waterfalls there (Air o force) <BR>Ambleside Dove cottage where Wordsworth + Coleridge both hung out. + "The hmes of football" - a photographic exhibition on the history of British football. <BR>Keswick - Derwent water + The Old Keswickyean fish and chip shop!! <BR> <BR> cheers Andrew

Hi Claudia, <BR> <BR> You are going to have to take a chance on the weather both in Dublin and in the Lakes. As regards temperature you'll be fine but both places are renowned for rainfall. <BR> Manchester airport is easily reached from the Lakes - 2 hour drive. However if you've hired a car why not go via carferry from a place called Holyhead just outside Liverpool. <BR> As for staying in the Lakes don't you'll be ripped off! Instead stay just on the edge of the Lakes and travel in each day there are plenty of hotels/ b & bs in Penrith, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and Workington. Alternatively you could stop in Youth Hostels or Camp. <BR> Places to visit- <BR>Ullswater + the waterfalls there (Air o force) <BR>Ambleside Dove cottage where Wordsworth + Coleridge both hung out. + "The hmes of football" - a photographic exhibition on the history of British football. <BR>Keswick - Derwent water + The Old Keswickyean fish and chip shop!! <BR> <BR> cheers Andrew

Claudia: We honeymooned in the Lake District late last month and highly recommend the Dale Head Hall B&B on Lake Thirlmere, just north of Grasmere. The B&B overlooks the lake and serves excellent breakfasts and dinners. Host Alan Lowe will also pack a picnic lunch for you if you choose to go hiking. Also, the Kings Head Hotel across from Dale Head is an excellent pub, and Keswick and Castlerigg Stone Circle are a short drive away. Suggest you stay at least 2 nights and maybe 3. Have fun! <BR>

<BR>We were in the Lakes district last September. We stayed at a B&B at Bowness on Windermere for 3 nights. Lovely area but it was cold and wet. <BR>We caught the punt from Bowness and walked to Hill Top (Beatrix Potter's home). <BR>We usually ate in Pubs, for around 5 pounds for a main meal. <BR>Book early as a lot of the nicer B&Bs were booked out.

Count on rain. It might not, but it probably will. <BR> <BR>It is very beautiful, but as a consequence it is very full of tourists. I wold suggest stying in one of the smaller places rather than Windermere or Ambleside or Keswick. <BR>Visit Kawkshead for a pretty village and Haweswater for England's only Golden eagles. <BR> <BR>Sail to Ireland either from Holyhead to Dun Laoighre or from Stranraer ( just over the border into Scotland) to Larne, rather than flying. <BR> <BR>Have a good trip.