We are arriving at Gatwick airport on Thurs 14th Aug at around midday and have until Friday late afternoon to get to near Lancaster. Any suggections for a scenic route and interesting place to stay overnight? TIA

Assuming you are flying transatlantic, you will be really tired. So don't plan on dividing the journey in half. I would stop somewhere relatively nearby the first night. Driving on the 2nd day will be a lot easier.

So think about someplace like Salisbury, or Windsor, or perhaps as far as Bath (but Bath is probably too far unless you sleep well on overnight flights). Then on day 2 head up to Lancashire after a good night's sleep.

Or another option would be to stay that night in London, take the train to Manchester and pick up your rental car there.

The train to Manchester from London Euston was about 2 hours. A few stops on the way. Definitely scenic, but the time flew by and I wished the trip was longer. It can be made a little longer if you're going to Lancaster- by about 30 -40 mins tops.

Rolling Hills, tons of farm animals and some lovely riverboat viewing, then you will also come into some urban areas with not much to see.

I still had a blast....if u want scenic, the train to Manchester is not bad viewing. It may be more scenic if you did as Janis mentioned and got a rental car- but why bother if ur already on the train? For a few mins more you can be near Lancaster...

The trains are clean and definitely hassle free.

Enjoy!

You need not cross London. A rail connection runs thus
Gatwick 1403, Reading 1517 to 1601, Manchester Piccadilly 1925

But if you do go via London the rail connection is hourly:
Gatwick 1246, Kings Cross Thameslink 1331, bus or taxi from the pavement beside the station straight to Euston, leave 1355, buffet car train, Manchester Piccadilly 1643
Gatwick 1346, Kings Cross Thameslink 1431, bus or taxi from the pavement beside the station straight to Euston, leave 1500, buffet car train, Manchester Piccadilly 1746.

The best country and towns for a break of journey on the way may well be the Cotswolds, Oxford, Banbury, or Warwick (next to Leamington). For these you take the 1303 from Gatwick to Reading at 1417, then a connection north-east or north. I shall gladly send detail if you ask.

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