I am planning a 7 day trip to England this Spring and will be flying in and out of Manchester. I'd like to see the Lake Country, York, Durham and Hadrian's wall. Is this too ambitious? Any must see sights or places to stay to recommend?

7 days will give you a nice taste of that area. Will you be renting a car? It would make this much more doable.

You could take the train from Manchester to York since you definitely don't need, nor want a car IN York. Then after a day/night in York, you could pick up a car and from there explore the Moors/Dales for a couple of days, then up to Northumberland to see Hadrian's Wall for a day/night, and then on to the Lake District to finish up. It will be a bit rushed but certainly doable.

Your heading just sounded so lovely I just had to open it! Mmmm is that Beatrix Potter territory?

GLR, I could be inspired to do a spring trip to Lake Country myself! Don't forget a trip report please!

The term is "The Lakes" or "The lake district".

Durham centre and York Centre are very obvious (Car parking in York is particularly difficult). York has a little railway museum.

If you pop into the trail about european web sites which is bob about and scroll down to my name there are a whole load of Yorkshire web sites which may help a bit

Hey biboburgler, if you think the Train museum is small I sure would like to know of a larger one in in Britain. That place (York train museum) is extremely large in area and in the number of trains. I believe it is a National site.

It isn't little and it isn't a train museum. It's the National Railway Museum.

" if you think the Train museum is small I sure would like to know of a larger one in in Britain"

I think both Shildon and Didcot are bigger in terms of space occupied than York - though not, of course, in number of artefacts. But the trains move round a lot more at Shildon and Didcot.

If time is limited at the Lakes I recommend a boat trip on Ullswater, arguably the most beautiful. I loved Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere, because I've long been a fan. Beamish Open Air Museum in County Durham if you're interested in 19th and early 20th century social history, but there are so many other enticements south of there in Yorkshire: wild moors, ruined abbeys, grand homes, literary links [such as Haworth] etc. Pick one fort to see along Hadrian's Wall; I thought the nearby village of Corbridge was charming. [Beamish is about halfway between Durham and Corbridge btw.] I'm sure you could plan a loop to take in some fabulous stops, once you've prioritised your interests.
I'm sorry, my thoughts are random and don't reflect a sensible order, so consult a map. Have fun planning!

I thought the railway museum was fascinating...and LARGE. I LOVED York and we just did a half day in Durham and the Cathedral. Stayed in Haltwhistle for 2 nights...Also Windermere 2 nights.

There was an article in the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle about Durham, called it "the perfect English town". Go to sfgate.com>Travel.

Thanks to whom ever mentioned Shildon. I didn't know about it and I am looking forward to a visit to see the trains. Does any one have B&B information.. Slim pickings on the web.

Saving this, because I missed Hadrian's wall on my 1998 trip.

Re: boat trips. We loved our little 1 hour boat rental on Lake Windemere.

sorry guys irony. I think it's the largest railway museum in the world but since I have not seen them all who am I to say.

There is a steam railway that poddles into the North York Moors about 30 miles north of York. You can book an evening meal (which is v good) and see all the sites of many british films.

"Does any one have B&B information" (for Shildon)

Never seen a B&B in the area, though it's a while now since it was my tramping ground. Try Darlington, which is quite handsome in parts, and obviously has good railway connections both in the region and with the outside world

Thanks everyone - I have lots of great ideas. I think we'll take the train from Manchester to York and then rent a car there and follow some of your ideas. The San Francisco Chronicle is my local paper and their article turned me onto Durham. I'll post a trip report.

Roger

When is your next UK train trip?

I assume you are leaving your good lady wife at home

What's her payback? Where or what are you treating her to?

Have a lovely time and don't forget the trip report, I have read and enjoyed your TR's on TOP