I am planning late summer trip to Yorkshire and Lakes, and seeking advice as to best way to travel from York to Lakes. I am planning on train to York from London. Just as well to elect a rental car with Britrail Pass and drive over to Lakes, or take the train?

Thanks

You will definitely want a care to visit the Lakes.

Try and hire a convertible (if it isn't raining), nothing nicer than touring England in the sunshine driving a drop-head coupe.

Fabulous driving around that area, can you advise budget - I think a great car is preferable to great hotel in this circumstance.

We are planning a late Sept early Oct visit to York. We have secured Britrail passes and plan to do as much as possible by train. On previous trips, we rented a car. We have done a good bit of research on things to see and do, but I am wondering if we are missing anything. Any suggestions on the top ten day trips out of York via train?

Thanks, Sotest

WMR - We have visited the Lake District many times, and I have some "fun" drives (as my Lake District B&B owners used to call them) for you, if you are interested, in getting off the beaten track in the Lake District, and seeing some of the most amazing scenery.
As for an answer to your question....definitely hire a rental car & drive across to the Lake District.
You could take the A59 out of York, signposted Skipton, then just outside of Skipton, turn onto A65 (sign posted Kirby Lonsdale), then cross over the M6 at Junction 36, and take A590 and A591 through to Windamere.
There is a scenic alternative, and that would to take A59 out of York, then over to A1(Motorway), then go north up the A1M, until you see a sign for Richmond, take the turn-off for Richmond, then continue on the A684 through the Yorkshire Dales, and across to Kendall. (This should be a full days drive, to take in the scenery, and those stop offs at various villages, waterfalls, etc.)
Windamere, grassmere and Ambelside are all "touristy" areas, quite crowded in the holiday/summer season.
If you want to know about some of the off the beaten track or fun drives, say so, and I will list them, along with some fabulour pubs for lunch or dinner.
Regards Leigh.

sotest,
Certainly Durham, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh come to mind. I have done Scarborough and Harrogate as day trips from York, but these may not be top 10's. Another I have done was the train to Newcastle and then to Hexham and Haltwhistle. You might want to check out Whitby which I have not done.