I will be spending two weeks in England this summer between July 30th and August 12th. The first week I will be in Canterbury with the Berkshire Choral Festival, with the chorus performing, in the Cathedral, I believe, at the end of the week. There will be daily rehearsals, so anything I do outside the chorus has to be very close to Canterbury. I plan to go from there to spend 3-4 days in London, and thought I would follow that with a visit to the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall. I thought to stick to train travel until after leaving London - perhaps visiting York and picking up a rental car there for touring the Lake District. Reason for the Lake District, aside from its scenic value, is that I have ancestors who emigrated from that area in the 1800's and, as an amateur family historian, I'd love to try to find traces of them. I would appreciate suggestions on whether this is a reasonable itinerary and other short side trips that would be possible in the limited time frame. I thought I'd like to find a group with a guide for Hadrian's Wall - what would be the best way to do that?

If you're spending a week in Canterbury & 3-4 days in London you won't have a lot of time to tour the Lake District & York.

For group walking along Hadrian's Wall, perhaps you would like to check: www.countrywidewalking.com. It is part of Rambler's Holidays.

Also:

http://www.hadrians-wall.org/group_operators.aspx

Hi
Your trip falls right in the middle of the school summer holidays so everywhere is going to be VERY busy. I love the Lake District (I live quite close by) but I never visit in the summer!. I am not saying 'don't go' but be prepared for crowds, very slow traffic, full Hotels etc. I'd get accommodation booked up as soon as possible. As you will have a car you might want to stay on a farm in the Lakes? Many working farms do a very reasonable Bed and Breakfast deal in some beautiful settings.
An example is - www.yewtree-farm.com/index.htm
M

The two places I never visit (or at least try to never visit) in the summer are Cornwall and the Lake District. they are the two most popular holiday regions for a lot of UK families.

But since you have family connections it would seem the Lakes are a "must" for you. If so I would book something ASAP. The whole area will be chok-a-blok - but especially on weekends. So if you can arrange your itinerary so you are in the Lakes on mid-week dates it will help - but only a little.

I personally don't think you need a group tour for the Wall. All of the sites are very easily accessible by car and most have really good interpretive info. If you do it on your own you can stay as long or as little as you like at any one site/stretch of wall.

Kent is a richly favoured county, with much to see and do that reflects on the history of England and even of Europe. Are you looking for ideas for use of time in Kent between breakfast and rehearsal time, do you know when that time is, and have you specific interests, not family, such as your profession or recreations ? If you will tell us, we can perhaps help.
Welcome to England.

Ben Haines
[email protected]

The Hadrian's Wall bus service, though not a guided tour per se, takes you to the main parts of the wall - Hexham makes a good base for doing the wall by bus.