We hope to visit both these areas on our trip next year, and wondered if it would be feasible to rent a cottage for a week somewhere in between such as the area around Sedbergh. We really prefer basing in one spot for a week, but I'm concerned that this would mean too much driving in both directions.

Would it be better to spend 3-4 days at a B&B in the Lake District and then move over to the Dales instead of trying to do both from one location?

Thanks for any input!

Actually for the Lakes and Northwest Yorkshire - a central base wouldn't be too bad. I'd personally probably pick somewhere a bit farther east into Yorkshire - but really anywhere in that general area would work.

Hi
I can see your reasoning behind a cottage for a week in one place, and I am not saying it wouldn't work, but to be honest I think the split weeks would work better. A central stay would mean considerably more travelling and I don't think it would be a good use of your time. The Dales cover a huge area for instance, and how much nicer to be right on the doorstep of both places. I would have 3 days in the Lakes, and then 4 in the Dales (which could mean you could perhaps spend a day visiting the North Yorks Moors if this appealed, or the beautiful city of York). Or the other way round of course, but I live in the Dales so am slightly biased!
If you are not travelling during the busiest periods you may be able to book cottages for part weeks rather than stay in a B and B all week (personally I would far rather have a cottage!). However, if you stay in B and B's do investigate staying on a farm - they often do a really reasonably priced stay in some of the most wonderful locations.
www.yorkshirenet.co.uk is excellent for cottages and B and B's.

If you decide on the B&B route have a look at http://www.bestofthelakes.com/.
We stayed at Fellside studios last year, with my brother. He had one studio, we the other. The owners are very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was perfect - you choose the evening before what you want. The studios include kitchenettes if you want to eat in.

Yorkshire is pretty wide and the roads from lake district to North or East Yorkshire get filled by caravans in the summer. I would go for two bases not one.

some good points above -

A lot depends on WHEN you are traveling. If in July/Aug the roads - especially in the Lakes - will be quite congested. Then, 2 bases would be better - but almost no cottages rent for less than a week in high season, so you'd probably have to stay in B&Bs or hotels.

If you are going in the off season - then you could either rent one cottage and tour from there, or rent two for short breaks. Either option would work fine because 1) the roads are much less busy and touring around won't be a problem, and 2) short breaks are readily available in Spring/Fall.

Thanks for the great advice. Since we'll be going in July/August, we'll split our time between 2 locations. The idea of being stuck in traffic is not appealing!