Google maps says 2 1/2 hours. Is this realistic or instead of staying in Keswick and driving to Whitby for the day, should we just book a room in Whitby for a couple of nights.

>>Google maps says 2 1/2 hours. Is this realistic <<

Not very realistic. And it certainly is NOT a day trip. I'd be very happy to make it in 3 hours. And if it is a summer weekend with caravans etc, -- I'd expect closer to 4 hours

I figured that may be the case. Thanks for the input. We will stay in Whitby.

If you are staying overnight, and the weather is half way decent, then please try going through Swaledale or Wensleydale and through the North York Moors rather than the A66 and via Middlesborough which I believe is Google's choice. Takes a bit longer but is a much nicer journey.

Yes that is great advice as we were there in 2016 and would love to drive through again. To get us back to London and not drive we are looking at air from Leeds to Heathrow. Price seems right what do you think? How long would it take to get from Whitby to Leeds Airport? Again our Google friends says 1 hour and 50 minutes. What is your opinion?

>>Takes a bit lot longer but is a much nicer journey<<.

With enough time I'd go via Aysgarth etc and across on the A170 -- but plan on an all day drive for all the stops . . .

Didn't see your post. >>How long would it take to get from Whitby to Leeds Airport? Again our Google friends says 1 hour and 50 minutes. What is your opinion?<<

First lesson -- toss out googlemap (and most of the other on-line calculators). Depending on traffic anywhere from 2 hours to close to 3 hours.

Question - are you considering flying to LHR to catch a flight - or to get to London? It sounds like you are going in to London . . . If so I'd never (ever) fly Leeds/Bradford to LHR to get to central London. I'd drop the car at York and take the train 2+ hours right in to Kings Cross. so SO much easier than dealing with two airports and the transport in to London.

(IF you are immediately flying out of LHR - ignore all of the above)

I like the idea of the train the best. I would like to know what your opinion is of how much time to spend in the Lakes. I made a reservation in Keswick for 5 night thinking about extending to 7. There really is alot to see there.

>>I would like to know what your opinion is of how much time to spend in the Lakes. I made a reservation in Keswick for 5 night thinking about extending to 7<<

It mostly depends on what your plans are. If you are doing a lot of hiking, a week would be great. If you mainly want to view the scenery and visit a few author-related properties (Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth, others) three days would be plenty.

I think 5 days is fine. If you wanted to explore a bit of the border country/Solway Firth area as well than add a day or two, but 5 days gives you a pretty relaxed, and flexible time in the Lakes.

5 days would be great if you are using the Lakes as a base also for say Hadrian's Wall and/or Dumfries & Galloway. But tell us what your plans are for the 5 days you have.

This is what I have planned to see so far. When I look at all of this it looks like more than 5 days. Derenwater, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Catbells, Ashness Bridge
Bowness on Windemere Lake Cruise, Ambleside to Hawkshead, Grasmere Dove Cottage, Hilltop Farm, St Oswalds Church (Wordsworth Grave) Tarn Hows Walk (Near Hawkshead)
Driving Tour Borrowdle & Buttermere along B5289. Lodore Falls, Grange-in-Borrowdale, Castle Crag, Bowder Stone, Seatoller lunch at Yew Tree Inn, Honister Pass (underground slate mine tour) Buttermere(Walk Buttermre ) to Low Lorton over Whinlatter Pass to A66 junction at Braithwaite to Keswick (Page 472 Lonley Planet)
Kirkstone Pass, Ullswater, Aria Force, Wasdale Head
Carlisle Castle, Housesteads (Hadrians Wall)

Looks more than 5 days to me too. Get to Aira (not Aria) Force early to really enjoy it before the crowds arrive.
Are you getting a Royal Oak or National Trust member - if so use the carpark sticker on your hire car to avoid paying the parking fees at places like Aira Force, and Housesteads.

That is more than a week's worth of 'stuff'. (I assume you mean Derwent Water not Derenwater)

Driving in the Lakes is slow (REALLY slow sometimes) especially in summer and on weekends.

The trip along Hadrian's Wall (there is a LOT more than just Housesteads) is a full day by itself. Be sure to visit Lanercost Priory too.

Why? I find Google maps to be quite reliable with time estimates both at home and abroad, in fact I often make the journey slightly quicker but I do have a heavy foot.

The only times I've encountered a longer than estimated journey is when we've hit unexpected traffic and you can't expect any online navigator to factor that into the equation although many will provide live updates and advise you of any upcoming jams.

To park at National Trust car parks you no longer need your sticker. All the ticket machines allow you to scan your membership card and print out a free ticket.