Lake District National Park Travel Forum

Hello,
I plan to take my 2 teenage children to the Lake District for 3 days in early July. How long would the drive be from London? And train journey? From which London station to where? I am unable to walk long distances - how is public transport there or are there online links to local car rental prices?
Also, any info re: prices for vegetarian b+b or half board?We will be one or two adults and two teens.
Thanks very much in advance,
Leonie

The train goes from Euston - it depends where you are going in the Lakes to where you go to. For the central Lakes you take a Glasgow train and change at Oxenholme for Windermere. For the southern part of the Lake District, again a Glasgow train (Virgin Trains) and change at Preston to a Barrow in Furness train (Transpennine Express) and get off at Grange or Ulverston.
There are reasonable bus services in the Lakes but a car is recommended - there are plenty of car hire firms in the Windermere area.
My recommendation is to stay in the Windermere are and hire a car there. It is very central in the Lakes and the town has a cinema and plenty of places to go if the weather is bad.
The train is roughly 4 hours from Euston and the car journey I would say allow 6 hours up the M6.

www.nationalrail.co.uk will give you train times, details and fares.

http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp?database=B

will allow you to plan your route, and will also give you estimated driving times and indicate where traffic congestion may occur.

My suggestion would be to take the train to somewhere such as, for example, Kendal and then hire a car from there. Although there are adequate bus services you will be able to explore more, and more easily, with a car.

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/visiting/planningyourvisit/travelandtransport.htm

has useful transport information and links.

There will, of course, be car hire companies locally. Simply google the name of the place you intend to stay at plus 'car hire'. For example, Kendal has
www.enterprise.co.uk and www.carhirecumbria.co.uk and www.carhirecumbria.co.uk

The official tourist information website lists all available accommodation. You can browse and/or book here:

http://www.golakes.co.uk/

Being a vegetarian should present no problems at all, but it is courteous to let the b&b/hotel know beforehand.

http://www.barfhouse.co.uk/

http://www.fox.hall.btinternet.co.uk/

http://www.theheightshotel.co.uk/

http://www.lancrigg.co.uk/

http://www.yewfield.co.uk/