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2 nights York and 4 Keswick... or 2 nights York, 1 North York Moors/Whitby, and 3 Keswick?

My partner and I are conflicted about whether to do

Plan A) 2 nights in York, drive to Keswick in the morning, spend 4 nights in Keswick and the lakes,

or

Plan B) 2 nights in York, 1 night staying somewhere to see north York moors, Whitby, and Rievaulx and then 3 nights in Keswick. There is an evening event at Rievaulx (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/rievaulx-brocken-spectre/) so we thought it might be neat to go and see the abbey at nighttime.

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts, or have been to the moors/Whitby in April before -- are they good places to visit at this time of year? I know that they are better in the summer when the heather is blooming. We are fairly interested but we also noticed Rick Steves has said that the North York Moors are disappointing in some of his articles and doesn't rate it highly in his guidebook. We are especially interested in Whitby because we are not going to too many coastal areas this trip, besides Liverpool.

If we do option B, How long do we need in Whitby? What might be a good place to stay? We could see if we can stay in the same B&B in York, or perhaps move to a B&B in Helmsley to be closer to Rievaulx. Google gives similar times traveling to Keswick from both cities.

It's worth mentioning that we will be in the Lake District on Easter weekend (departing Easter Sunday), so we anticipate car travel may be slow because of congestion, hence our thoughts about adding the extra night there.

Appreciate any thoughts from those with experience in these two areas!

Posted by
7595 posts

We are planning a four week driving tour of England and Wales this October. We have planned three nights in York, then one night in Pickering, we pickup the steam train to Whitby, then returning to Pickering, on to Durham for two nights, another night in Haltwhtstle to see Hadrian's Wall, then going west to Keswick for three nights.

Two nights in York will only give you one full day in York, which I think is not enough time to take in that great city.

Posted by
1275 posts

Hi -

Much as I love the Lake District, I would strongly recommend you to take a look at Whitby, a little gem, (walk up the '99 steps' to the Abbey or you can park nearby the Abbey and walk down into the centre) as are the other little villages on the coast - Runswick Bay, Staithes, Robin Hoods Bay - Whitby can be a bit touristy so these last three are possibly good places to overnight - not much there at any of them but peaceful and all have a pub or two! As a relative local I have to say I think the North Yorks Moors are unjustly overlooked - they are apparently big and empty but reward investigation (I could see how 'big and empty' would be the verdict if time-poor). Check out - by rail - Goathland and Grosmont from Pickering and if driving, Hutton-le Hole (really!) is a postcard perfect strung-out village. Also Rosedale Abbey and Lastingham worth a look-see. For refreshment en route nowhere better than the Lion Inn at Blakey Topping (www.lionblakey.co.uk).

If wanting to stay within easy reach of Rievaulx, check out Helmsley. Plenty of B&B's plus the Black Swan and Four Feathers for those not on a budget.

In Keswick, plenty of walks, the RS-favoured Catbells is good, also for a more strenuous outing and if the weather is kind, Skiddaw which towers behind Keswick, is a straightforward if energetic 'out and back' walk. Mountain connoisseurs however will head for nearby Blencathra, but chose your routes up and down carefully here - steep and very scramble-y on some routes up and down. Check out www.walkingenglishman.com for route details, or buy a 'Wainwright' if feeling energetic! Otherwise there's lots to see and do by car, I'm sure you've got it researched.

Have a great trip - everything crossed for good weather!

Ian

Posted by
3119 posts

Personally I found Keswick more touristy than appealing. Happened to stop in Penrith because we wanted to see the Long Meg & Her Daughters stone circle and needed a map from the TI office. Found Penrith more of a real town yet with some charming historical architecture and good place to have lunch (Narrowbar). So, based on my limited experience, I'd give more time to Whitby.

Posted by
9 posts

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies.

Geova, we are arriving in York fairly early (10:30am) so we are thinking we will have "enough" time to have almost two full days. Of course, this opinion might change as soon as we get there...

Ian, that list of walks will be super helpful. We have done some research but there are so many places in the Lakes I have read about that it's nice to have a narrowed down.

We have decided to take a day and go see Whitby after all :) (and the Moors if there is time). We're excited! Again, thanks for your help.

Posted by
5835 posts

Hard choices in that its easy to spend two weeks and more in Northern England and it sounds like you are time limited to a week.

Ianandjulie of Yorkshire offers good ideas. The Grosmont steam train is certainly worth considering and a bowl of soup at the Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge a life saver on a wet and windy day. I would add Lord Stones Cafe/Country Park to the list of interesting lunch stops.

However, you seem to be leaving out the Yorkshire Dales. Rather than zipping from the North York Moors to the Lake District, try to go slow through the Yorkshire Dales. The Dales has a scattering of scenic/interesting rural villages, one being Keld with a history of lead mining and the bigger village of Reeth to name a few.

And one could easily spend a week and more exploring the Lake District.