We are staying overnight in Kendall hopefully before driving from York where we/ve got 2 nights. Then we were trying to make up our minds and very soon, as we're are going in June and probably should have booked already, whether to stay 1 or 2 nights in Keswick, or the 2nd in Gretna Green, before Glasgow for a night. Then we planned on going to Oban for 1 night and then a night in Inverness and not sure whether it is worth going to Perth or somewhere else before stopping finally in Edinburgh for 3 nights.
Any suggestions or worthwhile places to stay and sights to see anywhere, would be most welcome. Thanks.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
why Kendall it's not in the Lake District?
Keswick is certainly a good base for the Lakes - 2 or 3 days would be good.
nothing in Gretna Green -are you exploring Dumfries and Galloway?
I would give Glasgow more than 1 night.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
We followed (reverse of) this route ...
Keswick - 2 nights
Glasgow - 1 night
Trossachs - 1 night
Fort William - 1 night
Skye - 1 night
Inverness - 1 night
Pitlochry - 2 nights
Edinburgh - 3 nights
Posted by
8330 posts
We are going to spend three nights in Keswick in October. You need two days to spend in the Lake District. Three days equals two full days.
We are staying at
Badgers Wood Guest House
30 Stanger Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5JU
Phone is 00 44 17687 72621.
http://badgers-wood.co.uk
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
We stayed at Badger's Wood a few years ago, for three nights, and liked it a lot. Nice views of the fells but also a short walk to the center of town. I'd be surprised if they had any room in June at this point.
Posted by
3124 posts
Personally I found Keswick more touristy than fits my preference. Penrith is more of a real town, and it has a pleasant high street with pubs/cafes (Narrowbar is good), a helpful TI office, and a square with architecturally significant clock tower. My reason for going there was to see the "Long Meg and her Daughters" stone circle. It was a picturesque drive through narrow farm roads to get there and back.
Driving all the way from Glasgow to Oban for one night, and then on to Inverness, seems like an awful lot of driving for very little time to enjoy those destinations. I've driven some of the routes you're planning, and honestly if you do what you describe you'll just be in the car all day. Would you consider Inveraray (which has a castle, historic jail, charming Georgian architecture, and good shops for Scottish-made wares) instead of Oban? From Inveraray you could drive by way of Glencoe to Inverness and have time for a stop at Urquhart Castle and/or the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition.
See the Secret Scotland website for reasonable driving itineraries. https://www.secret-scotland.com
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
To me, Keswick is the best place to stay in the Lake District if you want to be in a town. Unless you want to be on a farm, it's the least touristy town in the park. It's where we always stay when we go to the Lake District, which is often! Definitely stay for at least two nights. Kendal is out of the Lake District as is Penrith. The last few times we have stayed at Herdiwick House B&B right in town. Nice little place and a reasonable price.
If you just have a day to explore the area then I would suggest
- Castlerigg Ancient Stone Circle
- A ride on one of the antique wooden launches around Derwentwater
- Sunset among the sheep at the grassy knoll just north of the boat launch on Derwentwater
- Drive south along the A591 to Grasmere and Ambleside to visit a couple nice little villages (pretty crowded with tourists though) OR drive up over the Honister Pass to Buttemere for a taste of rural life.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1694 posts
For Scotland, please post your requirements in the Scotland forum. Then I might be able to help ;-)
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7207 posts
One full day/2 nights in Keswick should be fine as should your 1 night in Oban. We spent a night in St Andrew and we enjoyed it. Have never been to Perth.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I'll second that you might get more help on the Scotland portion on the Scotland Forum. So, here's your current route. I am curious to know why you have chosen to spend the night in Oban? Are you planning on visiting Mull? I think that your time is too short for that. Oban is okay, but using the route means that you miss Glencoe, unless you want to backtrack. Also, it's about a 2.5 hour drive. You'll stop for a bit and check out Loch Lomond and so maybe it will take you 3 hours. I think you'll arrive in time for lunch. What next? There are slower routes and different routes, but before suggesting anything it would help to know your expectations and hopes for your visit to Scotland. Maybe repost with that info in the Scotland Forum.
Here's an alternate idea. Take the road north through Glencoe, have lunch in Fort William or somewhere nearby. Head out to Glenfinnan and see the Harry Potter Viaduct or explore Glen Nevis. I stayed in Spean Bridge a number of years ago, or drive further up to Fort Augustus. You can take two days to get back to Edinburgh. You can stay in Inverness or head further south. I would recommend getting of the A5 if you can for part of the trip. This route takes you out to Tummell Bridge, over the mountain on a single track road and into Abefeldy and then south.