Family of five (two adults and three teens) traveling to London this June. We were checking out the photos of the Lake District and the oohs and aahs were many. We will only go for 7 days. With so many sites to see (and this will be our first time in England), I don't know if a day trip to the Lake District is too far fetched. I realize the District is about a 3 hr drive from London....so it would be 6 hr traveling time....And I have never driven in England!
Any suggestions? Are there any other equally stunning areas closer to London?
Posted by
2404 posts
Do you mean that you are only in the UK for a total of 7 days?
The Lake District is really too far to do as a day trip from London. Even if you did do it, it would probably be best to use the trains (even though you would find a car best for exploring the scenic areas) - London (Euston) to Windermere (with 1 change). www.nationalrail.co.uk
http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets-offers/
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/placestogo/explorewindermere
So, my advice is that a day trip by car is impossible - no sensible Brit would do it!
http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp#fromNode=0%7CLondon%20Eye%7C%7C-0.119543%7C51.503324%7CtoNode=0%7CWindermere%7C%7C-2.906785%7C54.380685
I reckon that you will have quite enough to see in just the London area to fill your 7 days. Then, if you have enjoyed your vacation in the UK, consider another trip to explore more of the country. You can mug up on the country here:>
www.visitengland.com
www.visitwales.co.uk
http://www.visitscotland.com
NOTE that on RS - he has listed Wales & Scotland separately from England in the forum.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Attempting a day trip from London to the Lake District (and back to London, obviously) would be more than 10 hours just in road time to get to one of the larger towns like Windermere or Keswick, and back to London.
The 10+ hours does not include any time for stops of any type, such as the hours to drive around the Lake District and see the things you're going there to see.
It also does not include the time to get from your London lodging to the car rental location, do the rental paperwork, and (on the return trip) the time to turn the car in, and get back to your London lodging.
You could use this website to verify the above figures:
http://www.rome2rio.com/s/London/Windermere
The above times are to Windermere, in the southern part of the Lake District. Many travelers would want to see the northern part of the Lake District, which is even farther.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
The Lake District is truly spectacular but not a realistic day trip from London. Even if you rent a car, it's about 4.5 hours to drive there if traffic is good and you really step on it. You could get the family up very early and drive there in time for lunch, spend the afternoon, night and part of the next day, and then drive back later afternoon or early evening on the second day. That would only leave you a few days in London though and that is not ideal.
I suggest that you spend this trip thoroughly exploring London and save a visit to the Lakes for another trip. If you had a couple more days it would be better but 7 days isn't very long.
The Costwolds and Oxfordshire are beautiful areas and not that far from London - these might be a good substitute for this trip?
Posted by
OP
Southeast USA
8 posts
Thanks for everyone's replies. We'll definitely leave the Lake District for another trip. As Mr. Steves says, we'll assume we'll return to England another time