Planning an early October trip to Scotland. Plan to add on 3-5 days prior and visit either the Lake District or the York area. Thought about trying to do both, but it appears that we would be spending a great deal of time traveling on public transportation as we will not be renting a car. Plan to fly in and out of Edinburgh.
Welcome thoughts and recommendations.
Posted by
535 posts
Correct, the sideways move between them would take a disproportionate amount of time out of such a short visit.
Lake District has good direct train links from Edinburgh (and Glasgow) possibly with a local bus connection depending on where you go. Decent bus network for exploring.
York has even more direct trains from Edinburgh, and you may be able to walk to accomodation when you arrive. The city is very walkable when you are there, plus you can take a day trip to Whitby on one of britain's most scenic bus routes.
But which to recommend is down to what you want to do.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
3104 posts
The two are completely different - The Lake District is open countryside - scenery, walking and outdoor based activities although there are museums and stately homes to visit...
York/Durham are both cities with magnificent cathedrals, castles. museums... York is larger and there is more to do than in Durham.
So a lot depends on what your main interests are and what you are wanting to do/see/achieve in those days.
Posted by
10308 posts
Different places by far, but I would EASILY pick York and Durham as well as adding a drive through the Yorkshire Moors.
The Lake District was nice, but more practical for hiking, etc.
York is very historic with ancient walls dating centuries; the amazing Minster; quaint narrow streets in ancient city and some wonderful museums.
The National Railway Museum is super.
We stated at The Minster Hotel that has parking and a great breakfast, not far from the north gate.
Posted by
535 posts
a drive through the Yorkshire Moors = the bus to Whitby already mentioned, especially from the upper deck.
Posted by
New York City
283 posts
On the chance that it lines up with your schedule: Rabbies has a 5-day tour (departing Edinburgh Monday morning and returning Friday evening) that includes both of these regions. I've had it bookmarked for some time, after having taken four day trips with Rabbies and enjoyed them all. https://www.rabbies.com/en-gb/tour/york-the-dales-lake-district-hadrians-wall-5-day-tour-from-edinburgh