Hi everyone. We will be in the UK on 13th July 2017. We will be flying from Rome arriving Manchester around midday and pick up a rental car at the airport and spend the night in Rochdale. The next day we hope to drive to Keswick and stay the night.(14th). On the 15th we have to head back to Manchester and stay for 3 days. We are cheering our daughter who is competing in the Bolton ironman on the 16th July. All lodgings are booked. My request is what scenic route would you suggests we take from Rochdale to Keswick and from Keswick back to Manchester. Stops and places to see and do and is there time to visit York, Beatrix Potter cottage? Any recommendations are most appreciated. Thank you in advance
Posted by
Kingston, Surrey
239 posts
Deviating as far a York will add a lot of time to your journey and you're better off sticking to the west. You could still loop east a bit to go through the Pennines or the Dales, or the Forest of Bowland.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1359 posts
To Keswick , maybe call at the famous Carnforth railway station cafe.
Then pick up the Wrynoses,Hardknott and Honister Passes and then you travel the length of Borrowdale to Keswick.
There's a different landscape in the Pennines and you could see some of that too
Hartside Pass,Alston ,Tan Hill,Dent Town then head back to the motorway depending how much time has been eaten
Posted by
OP
Perth, W.A, Australia
61 posts
Thank you Richard and peterw I will google that now. Much appreciated
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
From Rochdale head west through Bury, Bolton and Wigan and then north through Preston to Kendal. From there take the A591 up through the Lake District straight to Keswick. It's not the fastest way but it's the most beautiful! You'll see the main villages along the way and can stop off in Ambleside, Grasmere, visit Dove Cottage if you like, Once you get to Keswick you should still have plenty of time to drive up above the town to visit the Castlerigg stone circle, check into your lodging, and have a walk along Derwentwater at sunset.
On your way back down to Manchester the next day you can easily go back down the A591, take a detour from Ambleside, and go out to Hilltop, Beatrix Potter's farm where she lived. Next door you can have lunch at the Tower Bank Arms pub which she used in some of her drawings.
It's a lovely area and I hope you enjoy your two days there!
Posted by
Yorkshire
1359 posts
Should have said ,before you head up to the Honister pass take the dead end road up Wasdale to view England's highest mountain
Posted by
OP
Perth, W.A, Australia
61 posts
Thank you again Richard. And Anita for the detailed route, what I was looking for. You guys are brilliant
Posted by
8329 posts
The book Back Roads of Great Britain is great and outlines in detail a Lake District route.