I have a hotel in York through Thursday night, 3 July, and I'm meeting my mom in the Hadrian's Wall area on the morning of 8 July. I have no plans in between. Where should I go for the 4-5-6-7?
I am a single traveler, so I need (cheap) accommodation for one, and I have no car. I was thinking Lake District but the couple Rick Steves places I've looked at appear to already be booked...and in several other cities, too. I am terrified of finding nowhere to stay!
Any suggestions?
You really should go to the Lake District. Don't be hesitant just because the Rick-recommended places are booked. There are so many that are great. We always stay in Keswick and have always had great experiences. This summer we stayed at Herdwick House and loved it. Ben and Alex were great hosts and always made sure that they touched base with us at breakfast to insure we would have a good day and get the most out of what we had planned to do for the day. Lovely people! The inn is right in town and an easy walk to everything. It is a safe, homey town with lots of beautiful strolls in and around town, and the surrounding hills of the Lakes are astoundingly beautiful.
If you won't have a car, then how would you enjoy the Lake District? Maybe Durham would be a better choice. A very nice small college town with an awesome cathedral. But probably not worth more than a night. Newcastle is another option, larger city but less charm. Still worth a night though.
First of all, the period you mention covers the start of the Tour de France, which (strange as it may sound!) starts in Leeds on July 5 and the route goes west and north that day, the second stage starts in Harrogate and goes to Sheffield and then heads south on 7th to London. This means that accommodation for a LONG distance in all directions from Leeds and especially north and west of it is VERY hard to come by at this point. I know because my family and I will be there and I was trying to help a friend find something. So, I think getting close to Hadrians Wall, ie: the Lakes, is a good idea, rather than trying to see things on the way.
Real answer though, what do you want to do? Are you an active, fit, outdoorsy type of person? If so, then you can use public transport to get around and do some of the most incredible walks you will ever do around the Lakes. Truly spectacular. I second the suggestion of Keswick, fantastic little town, some nice walks not far away (Walla Crag, Catbells, many others).
If you are more into cities then this isn't the best plan, Durham suggestion would be better.
Cheapest accommodation would be youth hostels, check the YHA website, but you don't say what you really mean by "cheap" accommodation.
Think 2nd day starts York...but yeah theres a horrendous. Increase in accom. Prices....
Theres a North Country rail pass, giving 4days travel in 8..comes in at £84.Gives you the area from York across to that inferior county to our west and up to Hadrians wall..Covers all rail in Cumbria too.
Theres plenty of independent hostels too
If you can get to Keswick, there's good local bus service to other parts of the Lake District, as well as one that makes a loop through some of the most scenic areas. I got off it at one point, walked a few hours, and picked it up at another point to return to town. There's also a boat that runs around Derwentwater, stopping at various places so you can get off, walk along the shore, and get on somewhere else.
Or, Durham and Newcastle. Durham has the best Norman cathedral I've seen, in a spectacular setting. We spent four nights there, but we used it as a base for Hadrian's Wall which you won't need. Easily reached by train, as is Newcastle with more sights.
A car would definitely help in this part of the world, where much of the attraction is scenery and there are lots of interesting little towns. But trains and buses should work too. You should be able to find places to stay, especially inexpensive ones, but it's worth reserving ahead so you don't spend a lot of time hunting them down on the trip itself.
The Lake District has excellent public transport! The bus system is extensive and drops and picks up in all the towns and many of the trail heads you would want to experience. Don't let that stop you! I have been there 6 times and have only had a car twice. It isn't an issue.
Hi Caroline, how did you get on at Hadrians wall? Did you walk any of the trail?
