Our family of four (two adult daughters) is planning a 5 night late May trip to the Lake District. I'd like to train up from London and rent a car in the area. I'd appreciate any recommendations on where to rent the car, and also on where to stay. I'd love to visit Hadrian's wall in that time, as well. Thanks for all advice!
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Train to Carlisle.
Arnold Clark has a good reputation https://www.arnoldclarkrental.com/car-and-van-hire-locations/carlisle
Birdoswald Fort is not too far away
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall/
Posted by
Yorkshire
1344 posts
Hi Julia -
There are options in Kendal for car hire, which coincidentally is on the linking railway line from Oxenholme on the West Coast line (where you change trains from the high speed train from London to the branch line to Windermere and the Lakes). I haven’t checked, but there may also be car hire options in Windermere itself too.
It’s not a huge drive to Hadrian’s Wall from the Lake District, but in my opinion, the best section runs for about nine miles in the centre of the wall, from near Thirlwall Castle near Greenhead through to Housesteads (extensive Roman fort remains). Scenically the wall is at its best as it winds up and down - steeply - along the top of the Whin Rigg, the natural rock fault in nearly all the pictures of the wall remains! Also in this section is the museum of Vindolanda (another fort) just a little way south of the wall.
Lots more info on the wall online dependent on what floats your boat! It’s well worth spending time in both the Lakes and on the wall, but although Carlisle is the nearest big town to the Lakes - be warned ! - there’s no remains of the actual structure until you are well inland and into the more remote areas - three days into a week’s walk along the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail hike from Bowness on Solway (not far from Carlisle on the coast) if memory serves (and then not much to look at!)
Hope you have a great trip!
Ian
Posted by
Warrington, England
88 posts
Carlisle is good for Hadrian's Wall but you will have gone past the Lake District. The best stops on the train from London Euston for the Lake District (both of which aren't exactly in the Lake District) are Oxenholme, where you change to a train to Windermere, and Penrith where there are buses to Keswick.
For car hire, there are places in Kendal which is about 2 miles from Oxenholme and the first stop for the train to Windermere. I'm sure there must be car hire companies in Penrith too.
If you find they are expensive or limited choice, try some of the towns where your train will stop on its way from London. Preston, Lancaster, even Carlisle. These are larger places and will have more choice and not too far to continue your journey.
I would start with Preston.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1454 posts
The section of the wall that Ian recommends really is stunning and Housesteads and Vindolanda are fascinating. You won’t regret taking the time to visit. It’s very exposed so make sure you have warm clothing.
Posted by
2599 posts
Beware that it may be cheaper to split the train ticket if you are going off the mainline down the branch line to say Windermere. It will be cheaper to pre book specific trains for the journey from London (Euston) and back around 10 weeks out. This site will tell you where to split (if needed):>https://www.traintickets.com/?/
https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/ is the company who provide the mainline trains from London Euston.