Trying again

The Cotswolds is the area that makes this plan a bit more complicated. Would you consider dropping them in favour of other areas that for more into a Northern England/Scotland plan?
You could fly into Manchester and back from Glasgow or vice-versa. You could start with the Peak District NP and then up to Keswick and then Scotland. Or add somewhere like Arran on to your Scotland tour. Trains will provide most of the transport, but you need a bus to get from Penrith to Keswick.

Thank you for your information. Wondering if we could do a tour of Lake District through Rabbies from Manchester and somehow train to Cotswolds either at beginning or end of trip.

With 10 days you may be stretching it to add the Cotswolds.

Suggested Itinerary-
Day 1- Arrive at MAN or other airport, travel to Keswick either via Windermere or Penrith, for bus from either railhead.
Day 2 and 3- Keswick
Day 4 Keswick to Carlisle or Penrith by bus then train to Oban, arrive mid afternoon or dinner time
Day 5- Oban
Days 6 and 7 Iona.
Day 8 Travel Iona to Glasgow. You could continue to Moreton in Marsh, but would not arrive until 2330, so a long travel day. And one which is at the mercy of the weather on two ferry crossings, so maybe not adviseable.
Days 9 and 10 Cotswolds
Day 11 to whichever airport

But I think Days 9 and 10 would be better added, 1 each to Keswick and Oban. Then Day 10 is back to GLA or EDI for flight home.

You may be better off doing round trip flight to GLA or EDI, then Day 1 is GLA/EDI to Keswick via bus from either Carlisle or Penrith.

If you really want to do the Cotswolds and the Lake District; start with Bath and go north thru Cotswolds to Chester. You can make a side trip to Conwy, Wales, etc. or go keep going north to Keswick, take boat ride on Windermere. Then proceed to Carlise and then on to Oban, etc. Or go to Hadrian's Wall following until Hexham, go south from there towards Harrogate and onward to Chatsworth. Etc. It depends on what time of year, but I would do Scotland as a separate trip. The Midlands of England are really rich in History and scenic wonders in the parks like the Peaks District. It is easier to Drive if you really want to visit outside the main towns. Check where the Train lines go. If you are agile, you can make connecting bus transfers. Depending on how much time you have, you can stretch yourself too thin. You really need about 15 days on the ground to do everything mentioned. If you do want to do Scotland, Rabbie's Tours offer many tours.

From Manchester small van tours of the Lake District are also available on the Lake District company Mountain Goat Tours . The original van tours of the area.

That is a lot of ground to cover in ten days and isn't going to give very long in the different places. isn31c's itinerary is probably the best you could come up with. I would also agree with forgetting the Cotswolds this trip and adding an extra day to the Lake District and a night on Mull (or Oban)

Rabbies are an excellent company but a tour from Manchester doesn't make much sense if you are then going to go up past the Lake District again to get to Scotland. If you want a tour of the Lakes do as isn31c suggests and take a Mountain Goat day trip from Keswick - cheaper and saving a lot of driving up and down the motorway.

If you want the Lake District and Scotland in 10 days, that fits - but leaves very little if any time for the Cotswolds. If you want the Cotswolds and the Lake District in 10 days that fits with room for a couple of fingers at the waistline, but not enough time to add Scotland.

I'd be afraid that you'd shortchange each region and leave dissatisfied.

Hi westlaketraveler -

Those above who said you couldn’t sensibly fit it all in are right if we’re honest. Either the Cotswolds or the west of Scotland is geographically in the wrong place! I suppose it then comes down to personal preference, and for me, I’d choose the Lakes and Scotland as a trip any time. I know you miss the Cotswolds, but if the scenery is what you are after, then I think the Lakes/Scotland combination is hard to beat. And you’ll have the time to appreciate them.

Like others have said, I’d try to fly into Manchester and leave from Glasgow. Then you can travel by train/bus as has previously been outlined. Let us know if you need ideas to fill your time in Keswick or the Highlands (I’m sure you have a ton of ideas already!).

Ian

Thank you, all. I believe we have decided to forgo the Cotswolds this trip - hopefully another time.
I know Rick recommends Keswick - do you agree? or should we stay in Windermere or Penrith?

As you are on the train Penrith would fit very well. We have a whole raft of bus service improvements coming in on 23 March and Penrith has done very well for improved services, including a brand new service to the south side of Ullswater and to Lowther Castle. The south side of Ullswater has never had a bus service before so it opens up new walking country to those without a car and new bus/steamer combos.

Penrith is an interesting town which I think Rick unfairly neglects. There are quite a few independent bed and breakfasts in very elegant old townhouses, as well as the smart old George Hotel. Penrith has a lot to commend it as a base. If you are into your history then their is a lot of Jacobite history in the area as well- they were not just Scotland.

The 508 bus takes you through to Windermere via Ullswater, or the combination X4/X5 to Keswick and 555 down to Windermere. The X4/X5 also now has extra services, and earlier and later services. And the 104 bus from Penrith to Carlisle is about to double in frequency to half hourly. You can now be in Keswick from Penrith by bus well before 7am, so can have a seriously early start if you want to.

Hadrian's Wall is under an hour from Penrith on the train, via Carlisle.

Windermere to me is a town which is heavily clogged up with tourists.