A college student/young lady in my family (studying abroad in London for a few weeks) will be traveling by train from London to Windermere, staying in a B & B about 10 or 12 minutes walk from the train station, spending the first day around town and by the lake there, then taking the 10 Lake Tour with Mountain Goat Tours the next day. Then back to London early Monday morning in time for class. I'm thinking this town would be perfectly safe for this venture? Thanks for any comments.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
You child is studying abroad in England. The UK is not a third world country. Windermere is the most populated and most touristy town in the Lake District.
Put trust in your my family member’s intelligence and ability to make goods choices.
Evil does not lurk around every corner.
Posted by
OP
US
20 posts
Wow! Certainly not implying that evil lurks around every corner. I didn't realize that one could not ask a perfectly reasonable question here without getting snark.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
What Claudia was saying, England is a very safe country. Of course you have to use your common sense anywhere you are in the world. I know that there are several women on here that travel solo to England for from a week to several weeks. I myself will be traveling solo next year for at least a month, that will include several days in London and going to the theatre.
Posted by
Guernsey
741 posts
It is a very strange question, you are talking about the home of Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransom. Why would you have any reason to think this very, very popular holiday town was anything other than safe?
Posted by
Yorkshire, England
62 posts
The problem might be (and it could just be me) but some of your posts read a little insulting to England. You are questioning (or seem to be) every aspect of her trip. From the places she is staying to the help she has received whilst she has been here. but that’s just my opinion.
Regarding the Lakes. They are a wonderful place to visit although I imagine a little busy right now.
Posted by
Guernsey
741 posts
Totally agree Mae. Hadnt before made the connection with the other posts.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7935 posts
Caninelover, I met young women when I was in college in the 1960s whose parents forbade them from going to Italy to continue their Art History studies. Since most of those parents had probably not been to Europe, I have to assume that they were influenced by popular films depicting rapacious Italian men, and images like that famous photograph containing one female tourist and a dozen Roman men.
http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/04/19/american-girl-in-italy-behind-the-iconic-photo/
Of course, I mean that ironically, because it would be difficult to pursue the stereotypically female career of Art History without going to Italy!
Most of the posters here love travel, and are aware that most crimes, including sexual assault, occur at lower rates in other developed countries. Are you aware that there is now peer-reviewed research that sexual assault is more likely at an American school with a Division I football program? Would you have recommended that this family member take that into account when picking a school?
I don't mean that to sound assaultive to you. I just hope that you may see a bigger picture than your OP assumes is real life. This trip will be positive and life-changing for "her", in the best possible ways.
Posted by
OP
US
20 posts
Okay, I will reply to you all collectively for all of your much appreciated comments. Although I haven't traveled to England, I am an Anglophile who loves almost everything English. In my first question on this forum regarding a B & B in London, I was thinking about comparably-priced accommodations in the center of some of our big cities here in the U.S., where I would not want her to stay, sadly.
Regarding the questions on health care in London, I really was asking about it, not making a judgement. Being very stressed at the time, I could have worded it better.
To the person above who mentioned the campus safety problem, I am aware of and very disturbed by the statistics on that subject.
Thank you for your comments on Windermere.
It sounds perfect for her needs on that weekend. So far, she loves what she's seen and done over there (Cambridge, Oxford, the Cotswolds, going to the theater and museums in London.). This weekend she will venture to Edinborough and is beyond excited about that.
Again, thank you for your input.
Posted by
8321 posts
We stayed in Keswick and I would say that the Lake District may be one of the safest areas in the UK.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
Snark.
What a charming word.
Inappropriate though.
I answered your inquiry about the Lake District and reminded you the England wasn’t a third world country.
I also advised to trust your family member and given what you’ve said she’s already seen and experienced sounds like she’s having a wonderful time.
Good for her!
Posted by
OP
US
20 posts
Update Lake District: Great big WOW, according to my traveler. She says it's indescribably beautiful, that her B & B is perfect with a lovely room and great hosts. That the area is so charming and so easy to get around, that she was immediately on the boats, the buses, having tea in another little village ... Perfection! She is out touring the Lakes all day today with Mountain Goat. I'd say she has fallen in love with the country of a great many of her ancestors! :-). Thank you all again for your help.
Posted by
381 posts
........Although I haven't traveled to England, I am an Anglophile who loves almost everything English......
It would be wonderful if you could make this trip for yourself at some point !!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33985 posts
The Lake District and nearby Yorkshire Dales will do that to a person.