Lake District vs Borderlands

The key question is whether you are driving or on public transit. As really to get to what is usually called the Borders you would need to take quite a long bus ride from Carlisle, which is every couple of hours- if coming by train. The train to the Borders starts in Edinburgh.
So it would take a fare chunk of a travel day to reach the Borders, whereas the Lake District is 3 hours or less than Chester.

Thank you for your response. We will have a rental car if that makes any difference.

As you have a car I would suggest the Scottish Borders. The Lake District will be very busy due to the Public Holiday the last weekend in August, and also the last week of the English School Holidays.

Traffic will be heavy and parking spaces really hard to find. All the attractions at full stretch.

The Borders are never hugely busy and the Scottish Schools go back in mid August- the exact date varies slightly by council area. A much pleasanter place to be at that time of year.

Thank you!!!

Another vote for the Scottish Borders or Dumfries and Galloway, which hardly ever figure on people's itineraries. They don't know what they arwe missing!

I liked both areas. What I liked about the borders area is the lack of tourists. There is plenty to see and do depending on your likes.

The Undiscovered Scotland website is a wonderful source of ideas of things to do and see. Follow the links on the relevant map page for lots of pictures and description.

Thank you for the Undiscovered Scotland website, that will be super helpful in planning our entire trip!!