My sig. other and I are visiting England for two weeks starting in mid-June. We're planning to spend 5-6 days in London, take a train to Penzance, rent a car and drive to St. Ives (a must because of my ancestry). Then we're thinking of driving to the Cotswolds and then Wales (he wants to see Conwy). Would we be insane to try to drive to the Lake District from there and then get back to Heathrow?
Posted by
Delray Beach, FL, USA
157 posts
Can't answer your question. However, when going down to St. Ives you should stop and see St. Michael's Mount on the way to Penzance. A must-see is the man-made cliff-hugging Minack Open-Air Theatre overlooking the water; it is amazing.
Posted by
Arlington, WA
993 posts
Kathy, IMHO thats pushing it a bit. It's over 350 miles from St. Ives to Conwy without diverting to the Cotswolds, and 150 miles from there to, say Windermere and 270 from Windermere back to Heathrow. Even if you have 14 days in country and want to spend 6 of them in London that leaves you only 8 days with a lot of driving. I'd have to say give the Lake District a miss and spend less time in your car. Go to www.viamichelin.co.uk for milage and routes. We did nearly this trip but from Ashburton in Devon to N. Wales, with stops inbetween and on to the Lake District and it took 4 weeks encluding few days in London.
What you have listed excluding the LD is plenty for the time you have. Cornwall has so much to see. Tintagel, the Minack, Port Isaac, if you're Doc Martin fans. And then Wales! So very much to see. Britains smallest house is in Conwy.
Posted by
Fredericksburg, VA, USA
409 posts
Hi, Kathy: We did almost this exact same itinerary this past September. 3 nights in London, train from Paddington to Penzance where we rented a car. Stayed 3 nights in Cornwall in St. Buryan. Then 3 nights in the Cotswolds (Little Compton), 3 nights in North Wales (near Conwy), and 2 nights in the Lake District (Keswick) before flying out of Manchester (the only major difference). Please send me a PM if you'd like detailed advice.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
sounds a bit rushed to me. you can probably do the mileage, but then no time to see and enjoy. (I have done all that in a combination of trips). If i were doing it, i would plan through the end of cotswolds and then see what your inclination is. I expect you will leave Conwy and lake district for your next trip With regards to a previous reply- St Michaels Mount is virtually on Penzance's doorstep, so it is easy to add it on. From penzance i would also suggest a local bus ride (or car) to the quaint lttle port village of Mousehole. great slittle harbor and lobster lunches.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
As posted by others we would leave the Lake District out of your plans for this trip. A few tips from our trip: 1) drive to Minack Theatre - it is VERY worthwhile. 2) park at Sennen Cove and stroll to Lands End. 3) St Ives - park ASAP and take transit into center. Streets there are very narrow, winding and one way. Even our GPS got confused! 4) honk your horn at some curves along the hedgerows - very limited vision. 5) stay in Penzance. IMO after Cornwall, stop at Bath rather than the Cotswolds and in Conwy stay at the Gwyfryn B&B. Monica & Colin are great hosts and the B&B is inside the city walls. Colin personally escorted me to a parking spot and the rooms and breakfasts are excellent. They're in Rick's guide book.