London, York and Lake District

The Lake District! One of my favorite places on earth! Go up to the Castlerigg Stone Circle and walk across the fields to the Cragg Bar and have lunch or dinner. Take a boat from Keswick across Derwentwater and hike up the Cat Bells. Drive out to Coniston, take a boat across Coniston Water and tour John Ruskin's house. Pick up sandwiches at Bryson's takeaway and eat lunch on top of a peak somewhere. Go out to Muncaster Castle and visit the owl zoo and tour the house. Go to Grasmere and buy gingerbread - ask anyone...they'll know what you mean. Avoid Ambleside...super touristy and crowded. Buy a copy of one of Wainwright's trail books and pick a beautiful walk to take. Have tea up in the rafters of George Fischer hiking shop. I could keep going! Most of all, just walk the fells...there are few places on earth that are more beautiful in a green, British, pastoral way...have a great trip!

Anita has great ideas for the Lake District. Loved the hike to the stone circle. We got there just around sunset. Will add, if you stay in Keswick, there is a great local theatre there. Check out http://www.theatrebythelake.com.

Adding these to my list for next year's trip. Mthanks for the suggestions.

Highlights in York for me: York Minster Clifford's Tower Walk on a section of the ancient city wall
The Shambles - oldest street in York with some buildings dating back to the 14th century... I loved York and want to return someday. Jim

Another fan here of Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick. York Minster, walls, Shambles area, and Yorkshire Museum (not so much the York Castle Museum for me). Great railway museum if you're into such things. London: where to begin? Maybe you could share some of your interests, or look at a good guidebook and come back with questions about specitic places and choices. Have a good trip.

How many days will you have in London? Buy the Rick Steves London guidebook if you will be there longer than one day. It would be a shame to miss a museum or a sight that is an area of special interest to you that you didn't know about. The first 3 sights I would do in London would be: Tower of London, St. Paul's, and Westminster Abbey. Followed by a walk around Westminster to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Day 2: a Hop On Hop Off bus tour around the city to get a quick look at everything. Then a trip to the British Museum to see the most amazing stuff. Then a walk around the south bank of the river to see Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. As far as what to eat in London, what kinds of food do you like? London has some of the very best Indian restaurants. Also fish and chips places. We can give names and locations. Let us know what kinds of foods you are wanting.

I loved the Lake District. Try to go see Beatrix Potter's farm and I also enjoyed visiting Wordsworth's cottage. I was with my Mom. Can you tell she was an English teacher? We also visited Herriott country north of York. My favorite meal in this part of the world is tea-particulary elevenses (ie, stopping for tea around 11); then we would stop again around 4. Sometimes after a big breakfast we didn't even need to stop for meals! But, we did usually stop in the evening at the pub for a wonderful pint of bitter.