Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 6/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Alun Hill MCIJ,
I am going to Lake District and Bath with my boyfriend in August. Pls kindly recommend some B&B with en-suite room for us. Do U know any good restaurants in both places? Thanks for your help.

ANSWER: Hi - thanks for tour question.

I'd need to know your nightly budget for the b and b, please, and what sort of food you like and what sort of price you're willing to pay for each meal.

Also, the Lake District is a huge area (almost 1,000 square miles) - have you decided which parts you'll be visiting - and are you travelling by car or public transport?

Sorry for all the questions, but I need this information, otherwise I might suggest a b and b a long way from where you want to stay - and a restaurant only accessible by car!

Also, the Lake District in August is very busy and many places are already booked.


Alun Hill, MCIJ

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Alun Hill MCIJ,
Thanks for your guidance. You are so thoughfully. Sorry for my unclearness.
We will go to the Lake District from Inverness by railway. I checked that the railway station is called Oxenholme Lake District. I guess it is a city centre of Lake District. We will live at least not far from the railway station and walk around. We stay 2 nights in Lake District, then proceed to Bath by railway. And stay in Bath for 3 nights. And my budget is about 80 to 120 pounds for a double en-suite room(with free wifi in room)per night. For the food, we hope we can get the chance to taste the local style food which for the local people . So we can try the real culture and food. It is not necessary for us to go to the restauants which for the tourists.
Thanks for your valuable time.

Kind regards,
Baubau

ANSWER: Can I firstly suggest that you check precisely what you want to do - including some research into the area?

Oxenholme is a very small village - beautiful, though - and whilst it is indeed actually in the Lake District, the physical area covers almost 1,000 square miles, as I mentioned.

You can walk around it in a few minutes.

Whilst there local buses and tours, you need to understand that this is very much a tourist based area, with most local businesses relying totally on tourists.

Specifically, your request to eat in places not frequented by tourists will not be possible.

I'm going to suggest that you consider basing yourselves in Kendal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendal
as there will be much more to do and getting around by public transport will be much easier.
Let me know what you decide, please.

One other point - you are in a very rural area here and internet connection, where it exists, is often not very good - finding free internet will be even more difficult. Some of the larger hotels offer internet, but do note that you will be charged unless they specifically say it is free.

Keep me updated and I'll help further, happily!

Alun Hill, MCIJ

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Alun Hill,
Thanks for your advice. It is good for us to travel and live around the area with railway station nearby. So we take Oxenholme. We can explore the surroundings of Oxenholme.How long should it takes from Oxenholme to Windermere? We won't fishing and canoeing. We welcome any recommendations of B&B and restaurants. Now we know the character of the Lake District.

Thanks for your valuable time again.

With warmest regards,
Baubau

Answer
Oxenholme to Windermere is about 30 minutes by train.

http://www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk/propertysearch.asp?location=Oxenholme+Lake+Dis
gives local bed and breakfasts in Oxenholme, but do book early - many are already full for August!

Without knowing your budget and your food likes / dislikes (Indian / Chinese / French?) it is impossible to suggest where to eat, but as all the restaurants are within a few minutes of each other, you can look whilst you're there - all UK restaurants have to display a menu and prices, plus their service charge policy (some charge for service, so you don't need to tip).

Let me know where I can help further please.

Feel free to download my 94 page free book on the Lake District:

http://alunhill.com/free-travel-books/free-travel-book-the-uk-lake-district/

Alun Hill, MCIJ

http://www.ShortEuropeBreaks.co.uk