Expert: Iain Reynolds - 3/28/2004

Question
Hi
Thank you for offered assistance to people such as us.
We are early 50 yr old Aussies on 1st trip to UK. Having 3 days in London, 4 in SE area of England, 1 week Ireland, then we ferry to Holyhead 24 April 2004. Car hire there and head northwards to be in Edinburgh by late 27 April.
Hence, we are seeking any advice you could give us on 3 nights/4 days. We are keen to see areas such as Caernarfon, Chester, Lakes District, then Glasgow, Fort William, Inverness. We therefore would appreciate any advice re an itinerary to cover these areas, must sees, accom recommendations for a fairly tight budget etc
Many thanks in anticipation
Di and Gary

Answer
Dear Di and partner,

The busiest place in the Lake District is Bowness on Windermere (also known as just Windermere) as it is at the southern most point of the lakes and therefore easiest accessible to the majority of tourists who travel from the south.  In mid-April it will be heaving with folk as the schools finish for two weeks on 9th April.  

One of the best places to base your self is Keswick (pronounced kes-ick).  It is in the central northern area of the lakes.  You will still only be 30 minutes from any other part of the lakes except the west coast area, which of course you will need to travel over or around the mountains to get to!

It is a lovely old-fashioned market town with lots going on all year round.  It is surrounded by mountains and has some of the best views in the Lake District very close by, like Ashness Bridge.

April weather can be changeable!  I always tell people the same thing, if there wasn't any rain we wouldn't have full lakes!  The weather this spring has been good so far although we have now got full cloud cover and light rain it normally stays around 12- 15c this time of year.  We did get a high last week at around 18c, which is quite unusual for this time of year.

Hope you find this helpful and I have attached quite a useful link for you to look at that will list many local attractions, places of interest and possible places for you to stay at.  Accommodation is priced as to how close you are to the town centres!  Stay further a field and you will get it quite cheap.

www.lake-district-links.co.uk

Cheers

Iain
Cumbria