Hi, this is my first time visiting this site -- it's terrific!
I'd like to ask for your advice...I'm planning my very first trip to Europe this spring and want to rent a cottage for a week in the Lakes district. Is a rental car necessary to get around in the countryside? Neither my fiance nor I like to drive (we're strange americans, i guess!). I've read that the lakes district has an adequate bus system, but since I've never been there I don't know how far away the villages are from each other, and whether most cottages are located far away from public transportation.
Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.

We spent two weeks in the Lakes District in 1988 and loved it. One week we were in Ambleside in the southern part; the other week up near Keswick (if I remember right) in the northern part. We had a car and used it to get out to the small towns and hiking areas. I never used the buses. Maybe someone else will have some experience with them.

If it turns out that you need a car, take the train to the Lakes District and pickup a car there. The train will be more fun than driving on the highways.

Our general experience in England (we spent 5 months there in 1988/89) was that you are better off with a car. We rented a cottage in Essex near London where the owner assured us you could take a bus to the train and the train to London. Turned out this was not really possible - the trip took hours using public transport, but if you drove to the train it was just an hour into London. We also needed the car for exploring the countryside.

Many cottages are out in the countryside, but you should be able to find some in towns in the Lake District so you can walk out for groceries.

My tip for driving in England: Drive on the left.
(We rented a car in Ireland once and they had a piece of paper with that tip on it in the glovebox.)

Pauline from Slow Travelers

Yes- You DO need a car- there are buses , but there are so many out of the way roads to travel that you can go nuts!

It is so much fun to drive thru the little towns and stop when the urge hits to look and amuse yourselves...

CAR is the ONLY way to go to get a feel of the area.....


Andy

One good reason to have a car in the Lakes District is so that you can take a day trip into the Yorkshire Dales. The dales aren't very far away from the lakes, and the rides through that area are truly beautiful.

BTW, driving in England isn't nearly as tricky as some people suggest. You quickly get used to driving on the "wrong" side and the round-abouts are really quite easy, as everyone is very polite about them. Mini-round-abouts can be a bit tricky, as you might miss them, but it isn't at all difficult to drive there. Have a great trip!

Libbie