Lake District v. North York Moors

Planning a trip to London in August and want to follow it with a week "up North". Any advice whether I should go to the Lake District or the North Yorks Moors? I've heard that it's very rainy and congested in the Lakes. I've 2 kids so would like to see and do "things" rather than just hikes.

If you are not really into hiking then a full week in either place maybe stretching it. I would recommend two days in the Lakes getting a taste of the scenery. Yes it will be congested bout not necessarily rainy. Then move on to the NYM. They are not so attractive being moorland rather than mountains but a much more open landscape. Plenty for the kids to do on the fringes, in particular on the coast or in York. If you time it right you could treat yourself a day at Scarborough cricket festival! If I had to opt for only one I would go for the Moors and stay at somewhere like Scarborough or Whitby.

At the end of the day it is a matter of luck whether you have chosen a wet week or a brilliant sunny one. The eastern side of the country has a lower rainfall generally being in the rain shadow.

As for activities both areas are predominantly based on outdoor activities so it next comes down to what are the "things" you family like to do.

R

Have you checked the websites for both? If the weather is good, the seaside options around N York Moors are in my opinion much better, Scarborougj, Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay etc. Also there are perhaps more "low scale" attractions in the Moors, such as Rievaulx Abbey. Castle Howard is on the way to York, as is Flamingoland.
Of couse between Lake District and N Y Moors is the Yorkshire Dales - they're worth a look too.

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