Travel recommendations: London -> Lake District (Hill Top)

Well well well... who knew I'd ever be back again, but here I am.  So hello again to those who might remember me, and... Hello to everyone else!

FINALLY I'm heading back to Blighty for a VERY overdue visit 'home' (not a permanent move, yet... I still think about it from time to time!), but, when I announced to my folks I was going to make it happen, suddenly THEY thought it was a good idea and they wanted to come too.  *fine*

So while I'll be leaving them to their own devices most of the time while I'm galavanting off to see my chums, one thing we do want to do is head up to one of our very favorite places, the Lake District/Hill Top/Windermere, and my parents are convinced that it's too much of a hassle to try and take the train and then get transport locally, so they want to rent a car.  I disagree, but have not found much specific timetables/maps to support my argument.

Both my parents are legally 'too old' to drive now overseas so I'd be the one behind the wheel, which annoys and terrifies me (I never drove when I lived there).  They are full of 'get up and go', but my mom can't do a lot of walking (I've read about 1-2 mile walks, or uphill walks from/to Hill Top and the like, but my mom wouldn't be able to do that).

Whether it's train or car, I'm guessing we'll be staying at least one or two nights.

Suggestions please?

We'll be going in the autumn; probably late Sept./early October.

Many thanks!

Ooooh! Exciting!!

I've stayed at Ees Wyke, and it was fabulous. Granted, that was nearly 10 years ago but, assuming the owners are the same, you'll love it. Comfortable rooms, great food, gorgeous garden, etc. It's the house Beatrix Potter's family rented for holidays before she moved there as an adult. And Hilltop is a quick walk from there.

Don't worry about driving. You'll be fine! It's like riding a bicycle! I drove up to Scotland, with a stop-over at Ees Wyke, from Wales (about a 12 hour jaunt) after only being in the UK two weeks and I was fine. You can do it! Trains are great, but I think you'll be limited without a car. 

Soooo... driving from London, eh? 
I suppose after the endless driving road trip I just got back from, it's hard to think about right now (though I see it's approx. 4 hours, which is much shorter than anything we just did here in the US).

Thanks for the reply!

Hi Elizabeth, welcome back and hopefully your journey over here is lovely! I wouldn't think you'd have to drive up from London. You could get a train to somewhere reasonably close  - Euston to Carlise and get a car from there to drive around? 

I suppose after the endless driving road trip I just got back from, it's hard to think about right now (though I see it's approx. 4 hours, which is much shorter than anything we just did here in the US).

If you want to spend the whole day driving up, visit some scenic views, and take some detours along the way (or if you want to take a couple of days for the drive), then drive all the way.   It is mostly motorway driving but the route takes you near many major cities - the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, Blackpool, etc..  If you have no interest in stopping in these places, then would take the train and hire a car up north, but I think this would be a bit more costly. 

Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is also worth visiting along the way, the website is http://www.chatsworth.org/ .  Chatsworth House was used in the 2005 "Pride & Prejudice" film as the country estate of Mr. Darcy.  It was also in the 2008 "The Duchess" and 2010 "The Wolfman" films.

Oh and buses  - if you think your parents can handle coach buses  - may be a bit cheaper than trains -

Thanks all!
I don't think we want to sit on a coach from London; I'd much rather be on a train and then rent a car.
We've been to the spots along the way before, but since we do want to revisit Hill Top and the Lake District, perhaps we'll want to see a few more sites again along the way as well (it was one of our very favorite UK road trips many years ago).
Will consult with the parentals!