I was up North in Cumbria this last weekend visiting Mike, a (new) hiking mate. Trains worked fine - the west coast train line now takes only just over three hours from Euston to Penrith.
We had three good hikes together, middle height not the tops. Even Seatoller, the wettest place in England was dry when we were there. The good luck didn't last though - the torrential rain started just as we got back from walking along the quiet side of Ullswater.