[littleoldman2]

I'd say for me its a good route BUT the lakes are only 80 miles or so from me, if I had just the one day I'd take in one of the Whinlatter pass, Honister pass / Buttermere, or Hardknott / Wrynose passes. Also dump C to D a lot of it is fairly urban and has a fair few 30 limits, lets be right one street of terrace houses looks the same as another. Carlisle is a typical small city easy to go through it but avoid the usual busy times. Also The High Cross to Ambleside can be very busy and is a narrow road, similar to the Ulswater road on the way to AR11, so can be frustrating at the wrong time however it is wonderful midweek in term time.
Whatever you do you will enjoy.