Looks like Windermere is about 85 miles from MAN.
http://www.fayrergarden.com/map.html
That'll be the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, so holiday traffic will be mad on roads and rail.
I'll look into train schedules and road directions.
I'd assume that we'll be consolidating our stays to ensure that we get the best deal as a group.
I'd plan to arrive in MAN on Fri am probably, and depart on Mon lunchtime most likely.