This board gave me great advice while planning my Ireland trip a couple years ago so I am back for more. I am in the very beginning stages of planning our next trip. We want to return to London, having been there once before and seeing all the main attractions but missed a few like Churchhill's War rooms. We are huge Harry Potter fans so would like to go to the studio and then Bletchley Park, not sure of spelling. Then we like architecture, history and being outdoors walking/hiking. We are Not art museum people. We have discovered from Ireland that we do not like driving in another country and not on the left! So we are thinking of staying in London and doing day trips. I am hoping people can recommend a couple of day trips and make recommendations of how to get there as to me, transportation is stressful.
2nd, I am wondering if we should tack on a trip to Scotland, specifically to Edinburgh and then perhaps a day trip or two. If we added that, what would you suggest for day trips based on our interests. I have seen pictures of Isle of Skye and it looks amazing but have not researched Scotland yet so am unclear if that could be a day trip.
I am open to any advice/suggestions. Oh, last thing, total trip time would be two weeks at most.
Posted by
38 posts
I would recommend looking into visiting Greenwich (very pleasant, tons of naval history, huge open park spaces - an easy trip from central London via tube/DLR train or Thames river boat) and Kew Gardens (huge botanical gardens, a perfect place to visit on a day when the weather is nice - also a very easy trip via the tube.)
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3575 posts
Skye is amazing, if you go to Scotland, check out Rabbies. Small group tours to Skye, but you would need a few days.
Posted by
3124 posts
To tack on a trip to Scotland would be OK, especially if you can fly open jaw, arriving in London and departing out of Edinburgh. I would take the train between the two (see https://www.seat61.com/london-to-edinburgh-by-train.htm ), but you could also fly. Edinburgh is beautiful and an interesting contrast to London.
I would not go to the Isle of Skye on a day trip from Edinburgh. Way too much drive time. If you want a taste of highland scenery, there are many day trips to choose from without going all the way to Skye. See https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g186525-zfc17375-zfg17447-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
For the London portion of your vacation, you have a nearly endless variety of fun, interesting & scenic destinations within an hour or two in any direction. You could, for example, take the train to Salisbury and connect with the Stonehenge shuttle bus to visit Stonehenge, Old Sarum, and Salisbury Cathedral. https://www.londontoolkit.com/whattodo/stonehenge_getting_there.htm
Another London-based tour that might interest you is this one https://www.londontoolkit.com/tours/golden_harry_potter.html
Posted by
UK
1015 posts
If you’re huge Harry Potter fans, make sure you book tickets for the studios WAY AHEAD. It is extremely popular and gets completely booked up very quickly.
Posted by
OP
Mn
12 posts
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I will definitely look at the suggested tours. One follow up question. We prefer to travel in shoulder season for better pricing and few crowds. Which would be the better season for Scotland, early fall or late Spring?
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
I'm not an expert on Scottish weather, but you will have longer days in the spring.
Posted by
Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.
1055 posts
If you want to go to Scotland, I would suggest you head to Edinburgh first for a couple of days. Take a 3-4 day Rabbie's tour to the Isle of Skye. return to Edinburgh and then Train to York for 2-3 Nights. Then head to London to finish your vacation. Fly open jaw arriving in Edinburgh and departing London. The Harry Potter studios will require advanced booking if you are traveling during a school break - Well worth a visit.
If I was returning to Scotland - I would still pick the summer months. It is the best chance of good weather and the longest daylight hours. If you are only going to England - I would still go in June, but April/May or September/October would be fine. I do like to see English flowers and gardens and they are best in late spring early summer. BTW - Saturday, June 8th is Trouping the Colour in London - if you are interested in seeing the Royals.
Margaret