Really like the recommendations I have received about our upcoming trip to England and Scotland, My wife and I are traveling with our two teenage boys ages 13 and 19. We are staying in London six nights then want to unwind in a smallish town for two days before we head to Edinburgh for three nights. We have thought about renting a car and driving to Whitby, going to the Cotswolds, or taking the train to Cambridge and York. Now we are looking at Chester too because it is historic small town and easy to reach by train. Is Chester just a smaller York? I know Chester is not on the way to Edinburgh but just looking for a historic town or a seaside town that we have not researched yet that maybe we all like and can relax in. York seems like the place but will be crowded in July.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
I am loathe to pick any one place over another in Britain , I have not been anywhere in the country that I didn't find beckoning . I have not been to Chester ( as of yet , it looks delightful ) but in a somewhat more direct line north I would consider the Southern Peak District and the villages of Bakewell , Baslow , and Matlock ( Matlock Bath , as well ) The obvious choice in the area is Chatsworth House - One of the grandest English country estates , home of the Dukes of Devonshire . This one hour documentary will whet your interest - https://youtu.be/VMTjdOzUUmo
Posted by
1 posts
My 14 yo son and I visited both Chester and York in June last summer. Both have city walls that are fun to explore, lots of shops and good restaurants. My son loves birds, and we found amazing hands on bird experiences both places. York has a wonderful free tour by local volunteer guides and a lovely park for picnics and people watching. Very crowded on the weekends with wedding parties. If you only have a couple days, York would be the better choice because Chester would take more travel time. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I agree York will be very crowded but a great tourist location nevertheless.
Have not been to Chester but if u are on your way to Edinburg have u considered Hadrians wall area? With 2 teenage sons it might be a great place to visit that is not a town. Ck it out in RS guidebook. You can lodge in a pub uptairs , eat yummy food downstairs , walk the wall and learn about Vindolanda the historic and well studied Roman settlement. There is a fascinating museum there too. We had a fabulous time there and it was a chance to really go back in time and see how advanced the romans were.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6563 posts
Chester and York aren't "small towns" by any stretch. I'd call them medium-sized cities. Both are wonderful. There's more to see and do in York, and it's on your way north. I'll let Emma or someone else comment on whether Chester is "just a smaller York."
Either would be a good decompression place between London and Edinburgh, which are much bigger. So would Durham and the area around Hadrian's Wall. Consider Hexham, near the east end of the wall, big enough to have good services but closer to the small town you're looking for. Or one of the Yorkshire dale towns like Richmond.
If you're driving, you have many possibilities. If going by train, you're more constrained and might want to rent a car for this interlude.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Whether you pick Chester or York, take the train, don't drive, as neither are car friendly. York is a more straightforward rail link to Edinburgh.
Both are Roman cities, each with their merits, but they are quite different. York is by far the most touristy, as you can tell by how many posters here haven't been to Chester, but have been to York!
Durham, other than the Cathedral, is just an average cathedral city, but the nearby Beamish Museum is worth spending a day.
You could also spend a couple of nights in Newcastle upon Tyne and visit Hadrian's Wall from here.
Posted by
OP
Iowa
30 posts
Thanks for all the replies. We decided to stay in York but there are no rooms that fit our family in the desired location within York, so we decided to head on up the road to Durham for a night. York has a lot of wedding parties in the summer. We think Durham while not York will be relaxing but has sites to see too.
Posted by
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3211 posts
Did you try the hostel in the old city in York? It has at least one 4 person room. The kids, at least, will enjoy it!
Posted by
New York, NY , USA
47 posts
We visited the UK last summer with our two teenage boys and made the same trip - start in London, end in Edinburgh. We opted to split the trip with two nights in York and loved it! The city was bustling with street performers, great stores and restaurants which was a perfect mix for our family. The highlight for the boys was probably when we rented a boat for 30 mins and toured the canals.
The train station is centrally located so you don't need a car. There are plenty of great b&bs where you are treated to a hearty breakfast and have rooms far more spacious than London. Don't worry about the crowds - all of you will have a great time!