First-time trip to England/Scotland for 2 weeks. Please advise.

Posted by Liz on 02/23/25 03:23 AM

Hi everybody!

Glad to be here. I would like to ask for your opinion on my solo 2-week itinerary to England/Scotland, if the flow makes sense logistically. All through public transportation. Main goals are sightseeing; trying the local cuisine; and experiencing the culture, people, and nature at a moderate pace. Not into nightlife or war history. Maybe see 1-2 locations (not exhibitions or studios) featured in movies/shows - such Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, LotR, etc. Prefer to avoid crowds and overrated tourist spots.

I feel like I've put too many destinations in one trip due to FOMO.

Dates: May 13-28, 2025.

Already bought the plane tickets, so can't change the dates.

13: Arrive at LHR at 6 am. Most of the available flights arrive early in the morning or late in the evening. Arriving late doesn't feel safe for me. Will just rest and check out the area close to my hotel.

14: London

15: AM - train to Moreton-in-Marsh, Cotswolds

16: Cotswolds - plan: hike an easy trail; go to near Stow-on-the-Wold & Bourton-on-the-Water for easy transportation

17: Cotwolds

18: AM - Train from M-i-M to Bath

19: Bath

20: Bath + Stonehenge

21: AM - train to Bristol airport, then fly to Edinburgh

22: Edinburgh

23: Edinburgh OR day trip somewhere close by. Interested in a day tour to Glencoe/Highlands. Sleep in Edinburgh.

24: AM - train to York

25: York - plans: day tour, ghost tour

26: York

27: Train back to London. Sleep in London/near LHR.

28: AM flight back to my home.

Should I take out Edinburgh completely on this trip? It's so close!

It seems like train tickets are most affordable in the morning.

What to expect on May 26 bank holiday and the weekend before it? Crowded? Expensive?

Any suggestion would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Liz

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

02/23/25 08:20 AM

8701 posts

This is details of the bus from Bath to Bristol Airport- https://www.airdecker.com/tickets/book-ticket/

I am sure people will know more than me about Lord of the Rings [assuming that is what is meant by Lord of the Rings], but it was filmed entirely in New Zealand. According to that source of doubtful knowledge, Wikipedia, you are looking at a place called Sarehole Mill (Birmingham) and rural Worcestershire (in lieu of the Cotswolds).
The Mill is accessed by buses from central Birmingham or a local suburban railway station called Hall Green.

For Jane Austen, as well as Bath, you are looking at some quite unfashionable places on this forum- Reading Abbey (especially the Gateway)- a quick and easy stop on your way to Bath or Oxford; Basingstoke and Steventon. Basingstoke is an easy stop on the other way to Bath (or by direct bus from Heathrow). Steventon is a 7 mile taxi ride away.
Also of course, Chawton. That is an easy day trip by train from London.
An hourly bus links Basingstoke with Alton in 49 minutes,
These are all real places associated with her, not movie locations.

For Harry Potter in London you have Kings Cross Station, Leadenhall Market, Big Ben, Harrow School and the London Zoo Reptile House. Picket Post Close at Bracknell (his 'home') is also an easy win if you go by train to Reading. Or on arrival day go there direct from Heathrow Terminal 5 on the bus then the train into London from Bracknell station.
Or Bracknell from Heathtrow, then bus 4 or 4a to Reading (for the Abbey as above) then train to London.

York will be busy and expensive, being a Bank Holiday weekend, but then it is busy and expensive at any time, so the busyness and expense is all relative. The expense is also relative to Edinburgh and London. Compared to those York is fairly reasonably priced.