Grand Tour of England.... Difficult to figure an itinerary.

Hi! Sounds like a fun trip!

Total days there? What time of year? What sorts of things do you like to do when traveling? And… any particular reason for Blackpool?

With a little more info on the specifics of your personal tastes (and timing) this board will be able to light you up with excellent advice!

Rick used to recommend Blackpool but I don’t he think it’s included in his itineraries anymore. It’s somewhere I would avoid for this trip. Yes, a lot of Brits still like to go there for a short break but for a visitor from overseas I can’t see that it has much to offer.

as somebody who lives near Cambridge, and am there frequently, I wonder why you want to go there, out of your way north, diverting off the main route to York? You will take a slower train, then have to get to Peterborough to head back north - all of this for a half-day? What do you want to accomplish in your 4 hours (not counting the transportation time penalty)? What is drawing you there?

Remeber a one night stay only gives a few hours in a place. a two night stay gives a day and a bit.

How long are you planning for this grand trip? Are you planning on a week for the grand tour and then a week in London?

What are your priorities for it? Cover as much ground as possible (the tick list) or slow down and actually spend 2-3 days in a place ?

I'd also query Blackpool. There are much nicer places to stop off.

Cambridge can be done as a day trip from London and might be a better use of time?

That pretty much covers it, but with such short stops is pretty much only a train ride.

There is an interesting way to arrive at Blackpool- bus to Knott End, cross river ferry to Fleetwood then tram to Blackpool North Station staying overnight at the new Holiday Inn in the much revamped station quarter, then train onwards next day.

But there are other much more attractive options.

eg- Penrith for the Lake District. Then bus next morning over the Kirkstone Pass (Easter to end October) to Windermere, bus to Kendal then Oxenholme- train to Birmingham then train to Stratford on Avon. (or train from Windermere).
Then afterwards bus from Stratford to Moreton in Marsh for the Cotswolds and London Paddington.

You can also do train to Solihull (in the Birmingham suburbs) then the country bus ride into Stratford, as another option.

or Train to Settle (change at Carlisle) for the Yorkshire Dales (or Skipton for Grassington), thence the scenic Skipton to Settle to Lancaster bus to be back on the WCML for Stratford as above. (or the Skipton to Preston hourly express bus through East Lancashire- another scenic run).

or Train Glasgow to Manchester, change for Buxton. Possibly bus on from Buxton to Castleton.
Then afterwards bus from Buxton or Castleton to Derby or Chesterfield, for trains to Birmingham thence Stratford on Avon etc.

a 1/2 day in Cambridge, as Nigel stated is not worth it. Either plan to spend a night or go from London to York. It is two or even three changes to get to York from Cambridge. London to York would be a fine first stop. If you are interested in getting out into the countryside, then booking day trips with various companies is the way to go. North Yorkshire is a beautiful county, you have Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay on the coast and then the Moors. Next stop Edinburgh. Again to really see Scotland, I would suggest you spend time on day trips out of the city. Scotland is beautiful and deserves to be explored in more depth. Glasgow is not a place of interest for me. (I know some like it). I had a co-worker this year insist on going to Glasgow. He reported back that he should have listened to me. When compared to other places, it was certainly not a highlight for him. However, it is close for west coast trips into the highlands which I would not want to miss. The lake district is fabulous, (please scratch Blackpool). Stratford upon Avon is worth only a couple of days. Oxford is very interesting and would be on your way back to London.

I know the UK does not look very big, but it takes time to travel in between all these places. Trains may be cancelled etc, so my advice would be not to make your plans too tight. One-night stops are too fasted paced and don't allow you to explore the area. You are forever unpacking and repacking and lifting luggage onto train platforms. Narrow your bases down, give us more info on your interests, and we can give you more specific feedback.

I agree that you are spending way too little time in places. It would really help to know how long you will be in England. If it's just a week or so, all good intentions aside, you really can't do a "grand tour." If you only have two weeks, I would stick with either the northern or the southern half, as that will eliminate a lot of travel time. Maybe leave Scotland for another trip? It's worth time on its own.

I was in England for almost 6 weeks earlier this year and missed so many places, but the time in the areas I did see was well spent. Most of my stays were 4-7 nights (there were a few exceptions) and that allowed me time to really explore the areas. I realize that not everyone can take that long period for vacation, but you are really doing yourself a disservice by speeding along from one place to the next.

Above all, read the recommendations of all the Brits here who have posted. They know their country and their advice is always good.

Blackpool and Stratford upon Avon would not be on my list of recommendations for a first trip to the UK.

Blackpool wouldn’t even be on my list for a last trip to the UK, although I do think SuA is a pleasant town if you happen to be in the area. It’s surprisingly tricky by train though.

The trouble with a half day in Cambridge - the train station is about a mile or so from the city centre, there’s so much to see, so I would either spend longer - or cut it out and see Oxford instead on your western part of the journey.

We spent a bit more than five weeks in the UK this summer, including almost two weeks in Scotland. Our goal wasn't to see "all" of England or Scotland (or Wales, for that matter), but simply to enjoy ourselves. Not sure even now I know what the OP's objectives are, which would help us help them.

I've said before that the narrative of "not enough time" is a false one. One day in the Cotswolds was plenty for my wife and me; it wouldn't be for many other people. But our objectives didn't include walking through beautiful pastures and seeing quaint villages for extended days. One day of that was sufficient for us.

To me, the key question is how to plan the OP's travel so as to minimize travel time and maximize time spent in the desired destinations.

Sorry for the lack of details. I just had to get some kind of outline out there.

Origin/Return : PNW, Eugene.
Time of Year: August to September
Total Window for trip: 2 1/2weeks.
Total Budget: 14 Thousand.
Travelers/age: 2, Mid Sixties.
Good advice so far from everyone!
Going to see if we can pack lighter than usual.
Car rental is a no go for me.
Food and fine dining isn't a big interest. But I like local fair.
We like three star hotels.

Been to Oxford and Bath and Bleinheim and Hampton Court and The Kew.
Wife wants to see Cambridge, Glasgow and Strafford on Avon.
I want to go to at last one seaside resort. Blackpool just seemed interesting.
In London we want to see The East Side, (eat some eel), Parliment/Big Ben,

Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and the

newly opened old BatterSea power plant - I'm a Pink Floyd Fan. :) Wife wants one more show that the
Shakespeare Theatre.
Day trips out of London, so far only Windsor Castle is a must.

We liked staying in the Earls Court/ Kensington Area last time. And very much liked it.
I need someplace extraordinary on the western leg of the train trip back down to London worth an over night.

Cheers!

If you're wanting A seaside resort and somewhere a bit special to stay at I would suggest Morecambe and staying at the Midland Hotel.

Almost all seaside resorts are rather faded from their Victoria and Edwardian heyday but Morecambe is about to get the investment of the Eden Project North. It is only just off the West Coast Main Line. There is Heysham Village just down the road which is a nice historic village. Lots to see in the City of Lancaster and you could visit the Brief Encounter Museum and Refreshment Rooms (where the famous eponymous movie was filmed) at Carnforth.

What would be even better, as a more genteel seaside resort, would be to change at Carlisle and take the train down the Cumbrian Coast (a pretty stunning journey) ending the day at Grange over Sands then stay at the Netherwood Hotel and Spa..

No 'kiss me quick' hats or Blackpool Rock in Grange but a really nice little seaside village with some good walking if you want it.

Then train from Grange to the main line at Lancaster- hourly service. Many of those trains extend to Manchester Airport so adding the Peak District on would be really easy. Also hourly trains to London and every 2 hours to Birmingham.

Stratford on Avon is easy by train from Birmingham Moor Street- twice an hour and Moor Street is only 5 minutes walk from New Street for main line trains.

If you do a Lake District stop over in Penrith there are lots of really nice guest houses but the really good hotel in town is The George Hotel..

By the way Cambridge to York is one change at Peterborough. If you left London early it is only an hour to Cambridge, and onward trains run until very late, so you could get 10 hours or so there with an early start and late finish.

You basically have 7 to 10 days for this tour - 6 are used by Glasgow. The seaside resort uses a 7th, Stratford days 8 and 9. Then to Moreton and London is the 10th day.

This is faster than many are used to. I would have liked you to have had an extra week minimum to give you the Dales and Peak District, and maybe a peek at Northumbria. But if that's the time you have and it suits you then that's what we have to work with.

I appreciate every one to say slow down. I've advocated that in the past. But that isn't how I want to design this trip. i want the hectic, many, few night stays, in many places, and many connections. Counter intuitive to seasoned travelers. I want that rush of not being comfortable again.

BTW eel isn't really a normal dish in London except jellied eels at a Pie and Mash Shop. @Gerry M is our resident east London expert so I hope he sees this. The pie and mash shops I know are too far east for you in Southend. Although come to think of it Southend is an hour from London and is a traditional seaside resort with the longest pier in the world- so long it has a train (currently out of service after an accident). So that could kill two birds with one stone. If you do go there go from Fenchurch Street on the C2C line and include a stop at Leigh on Sea to see the old town and the shell fish stalls down at the harbour.

If you are not interested in food and want frantic, then why not plot a route using trains and go from point to point and only stay until the next connection becomes available? You could make it simply a journey, as fast as possible. Your own amazing race, without any requisite stops. Ask yourself, how fast can I do it? Why not? A challenge. Up the east, down the west, maybe less time than you have. Back in London add on trip to SW part and around using same tactics. Would more of a grand tour that way.
Man in seat 61. Overland London to Istanbul. That is your grand tour. Or read Paul Theroux and see his journeys.

Hi Francis -

While I understand you are happy with a whistle stop tour, I would side with those that think half a day in Cambridge is pointless and personally, if I ever go to Blackpool again it will be too soon. I guess Rick included it as a tacky, jaw dropping tribute to Brits’ ability to wallow cheerfully in tatastic surroundings. Not me though - the Lake District is nearby and going to Blackpool instead of the Lakes seems to me to be a huge missed opportunity. Blackpool, I’m sure will have an army of fans, who will not hear a word said against it, but each to his own!

Have a great trip wherever you go!

Ian

If someone wants to see many places in a fast-paced trip, I don't understand criticizing that approach. It's as valid a strategy as any other.

Slow travel is wonderful, and it's usually the way I like to do things. But it's not right for every traveler on every trip.

eel isn't really a normal dish in London except jellied eels at a Pie and Mash Shop. @Gerry M is our resident east London expert

I've never eaten eel. Not something that's ever "app-eeled" to me. I ate pie and mash at Cook's in Broadway Market once years ago (before it closed). They're usually a pretty authentic slice of the London of yesteryear. [small edit to be more positive about pie and mash shops]

Probably the most convenient for the visitor is Manze's in Tower Bridge Road. - https://g.co/kgs/yHu2H8u

F Cooke have a shop in Hoxton still - https://g.co/kgs/NGKkP8Q

Passed on the bus, but good old fashioned pie and mash shop in Bethnal Green Road - S&R Kelly & Sons - https://g.co/kgs/cbvSMgN

Thank you isn3ic for the suggestion on Southend. Would make an excellent day trip out of London and kill two birds with one stone: Eel and a seaside resort. :)

I apologise that we have all missed your wish to see the restored Battersea Power Station.

The way I would do that, if I was a tourist, would be to take the Thames Clipper/Uber boat from any pier in Central London to the pier at Battersea Power Station, then the Northern line back to your hotel from Battersea Power Station tube station, changing where necessary. The efficient way to do that would be on the evening of the Southend day- if you opt for that.
Tower Pier is just round the corner from the side entrance to Fenchurch Street station, the boat ride is great fun and a good sightseeing ride through Central London. It is a commuter boat so no narration.
Uber boat runs until way into the evening, and the tube runs until close on midnight.
The boat fare is outside the daily/weekly cap but is paid the same way as you would the tube or bus fare.

Goddards in Greenwich is another well known pie and mash shop and has the advantage of being an excuse to visit Greenwich with all its other wonderful tourist attractions.

Blackpool gets a lot of bad press from many British people, somewhat undeservingly in my view. It's by no means my favourite place but it can be great fun if you suspend belief a bit. We had a great evening there at October half term with my little granddaughter, seeing the lights, the trams and the penny arcades. And, if you have an interest in ballroom dancing it's probably the best place in the UK to go.

Locke at Broken Wharf to Battersea Power Station by tube is simple. Walk 10 minutes to the Blackfriars tube station and take the Circle Line to Embankment. At Embankment change to the Northern Line and take it to the Battersea Power Station tube station. 20 minutes by tube.

Keep in mind that Battersea Power Station is pretty much just a shopping mall that contains a few remnant pieces of turbomachinery and peripherals from the building's days producing electrical power. There are some entertainment venues, though, that get active at night. Full disclosure: I found it pretty disappointing.

"Keep in mind that Battersea Power Station is pretty much just a shopping mall." I know that... and it makes the "Animals" Album even more prescient.

I found Battersea Power Station disappointing too. It’s a fantastic building and a great conversion which has retained many original fixtures, but it is literally just a shopping mall. Seems such a waste.

I've been looking up and compiling day trips out of London. Oh My! The trains are expensive! Thought a day to Reading would be interesting. 22 pounds each for one way? Even Flixbus is 19 pounds.

Thought a day to Reading would be interesting

Possibly the first time that sentence has ever been written down. Any particular reason?

Flixbus (and National Express) don't go into Central Reading- they both set down at Mereoak Park and Ride (just off an exit of the M4), you would then have to take a citybus into Reading itself.

The train is £12.60 each way off peak, using contactless card (not within the zonal TfL cap)- those fares are on the TfL fare finder (although you are allowed to also use GWR fast trains).

Reading is one of those totally mis-represented places as in the throwaway sentence above. For starters Reading Abbey is the burial place of King Henry I.
Jane Austen also went to school in the town- https://www.visit-reading.com/whats-on/jane-austen-in-reading/jane-austen-in-reading.

Not to mention the River Thames and the start of the Kennett and Avon Canal on it's long way west to Bath and the Bristol Channel.

https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/reading-abbey-quarter
https://www.visit-reading.com/things-to-do

Granted, there are any number of prettier places in the Thames Valley both on the way from London, and between there and Oxford.
Whether it is worth the day of an overseas visitor is a matter of debate (maybe more as a stop on the way to Bath or Oxford/the Cotswolds) but it is a town (city, now) not without merit.

Possibly the first time that sentence has ever been written down. Any particular reason?

I laughed out loud at this. I worked in Reading for about 6 months (commuted from London daily) and I don’t know why any tourist would put this on their list.

If you want to see Cambridge but don’t want to stay overnight, you can easily do this as a daytrip from London. It is an hour from Kings Cross station to Cambridge. The fastest train route to York is only 2 hours, but that route does not go via Cambridge.

Oh My! The trains are expensive!

You probably want to get a Two Together Railcard. You get 1/3 off travel after 9:30am weekdays and all day on weekends. It costs 30 GBP.
https://www.twotogether-railcard.co.uk

maybe the poster is looking for biscuits in Reading. Unfortunately there aren't any more. Perhaps an old factory building may still exist with the original architecture. I didn't think much of the shopping mall either.

The cheapest way to Reading is to take the scenic route from Waterloo.

If you leave after 12 noon there is a walk up ticket called Evening Out Return for £19.90, valid on any South Western Trains Service.
It takes 1 hours 23 minutes each way, but is a nice route through leafy parts of Surrey. And unlike the Elizabeth Line the trains have toilets.
A normal Off Peak Day Return on that route is £24 and Anytime Day Return £24.80.
The even cheaper route is to go to Heathrow then the flightline bus 703 to Bracknell for £2.50, then the Lion 4/X4 bus into Reading at the new local capped fare of £2.50

There is a bus directly to Cambridge from Heathrow Airport. 2 an 1/2 hours... and direct to Parker's Square in Cambridge. It is called National Express..

Things I have done and recommend: York needs 2 nights. If they still offer the free tour by locals, take it.
Cambridge is an easy day trip from London. You can take an early morning train from Edinburgh to Glasgow and take the Rabbies Highlands day tour from there, as Glasgow is closer to the Highlands than is Edinburgh. The beach is composed of pebbles, but Brighton is an easy day trip from London.

There is a bus directly to Cambridge from Heathrow Airport. 2 an 1/2 hours... and direct to Parker's Square in Cambridge. It is called National Express..

There is, and it's a pretty good service and a good option when arriving at Heathrow. The termination point in Cambridge is usually called either Parkside or Drummer Street Bus Station.

Another time efficient way to do this is- if you go to Southend as your seaside resort then at the end of the day catch the X30 double deck bus to Stansted Airport, and see more of the Essex countryside than you would do on the train. Buses run until after midnight.
This bus is the fast connector between Stansted Airport, Chelsmsford and Southend Airport and is a well used service locally. As an airports service it attracts a premium fare but is worth it.- £17 Southend to Stansted the last I heard of it.
At Stansted either take the train or National Express on to Cambridge.
That way you are not returning to London that day, then going back out to Cambridge next day. Instead you wake up in Cambridge. You can then have a full day in Cambridge before taking an early or mid evening one change train to York via Peterborough.
You then wake up in York next day.
Very time efficient.

Stratford Upon Avon is wonderful, especially if you love Shakespeare. Also, visit nearby Blenheim Palace, where Winston Churchill was born.