Help with Planning a Trip from London

Do you need ideas to plan the trip yourself?

Have you looked at the Rick Steves tours on this website for England and Scotland, or for Ireland for ideas? That's under Our Tours.

Are you talking about next month or August 2017?

How much time do you have for the trip?

Where are you arriving in London from?

Answers to these questions might help us help you.

FWIW, I spent 6 weeks in England and Scotland May 2 to June 2. I didn't drive at all. My transport was mostly by train, but I also used buses, a ferry and one short plane hop.

London is wonderful (been more than 40 times and would go back without hesitation), but it is not all of England- much less the UK! You could base yourself in London for a week, do 1, 2 or 3 day trips (on your own by train or bus, or via a tour company like London Walks or others). Then take the train to either Scotland or Wales. If you head to Scotland, you could stop in York (great city) for a night or two then continue on to Edinburgh. Spend 2 or 3 days there, then take the train to any of several locations (we like Aviemore), even on to Glasgow or Inverness. It all depends on how much time you have and what your interests are. There are several places that would make good bases for day trips. If you'd like to check out Wales (lots of cool castles, and some great natural beauty spots), there are others here with more experience in that area.

To get to Ireland, you'd need to take a ferry or a plane. Again, depending on time and interests, you have LOTS of options.

We have NEVER driven in the UK (or anywhere in Europe). Just our choice- don't want to deal with rental cars, and the driving on the 'other' side, super HIGH prices for petrol (gas) and parking scarcity and high cost. We really enjoy using the trains and the occasional bus.

Share more with us about your interests, why you picked the UK, your timelines, etc. and we can give you more appropriate answers.

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I made a little bit of an itinerary (pls. see below) and hope I will be able to cover these, as planned. We (family of 4) are reaching Edinburgh on the 5th Aug'16.

5th Aug Arrive Edinburgh, Scotland (Rent a car)
6th Aug Scotland Sight Seeing
7th Aug Scotland Sight Seeing
8th Aug Scotland Sight Seeing
9th Aug Finish any pending locales in Scotland and plan to leave for Belfast (should I return car and take ferry or flight?)
10th Aug Belfast and around Sight Seeing (thinking of renting a car again)
11th Aug N. Belfast and around ight Seeing, afternoon leave for Wales
12th Aug Wales Sight Seeing, evening leave for London
13th Aug England Sight Seeing
14th Aug Morning, take flight back home

Does the above schedule look feasible and achievable or am i being over ambitious?

Regards
Ven

5th Aug Arrive Edinburgh, Scotland (Rent a car)

6th Aug Scotland Sight Seeing

7th Aug Scotland Sight Seeing

8th Aug Scotland Sight Seeing

9th Aug Finish any pending locales in Scotland and plan to leave for Belfast (should I return car and take ferry or flight?)

10th Aug Belfast and around Sight Seeing (thinking of renting a car again)

11th Aug N. Belfast and around ight Seeing, afternoon leave for Wales

12th Aug Wales Sight Seeing, evening leave for London

13th Aug England Sight Seeing

14th Aug Morning, take flight back home

That is exceedingly vague, naming entire countries for one or two days, and if it is for this year, extremely tight timing for planning.
If it is for this year are you saying that you don't have your airfare (from and to wherever) yet?

Does the above schedule look feasible and achievable

No

or am i being over ambitious?

Very

I've done by flight bookings. Within each country, I've identified few places that I intend to visit (and again, don't want to stress ourselves, if we can't visit all places)

Scotland (6th to 8th): Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness, CairnGorm Mountain, Camera Obscura, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, Rosslyn Chapel, Falkirk Wheel

N. Ireland (9th and 10th): Giant's Causeway tour, Enniskillen, Cavehill, Bangor Castle (take cruise to Holyhead)

Wales (11th): Rent a car and head to Pontcysylite Aqueduct (Wrexham), overnight at Birmigham

London (12th-13th): Stonehenge, Lacock, Cotswold, In and around London (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace etc.)

Take flight back to Newark on 14th

Are you saying this is not feasible? I am looking at renting a car, as against taking public transportation, except in London city.

Regards
Ven