Howdy folks- would love guidance- 1st time trip to UK coming up in October 2025- current plan is to arrive at Gatwick and train down and stay in Brighton for one night to visit friends, then take the train into London, stay for 4 nights, see some of the usual sights, just soak in the general vibe, I know we can't "see it all" in that short of time, then heading up the coast by train to do some sea glass hunting for two nights, then on to Edinburgh for 3 nights, day trip to Stirling castle one of the days, then train to Oban (husbands favorite whisky) for two nights and here is where it gets fun. We've added a concert at the Royal Albert Hall the night before we fly home!!! So excited for that. So should we A.) spend the night after Oban in Glasgow and then take the train down to London B.) take the train from Oban to York and check that out for part of the day and a night and be just a bit closer to London C.) add more time in London or possibly do a day trip to Stonehenge D.) you tell me! Would love to hear others advice! Thanks so much, happy traveling!
Posted by
Land of La
9809 posts
What month?
Seems you only wish to use public transport? Is that correct?
Have you calculated mileage and train costs?
Posted by
Lake District, England
10290 posts
You've come up the East Coast to get to Edinburgh so have routed via York.
Coming back you could come down the West Coast.
Or even better change at Carlisle for a Settle/Carlisle train to Leeds for London.
If you had a night or two spare you could get off that train at Skipton or Keighley.
Skipton for bus to Grassington (James Herriot in the TV show, if not in real life), Keighley for the Bronte connection. At breakfast time there is even a through train from Skipton and Keighley to London.
Otherwise every 30 minutes change at Leeds.
You can easily get from Oban to London in the day. Or to Skipton/Keighley as above.
Posted by
Duluth🌲
10154 posts
So should we A.) spend the night after Oban in Glasgow and then take the train down to London B.) take the train from Oban to York and check that out for part of the day and a night and be just a bit closer to London C.) add more time in London or possibly do a day trip to Stonehenge D.) you tell me!
Mimchelle, I wouldn't choose the Stonehenge option unless you really have a burning desire to see it. That said, if it were me, I would probably want to get closer to London for the concert, so I would either vote for heading to York for the day/night and then London, or just going straight to London and spending more time there.
London has such a lot to offer, but since you are first time visitors to the UK, York is definitely high on lists of places to see. You would be able to visit York Minster (one of the most beautiful cathedrals I've ever seen) and take a stroll through the Shambles, but even with limited time, it's worth heading there. And getting to London from York is a quick 2 hour train ride, which means you would have time to relax a bit before your concert.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
@Claudia October, yes we plan to use the train since we don't want the hassle of renting a car and having one person miss out on seeing the sights while they drive or navigate
Posted by
OP
7 posts
@Mardee thank you, I'm thinking you're right and we will either add more London or a short York stay