Mom and son trip to London and Scotland

Several points-
I would be happier if you went to Edinburgh on a Monday to Friday. Saturday and especially Sunday are the days when engineering work is done. So you may find your train diverted or part route replaced with a bus- at any time of the year. So it is just easier, if you can, to do the journey on a weekday.

By London Bridge I assume you mean Tower Bridge. There is a London Bridge and a Tower Bridge, and well no-one goes to look at London Bridge. If you ask for directions to London Bridge you will not be sent to where you want to be.
Do you just want to see it (or maybe a bridge lift) or to do the tour inside it as well?

Your arrival day schedule is very busy. Depending what time the flight lands you may not be in Central London early enough for changing of the guard.

Are you hoping to see inside Buckingham Palace, or just outside?- as the opening dates for the State rooms in 2024 are 11 July to 29 September.

Are you hoping to go up Big Ben/The Elizabeth Tower or just see it from the street?- if the former tickets need to be procured several months in advance- they sell like hot cakes.

Of June and October- neither has bank holidays and it will make little or no difference about the crowds. But late October is the school half term holidays. The weather is a lottery, but it should be cooler in October, not that June is hugely likely to be very hot.

A few comments here. In general terms I think you're trying to do far too much in too little time. With only 10 days, I'd stick to London and Edinburgh, and give Glastonbury a miss.

Of all of the London attractions you've listed, I'd say it's not necessary to pre-book.

Hotel choice in London will be largely budget driven, so if you could share that you'll get some recommendations. London is huge. The
most central locations like Mayfair tend to be extremely expensive, but somewhere like Covent Garden is still central but with a broader range of mid-range hotels. Around big stations like King's Cross you'll find more affordable hotels. Bear in mind you'll be catching the tube a lot, so you can pick a location a bit further out, near a tube station if budget demands.

Rest assured that anywhere is London will be perfectly safe to stay. Petty crime does exist, but it's not widespread - I use my phone and carry my wallet in my pocket the same way I do at home.

A general suggestion on Edinburgh- the Old Town is the historic tourist heart, but again choice of accommodation will be budget driven.

Thank you for the great feedback. I will look at maybe switching our trip and flying into Edinburgh first and flying out of London. We have also decided we will skip King Arthur and maybe add Winchester. The flights I’ve looked at arrives around 6am to 9am in London (if we into there) but I’ll also check Edinburgh based off above information. We are hoping to keep the trip as low as possible, if doable around $8000 total.

My son did a study abroad in Ireland at your son’s age and went to Edinburgh for the weekend- one today in Edinburgh and a 1 day bus tour of the Highlands. His favorites were Arther’s seat (Google it- hike up in Edinburgh with great views) and Sterling Castle.

How bad is the pickpocketing and phone snatching?...Do I need a special bag...be able to access our phones to use citymap...should they be kept in a bag,

Pickpocketing does exists, but it's not rampant. Even so, you do need to take precautions. A special bag isn't necessarily needed, but if it will make you feel better to have one, then there's nothing wrong with getting one.

The most important thing you can do is use a money belt underneath your clothing. Have everything in it except for day money, and a credit card.

Some women put those in a small wallet and keep that in a shirt pocket that can be closed with a button or zipper. Same for men.

For maps, phones, and other misc. items, just use a purse that can be worn cross body, or get a small cross body bag. Same for men.

The second most important things is to be aware of your surroundings. Really no different than what one should do even in the U.S.

If you search this site, you will get tons of suggestion about how to protect your belongings.

If you decide to go in June of next year, you’ll want to plan around Taylor Swift’s concert schedule. She’ll be at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium June 7 through 9, making hotel rooms in the city scarce and very expensive.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/scotland/taylor-swift-concert-in-town-june-7-8-9-2024-hotels-already-booked

Her dates at Wembley Stadium in London are June 21 through 23, so they shouldn’t affect your plans if you’re there in the first two weeks of the month—and London is a much bigger city with a larger supply of hotel rooms, in any case.

Good call to trade Glastonbury for Winchester. Winchester is closer, and the people buried there are actually buried there. "Arthur's Tomb" has no historic basis. All that said, your timetable is still very tight. If you want a day outside of London, you might consider places like Hampton Court, Windsor, or Greenwich, all much closer with less travel time.

I'd suggest June rather than October for more daylight, especially in Scotland. It may be warmer but not likely above your comfort level.

It seems like you may be worrying a little to much about theft, but there's good advice above re keeping your valuable stuff under your clothing (I use a neck wallet), just have today's money in a pocket -- shirt front is safer than front of pants, which is safer than hip pocket. We Americans tend to be either clueless or paranoid about pickpocketing, perhaps because we lack the manual dexterity for it to be a problem here. I keep my phone in a pants pocket, where my hand is often on it. When I travel I attach a little wrist strap so it would be harder to snatch away. This also helps me take photos with less risk of dropping it.

I agree with TC and Dick. Have CCs/DCs/money/Passport in "deep storage' in a money belt under your clothes, not to be accessed in public. I use my phone all the time in London and internationally for mapping and generally have it in my hand. I do not put it down on a table. If it's not in my hand it's in my purse in a zipped inner pocket.

Many like the Pac-safe purses which are pickpocket proof but to me they are quite heavy with the metal reinforcements they have. I've gone to a Baggallini small-ish purse that I wear cross-body.

Whether you go in June or October you will want a good quality waterproof jacket with a hood for rain. Make sure it's roomy enough that you can layer under it. I also have a very small purse I wear on the plane that I can wear under a zipped up rain jacket, lol.

Have a wonderful time planning!

PS - I use the app CityMapper which I like better than googlemaps. It gives good information on public transport, even telling you which part of the Tube trains to get on based on your destination.

First of all have you purchased a good guide book OR borrowed one from your public library. Rick's books are on sale right now. Here is the link. https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/britain-guidebook Both England and Scotland are included in this one. There are many tips about what to see, how to get around, recommended hotels and restaurants. I am happy to see you have found Rabbie's Tours. Last time I was in Scotland I took one of these to see Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn's Chapel. I was very happy with it. Don't worry about pickpockets. Just be cautious like you would be in a large US city. I wear my money belt under my clothes and carry a cross body bag. Looks like you will only have about a week when you eliminate arrival, departure days and travel day between London and Edinburgh. You could easily fill up those days seeing London and adding a few day trips.

Some thoughts.

1.) It’s true re London Bridge. It’s in Arizona. Tower Bridge is the one you want walk across and or tour. You might also be able to see it “lift.”
https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times
https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/

2.) With such a short visit I’d focus solely on Edinburgh and London.

3.) Premier Inn is a chain that offers fairly inexpensive accommodations. Countless options in London. County Hall is a favorite for first time visitors. Walk out the front door and you’ll see Westminster Bridge, the Thames and the Houses of Parliament across the river.

4.) My travel to London is often in the Fall. Simply like the weather which is very little rain. Most often blue skies. Then again no one can predict the weather. Mother Nature is fickle.

5.) If weather is bad pop into a pub. Pubs are unlike American bars. In a pub, you’ll find families, grandparents with grand babies in prams, single women of all ages enjoying a meal or a pint. There might be a dog or cat. Pubs are meeting places for friends and families. Pub grub is filling and often there are signboards on the sidewalk touting a daily special. I usually go for a pot pie, stew or soup offering.

6.) picket pocketing no worse than anywhere else in the world. In over 50 years of visiting London had one incident of theft. Happened to my friend, her wallet taken from her purse while we were having coffee at a cafe. That was in 1990.

Two of my favorite cities! I was in Edinburgh in mid September this year and fell completely under its spell...London was already a huge favorite. I did Edinburgh first and stayed at the Parliament House Hotel on Calton Hill, very comfortable and nicely appointed, about a 10 minute walk to Waverley so it was quite easy to roll my suitcase there on departure day. Just around the corner from the excellent restaurant, Howies--highly recommend--their haggis is quite good, if you are in the mood to try it--and you'll need reservations. Edinburgh was so very easy to get around, the only time in my 5 days there that I used the tram was to get out to Leith to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia. I did a day trip with Rabbie's that was wonderful, West Highland Lochs and Castles. I took the airport bus Airlink 100 that let me off a St Andrews Square, about 20 minutes and cost 5.50.

Here is my trip report
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/favorite-cities-old-new-part-1-edinburgh

My favorite hotel in London is The Baileys, it's in South Kensington and right across from the Gloucester Rd Tube station.

I use a crossbody bag and my only caution is that you'll want to be sure your purse is waterproof--I spent 10 rainy days in Edinburgh and London and things in the outer pockets got a bit damp. I wear a pouch fastened inside my jeans where I have debit card, spare credit card, a bit of extra cash and copy of my passport. As for my phone, I am generally cautious about having it out in crowded areas and have a collapsible ring device that allows me to hold it securely in my hand--I like this as I am mainly concerned about dropping my phone.

I would not do a day trip from London-there's so much to see in London itself. I am a big fan of Rabbies tours.

With regard to waterproof purses, freezer zip lock bags are wonderful. Various sizes can be used for individual items. That way you don't have to worry about the bag itself getting wet. To paraphrase an old commercial about travel, "...don't leave home without them."

TC--thank you for this, definitely putting a couple of ziplock bags in my purse on my next trip!

Pickpockets are not a huge problem in London. It’s very busy so I keep my cards and phone in a cross body bag but I’d do that anywhere with lots of people around. It’s not something you need to be unduly worried about.

Start your hotel search with Premier Inn. They offer a good quality, consistent product and the prices are hard to beat. Central London is generally very safe so pretty much any area is going to be fine.

June will be better than October. More light, more sun, more warmth. It’s very, very unlikely to be too hot. Average high for June in Edinburgh is 17C or about 60F. You’re more likely to need a coat than anything else!

I'm a big fan of Premier Inns. They are consistently comfortable, clean and affordable and you can find them all over. In London next spring, I will be staying at the Premier Inn County Hall, which (as Claudia said) is close to the Tower of London and many other sites. I think I am paying around £140 a night for a Premier Plus room (standard rooms are cheaper). It does not include breakfast, but breakfast is available and for a very good price.

In Edinburgh, I stayed at the Premier Inn York Place, which is in New Town as opposed to the Old Town. That said, I'm glad i stayed there. I loved New Town - it's not nearly as crowded or touristed as Old Town and has a lovely residential feel to it. And it's quite close to everything. Waverly Station was a quick 10 minute walk, the National Galleries of Scotland was right up the street, and St. Andrews Square, which hosts an abundance of wonderful restaurants and shops, was just a block or so away.

I am a British expat and my favorite month to visit the UK is June. The flowers are in bloom and daylight hours are long.

Do avoid the Taylor Swift concert dates in Edinburgh but London is big enough to accommodate if you happen to visit on those dates. I also like the Premier Inn Hotels. Very reasonably priced for London. As far as cost goes, it will be much cheaper to fly to the UK in October, but for me, you go to Scotland to see the scenery, and the further you wait in the year, the more chance of soggy weather. We were in Scotland this past September and it was very cold and windy at times and we most definitely needed a good rain jacket.
If you plan right, you should easily keep under your budget.

Thank you EVERYONE for all the amazing feedback! I love it. I’m going to add and subtract from our itinerary based off suggestions and ideas here. I will come back with our final one once completed. I’m still thinking of adding two nights in Ireland just to see the Cliffs of Moher and fly out of Shannon.

"I’m still thinking of adding two nights in Ireland just to see the Cliffs of Moher and fly out of Shannon."

It's your trip but really, I think you should save Ireland for another time. You are just adding on layers of transit time and the possibility of delays for such a short time. IF you have extra days, consider spending them in York which is on the train line from London to Edinburgh and makes a terrific stopover site.

Plus, laughing, the time I went to Cliffs of Moher in June they were completely fogged in and we could see nothing.

Agree with Pam completely! Ireland is a beautiful country that deserves a trip dedicated to it by itself. Timewise, it would be penny wise and pound foolish.

Hello,
Here is my 11 night itinerary from July 2023.
Flew into Glasgow - 1 night, Arrived at 4 pm and left at 2 pm the next day. We saw a lot using the hop on hop off bus tour.
Train to Edinburgh - 3 nights - day trip to St. Andrews on one day. We are big golfers and loved that town!
Train to York - 2 nights - I LOVED York! Timed ticket needed for York Minster tour. We also went to the Evensong which was free and we walked right in.
Train to Liverpool - this was kind of out of the way but my husband insisted. - 1 night. Beatles magical bus tour and British Music experience museum.
Train to Straford Upon Avon - again my husband's must see since he's a Shakespeare fan - 1 night
Train to London - 3 nights. We stayed in Bayswater at the London House Hotel. It was in a quiet neighborhood near the tube station.
London itinerary - Day 1 - Westminster and Churchill War Rooms - you need to get timed tickets online
Day 2 - walked to Hyde Park for breakfast at the sports cafe then bus to St. James' Palace to see changing of guards at Buckingham. St. James' Palace is where the guards and horses go out of to the palace. Way less crowded than trying to see Buckingham palace. Walked to Trafalgar Square and ate in the crypt in St Martin in the fields church. Walked to Covent Garden then to British museum - you need a timed ticket there. Bus to British Library - highlight of the trip and free! Tube back to hotel. regrouped and walked to Notting Hill for dinner.
Day 3 - tube to St. Paul's Cathedral - need timed ticket; walked across millenium bridge, toured Shakespeares' globe, walked to Borough Market then across London bridge - great views of Tower bridge, walked to Tower of London - need timed ticket. River cruise back to Westminster docks and tube to Abbey Road. Tube back to hotel. WHEW! We really saw a lot of London but we also relaxed in cafes and pubs every day and night! Day 4 - walked to Paddington station and took the Heathrow Express to the airport.
HAVE FUN! England and Scotland are so amazing. The key is to take early morning trains.

Ditto on the Premier Inn. Their only problem is that they have zero character, unless you count cement and purple as culturally interesting. Otherwise, you can't fault them for a good night's sleep, and they have very reasonably priced buffet breakfasts to get you going the next day too.