Skip London?

As it is your first timing visiting the UK, I would only skip it if the coronation happens then. London is a pretty amazing city and one of my favorite big cities in Europe. I personally like Bath but not 4 days like Bath, maybe 2 days max.

Great advice above. London is a truly great place to visit. Yes to only two days in Bath. While in Bath visit Wells which is very nearby and has beautiful cathedral. Enjoy trip. If you do.go.to Wells be sure to walk the Vickers Close one of the oldest Inhabited streets in England.

I can’t imagine skipping London with the great exception if your 4 days happen to coincide with the coronation.

Been going to London since Nixon was in office. My favorite city on the planet. Never boring. Always something new to explore.

So, like others….do not miss London. So much to see and do.

Thank you all, I do think I would regret not going when I'm there. I will be on coronation watch, however, as that seems like a huge heck no for me. It would just have to be an excuse to visit again :)

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
— Samuel Johnson

Here's the OP's other thread with itinerary, in case anyone is interested.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/early-trip-plan-will-this-work

jgr8fulbear, I agree with you, that it's a good idea to skip London if the coronation is taking place during your planned stay there.
IF that's what you want.
It's your vacation, so do as you wish.
Some people like crowds, some people don't.

The other factor to consider is whether you will want to pay the sky-high hotel prices during the Coronation. As already discussed, hotels will see a golden opportunity to raise prices and find a way to cancel long standing reservations people made far in advance for bargain prices. To bump them so they can rebook the rooms for 5 times the price they normally get.

Your itinerary on your other thread looks good.

"train to York - rent car and head to Edinburgh via Alnwick."
If you're renting the car just so you can stop and see Alnwick Castle, you have other options.
See this day tour by Rabbies that leaves from Edinburgh and goes to Alnwick:
https://www.rabbies.com/en/england-tours/from-edinburgh/day-tours/alnwick-castle-northumberland-coast-the-borders-day-tour

This tour gives you some scenery along the coast of Northumberland, too.
This is the easy way to do it, without the hassle of renting a car.

"I'm toying with the idea of skipping London for a smaller area, maybe Bath, Oxford, or a slower pace up the coast."

It's your trip. You should do whatever makes you happy.

Like the other posters who have replied to your question, I enjoy London, and there's certainly plenty to do there.
However, I am always glad when visitors to England want to see some other parts of England.

Bath and Oxford are both interesting and lovely.

I will suggest Cambridge, as it is on your way up to the east coast of England, to York and beyond.
You could spend 2 nights in London (not long enough to see everything but you may want just a taste) and then 2 nights in Cambridge.
You could then continue north by train to York.

I have added some information about Edinburgh to your other thread.

I was in London while Platinum Jubilee was going on. There was a few roads closed off, but besides that it was great. I will be in London again the month of May and first part of June, we aren’t worried about if the coronation will be when we are there.

We love London, but having been there before, we did a four week drive tour of S. Wales and England in 2017.

Driving on the left takes patience and concentration, but it worked for us. The British countryside is amazing. We particularly loved York, Bath, the Cotswolds, Winchester and S. Wales (Cardiff, Tenby and St. Davids).

Here is my detailed review if you are interested in planning a similar trip.
https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=599139

After five trips to London , I would never skip it!!

If London doesn’t particularly appeal then I would skip it. We have been several times. We love it. But we’re not going on your trip. You simply can’t do everything on one trip. There are many wonderful options. Choose what you are drawn to and you really can’t go wrong. Good luck and safe travels.

If you do decide to skip London for whatever reasons, maybe hang out in the Cotswolds for those 4 days ... assuming you land at LHR, you can rent a car there and drive up to Oxford, then the Cotswolds for a few days, then make your way to York (where you were going to get a car anyway) ... but I agree with others, don't skip London ... you'll only scratch the surface of things to see and do so pick what interests you the most and have a great time ... and start planning the next visit.

On our own trip earlier this year we opted to fly from London to Edinburgh and collected our car there after a couple of nights in the city for the drive back towards London. In our case the principal enroute stops were the Lake District and the Cotswolds, both of which we enjoyed immensely ... much more than our last few days in the city quite frankly. Either would be a great option for your discretionary 4 days.
The one-way drop charge wasn't terribly punishing - it was worth it to us at any rate - and there are any number of possible places to turn in the vehicle along the way and train back into London, saving yourself the hassle of driving anywhere near the London metro area.
FWIW, we booked thru AutoEurope and the company was Avis.

It’s your trip and therefore your choice. There are pros and cons of both. However, if you do want to avoid London, I would suggest staying somewhere that ties in access wise with your visit to York, which Bath and the Cotswolds don’t! Take more time in my favourite county, Northumberland or visit Durham or the Yorkshire Dales or the North York Moors.