Trip Itinerary for 25th anniversary-England & Scotland

Congrats and I know you will have a great time! You'll be planning a return by about day 5!

My thought is that you only have two full days devoted to London (18th & 19th) but plan to do a day trip. That's too much day-tripping and not enough time for London itself, especially considering you follow that with three 1-night stays in Bath or Cotswolds, York, and Edinburgh.

Plan out your London sights and activities and see how much that consumes. We have spent 5 weeks in London since 2015 and have taken only 4 day-trips outside the city as there is so much there that fascinates us. Before you commit to day-tripping, see how your energy level is, as well.

On the 17th, try to stay outdoors and try not to go to bed until 9 pm at the earliest. At least that helps me adjust to the time change.

The biggest issue I see is that you are planning to move too fast, trying to do too many "one night stands". I don't think this is wise.

You didn't mention how you were going to get around - by train, or rental car? Either way, you have too many days that look like this:

Travel to X, spend the night
Travel to Y, move on the next day

Days like this are almost entirely consumed by the actual getting out, getting there, getting settled in, and leave virtually no usable time for effective sightseeing and relaxing. You get, at best, an hour or so in the morning before you leave, and maybe a couple hours upon arrival after you've checked in.

And I say this as someone who tends to move fast myself (faster than most folks here advise). I usually sprinkle in some one-night-stands on my trips, but a trip that consists of many (or mostly) one-night-stands is no fun and leaves you feeling like you wished you had spent a whole day somewhere.

I think you need to reduce the number of stops - especially if you want to do "day trips" from any of them. Maybe arrive London, then fly straight to Edinburgh. Spend 2-3 (full) days each in Edinburgh, York, London. I think that's about al you'll have time for without making yourself miserable.

You really only have about 10 full days to play with (then subtract one if you plan to get return from Edinburgh to London the day before you depart for home - that's why you should push on to Edinburgh immediately upon arrival, and then work your way back to London so you don't waste a day traveling there right before you depart for home).

As others have stated too much moving around. It’s a vacation, slow down.

All I’m going to offer in this post is a suggestion for your first day/night in London.

Give yourself 2-3 hours from landing to checking in, unpacking and refreshing. All depends on how many planes land at the same time and time spent waiting in immigration lines.

If you choose to stay in Paddington/Bayswater/Nottinghill/Holland Park neighborhoods use the 15 minute Heathrow Express Train ( definitely secure tix 90 days out for cheapest price) . The aforementioned neighborhoods are within walking distance and/or short underground rides. You can also taxi from Paddington to ( black cabs are expensive but you’ll not get more knowledgeable drivers) other London neighborhoods. Others will bemoan the use of the expensive black cabs but hey why not experience one of the most venerable of London’s traditions.

There is signage to where you to queue for taxis. When you exit the Express train walk towards the large glass covered opening ( follow the other passengers) and turn left. Follow the lines on the floor which direct pass you Paltform 12, up a ramp and onto the taxi stands. When you come the escalators or stairs you’ll see the area to queue for a taxi. All in, its a 7-10 minute walk.

Otherwise use the London Underground or care hire from Heathrow. Depending on where you stay may necessitate a change on the underground lines. Transport time to London will be longer.

Be sure to ask about transport from Heathrow when you reserve your accommodation. Is there a close by underground station? Where can I catch a bus? Stay in Zones 1 & 2 to ease your transport costs and travel times. Look up the London Underground map via Google and you’ll see zones 1 & 2. And before you decide where to stay use the tfl.gov.uk website to decipher routes and travel times. For instance from Lancaster Gate Tube Station (Paddington neighborhood ) is a 15 minute Central Line ride with one change to the Jubilee Line at Bond Street to Westminster.

All this said it might 2pm or later by the time you get out and about. Explore your neighborhood. Get your senses accustomed used to London.

Find the closest coffee shop ( cafe Nero’s, Costa and the burnt beans of Starbucks). See where the closest Sainsbury or Tesco Market is ( bottled water, snacks) Nearest bank ATM to get your cash.

Head to the underground station, get your Oyster card and off you go. There are easy to use machines or go to the manned ticket window if there is one. Both of you will need cards. Just remember you’ll be hitting commuter travel time around 4pm and the tube trains will be crowded.

Personally I’d head to Westminster station. Walk out and though covered in scaffolding you’ll see Elizabeth’s Tower ( the Bell is Big Ben) Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It’s a moment when you will say
“ Wow, I’m in London!!” I’d then walk over Westminster bridge across the Thames to the Jubilee Gardens area by the London Eye. Always something happening there. If sun is starting to set it’s nice to watch Parliament light up. Then walk back over the Thames via Golden Jubilee Bridge and on up to Trafalgar Square. Depending on your stamina you could walk back down Whitehall to the Westminster station or walk into the always crazy busy Covent Garden area or go past the National Gallery into Leicester Square. All routes excellent first night looks of the hub bub that is London. Jump on a tube line and head back to you neighborhood for dinner and a good nights rest.

That’s your 1st night.

Sorry, but you need to be realistic about what you can see in 8 days. It’s a pity that you aren’t flying open jaw as you will lose a day getting back to London.

Day 1 doesn’t count, as it’s just getting to your accommodation and trying to stay awake. Personally, I wouldn’t want to go to Edinburgh on day 1, but it could save you a day.

Two days in London isn’t anywhere near enough, even without the Windsor day trip (3/4 of a day door to door). Either stay in London until 21 September and drop all your day trips, then go to York and Edinburgh OR drop York and stay in London but include one day trip from here then head to Edinburgh.

Alternatively, just focus on England and drop Scotland, then you would have time for Windsor, York (2 nights) and Bath or Oxford as a day trip.

As you have planned, 27 September - train back to London - this will take about 7 hours door to door, which will not give much time for exploring London.

Agree with the above, too many day trips and one nights.

So much to do in London, I don't think you've given yourself enough time. At least drop the 9/20 overnight; stay in London - if you must go to either Bath, Oxford etc they can be done as a day trip from London (and it gives you the option to drop them and have another day in London).

Have a look at London Walks. www.walks.com. They may have something that works for you. No need to book, just turn up. They do one day trips outside London to Bath, Oxford, Cotswolds, Windsor etc. Their schedule for September 2019 may not be up yet (Edit: just checked, they seem to have their Cotswolds options up, but not the rest). They go by train from London.

Since this is your first trip I know you are eager to see everything. But since you are arriving in late September, I'd pick Scotland or England. That time of year I would lean towards warmer weather in the South. You really can see so much more if you don't have to spend your days in long distance traveling. Look at the National Trust UK web site. They have an Overseas Visitor Touring Pass for 7 or 14 days good in England and Wales that save a lot on admissions. I would spend more time in London. Then go to the Southwest and see as much as you can in Oxford (Blenheim Palace) Bath and the Cotswolds, and maybe Wales. If you want to pay homage to your Scottish ancestry; immerse yourselves there going Edinburgh, the Highlands and the Isles. There are passes available for Scotland look at Visit Scotland Site. Since you have London Tickets; you could stop off in York. In London Visit the Tower.

I would cut out the trips to Windsor and Bath to allow more time in London or just do Bath or Oxford as a day trip from London. I'm not a fan of the Cotswolds because I like museums and cathedrals, not cute little quiet towns. I've been to Bath twice and done bus tours that included the Cotswolds twice and I liked York much better than either of them.

Sorry, but you have tried to cram too much travel into your plan.

Have you been to London before? Otherwise you would stay more than two days.

Your itinerary says;
9/20 – travel to Bath / Oxford/ Cotswolds area. Thoughts on one over the other? I was pretty set on Cotswolds but after reading posts here Oxford and Bath also sound amazing. Will stay overnight whichever we decide on.

The next day you leave for York. If you depart from London on the 20th you can take the train to Oxford (parking a vehicle is difficult and you would have to park outside the city. You might get to see Oxford with a guided tour if you started early enough, but forget trying to see Bath and or the Cotswolds. We staying in Bath three nights and (you can see the city and Roman Bath Museum in one day) went to Wells and sites south of Bath. A good driving tour of the Cotswolds will take you a full day. If you try to do Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds you will need three full days. Also, you will miss Stratford Upon Avon and Blenheim Palace which are great places to visit.

We spend 3 nights in York. Your plan has you arriving in York after departing from the Cotswolds or Oxford. If you drive, you might get there around lunch, but you plan to spend one night there before heading on to Edinburgh. You might have to see the Munster (Cathedral), perhaps walk around a bit, but you will miss a lot of this wonderful city.

Have you checked on how long it take to go from York to Edinburgh? I would imagine it could take a least half a day driving. Probably faster using the train. It appears that you have a tour to the Isle of Skye and only have one day for Edinburgh before returning to London. You can see the Castle and spots on the Castle hill, but there is more to that city.

We did a 28 day drive tour of Wales and England, not staying in London at all. We originally planed to include Scotland, but the more we read about what there is to see, we eliminated Scotland.

I think you should consider eliminating a portion of your itinerary (you can always come back). Perhaps you could skip the Oxford, Bath, Cotswolds and make the most of London, York and Edinburgh (Isle of Skye).

Some have confirmed what I knew, the one night stays are not the way to go if we want to enjoy this trip.

I had thought about going straight to Edinburgh so not to back track. Guess I need to reconsider that. Really wanted to do open jaw flight but could pass up the deal I got for a direct flight from North Carolina!

Sorry, for the misunderstanding the plan was to visit one of the three (Bath, Oxford or Cotswolds) not all. Maybe stay in London another night. Train to visit one of the three and then onto York. Stay 2 nights there then onto Scotland.
We will use public transportation...advice given on forum about driving changed my mind.

We also thought about cutting the night of the 25th (not staying overnight Edinburgh ) but taking a sleeper train instead. Would arrive about 7:30am in London on the 26th. Thought of that sounds exciting (more adventure) and that would give a us another day to take in more of London. So now something like this

9/17- arrive take stuff to hotel and do some light sightseeing (thoughts on how much to do that day thanks Claudia)

9/18-19 London sites- day trip (London Walks)

9/20 – travel to Bath / Oxford/ Cotswolds (choosing 1 of the 3) spend the day there and go onto York .

9/20-21 York

9/22- spend most of the day in York travel to Edinburgh stay overnight.
9/23- Edinburgh sites

9/24-9/25 Isle of Skye tour ( leaving from Edinburgh) returning to Edinburgh 7pm on the 25th.

9/25-9/26 take overnight sleeper train to London arriving after 7am the 26th.
9/26-9/27 London

9/28- arrive at the airport around 7:30am

I shared with my husband all your advice this and he thinks we will be in good hands! Ready for more wonderful advice!

Thank You

I am doing a similar trip as you in June but with more time and no Isles of Skye tour. We also are flying open jaw, although that raises the cost of our airfare by eliminating discount airlines.

Personally, I would go to Edinburgh the first day. It is a bit of a wasted day anyway with jet lag. I would see if you could find a flight that would work. I don’t know what kind of time you would need to allow but it might be easier than taking train.

You couldn’t pay me enough to take an overnight train. I did it in my 20s and you don’t sleep much.

Personally, I would then stick to Edinburgh, York and London. You could do a day trip from London to Oxford if you want.

I would avoid going into London twice as it takes up valuable vacation time.

If you really don’t want to go to Edinburgh the day you arrive, I would take a flight from Edinburgh to the airport the night before you leave. I would stay at the airport. You have to be there at 7:30 am anyway.

I am from the UK but live in the US. I travel back and forth each summer and always pick one area of the British Isle to explore. Either go North or West. England is not a big country. However, do not underestimate how long it takes to get to places. I do not really enjoy staying in London for more than 2 days - but I am a person who prefers to explore the countryside.

I would book a flight on British Airways from LHR to Edinburgh on your first day. (5-6 hours from your flight arrival to make sure you don't miss the flight - buy an airport lounge day pass).

Stay in Edinburgh for 2 Nights before taking a tour on your third day to the Isle of Skye https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/2-4-day-tours/the-isle-of-skye-3-day-tour.
Train to York (2N) - There are day tours out to the Moors/Dales you can check out.
York to London by train (spend 3 nights).

Plan on returning one day and going to the West country and include Devon/Cornwall outside of the peak European travel season.

Margaret

Why are you considering an overnight train from Edinburgh? Simply take one of 4 hour trains early and arrive at London Kings Cross before noon. You will
Be rested and then can negotiate your way to your accommodation.

As noted and from experience overnight trains are not what’s portrayed in the movies.

Flying onto Edinburgh on the first day is getting more appealing! If we aren't checking luggage how long do you think would a safe amount of time before flying onto Edinburgh? We would have to go through customs first correct?
Looked into the Caledorian Sleeper train...the sleeping rooms look comfortable (and it says they will be completely refurbished in summer of 2019). Is a little pricey but my thinking was it would be a way to get more time in London. Guess I need to rethink that....If I took the train (Lner?) how early do I need to buy tickets? I think I read something about 3 months out?
Also warming to the Edinburgh-York-London ...the hubby was not excited about the one nights either.

Margaret- good to see your tour recommendation (Rabbies) that's the one I was looking at.
You all have given me more to research. Thank you for all the help. Going to rework my itinerary and will post as soon as I get hammered out.

Focus on these critical, hard facts:

• You have 10 full days to utilize. TEN.
• Each time you move from one place to another, that consumes most (maybe all) of that day, so the more times you move, the more days you need to subtract from the 10 days you have.
• Unless you like to live dangerously (and you are willing to risk having to buy a new ticket home on the spot for a stunningly high cost if you miss your flight home), you need to travel to London the night before you head home - so that's a travel day for you, subtract that. You're down to 9 full days.

With 9 days, you should limit yourself to about 3 locations (because...see above about the time consumed by moving).

You should either:
- skip Scotland and the north this trip, and stay in England (go no further north than, say York). OR
- Limit yourself to London, Edinburgh, and one other place of your choice in between (I'd pick York, but there are other reasonable choices).

Push on to whatever will be your furthest point from London on your day of arrival. Why? Because that day is pretty much shot anyway, you will be dragging your feet, so you might as well drag them to Edinburgh or elsewhere. Then work your way back to London.

The real solution to your dilemma is to make your trip twice as long, but I'm assuming that's not an option at this point (although, honestly, you should at least consider that and investigate what that would mean, cost-wise and otherwise - just so you know). And start thinking about your next trip.

With your 9 or 10 days, you can have a great trip, but the key will be fighting the temptation to schedule in too many locations. Pick three and make your plans based on that. Good luck!