Another question about timing: UK/Ireland trip

Hi Tamara,
I'll weigh in on the bits that I'm familiar with. Yes, London will certainly be crazy crowded (and possibly very warm) in July and August >> but for that matter, London is pretty much always crowded (I'm going to venture a guess and say maybe noticeably less so in, say, November and February, but you're not thinking of going then). I've never been to Ireland or Scotland, so can't weigh in there. For the Cotswolds, I was there recently in late June (24-28): the weather was beautiful and there were essentially no crowds (and the nearby gardens were gorgeous!). I stayed in Chipping Campden and loved it (I can highly recommend Taplins B&B). I think as long as you visit the Cotswolds before school vacations start (you'd have to check, but I think that's generally 2nd week of July), you could mostly beat the crowds. I'm not sure about condition of gardens then, but if you check the garden's websites (or send them emails), I'm sure you could get the typical blooming calendar.

If September is an option that would get my vote. We have been to both England and Ireland, for extensive visits, in September and the weather was glorious and the crowds greatly reduced.

Oh, I am so sorry about the possibility of heart surgery! I hope that works out well.

My experience in travel in July in UK is old - before you were born in fact, hahaha. July 1976 to be specific and I thought I would croak from the heat. AND the kicker? I lived in FL at the time so was much more heat tolerant than I am now.

I'd go for September as well - mid to end if you can manage it with your time off.

Thank you all for your input. Pam, you are not giving me a lot of hope about the heat! Ha! My preference would certainly be September for most years. Unfortunately, for us this is probably out for 3 reasons: 1) our trusty dog sitter will be going off to college at the end of August, 2) We have a trip to Turkey booked in October and I'm not too sure the bosses would be keen on us being gone for 3 weeks in September and then turning around and leaving for 10 days in October, and 3) I am a bit wary about planning trips during September now that it is our most active hurricane month, as I am always nervous we won't be able to fly out, and with jobs at the hospital we are required to stay for hurricanes. Which is a bummer, because I do think September sounds perfect.

So we are probably left with either June, where I suspect the crowds will be lighter and the weather possibly a bit cooler, but Highclere and Buckingham will both be closed. Or July/August, when the crowds will mostly be higher and the temperatures hotter, but where we might have the opportunity to see the Tattoo, Buckingham Palace and Highclere. It feels almost 50/50 to me, so I'm not sure how to make this decision! Its probably one I'll agonize about and then both options would have been ok.

Emma, I didn't know that about the summer of 1976! It was gastly and in addition to living in FL then I was also young and thin, hahaha.

Tamara, I can completely understand your issues with September. I forgot you guys were going to Turkey and yes, the dogs and hurricanes are pretty much non-negotiable.

Tamara, a word about Edinburgh in August: the Tattoo is merely a very small part of the craziness that is Edinburgh in August. The Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s biggest arts festival, stretches itself across the city for the whole month, as well as the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Book Festival and - yes - the Tattoo.

The city is full to bursting as tens of thousands of performers and visitors fill the place. Hotel prices tend to triple and some restaurants refuse to take reservations.

Personally I love it and get to spend the whole of August in Edinburgh every year for work. The buzz is amazing, but boy is it crowded and full-on.

This is not to put you off Edinburgh in August but simply to prepare you. If you love street entertainers and being hassled by leafleters and crowds so big on the Royal Mile that every walk takes double the time, you’ll love it! So many posters on this forum talk about the Tattoo but no one seems to be aware of what else is going on.

On the other hand, Edinburgh is rarely hot in August and you’re more likely to get drenched by rain than sunburnt. It can definitely feel autumnal.

I wouldn’t overthink it too much, regardless if you’re there in June, July, or August, it’s still peak season and you’ll get maximum daylight which you’ll want for some of your itinerary. May is my preferred time, but that’s more me being flexible at work as well as giving me something to look forward to during the long slog of a Chicago winter.

So, I’d just go whenever you can make the dates work. I really doubt that you can tell the difference between June 1, July 1, and August 1 if you don’t have a calendar.

I'd probably give yourself extra time and go in September. I recommended the Tattoo in Edinburgh to a friend. They came back and said it was the highlight of their trip. There is a festival in Edinburgh at the same time, so the city is very crowded. If you're thinking about it, you should see if you can reserve the Tattoo and lodging in Edinburgh before deciding on your flight.

Other than that, the busiest sights can be manageable by arriving early or late. I think Rick Steves guides are excellent for giving advice on when to visit certain sights. Gardens will be fine spring, all summer and into the early fall. Different things will be blooming but it will be nice.

Thank you all for your thoughtful, helpful responses. I think for my mom's recovery July and August will work best, and you have soothed some of my fears about it. It will be a different sort of trip than I had originally planned, but that doesn't mean worse. I appreciate all your input!