Any suggestions on England/Scotland itinerary?

I would suggest Westminster Abbey first thing Day 2, so you don't have to stand in line so long (skip the morning coffee!). London Eye, Parliament, the parks, and the palace are all in that area. Haven't tried it yet, but I hear that nearby Westminster Cathedral has a viewing tower........ Day 3, do the Tower of London, then go get your car. Sometimes Westminster is closed, so you can switch days 2 and 3 if necessary......You might want to switch days 6 and 7.........Day 8, Stratford lst (liked the church and the river, not much else we liked there) then head up to Oxford, stop at the Eagle and Child Pub (Tolkien's favorite place), maybe watch The Golden Compass before you go there......Day 9 stops might include Kenilworth Castle and Haddon Hall (Princess Bride) but be sure you have enough time in York to visit Yorkminster, including the crypt, visit the nearby Multiangular Tower (Roman), and walk the part of the walls near the Minster......Day 10, the best section of the wall is near Once Brewed.........Day 15 or one of your other days, visit Glencoe........Your boys would probably enjoy Warwick Castle, near Kenilworth. Our son loved it when he was 14.

I think you have a very nice itinerary. It's perhaps a little more time in the car than I would like, but since you enjoy driving, I think you will be fine. Day 1 - Do Westminster Abbey, which is much closer to your hotel than St. Paul's. I would try to do London Eye that day it will give you an overview of the city. Late afternoon or dusk is a nice time to do it. Day 2 - I would stop at St. Paul's after the Tower of London. Buckingham Palace is not my cup of tea. I would consider the British Museum (especially if it's raining) or the Cabinet War Rooms, two of my favorite things in London. Day 3 - I would do the British Museum or Cabinet War Rooms if you didn't get to see them on day 2. Or perhaps stop in Windsor, which is close to Heathrow. Day 6 - I haven't seen much of the Cotswolds, but I can tell you Chipping Camden is a great little village. Day 7 - I was in Cardiff many years ago and really enjoyed it. Day 8 - Oxford is very interesting. I've only driven through Stratford. I would pick Stratford. You might also consider for either Day 7 or 8 seeing Warwick Castle, which is one of my favorite castles, if not the favorite. My boys, who were your boys' ages when we went, loved it. I'll leave the rest for others to comment on. I hope you have a great trip!

OK. Personal opinion: 1. Don't plan on seeing anything important on the day you arrive. Jet lag is a terrible thing. 2. If you really like the Cotswolds, take 2 days. 3. Oxford is much more interesting than Stratford. 4. Your schedule doesn't allow much time in York. Stay two nights. it's a great place. 5. Edinburgh can take 2-3 days. You can spend most of one day in the Castle alone. 6. I think most of the passes are not worth the headaches. 7. Stay off the motor ways. You will see much, much more. It will take a lot longer than you expect, so plan accordingly.

Not enough time in York. York deserves a full day (two nights). What do you expect to see in Cardiff? To anyone who hasnt read RS books it is a low priority sight. I have spent quite a bit of time in both Cities and have friends in both

Cotswolds villages are generally small. You need a car to drive. Generally there is time to drive through a number of vllages with time to stop where you see something that interests you. You dont need to choose just one. The generally top rated villages include: Burford, Bourton on the Water, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Upper and Lower Swell, Stow on the Wold is one of the larger vllages and popular for overnight stays. Chipping Camden is the largest village with a long (interesting) high street. Broadway is also popular, but the main attrcation is the old (expensive) coaching inn, Lygon Arms. I also highly recommend Woodtsock on the edge of the Cotswolds (and on the doorstep of Blenheim Palace). The main attraction of Cotswolds is driving along the lanes passing sheep fields and hamlets and isolated cute cottages On a more serious note there is Chedworth Roman Villa, ruins of a very large roman compound, and also the Cotswolds rare Breeds farm

I would reorganize 11-15.
On the 11th drive to Edinburgh. Spend the 11th and 12th day there. On Day 12th leave the car at home and do a train trip to Stirling. On the 13th drive up to St. Andrews in the morning. (I assume that you're big golf fans and that's why you want to go to St. Andrew's. It won't take you long to see the course. Then drive north to Inverness. It will be a very long day. But you can spend the 14th visiting the Inverness sites--Culloden etc. You can spend another night in Inverness or head toward Fort William for drive down the west coast on the 15th to see Glencoe and Loch Lomond. Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Culloden, and Urqhart Castle are all Historic Scotland sites so check their website to see what passes might or might not make sense. Pam

Day 1 - I would also recommend Westminster Abbey over St. Paul's. While you're in the area check out Big Ben and the Parliament buildings. London Eye is a good idea also. Day 5 - Stonehenge & Avebury won't take a whole day. You might also want to go to Salisbury Cathedral, or spend more time in Bath. While you're driving around look for the white horses on the hills. Day 12 - One day in Edinburgh may not be enough, although 3 hours at the castle was plenty for me. Spend time on the Royal Mile. I also recommend Holyrood Palace and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Day 14 - A day trip to Inverness/Culloden/Loch Ness (from Edinburgh?) will definitely be a long day but you'll be glad you did it. Day 15 - This might be a good day for more time in Edinburgh.

What a great trip! If time permits, the British Museum is worth going to, if only to see the Rosetta Stone! The Cabinet War Rooms is worthwhile (and only about 2 blocks from Westminster Cathederal. Going up the elevator in the Tower Bridge gives some very worthwhile views when crossing the upper level foot bridges. If you do this, make sure you go under the bridge and look at the old stationary steam engines that used to power the draw spans. Wiltshire countryside is great! While you're near Avebury, make sure you visit "Silbury Tor", and the West Kennent (not sure of the spelling) Long Barrow. Glastonbury is also a place for pleasantly spending a few hours. Hike up Glastonbury Tor, and there is a great view of the surrounding countryside, including the fabled Island of Avalon. In Edinburgh, take a tour or Mary King's Close. This is an area of 15th century Edinburgh that got covered by the city chambers (and is now down in the sub-basement. You are taken into houses there. Also, Rossylyn Chapel is worth a visit!

Agree with previous post, don't miss Mary King's Close, it is right by the castle, I think tour takes about an hour and was one of the highlights of our trip. Be at the castle at 1PM when they shoot off the cannon. We also enjoyed the Royal Yacht which is an easy bus ride from the center of town. Also try to see the graveyard where Grey Friar's Bobby is buried, it is right by the museum. At the Tower of London, we have been there several times. One suggestion is to skip out on the tour at the end where you are taken into a chapel with about half hour lecture of the history which we found very boring. Enjoy your trip.

I think a great stop for you on day 15 would be the seaside town of Oban. You could easily spend the night there and make your flight the next day out of Glasgow.

sounds similar to my upcoming itinerary! i did London 2 years ago (solo) and would second the recommendation above to not go anywhere "important" on your first afternoon there. you will be ZONKED from jetlag and the lack of good sleep on the plane. i elected to check into my B&B and go walk through the Portobello Road Market and Hyde Park. it was entertaining, with lots to see (and eat!), and i got in some exercise and went to bed early. allow at LEAST 4-5 hours at the Tower of London. it is worth it, but takes a lot longer than you'd think to get through it all. maybe go early and have lunch there (not bad food in the cafeteria). I was surprised by the places I enjoyed the most: my votes are Westminster Abbey (best audio-tour! RS was right!), St. paul's cathedral (and the view from the top), and the London Eye at sunset. Blahhh on buckingham palace...i would skip it. Kensington palace was more interesting...and tea at the Orangery was lovely and not too pricey. if you can, consider 2 nights in Edinburgh and/or Inverness. i'm also adding in a night in the north lake country in england (not sure where you'd fit it in) for the scenery and some hiking. enjoy! you'll love it no matter what you do!