B&B's in or near Dublin, Aviemore, Edinburgh, York and London

This response is in the "near Dublin" category. My wife and I really enjoyed a three-night stay at the Redbank Guesthouse in Skerries in May 2009. Skerries is on the coast north of Dublin about 30 minutes by train from the center of Dublin. The little town of Skerries is great to wander around in and the coast is spectacular. The dinner we had at the Redbank was the best dinner we had in our two-week stay in France and Ireland (I know what you're thinking, how could the food be better in Ireland than it was in France?) Great room, too. We paid about 100 euros a night.

Regarding Edinburgh - in 2005, we stayed at Stuart House, 12 East Claremont Street. It's about a 15 – 20 minute walk to the Royal Mile. In 2008, we stayed at Broughton Guest House, 37 Broughton Place (www.broughton-hotel.com). It's a couple of minutes closer to the Royal Mile, there is a nice neighborhood pub one block away, and across the street from the pub is an excellent restaurant called the Olive Branch. You actually pass this B&B on the way to Stuart House. Both places were nice, the breakfasts were very tasty, and the owners were accommodating.

Not sure what classifies a B&B as "non-touristy". They make their living dealing with tourists from all over the world. But just about any B&B is going to feel more homey than a chain hotel. If your intention is to eat breakfast without being surrounded by other tourists, maybe have a look at "airbnb.com" which is a site where private homeowners rent out an extra room in their home to a traveler. The rooms all vary in size & price, many have been reviewed, and most offer a "self-catered" breakfast (meaning, help yourself to a cup of coffee & a bowl of muesli on your way out in the morning). Given your budget is modest (as mentioned in another post of yours), you may also want to explore the website for couchsurfing and sign up (free). It's a great way to sleep for free and get to meet some locals. Just check carefully ahead of time where you would be sleeping. Some fellow couchsurfers offer an actual bedroom, others the use of the living room sofa. And of course don't write off hostels even if you are past 40. As you will be on the go for 3 weeks, a hostel can offer you a chance to get your laundry done and cook yourself a meal to save money on eating out all the time. Read reviews of any hostel ahead of time on hostelworld.com to see what others say about location, cleanliness and noise levels (avoid the party hostels if you like quiet when you sleep).

On a recent trip to Edinburgh I stayed at The Walton in New Town. It was walkable from Waverly and was reasonable for my budget. It's really easy to get around Edinburgh. It's not a big town. There is an all day bus pass that you can buy. When I'm staying "down the hill" toward the Royal Botanic Gardens or near Leith, I usually take the bus up the hill and walk back down. I also found it useful when I stayed in the Dalkeith area. Pam

Ceidleh (still wondering how to pronounce that!) :) I probably used the wrong terminology when I said non-touristy; what I meant was that I don't want to stay at a place that feels too commercial. Having never stayed anywhere besides hotels before, I don't really know what to expect, but B&B's sound pretty cool :) I'm not sure about the hostel thing... yeah, part of it is the age thing, but I also really like some privacy at the end of the day... I'll check out the site you recommended, though... thanks again for all of the great advice! Terry p.s. Thanks to you also, Pam! :)

I'd love more suggestions, if anyone has other favorite B&B's :)) Thanks!

B & B's that we have stayed at and seem to be typical for B & B's in Britain. 3 star level mostly. Aviemore-Cairngorm Guesthouse, York- Abbey Guesthouse on the river and all the B & B's in the Dalkeith Road area of Edinburgh. Hope this helps.

I suppose guest/lodging houses would count as "non touristy" places. They cater for contractors and others working away from home. You are unlikely to find reviews for such places and therefore will have no idea whether they are safe clean etc although I'm sure that many are. As an aside Bill Bryson in his book "Notes from a Small Island" describes, very funnily, staying in such places during his travels around the UK. Youth hostels are a good idea, the UK Youth Hostel Association offers a range of accom including en-suite bedrooms. As you will see some of the hostels are in nice/interesting old buildings. http://www.yha.org.uk/

We just got back from a trip including York and Edinburgh. The Abbey Guest House in York was very nice, on the riverbank and an easy walk from the Minster, Museum Gardens, and pedestrian center of the city. Recently remodeled rooms, good breakfasts, helpful hosts (they hit three home runs on restaurant recommendations, also did a laundry load that eased our travel logistics). Priestville Guest House in Edinburgh is off Dalkeith Road, a quick bus ride to the Royal Mile and Princes Street. Older place with high ceilings, good breakfasts (try a sample of haggis, and if you like it as I did you can have a big helping with poached egg), friendly and helpful hosts. They provided a marked map of the neighborhood with places to eat, drink, get groceries or gas, etc. Of course there are lots of alternatives in that big city.

I've updated my question (only need B&B's for Dublin and London now), and still looking for suggestions; thanks! :)

Here are some London places for you: Try "The Lime Tree" mentioned in RS London book. Great price, great owners, and great location. www.limetreehotel.co.uk The Cherry Court Hotel: www.cherrycourthotel.co.uk The London Lodge Hotel
www.londonlodgehotel.com The Aster House www.asterhouse.com

Rebecca, Thanks so much for this list! I remember a couple of these names from other posts I'd read, but apparently didn't write them down; I may also have found a place in Dublin :) Terry

My husband and I had a good stay at the Lincoln House Hotel in London in April. It was in a very good location and the accomodations were very clean.

You are welcome, Terry. Although some of these say "hotel", they are small, with the feeling of a B&B. The Aster House actually is a B&B. Have a good trip!

Just returned from Ireland. In the Dublin area we stayed at Quince Cottage in Sandyford. This is south of Dublin and a very short walk to the LUAS which takes about 20-25 minutes to the heart of Dublin. It ends at Stephens Green which is an easy walk to much of what you'd want to see in Dublin. There is a hop on hop off bus location very near the Stephens Green location as well. Very reasonable and great hostess. See their review on Tripadvisor.

Check out two bed&breakfast networks in London - At Home in London, and London Home to Home. You are actually staying in someone's house; most have only 1 or 2 rooms available so it's definitely non-touristy! I've had some great conversations with my hostesses, too. PM me if you'd like more details. And have a great trip!

Thank you so much, everyone! I will check out the Dublin B&B (although I may have one), and I'll definitely check out the London home sites! I appreciate the info! If you guys have any good ideas for tours (Galway, Dublin, Inverness, Aviemore, Edinburg, or London), please feel free to mention those as well! :) Thanks again! Terry

For tours of London, "London Walks" is outstanding www.walks.com. My teen daughter and I have done half a dozen of their tours and each one was great!