I'm planning on being in the UK in mid-April. My plan was to start in Edinburgh, do the city and the highlands for a few days, then I need to be in Middlesborough on the 15th to see Jimmy Carr. I was planning on driving from Edinburgh south and eventually going to Wales. Is this feasible? I was considering the train as another option.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Sydney, the border areas of Scotland and England are very interesting to explore. You need a car to do so. The Abbey's are fascinating, the Debatable Lands with Hermitage Castle, Hadrian's Wall, Hexford and the Castle in Carlisle. After that of course, you have the Lake District which is wonderful. I've only delved into a little bit of Cumbria, so I hope someone who has explored the area more will chime in here. Pam
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
All the years I've lived here, and you are the first person I have ever heard of going to Middlesborough voluntarily. I learn something every day. That's why I come here. Jimmy Carr is a madman. He was on BBC1 last week pushing his show. Enjoy. (Middlesborough?) When you're there, check out the Transporter Bridge (Google it). You ride a hanging down platform suspended from a carrier which goes across the top of a bridge and carries the whole platform along to the other side. Unique!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Ununique. There's also one at the mouth of the Nervion (Bilbao). :)
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
OK, nearly unique. Pretty unique. Tel me you've done Middlesborough, too, Ed?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Sure, but I forgot about the bridge. I just grew up outside of Bilbao - - that's where that school was that banged all the languages into my gourd.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Sure, it's feasible, although you don't tell us what day you will arrive in Edinburgh. Heck, you could drive from Edinburgh to Cardiff in one day. A really long day, but still a day. The train from Edinburgh to London takes about 4-1/2 hours and it's a pleasant trip. That's considerably faster than you can drive. Assuming you can readily get to Middlesborough by train, I'd go for that option if you are wanting to spend as much time in Scotland as possible. If not, and if you have time to meander southward for a few days, then you have everything in England at your disposal.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
2:30 to 2:45 with one change in Darlington (The world famous headquarters of the British Railway Pension) to Middlesborough. Wow, Middlesborough!
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL
61 posts
Middlesborough would not normally be my first choice of destinations, but I didn't make his schedule :) Now with The Wedding coming, I think I'll rearrange my itinerary, do London for a couple of days first (this will be my 4th trip there so I've already seen it), probably train it up to Edinburgh and make my way back down. I would prefer car so I can see more of the countryside but have always traveled by rail, so I wasn't sure what would be better.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Sydney, I have a bias against motorways, and interstates, as ways to see the countryside. So, I'd recommend avoiding the motorways and meandering your way south on the back roads. It'll be great fun. Trouble is, I'd count on the trip taking two days. If you decide on rail travel, and go on Great Eastern, the train skirts the North Sea coast about an hour out of Edinburgh. Choose your seat appropriately. However, the rail scenery south of York has never excited me, and much of the approach into London is definitely Decaying Industrial Wasteland Zone.