England Driving Trip

London to York is not my favorite drive, but if you haven't been to Cambridge, it would be worth a few hours.

York is worth an overnite stop plus a few hours. Skip the Viking stuff (Jarvik ?).

After Youk, I think it's better to swing over to the coast and pass through Scarboroug (touristy) and spend the night at Whitby. Plus, that gets you through the North Yorkshire Moors.

From around Newcastle, I'd make sure the route into Edinburgh went through the Northumberland National Park.

Having no idea what your plan is around Edinburgh, and if time were available enroute, what I'd really do is bypass Edinburgh for now, swing west toward Glasgow (bypass it) and go to Ft William for the night. I'd spend a whole day poking around the Caledonian Canal/Great Glen and spend a night in Inverness before finally heading to Edinburgh.

For rough perspective, if the direct route London - York - Edinburgh were an eight hour drive, the mess above would take about twenty.

In London the hotels.....The London Elizabeth Hotel..http://www.londonelizabethhotel.com/...and The Blades...http://www.blades-hotel.co.uk/...are both great hotels and both near tube stations.

I would suggest you picking up your rental car some where outside of London. St Albans would be a good place and it's just north of London, its a 20 minute train ride from St. Pancras station. If you drive in London you will be required to pay a congestion charge which is 8bp's per day and if you don't pay the fines can be up to 160bp's.

Penny, in 2006 we stayed in London and then picked up a car to drive to Cheltenham in the Cottwalds and up to York and back to London. We enjoyed the Cottwalds very much. Last trip to London, stayed at the Rembrandt and loved it. Prices can vary. Rented car from Enterprise at Heathrow. They were extremely nice, even provided us with a spiral Michelin road atlas covering all of UK. Price was very good; much cheaper than trains. You are from California, where i spent most of my life. You have been spoiled by good drivers, not present on the east coast. I think you will find that the Brits are excellent drivers. You will find, however, that the narrow and winding roads in places like the Cottwalds are a bit trying, especially after dark.

Between Edinburgh and York and just off the highway is the Alnwick Garden. On a whim we stopped there and really enjoyed it. We also had a good and inexpensive meal from their cafeteria. If your party is at all interested in gardens its well worth a look.

I totally diagree with the first responder-- we love the Jorvik museum. It is fun! Sort of a Disneyesque take on the Viking history of York. We have always taken the train so I can't recommend a route. In York we like to stay at the Royal York hotel. It is attached to the train station and has a lovely small garden and is only about a 5-10 min. easy walk to the city center. Gert and Henry's is our favortie York restruant. It is located in a half-timber house at the edge of the Shambles and the market. Check on tripadvisor or similar sites about driving in Edinburgh as there is major street work going on now. Personally, I'd only stay there 1 or 2 nights then I'd head towards Aviemore for a night or more. Invereness is a great place to base yourselves to see the Highlands.

I have done that drive, including going to Whitby (wonderful) and it was definitely a long drive. Have you spent time in Cotswolds area? So many wonderful villages...also loved Cambridge, Bath and York, Stratford, etc. I have driven in England many times and would never venture downtown London. I pick up and drop off at Heathrow and it is easy enough. I also took my GPS and loaded in England maps and it was great. No problem even in Wales. Have a great time. Also, we always stay at an airport hotel upon arrival...don't have to haul luggage into London for a day trip, then return to hotel and pick up car the next day and take off for the countryside.
Have a great time!