London, Manchester, Glasgow, York

Others are probably more qualified to report on train travel in the UK than myself...my husband and I drove the last two times...but I've heard that the train from London to York and then Edinburgh is enjoyable...this might be one route to take. Unless you enjoy the history of the Industrial Revolution or have family connections I don't know if Manchester or Glasgow are the best tourist destinations. We did enjoy our stay in the walled town of Chester and our visit to the Wedgwood Museum and Factory in Stoke.Both of which are near Manchester and Liverpool. I hear that Liverpool has all kinds of interesting things to do and see now. If you are game for driving on the left...you can make prety good time on the M roads. I liked the ruined abbeys of the Borders in Scotland. I think Edinburgh has more things for tourists such as the Castle and Holyrood Palace, although Glasgow does have a really cool cemetary..the Necropolis. Good Luck.

I don't understand some of your comments... Why Manchester? Liverpool? Do you want to see urban blight, or former industrialized cities? What takes you there? What have people told you about the unfriendliness of British trains?

I've heard that the trains are difficult to figure out and that some lines don't go where you want them to go and lots of transfers and such needs to happen. It couldn't have been easier in Italy, but was told due to the ownership too of the trains that it can be rather a difficult way to travel...is that not true?
As for Liverpool or Manchester...we picked those places because it's kind of a half way point to Glasgow...do you have a better suggestion? I welcome them all!

Have you booked tickets yet? If not, suggest you fly into London and out of Edinburgh. Only reason suggest Edinburgh is that I prefer it over Glasgow.

If you don't have particular reasons to want to see Manchester, Liverpool, or Glasgow, I'd suggest a train from London to Edinburgh, stopping in York on the way there or on the way back to London. It's a well-trodden tourist path and I understand (haven't done it) an easy train trip. Nigel is the expert on all things British rail and I imagine he's figuring it out for you right now! If you haven't bought your tickets yet, you could increase time in these places by flying home from Glasgow instead of London (I don't think Edinburgh has that much air service). Or, after your London stay, you could rent a car outside of London for the rest of your trip. Fast motorways to York and Scotland, more flexibility about stops and detours, probably cheaper than train fares for four people. Left-side driving is a challenge for me, but easier on the motorways. Of course, you'd have some non-motorway driving too. Many people on this board find it easier than I do.

Debra, The time frame of your trip appears to be about seven days. If that's the case, this is far too much travelling for such a short time. If you haven't bought tickets yet, I'd suggest using open-jaw flights into London and out of Edinburgh. That will be a more efficient use of your very limited travel time. Visiting London, York and Edinburgh would be a good route to consider. I agree with the others that locations other than Manchester and Glasgow would perhaps be more interesting. The trains in the U.K. can certainly be "as friendly" as other places in Europe, especially with good planning. Travelling London > York > Edinburgh is very easy. I'm sure Nigel will be able to offer some great suggestions, once you've settled which cities you'll be visiting. I would not recommend a rental car for such a short time frame, as travel times will be longer than going by train. For Hotel and sightseeing suggestions in each place, check the Guidebooks (should be available in your local Library or book stores). That would be the best way to tailor the activities and accommodations to fit your criteria. Which method are you planning to use to visit Stonehenge? That trip will likely take the better part of a full day. Happy travels!

... con't ... Advance tickets are purchased days before travel, non-changeable, non-refundable, non-transferable, valid only on the specific named timed train on the named day, and on some tickets only in the specified seat or car,- - but they are way cheap. There are other tickets - we'll get to them as you need them. If you have no need to go to Manchester or Liverpool I agree that York would be great. Fly open-jaws Edinburgh and London if that works, or train straight through London Edinburgh one direction and spend time in York in the other direction. East Coast Trains London-Edinburgh is the quickest at up to 125 mph, and is often the cheapest using Advance tickets from their website. Very simple, Kings Cross station in London (with, if you need it, Platform 9 3/4) express to Edinburgh with no change of train. The outlier in all this is Stonehenge. It can be done from London, but uses a whole day. It doesn't make sense to do it on the way north - it is completely the other direction. It may not be all you were hoping for when you get there in person, particularly in March when the days are still short, the sun low in the sky, and the weather may well be cold and wet or at least cold and overcast. It will almost certainly be cold and windy. Not to put you off it, especially if the kids are set on it, but to prepare you for reality. Keep the questions coming and we will do all we can to help...

A few comments about using British trains - As somebody who works on British trains 4 or 5 days a week, week in and week out, I do take against "unfriendly". Sometimes crowded? Sure - you bet. In the rush hours into and out of London on the commuter services it is certainly "sardines", there's no getting around that. Sometimes a little delayed? Sure - especially when vandals steal our cables and trains for miles around come to a complete halt until they can be talked in. Safety first. In fact last year was yet another with no non-intentional deaths nation wide. Try to meet that with cars, buses or coaches. Sometimes the heavy snow or wrong leaves on the line will put a spanner in, but I've seen the roads when covered with ice too. But unfriendly? Nah. There are over 20 companies running passenger trains around this country and a bunch of freight companies too. Sometimes their routes overlap and restricted tickets may not be accepted on competitor trains but "Any Permitted" tickets are. They are best understood the same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time. Don't try to understand the whole network and all the ticket types or your head, like many before you, will explode. Just deal with what affects you and you will be fine. Besides you have help here on the Helpline. Not many can say that. Two adults and two children is what I see. Children over 5 and under 16 pay childrens' fares of half the adult fare. Anytime tickets are those available when you walk up and ask for a ticket on the next train. They are valid on any train on the selekted route that day, peak or off peak. ... more ...

I echo some of the above thoughts. for a first time tourist to Britain- London, York and Edinburgh are worth seeing and have lots of interesting sights. Skip Manchester- no need for a "midway stop" train or fly directly London to Glascow or Edinburgh. Compared with the other options, Glascow doesnt have much to offer- except as an entry point to some of scotlands scenery (Loch Lomond and the Trossochs). York is definitely worth two nights- one full day. Edinburgh probably three full days. Spend the rest in London- there are good day trips to sonehenge, Salisbury, Canterbury, Oxford etc etc doable from London. I enjoyed the west caost of Scotland - fishing villages etc
Chester, as someone else suggeted is a nice little town- wlls, Roman ruins etc, but not enough for a full day, again compared to what yo can se from London. we did the the overnight sleeper from london to Edinburgh - quite pleasant- only difficulty is you arrive in edinburgh early ( 6 or 7 am) so you have to drop your luggage off and keep yourselves busy until your hotel room is ready.

Hi All,
Thank you all for your comments...I will read them over very thoroughly. I have purchased my tickets already though in and out of London. I have not decided on the route yet or the transportation. I am definately rethinking the trip to Glasgow and may replace it with Edinburgh...

Nigel I have to take issue with you when you question why Debra wants to go to Liverpool. Why not? Believe me when I say it has become a destination in its own right and has fantastic free museums, great shopping, lots to do for families and wonderful architecture. Travelling to Liverpool is a breeze on the train from London Euston (Book 3 months early for some great bargains - make sure there are no changes needed and look for cheap 1st class tickets) It's about a 2hr journey - best travel in the week to avoid engineering works. Have a great time whatever you decide.