Recommendations for 2 Week Trip to England in April

This site is a great resource, so my prime recommendation is to exploit it thoroughly. Look at the train travel that's accessible from your friends' locations. With some luck, you might be able to use those locations as hubs for more travel. Prices for rail tickets usually increase as your day of travel approaches, so buying early saves money. You can buy the tickets online and they will be mailed to you or held for pickup on the day of travel. The UK's rail pricing scheme is voluminous and arcane; bear that in mind when looking for good ticket prices. Buses go many places that trains do not, and there are local and regional firms, and national lines, of course. So, with research and planning, you can get around surprisingly well without a car. The overnight train to Edinburgh saves time, but it does take less than 8 hours and you won't see anything. York is on the line up to Edinburgh and one of my favorite places. Very accessible on foot with more than enough to keep you busy for a day or two. Edinburgh is also a favorite. The primary station, Waverly, is in the town center and within walking distance of several hotels and the main shopping area along Princes Street. The B&B's in Rick's books will need a taxi ride, or bus. Edinburgh needs two days, at least.

If you mention "Bradford" to people in England, you will get the kind of reaction that mentioning "Cleveland" used to get, before they built the Rock and Roll Museum. But Bradford has a very good National Media Museum: http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/. Their unique offering is that they are one of 3 places in the world where you can see This Is Cinerama in its 3 screen glory. Here's their description: "What is Cinerama?
Cinerama was an ultra-wide film format created in 1952 to be the ultimate in immersive cinema. It used three 35mm film strips to gather a huge quantity of information, to create a sharp, finely detailed image. These three films would then be projected onto a 146° curved screen to fill people's field of vision. The aim was to immerse the audience in their film experience, in much the same way as modern IMAX or 3D cinema. The National Media Museum is one of only three public venues in the world that can show Cinerama. Our monthly screenings of This is Cinerama are a proud tradition. An early '50s response to the popularity of television, Cinerama's enormous screen and 7-track surround sound practically lifted the audience out of their seats. In 1993 this Museum opened Pictureville – an exact reproduction of a Cinerama theatre. This is Cinerama was the first 3-strip film ever made and is about as fun a piece of Americana as you are ever likely to see."

Now a more general response: while you should certainly look at Rick's Great Britain book, he only covers part of the country, and it clearly isn't his favorite place. So, get at least one other guidebook to learn more about your sightseeing options. for places he does cover, Rick usually has the best information about how to get there and around. He will also have money-saving tips. If his recommended places to stay and eat are above your budget, look at Lonely Planet or Lets Go (written for students, but they do find some good bargains suitable for everyone).

Hello Janet. Given your interests and the reality that you will be on a shoestring budget, I recommend that you go to England and Wales, only. Railroad train travel in England is expensive. Traveling in buses ("coaches") costs less money. I think the best Medieval castle in England is Warwick castle. Do you want to walk through a mansion (stately home) ? England has very many of them, open to the public. I think England is not a good country for beachcombing. I like the travel guide book : "England" by David Else, Oliver Berry, Fionn Davenport, Belinda Dixon, ... from Lonely Planet.

Thanks to all. I so appreciate the time and thought folks have put into their responses. As hours spent in research increase, my lists of things to do and places to go become more refined. I hope to leave time for serendipity along the way. I'm a girl who sometimes misses the forest for the trees but I learn to know and appreciate each beautiful tree in a few special forests so well..... In London, I'm contemplating using airbnb to find a room in Southwark or Notting Hill. I think I'd enjoy staying in someone's home, esp. folks who welcome out of town visitors and are sociably inclined. Altho I'll be paying for my room, new friendships are welcome as well. I would like to catch evensong somewhere, probably London, since I know I'll be spending overnights there. Maybe I'll pair it with a cathedral tour. I don't yet have a detailed map of London. Do they make those laminated fold-up ones and where to purchase? I am interested in seeing the streets from neighborhoods mentioned in some of the mystery novels I've read by Ruth Rendell, Jacqueline Winspear and PD James Marylebone, Belgravia, and Queenhithe in the City of London, respectively. Any pub recommendations or cozy spots for a cup of tea in these locations? Other points of interest in these neighborhoods? Thrift shops in London? Bradford? York? Areas easy to access known for boot sales?Great places to by fabric? Vintage fabric?Lesser known but wonderful street markets?Are there deals to be had at the Bermondsey Market?Street markets to avoid with predominantly new items (like tube sox in bulk, toiletry items, toys) and such? Finally, I don't want to pack and carry wellies but know I'll mudlarksuggestions for getting used/cheap suitable footwear for beachcombing? Thanks, again.

Thrift stores abound in London, sometimes several in a block. I sometimes augment my wardrobe or buy a used book there.

Thanks, Swan. Great idea.