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Message
UK Trip Spring 2026
Posted on 1/9/25 at 9:10 am
Posted on 1/9/25 at 9:10 am
Looking to take a UK trip in 2026, thinking mid to late May. I've watched a few youtube videos and read some of the Rick Steves travel guide. I have a general idea of the cities i'd like to go to. Below is a first stab at an itinerary.
10-14 day trip
Day 1 Fly to London, land in Heathrow, rest up
Day 2-4 London,
Day 5 Bath, Glastonbury, Stonehenge
Day 6 Highclere Castle, The Cotswolds
Day 7 The Cotswolds, Oxford, Calke Abbey (rumor is my ancestor on my mom's side was the first baronnet of the Calke abbey)
Day 8 Glasgow
Day 9 Edinburgh
Day 10 Day trip to St. Andrews, Stirling Castle, Falkirk, Edinburgh
Day 11 Drive to Inverness, Loch Ness, Nairn
Day 12 Work our way to Aberdeen/Highlands/Scotch Country
Day 13 Back to Edinburgh
Day 14 Fly out of Edinburgh
I'd really like to stay in B&B's while there, and try to make a home base in several cities/towns as much as possible. Also, considering just getting a travel agent/travel guide rather than try to plan a trip myself, given i don't know much about the areas. We are initially planning this for just my wife and I, and maybe another couple, or bringing the kids. However, not sure if it's wise to bring an 11 and 8 year old who are picky eaters on this trip.
Any advice, tips?
10-14 day trip
Day 1 Fly to London, land in Heathrow, rest up
Day 2-4 London,
Day 5 Bath, Glastonbury, Stonehenge
Day 6 Highclere Castle, The Cotswolds
Day 7 The Cotswolds, Oxford, Calke Abbey (rumor is my ancestor on my mom's side was the first baronnet of the Calke abbey)
Day 8 Glasgow
Day 9 Edinburgh
Day 10 Day trip to St. Andrews, Stirling Castle, Falkirk, Edinburgh
Day 11 Drive to Inverness, Loch Ness, Nairn
Day 12 Work our way to Aberdeen/Highlands/Scotch Country
Day 13 Back to Edinburgh
Day 14 Fly out of Edinburgh
I'd really like to stay in B&B's while there, and try to make a home base in several cities/towns as much as possible. Also, considering just getting a travel agent/travel guide rather than try to plan a trip myself, given i don't know much about the areas. We are initially planning this for just my wife and I, and maybe another couple, or bringing the kids. However, not sure if it's wise to bring an 11 and 8 year old who are picky eaters on this trip.
Any advice, tips?
9
Posted on 1/9/25 at 9:45 am to BugAC
quote:
However, not sure if it's wise to bring an 11 and 8 year old who are picky eaters on this trip.
Not that you should encourage this, but there is American style fast food everywhere. There are a great selection of sandwiches and chips at every Tesco Express, etc., if you get desperate. Don't let their eating habits steal the opportunity for you to have them in pictures from this trip. It's not like your only options are spotted dick, mushy peas and a full English breakfast.
I know some of this is going to require a car, but consider where you want to rent one. I don't think, especially with another couple (remember luggage) or the kids, driving everywhere will be economical, or fun.
You don't need an agent. Tripadvisor and Yelp and your friends.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 9:57 am to LemmyLives
quote:
I know some of this is going to require a car, but consider where you want to rent one. I don't think, especially with another couple (remember luggage) or the kids, driving everywhere will be economical, or fun.
Would you recommend finding a centrally located area in each major destination and using bus/taxi/etc... rather than renting a car for 2 weeks? I've read that Edinburgh is not car friendly and parking is confusing for tourists.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 10:10 am to BugAC
Don’t devote day 1 to resting. Force yourself to walk around and see a few things. Eat dinner at dinner time.
While in the Cotswolds work in a tour of Blenheim Palace.
I don’t know if you have a specific part of London you want to stay in but we always stay in Mayfair or Kensington. But any area will be close to a tube station which can take you to a train station. I would not rent a car in London proper.
While in the Cotswolds work in a tour of Blenheim Palace.
I don’t know if you have a specific part of London you want to stay in but we always stay in Mayfair or Kensington. But any area will be close to a tube station which can take you to a train station. I would not rent a car in London proper.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 10:13 am to BugAC
Absolutely yes.
If you rent a car start to finish, you're going to have to find a place to put it, and it may not be on the grounds of your lodging. And don't discount you're probably not able to rent a "normal" sized car for the full duration, which makes parking an even bigger pain in the arse, all things the same.
Parking seems to vary, but many of the cities have found reasons to make driving and parking cars sort of painful. Different city councils have different parking schemes (disks, paper slips, license plates, the fingerprint of your firstborn.)
London (and probably some of the Scottish cities) have various schemes like ULEZ and congestion charges and restrictions, which can also make life a PITA.
If you rent a car start to finish, you're going to have to find a place to put it, and it may not be on the grounds of your lodging. And don't discount you're probably not able to rent a "normal" sized car for the full duration, which makes parking an even bigger pain in the arse, all things the same.
Parking seems to vary, but many of the cities have found reasons to make driving and parking cars sort of painful. Different city councils have different parking schemes (disks, paper slips, license plates, the fingerprint of your firstborn.)
London (and probably some of the Scottish cities) have various schemes like ULEZ and congestion charges and restrictions, which can also make life a PITA.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 10:41 am to BugAC
I almost forgot, use the locals. If you ask most B&Bs hosts for advice, they will act like your grandma would when you say, "I want to spend Saturday night with you." "We're thinking about seeing X&Y in the Cotswalds while we're here." Then start taking notes.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 11:50 am to BugAC
With that schedule you might see a lot but not experience anything as you will be on the road for a lot of it. All that traveling between areas can waer you down too. I know you're a beer guy so spending a few hours in a pub and talking to the locals is as valuable as seeing some castle. I would skip either Scotland or the England portion and spend more time in whichever one you pick. But if you stick with that itinerary, maybe stay in London and daytrip to Bath, Cotswolds, etc. The trek from London to Glasgow is a pretty long day so if you want to stop halfway for the night, The Lake District is very beautiful and full of quintessential English villages. I would actually skip Glasgow and go to Edinburgh where you really need 4-5 days to see what it has to offer.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 12:07 pm to Zappas Stache
quote:
With that schedule you might see a lot but not experience anything as you will be on the road for a lot of it. All that traveling between areas can waer you down too. I know you're a beer guy so spending a few hours in a pub and talking to the locals is as valuable as seeing some castle. I would skip either Scotland or the England portion and spend more time in whichever one you pick. But if you stick with that itinerary, maybe stay in London and daytrip to Bath, Cotswolds, etc. The trek from London to Glasgow is a pretty long day so if you want to stop halfway for the night, The Lake District is very beautiful and full of quintessential English villages. I would actually skip Glasgow and go to Edinburgh where you really need 4-5 days to see what it has to offer.
I started mapping everything out in Google Earth and you're right. I may need to tone it down a little. I'm also mapping out pubs, breweries, and distilleries...
Posted on 1/9/25 at 1:18 pm to BugAC
I’d definitely just pick either Southern England, or Scotland and make plans to come back. The UK is great for kids, tons of history, same language, and quick bites are easy.
That’s going to be a full day in the car going from the Cotswolds to Edinburgh/Glasgow with kids.
If you’re dead set on doing both countries, I’d trim London to 2-3 days and skip Glasgow. Spend a couple days in the Lake District or York to break up the drive to Edinburgh. York is also a pretty easy train ride from London if you’d like to see more of England and don’t want to deal with a longer drive.
No need to hold a car in London or Edinburgh, you won’t want or need to deal with one. Just rent one outside of town a bit and drop back off wherever you’re flying out of.
Also- Don’t sleep on Wales! If you decide to stick with England, Snowdonia Nat’l Park is a reasonable drive from the Cotswolds. Similar feel to the Scottish Highlands or Lake District and a little closer to everything else you’re considering. You could even fly back out of Manchester.
That’s going to be a full day in the car going from the Cotswolds to Edinburgh/Glasgow with kids.
If you’re dead set on doing both countries, I’d trim London to 2-3 days and skip Glasgow. Spend a couple days in the Lake District or York to break up the drive to Edinburgh. York is also a pretty easy train ride from London if you’d like to see more of England and don’t want to deal with a longer drive.
No need to hold a car in London or Edinburgh, you won’t want or need to deal with one. Just rent one outside of town a bit and drop back off wherever you’re flying out of.
Also- Don’t sleep on Wales! If you decide to stick with England, Snowdonia Nat’l Park is a reasonable drive from the Cotswolds. Similar feel to the Scottish Highlands or Lake District and a little closer to everything else you’re considering. You could even fly back out of Manchester.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 1:36 pm to BugAC
quote:
I'm also mapping out pubs, breweries, and distilleries
Bermondsey Beer Mile in London for sure
Posted on 1/9/25 at 5:13 pm to BugAC
I recommend getting a Blue Badge guide, give him a few must-do destinations, a time frame and see if he can provide the service. Yes, I have done this twice and it is wonderful. We are picked up, he acts as the guide for the majority of tourist sites [he is licensed and knows the facts], he took us to many interesting, non-typical sites and I didn't have to worry about driving and parking.
The last trip, we drove to Bath, toured it. Next morning, we went to Stone Henge and toured it "inside the ropes", only because he was Blue Badge and could get access. Toured Cotswold and then to Oxford. For the younger crowd, he took us to "Harry Potter" filming sites at New College and elsewhere.
A previous BB guide took us to the Tower of London. He was not allowed to be THE tour guide, since that is sole propriety for the Tower personnel.
BB guides can buy all tickets for entry for you and arrange hotel stays..
Doing Scotland within the 2 weeks you mentioned is doable. However, taking a train from southern England to Scotland seems a logical route. Edinburgh is a must, yet a more central spot seems to be Aberdeen from your itinerary. Not sure about those BB guides being up there, but if you choose that means of touring, you can check. If you get a guy for England, he may recommend someone for you.
Last BB Guide I used was Glen Porch. Yeah, google blue badge guide glen porch. Frankly, any of them beat having to do driving, tickets, quaint places to stay, and alternative tours.
The last trip, we drove to Bath, toured it. Next morning, we went to Stone Henge and toured it "inside the ropes", only because he was Blue Badge and could get access. Toured Cotswold and then to Oxford. For the younger crowd, he took us to "Harry Potter" filming sites at New College and elsewhere.
A previous BB guide took us to the Tower of London. He was not allowed to be THE tour guide, since that is sole propriety for the Tower personnel.
BB guides can buy all tickets for entry for you and arrange hotel stays..
Doing Scotland within the 2 weeks you mentioned is doable. However, taking a train from southern England to Scotland seems a logical route. Edinburgh is a must, yet a more central spot seems to be Aberdeen from your itinerary. Not sure about those BB guides being up there, but if you choose that means of touring, you can check. If you get a guy for England, he may recommend someone for you.
Last BB Guide I used was Glen Porch. Yeah, google blue badge guide glen porch. Frankly, any of them beat having to do driving, tickets, quaint places to stay, and alternative tours.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 6:17 pm to BugAC
That's way too much crammed into two weeks.
Pick either England OR Scotland for a more relaxed itinerary and plan to come back later to visit the other. I would do England in May as the weather gets nastier up north.
Obviously you don't need to rent a car for London but the decision to drive or use public transport for the remainder is a tough call. It would depend on how many in your group, what you plan to see and how comfortable you are navigating English roads with a steering wheel on the opposite side. I personally use public transport but others brave it out.
Try to craft a hub-and-spoke itinerary that will minimize packing up every day and checking into new accommodations. England is small enough that you can do day trips to a lot of places or use guided day tours on minibuses that save you the hassle of planning and driving. Look at cities like Bath, Chester and York which are worth visiting in their own right but can also serve as a home base to explore surrounding areas and landmarks.
You also need to figure out if you are doing this with kids or without as that will probably change the plans. Kids would love watching a jousting or falconry exhibition at Warwick castle. A leisurely stroll through the Cotswolds?...not so much.
Posted on 1/9/25 at 7:30 pm to BugAC
That schedule is nuts. It’s not the Amazing Race. You need to cut your destinations in half and enjoy where you are while you’re there.
Posted on 1/11/25 at 7:04 am to BugAC
You are going to need a car for part of this. I would not have a car in London, Edinburgh, b or Glasgow. In fact, I would skip Glasgow. Get the car when you are ready to leave London.
Edinburgh to Inverness to Aberdeen back to Edinburgh in 5 days is too much. You will spend 50% of your time traveling. I would cut out Aberdeen. Plus, if cut out Glasgow, you will pick up a couple of days. Spend 2-3 nights in Edinburgh and 2 nights in Inverness. You would probably get a car once you get to Inverness. Use the train to travel between Edinburgh and Inverness.
Edinburgh to Inverness to Aberdeen back to Edinburgh in 5 days is too much. You will spend 50% of your time traveling. I would cut out Aberdeen. Plus, if cut out Glasgow, you will pick up a couple of days. Spend 2-3 nights in Edinburgh and 2 nights in Inverness. You would probably get a car once you get to Inverness. Use the train to travel between Edinburgh and Inverness.
Posted on 1/13/25 at 10:23 am to ericberryistheman
Thanks everyone for the tips.
I like the idea of a guide, the other poster mentioned. I'll look into those blue badge guides, for sure. Also, will cut out glasgow, and will use the train as much as possible. London, Bath, Cotswalds are general areas in England we want to hit, as well as a few South (stone henge, glastonbury) but we are malleable to where we go. My wife really wants to go to Highclere castle as well.
Edinburgh and Inverness are 2 we definitely we want to hit in Scotland, and visit surrounding sites (Loch Ness, Castles, Falkirk, Sterling Bridge, Outlander sites (wife)).
I like the idea of a guide, the other poster mentioned. I'll look into those blue badge guides, for sure. Also, will cut out glasgow, and will use the train as much as possible. London, Bath, Cotswalds are general areas in England we want to hit, as well as a few South (stone henge, glastonbury) but we are malleable to where we go. My wife really wants to go to Highclere castle as well.
Edinburgh and Inverness are 2 we definitely we want to hit in Scotland, and visit surrounding sites (Loch Ness, Castles, Falkirk, Sterling Bridge, Outlander sites (wife)).
Posted on 1/13/25 at 4:13 pm to BugAC
GF and I went to Edinburgh last summer. We spent 2 days in Edinburgh, then took he scenic route up to Fort Agustus where we stayed in an abbey (check out the Highland Club) right on Loch Ness for a couple nights, then back down to Edinburgh for a couple more nights before coming back home. We had rented a car. It was definitely an experience but a lot of fun. The drive up to Fort Agustus was probably my favorite part and the town itself was really neat. We stopped at a lot of famous filming locations for the Harry Potter films and some from 007 Skyfall IIRC. If you're looking for something a little more quaint, I'd highly recommend Fort Agustus over Inverness. I posted several pics in another thread a month or two back from our trip.
Posted on 1/13/25 at 11:30 pm to BugAC
I'd recommend at least 3 days in Edinburgh. If you read Rick Steves and do your homework, no need for a travel agent.
If you are interested in an AirBnB, I highly recommend this one. It's in Old Town, and you are only a five minute walk from St Giles Cathedral in one direction or the Waverly train station in another. You really get a good feel for the city staying in a place like this. LINK
If you are interested in an AirBnB, I highly recommend this one. It's in Old Town, and you are only a five minute walk from St Giles Cathedral in one direction or the Waverly train station in another. You really get a good feel for the city staying in a place like this. LINK
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