QueSeraSera

Greetings and thanks in advance...

11 days includes two travel days

After researching, this is the rough and initial plan, but I have some questions at end of post.

Points of interest us on this trip: English countryside, Antiques, Books, History, Golf - we don't like a lot of running around and enjoy soaking up the culture. We don't have to "see" everything for our trips to be fulfilling.

~Fly open jaw in London

~Travel to Cotswold area, either Broadway or Tetbury for a couple days

~Travel to Hay-on-Wye in Wales for a couple days

~Travel to Edinburgh - base in this area for remainder of journey - fly home from here.

Questions:

Because we are only flying into London, not staying, and traveling immediately out of city, is there a better airport to fly into such as Bristol or Birmingham?

Based on our interests, do you think Tetbury or Broadway, we are very open on this...

...Or, should we just base in Hay-on-Wye and day trip out from there. We are certain that Hay-on-Wye is a must for us but are not sure exactly how far say Tetbury is, I can see both Tetbury and Hay-on-Wye on a map but have been unable to see how far apart they are, it may be just better to base in Hay-on-Wye and not worth it to stay in two different places.

Appreciate your thoughts, ideas and guidance, thank you.

janisj

Are you driving or relying on public transport?

That would make a difference re the best places to base yourselves.

Are you flying in long haul or just over from the continent? That could make a difference re which airport(s) work.

QueSeraSera

Hi janisj, thanks for your reply.

Flying from the States and relying on trains and/or private driver, etc, is that doable?

Thank you!

QueSeraSera

ttt

sheila

Frankly, I'd drop Edinburgh from what is a 9 day trip. Or Hay. A bit nuts to do both.

julia_t

I live about 15 minutes drive from Tetbury - only 6 0r 7 miles but it's along narrow country lanes.

If I were going to Hay-on-Wye from here I would reckon on at least 2 hours to get there, because you can't just go straight there. You've got to think about getting across the River Severn - you've either got to go south to the old Severn Bridge or the Second Severn Crossing (a bigger bridge), or north to Gloucester and from there it's a slow windy road to Ross-on-Wye, and you've still got to get to Hay from there. Though I suppose you could go to Hereford from Gloucester and then down to Hay. Yes, that would be possible but you'd still be looking at around 2 hours.

If you want to see the Cotswolds base yourself in Tetbury which is a lovely little town. You can do day trips to Chepstow, Tintern and Cardiff from here, and you could do Hay-on-Wye as a day trip from here.

janisj

To tour rural areas at all efficiently, you'll need driver guides.

Not being nosy -- but is there a reason you won't/can't rent a car and drive yourselves?

Now - for practicalities . . . You have 11 days-2 travel days. Leaving 9 days. But you'll really only have about 8 days free for touring. Your first day will likely be a jet lagged fog, so you'll want to keep things a easy/low key.

Which of the Cotswolds, Hay-on-Wye, Edinburgh are most important to you?

From what you say - Hay/books are a biggy. So I might suggest dividing your time between Hay and Edinburgh-- OR -- Hay and the Cotswolds -- not all three

Hay would NOT be a good base for touring the Cotswolds.

QueSeraSera

Thank you everyone - this is providing me with such useful information, especially on the narrow roads that take forever. I understand completely.

We have dear friends that have traveled to Hay-on-Wye and thought we would truly, truly love it, they thought of us the entire time there. We adore books and countryside and quiet. Our friends thought this location would suit us, but again this was their first trip to the UK. I guess we just want a quaint area, the kind of thatch roof houses we see and have read about, and we want to walk about and bask in it. Culture and architecture that we do not have here.

janisj ~ we totally can rent a car and drive, on our trips to Italy we used trains, etc, and thought that would be easier, but if you are saying that driving would be make us more mobile and be more sensible, then I would really consider that. Would you train to Edinburgh then, or try to drive there too?

Somewhere in the English countryside that possesses our interests and Edinburgh, maybe 5 days in the first and 4 days in the latter, is what we are thinking. I know now that my instincts to limit it to two locations is what you all are thinking is best.

Sounds like sheila would think it better to only do one location though.

julia, do you think Hay-on-Wye or Tetbury is more quaint and lovely?

Thank you all, you have really been very helpful.

julia_t

Well, you can get an easyjet flight from Bristol to Edinburgh for less than 30 GBP. So you could do Edinburgh and either Hay or the Cotswolds in your time space.

I've only been to Hay myself on a day trip. I really enjoyed it, but I actually work with secondhand and old books, yet Hay didn't really do a lot for me which surprised me. Though Hay would be worth a day trip from the Cotwolds if you decide to stay here. Then at least you can say you've been there, and you'd know if it was somewhere you would want to go back to and spend more time in.

I think your question at this time should be do what YOU want to see more of - Wales OR the Coswolds - in those 5 days.

You will find lots of 'quaint' villages with thatched roof cottages and half timbered houses in the Welsh borders, whereas in the Cotswolds there are few thatched roofs but lots of 'quaint' villages of golden/grey stone.

PS Don't let flanner catch you (or me, though I do know what you mean!) using the word quaint!!!

janisj

"<i>PS Don't let flanner catch you (or me, though I do know what you mean!) using the word quaint!!!</i>"

Me neither

(we're mostly 'bi-lingual' on here but quaint doesn't have the same nice connotations in the UK as in North America)

As for driving vs trains . . . The Cotswolds have very little rail service. They are best toured by car and on foot. But Getting from there up to Edinburgh would be best by plane or train. There are lots (and LOTS) of amazing places to see in between, but you'd want a week for the drive, not 1 day. So for a 1.5 week trip - you could stay in the Cotswolds 4 or 5 days w/ a car and then train or plane to Edinbugh for 4 days. You don't need/want a car IN Edinburgh itself. So you could spend the whole 4 days in the city or take one day trip by coach out to the countryside.

OR - you could spend 4 days in the Cotswolds, then up to Edinburgh for 2 days nights, then rent a car for 2 or 3 days to tour around a bit of the coast or highlands.

janisj

Oh - meant to add . . .

Since you mention golf -- you can do an easy day trip to St Andrews from Edinburgh. Either by train to Leuchars and then a taxi or local bus the 6 or 7 miles to St Andrews, or by car if you choose to to a few days touring around.

It is difficult but not impossible to get on the Old Course, we can tell you how if you're interested. But - even if you don't play the course, St Andrews is still worth a visit. There is the castle, the ruined Cathedral, beautiful beaches, etc. And if your visit is on a Sunday -- there is no play on the Old Course and it becomes a huge public park. You can walk the whole thing w/o worrying about ducking errant drives.

bratsandbeer

There are some interesting one, two, or three days trips out of Edinburgh with http://www.heartofscotlandtours.co.uk/ These tours look interesting if you don't care to drive around Scotland.

Perhaps 3 days in the Cotswolds and then go to Edinburgh for the rest of your trip and fly home from Edinburgh.

Or you could skip Edinburgh and visit Windsor, Bath, Cotswolds, Stratford etc.

QueSeraSera

Oh dear, I was not aware that "quaint" does not mean to you what it means to us, I am sorry, I had the best intentions. I even read a lengthy page on a website on the UK do's and don't and it never mentioned anything about that word, so please accept my apology.

My DH would be overjoyed it you could give us tips on St. Andrews and getting on the Old Course. He loves (loves) golf has played for years.

Let's put things in perspective for you - - - - if my DH can golf in Scotland, the birthplace of golf and I can purchase myself a couple of books by my favorite British authors, precious small little antique books in good condition, and then sit with my tea and read them in full view of the countryside, this will be a fulfilling trip. I know the UK has so much more to offer, but these are things that are so dear to us and we only have 9 days.

So, yes, tips on how to get on the Old Course would be most appreciated.

Thank you so much everyone! I (we) really appreciate your help!

janisj

The easiest way to get on the Old Course -- and being a single actually improves his chances quite a bit.

Head to the course first thing in the AM and contact the starter. He will then put him in w/ the first available two or threesome sometime during the day. Obviously, the earlier you check in the better the chances. (<B>Note:</B> When are you traveling? -- The Open Championship is at St Andrews this year so that will affect public play during the weeks leading up to it).

Anyway - If you were staying 2 or 3 weekdays in or near St Andrews, other than mid June through mid July, his chances of getting on the course would be pretty good. Try the first morning - and if there aren't any openings - head out for sightseeing. Then try again the next morning.

They also do a daily lottery -- but that is only for a minimum of two golfers, not singles.

QueSeraSera

Thank you janisj very much. We are open to when we travel. It would either be the end of May or the end of August of next year. We would prefer end of May, from my research it looks like it would be warm enough for him to golf (he is used to cool to moderate temps). It also looks like although July and August are warmer, you typically get more rain, so we are hoping to go at the end of May. Interested to hear your thoughts.

DH just walked through the door and is very excited about what you said about St. Andrews. Thank you very much. He is always awake early so this will be great.

Now that we are deeper into planning I think we would like to stay in or near St. Andrews rather than in Edinburgh, do you have any recommendations for accomodations? I will continue to do my research.

Also, how far is Edinburgh from St. Andrews?
I always start planning quite early. Thank you again.

bratsandbeer ~ thank you for that website!

QueSeraSera

Hi again janisj, please disregard my 2 above questions, I have been reading extensively and these questions have been answered on other threads (some by you!). Sorry also, for asking the accomodation question without providing a budget. I know better than that on here, ridiculous of me really.

If you have any other tidbits you would like to add, please do, otherwise thank you, you have been incredibly helpful.

janisj

Just a quick suggestion. I personally think it would be a shame not to stay in Edinburgh at least one night. So maybe 4 days in the Cotswolds; Train or plane to Edinburgh and stay 2 nights; Then pick up a car and head out to Fife and stay 3 nights in Crail/St Andrews or somewhere like that, then drop the car before flying home from EDI.

You actually could drive from the Cotswolds to Edinburgh but it would be a <u>hellacious</u> long day. It is about 350 miles and would take 7+ hours straight driving w/o stops.

QueSeraSera

Thank you janisj ~ you have been so wonderful!

I respect your advice on Edinburgh. Perhaps what we would do is stay in Edinburgh for a night or two at the end of the journey because we would be flying home from there. It certainly would make traveling home easier to already be in Edinburgh on the day we fly home.

Thanks also the timing and mileage info on driving from the Cotswolds - we will not attempt that in our time frame. Train or flight will be best.

You are the best! My many thanks to you!

janisj

Back again (can't help myself -- I'm supposed to be out the door in 20 minutes . . . )

If you pick a base somewhere in the northern Cotswolds or fringes (Chipping Campden, Evesham, there abouts) you'd be convenient for Birmingham airport for dropping a car and flights up to EDI.

sheila

I'm looking at viamichelin, and seeing it's about 1 1/2 hours from Cheltenham to Hay; bit less from Tewkesbury, and 50 minutes from Tewkesbury to either Birmingham airport or Bristol airport. (I haven't checked Birmingham, bit I know there are regular Easyjet flights from Bristol to Edinburgh.)

Tewkesbury, or thereabouts,, might be a good base for your Cotswold bit, and you could easily do a day trip to Hay.

I feel less strongly about staying overnight in Edinburgh than janis does. I wouldn't drive there; not that it's awful, but the parking is and the public transport is good.

Me, I'd stay out in Fife, the whole time; and take a day trip into Edinburgh by train. What's your budget for hotels?

Incidentally, there's a very nice book town in Scotland, too- Wigtown. It's almost as hard to get to as Hay.