Another York Question
Jun 19th, 2008, 05:04 PM
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Another York Question
I will be (hopefully) in York beginning of August with my wife, 18 yo and 8 yo sons for a couple of days. First family overseas visit. Planning to drive down from Edinburgh and continue to London, as it seems the most economical transport for four. Is the coast drive from Edinburgh a wise choice? Is there a better way to get to London and any specific suggestions for accomodations for 4 in York on the economical side?
Jun 20th, 2008, 03:05 AM
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To be honest your question is quite hard to answer. Yes the coast is lovely but the roads are smaller and the time taken to travel will be a lot lot longer. The road between Edinburgh to London, via York is mostly a two lane highway, there are some exceptions to this.
Also to answer your question we need to know more about you interests and exactly how long have you got to travel between Edinburgh and York and York to London?
Here is the website for York which lists accommodation establishments. How economical do you want?
http://www.visityork.org/
Also to answer your question we need to know more about you interests and exactly how long have you got to travel between Edinburgh and York and York to London?
Here is the website for York which lists accommodation establishments. How economical do you want?
http://www.visityork.org/
Jun 20th, 2008, 03:53 AM
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This question applies to places all around the world.
The scenic winding coastal road vs. the quicker (often by half) inland major road.
The answer is always the same: <b>it depends</b> on how much time you have...
The scenic winding coastal road vs. the quicker (often by half) inland major road.
The answer is always the same: <b>it depends</b> on how much time you have...
Jun 20th, 2008, 06:28 AM
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Will you be stopping en route between Edinburgh and York and York and London? There's lots to see along here. Bit without knowing your interests and how much time you have, we can't recommend sights.
Otherwise, take the train. Shouldn't be too expensive if you buy tickets well ahead.
In York find a conveniently located B&B and park the car. Here's a good listing of B&B's in England: www.smoothhound.co.uk.
Otherwise, take the train. Shouldn't be too expensive if you buy tickets well ahead.
In York find a conveniently located B&B and park the car. Here's a good listing of B&B's in England: www.smoothhound.co.uk.
Jun 20th, 2008, 08:36 AM
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Yes, I am struggling with deciding whether to see the destination or see the in-between. After two nights in Edinburgh I was going to drive first to the Lake District for a couple of nights and then York but now deciding to cut it out for more time in London. From Edinburgh to Newcastle appears to be a 3 hour drive. Do you think it would be less than 5 hours to do the coast route to Newcastle, with a couple of short stops? Though I am use to long, winding coast driving in California and Oregon this will be the first driving I do there, I will be on the outer lane and looking at the scenery might not be a great idea. Okay I just talked myself out of it.
As to accomodation in York, the website had small snapshots of 98 places.It is really hard to tell one from another and their location. I think I would like to be in town and be able to walk to the main sights. Location and quaintness is more important than comfort and amenities. For a family of four and a terrible dollar exchange lets start with around 100 GBP or less per night . I was hoping for the 'when in York you have to stay at....' recommendation. That probably isn't fair since many of them are likely to be great places. Still I would take a personal recommendation over one from a guideboook.
Would you call the York to London drive a pleasant one? It also looks to be a 4 hr drive. I would much rather take the train but for 4 people it gets expensive. I am also considering Jet2.com from Leeds to London but haven't checked prices yet.
Jun 21st, 2008, 12:18 AM
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Hi
I'm a 'local' (live near York) but have a son studying at a London University (so am forever up and down the country!) so hopefully I can help with a few things.
Firstly the driving times you mention are 'best case scenarios'. And the drive from York to London is not exciting, although of course there are any number of places you could stop off which would make it so. I notice you have sons travelling with you and long hours in a car might not be too much fun for them!
I would always advise people to get the train, especially the York to London part. There is a regular, fast service and it can take less than 2 hours from York to Kings Cross. First class is nice but standard is perfectly ok, but do get reservations if you are travelling at busy times. I am sure someone on here can advise about the most economical way of travelling by train.
I realy think your time 'oop north' which is limited, is best spent in York and then a quick trip down to London.
There's loads to see and do in the city, which is beautiful, but also numerous day trips out easily done if you have a car. For example Fountains Abbey (a World Heritage site), the North Yorkshire Moors or Dales. Whitby etc etc. I could give you enough suggestions to keep you busy for a week.
www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
As far as accommodation is concerned, if you have a car you might want to think about a farm stay? Many farms do a very reasonably priced B&B, they are quiet and peaceful, often situated in stunning areas and yet within easy reach of places such as York.
This website is a good place to look -
www.yorkshirenet.co.uk
As far as staying in York itself goes, I am going to suggest that you look at another website called tripadvisor. Look under forums and then under England, then North Yorkshire. There is a contributor on there called Ange and what she doesn't know about staying in York isn't worth knowing! You can ask her a question on the forum or search earlier topics about York accommodation. She can certainly assist with personal recommendations etc and she's always friendly and helpful.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...e_England.html
Hope this helps!
I'm a 'local' (live near York) but have a son studying at a London University (so am forever up and down the country!) so hopefully I can help with a few things.
Firstly the driving times you mention are 'best case scenarios'. And the drive from York to London is not exciting, although of course there are any number of places you could stop off which would make it so. I notice you have sons travelling with you and long hours in a car might not be too much fun for them!
I would always advise people to get the train, especially the York to London part. There is a regular, fast service and it can take less than 2 hours from York to Kings Cross. First class is nice but standard is perfectly ok, but do get reservations if you are travelling at busy times. I am sure someone on here can advise about the most economical way of travelling by train.
I realy think your time 'oop north' which is limited, is best spent in York and then a quick trip down to London.
There's loads to see and do in the city, which is beautiful, but also numerous day trips out easily done if you have a car. For example Fountains Abbey (a World Heritage site), the North Yorkshire Moors or Dales. Whitby etc etc. I could give you enough suggestions to keep you busy for a week.
www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
As far as accommodation is concerned, if you have a car you might want to think about a farm stay? Many farms do a very reasonably priced B&B, they are quiet and peaceful, often situated in stunning areas and yet within easy reach of places such as York.
This website is a good place to look -
www.yorkshirenet.co.uk
As far as staying in York itself goes, I am going to suggest that you look at another website called tripadvisor. Look under forums and then under England, then North Yorkshire. There is a contributor on there called Ange and what she doesn't know about staying in York isn't worth knowing! You can ask her a question on the forum or search earlier topics about York accommodation. She can certainly assist with personal recommendations etc and she's always friendly and helpful.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...e_England.html
Hope this helps!
Jun 21st, 2008, 01:09 AM
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Driving the coast of California is very very different to the one in Scotland. Plus the rules of the road are different, the written ones and customs. Don’t try and rush any journey as it could ruin your vacation.
You should sleep out of York and take the park and ride into town. http://www.york.gov.uk/parking/ride/. It will mean you will not have any stress in driving through an unknown city, places to sleep could be cheaper too as they are located outside of town.
Yes you will get recommendations but what would you have done in the days before the internet? Use a book!
The exchange rate is hurting and to be honest you usually pay for what you get. i.e. a nice house in the or near the centre is going to coast.
I like the idea posted above about the train. If you purchase on line and early enough you can get good discounts. I have never flown by the airline you are thinking about but one thing about the cheaper airlines in Europe can be luggage restrictions, both size and weight. Look at the T&Cs very carefully before booking. Plus the advertised price may not include taxes or even for the use of checking in at the desk!
You should sleep out of York and take the park and ride into town. http://www.york.gov.uk/parking/ride/. It will mean you will not have any stress in driving through an unknown city, places to sleep could be cheaper too as they are located outside of town.
Yes you will get recommendations but what would you have done in the days before the internet? Use a book!
The exchange rate is hurting and to be honest you usually pay for what you get. i.e. a nice house in the or near the centre is going to coast.
I like the idea posted above about the train. If you purchase on line and early enough you can get good discounts. I have never flown by the airline you are thinking about but one thing about the cheaper airlines in Europe can be luggage restrictions, both size and weight. Look at the T&Cs very carefully before booking. Plus the advertised price may not include taxes or even for the use of checking in at the desk!
Jun 21st, 2008, 03:16 AM
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I meant to add - whilst the 2 hour train journey from York to London Kings Cross is perfectly pleasant but not scenically exciting, the train journey from York to Edinburgh is wonderful!
The first hour or so is so-so, but then it just gets better and better. You get a great view of Durham Cathedral, you can see Holy Island (Lindisfarne) just off the coast, and the train often hugs the coast so you can often see the waves crashing onto the shore. There are ruined castles, little fishing villages, cliffs and beaches etc etc. A couple of years ago I did some work up in Glasgow and did this journey from York every week - and never tired of looking out of the window. Used to take a book but never got round to opening it! If going from York to Edinburgh try and book seats on the right hand side of the train as you get the best views.
The first hour or so is so-so, but then it just gets better and better. You get a great view of Durham Cathedral, you can see Holy Island (Lindisfarne) just off the coast, and the train often hugs the coast so you can often see the waves crashing onto the shore. There are ruined castles, little fishing villages, cliffs and beaches etc etc. A couple of years ago I did some work up in Glasgow and did this journey from York every week - and never tired of looking out of the window. Used to take a book but never got round to opening it! If going from York to Edinburgh try and book seats on the right hand side of the train as you get the best views.
Jun 21st, 2008, 06:49 AM
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My two cents..Check out fares by reviewing National Express Trains. I bet you can find a deal for the family. Stay in York, that is what it is about! Many mini tours to other places or local bus. From the train station is a bus to Whitby and other places. York is a walking town, so just leave your luggage in your room and explore.
Jun 21st, 2008, 07:33 AM
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We took the train from York to London last year. Buying early, we paid about 17GBP for second class tickets. The walk-up fare was about 130GBP. So you see buying early makes a significant difference.
I just went and looked for an arbitrary date of Aug. 7. For a total fare of GBP75, your whole family can take the train York to London.
But there are many intesting stops between Edinburgh and York, and between York and London. It seems a shame to have a car and not see something on the way. But how long do you have?
I just went and looked for an arbitrary date of Aug. 7. For a total fare of GBP75, your whole family can take the train York to London.
But there are many intesting stops between Edinburgh and York, and between York and London. It seems a shame to have a car and not see something on the way. But how long do you have?
Jun 21st, 2008, 12:39 PM
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Thank you all for the advice. I am still jumping through the various links provided. I am leaning towards the train both sides of York and forgoing the car rental, and yet once I started looking at the Yorkshire countryside, I wanted to stay a week. Maybe next trek.
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