burberry212

We are planning to visit England and Scotland next April. I know the weather in England can always be dicey, but is mid-april a good time?
Also, is one week enough for covering the 2 places?

flanneruk

"I know the weather in England can always be dicey,"

And you live in Chicago?

There may be a day or two in the average year when our weather is as stressful as it is in your own unfair city. But for the other 350 days, the only thing you can say for certain is that the weather here will be a great deal more pleasant than the horrors you left at home.

Are you perhaps confusing us with New England?

GreenDragon

A week isn't enough for one of those lovely countries, much less two, but you have to work with what you have.

Mid-April is lovely, but cold, and likely windy, especially in Scotland. You might get snow, even, up in the highlands. However, dress well and you'll be fine. The flowers will be starting to bloom and you won't have to worry about too many crowds.

PatrickLondon

Weather is hopelessly unpredictable. A couple of years ago, we had our summer in April (it was a Tuesday, I think). Or it might be rainy and grey. But it won't be extreme. Temperatures may be anywhere between low 50s to low 60s F, but there is always a chance of rain. So bring layers and a rainproof outer layer.

More to the point, if you really think you're covering England and Scotland in a week, you'll spend the bulk of it on trains and planes and not much seeing anything outside stations and airports, so will be protected from any weather that's going. They aren't so much "places" as multifarious countries in their own right. You could easily fill a week on London alone, or Edinburgh plus maybe an overnight somewhere else in Scotland (but that would be no more than a taster).

What in particular are you planning to see? If we knew that we could advise you further.

dotheboyshall

A couple of years ago, we had our summer in April (it was a Tuesday, I think).

And snow a week later

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012...n_1398663.html

janisj

>>Also, is one week enough for covering the 2 places?countries. If you only have one week including travel time you have time for London. If you have one week plus travel time you have enough time for a small taste of London and a couple of days in Edinburgh.

Or - If you mean one week for each country, then you can do London for a few days, and pick one other town in England, a couple of days in Edinburgh, and maybe 3 or 4 days touring a scenic area in rural Scotland.

But you certainly wouldn't be 'covering' any of those places.

PalenQ

<the only thing you can say for certain is that the weather here will be a great deal more pleasant than the horrors you left at home>

I'll take April in Chicago any day over gray damp[ weather likely in the Old Country in April - especially up in Scotland - flanner simply don't know didilly about the weather in Chicago in mid-April - one of the very nicest times of year there! Lots of hot air from the Cotswolds this time!

Mid-April see an average high of about 60 F - something that could be a nice summer day in say Scotland.

https://weatherspark.com/averages/31...-United-States

janisj

I'm in Scotland and England frequently -- including in April.

60F would not be at all unusual in either place.

janisj

60F would not be at all unusual in either place. . . . as would sleet.

Both of which are also possible in Chicago.

PalenQ

I'm in Scotland and England frequently -- including in April.

60F would not be at all unusual in either place.>

https://weatherspark.com/averages/28...United-Kingdom

well this says that only one day in ten does the temp in Edinburgh reach 62 - is that what you call not unusual?

anyway the weather in Chicago is significantly warmer in April than in Scotland despite your experiences of it often being in the 60s.

Layering is crucial in any time of year in the U K IME - sun pops out - the ole 'sunny spells' on weather forecasts - the temps can shoot up - sun goes back in temps drop - daily highs in the U K are suspect - average daily temp for Scotland is 45 F in April - brrrrrr and though Chicago is the windy city I've seen strongish winds often in Scotland too.

No to say 60s not unusual for Scotland at least is just misinformation it would seem in light of statistics.

nytraveler

Agree that the weather in the UK can - and will - turn on a dime. (Given the choice I would go in June - but have been in Edinburgh in July when it was low 40s, very windy and raining sideways).

But that isn;t the issue. the issue is that you are trying to put 25 pounds of stuff in a 10 pound bag. It would help to know what your interests are - since that can make a big difference. But at any rate you don;t have time to "do" 2 countries. I would suggest staying in London with 1 or 2 day trips. If you insist 4 days London and 3 edinburgh (assuming you have 8 nights on the ground - but this is a VERY superficial view).

PalenQ

fly into London - spend 4 days there take the train to Edinburgh spend 4 days there perhaps - do maybe one day trip from each to see the real England and Scotland - fly home from Edinburgh - that is all the time you have to experience a wee bit of both countries.

There is also a Caledonian Sleeper train rolling between London and Edinburgh - save time and save on a hotel.

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sleeper

PalenQ

When taking the train between London and Edinburgh - about 5 hours during the daytime you can break your journey for a few hours at York and at least see this quintessentially English regional city - to me along with Bath the finest looking cities overall in a UK where large cities IME are not always that sweet and at times IME downright ugly.

A short walk from the York train station is the famous York Minster and many of the famous places in York - like the Shambles - a lively pedestrian shopping street.

Put your bags in a station locker and then come back and take the train onto Edinburgh.

janisj

>>you can break your journey for a few hours at York and at least see this quintessentially English regional cityunless you book separate tickets London > York and York > Edinburgh. Otherwise you are on one train all the way through.

PalenQ

You can't unless you book separate tickets London > York and York > Edinburgh. Otherwise you are on one train all the way through.>

With a full-fare ticket I believe you can break your journey anywhere and board the any train later going to your destination. You do not need to book two tickets though that may be cheaper but I believe janis is wrong when she says you cannot break any train journey with any type of ticket at York without buying two tickets. I may be wrong but don't think so unless things have changed recently.

PalenQ

I think what janisj was referring to is that on many discounted tickets you cannot break your journey and two discounted tickets, one to York and then from there to Edinburgh cost well be cheaper than a full-fare ticket which I do believe allows you to break your journey anywhere en route at will - but discounted tickets are train-specific, at least the cheaper ones and cannot be changed nor refunded so it is hard to estimate how long you may want to spend in York - I'd say allow at least 4 hours - the train station is just a short stroll from the famous York Minster and town center.

historytraveler

A couple of comments. Full fare tickets from London to Edinburgh are usually very expensive. The train takes 41/2 to 5 hours, add a couple of hours ( 4 ! ) i n York and that's a very full day. Pal assumes there are lockers for luggage at York Station. I would not. Double check on that.

PalenQ

I have seen lockers on the platform at York station, one of the few in the UK to have them - but I have not been there for a few years so yes check. I only present York as a possibility to break the journey in one of England's finest cities - even if just a quick few-hour look - yes full-fare tickets are very expensive so if planning on York buy two discounted tickets - one London to York and York to Edinburgh.

Better yet - stay overnight in York and take one of the night walking tours offered by the Tourist Information Centre - but the OP has a very short time frame overall.

dotheboyshall

There isn't any left luggage at York Station, there are other options

http://www.visityork.org/travel/travel-to-york.aspx

PalenQ

http://www.autohorn.co.uk/leftluggage.html

Could not find a date on this site that says they do left luggage at the York train station.