England/Scotland Itinerary- am I insane?
Feb 3rd, 2012, 02:10 PM
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England/Scotland Itinerary- am I insane?
I am going to England June 24-July 5 2012. There are a lot of things I would really love to do. I am not sure when I will be able to go back so I am trying to stuff a lot of stuff into one trip. Just tell me- is this itinerary completely insane? WHat do you suggest I take out/skip?
Monday July 25 2012- Get into Gatwick airport around 6 am. Take a train from Kings Cross station up to Durham. (I have family there). Although we are going to be jetlagged, I wouldn't want to mess up my sleep schedule, so maybe we would walk around a bit, have some fish and chips, just do some exploring.
Tuesday July 26 2012- Go to the Lake DIstrict until about 3:30 p.m and then take a 3 hr drive up to Crookham (a town very close to the Scottish border) and sleep there.
Weds. June 27, 2012-The next morning, wake up early and take the 45 min drive into Edinburgh. There is not too much I would like to see there, so I would probably only stay until 2-3 p.m. I would only see the castle and Royal Mile before heading back to Durham. On the way we would see either Alnwick Castle or Lindisfarne (which would you recommend?) Before going back to Durham.
Thurs. June 28 2012- We would spend the Thursday in Durham, seeing the Cathedral and Castle and seeing some family.
Fri. June 29 2012- We would see WHitby, Helmsley, and Reivaulx Abbey before either: a) sleeping in Helmsley, b) going over to York and sleeping there, or c) Going to Ripon, seeing Fountains Abbey and then sleeping there. Which would you recommend?
Saturday June 30 2012- We would go to York and see The Shambles, York Minster, Jorvik and some of the walls
Sunday July 1 2012- We would take an early train from York to Bradford before taking a bus or taxi to Haworth from Bradford. We wouldn't stay in Haworth longer than 3 hours, and then we would go to Bradford and take a train to London. We would have dinner with some family before bed. (also, are there any good hotels in central london that you would recommend for under 100 pounds a night?)
Monday July 2nd 2012- We would spend the morning at either the Queens Gallery, the British Library, Notting Hill or perhaps take a themed tour such as Harry Potter or Jack the Ripper. We would spend the afternoon in Knightsbridge, and go to Harvey Nichols, Harrods (and have afternoon tea there), Kensington Palace, as well as Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. We would probably see a show that evening.
Tuesday July 3rd 2012- We would spend the morning in the Westminster area, and then spend a few hours in Soho/Covent Garden. We would then take the tube to the City and see St. Pauls Cathedral and the Tower of London. That night we might do a river tour of the thames.
Wednesday July 4th 2012- We would probably take a day trip from London. I was looking at 2 tours that both looked pretty good. One took you to Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge, while the other one included Greenwich, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and a river tour of the Thames. WHich one sounds better? Are there any other good places to take a day trip to? I was thinking maybe Cambridge or Brighton. Is there anywhere else?
We would then leave on the Thursday.
Is there anything in this itinerary that I should skip? Is there anything I could do that would be a similar experience to another one yet closer?
Monday July 25 2012- Get into Gatwick airport around 6 am. Take a train from Kings Cross station up to Durham. (I have family there). Although we are going to be jetlagged, I wouldn't want to mess up my sleep schedule, so maybe we would walk around a bit, have some fish and chips, just do some exploring.
Tuesday July 26 2012- Go to the Lake DIstrict until about 3:30 p.m and then take a 3 hr drive up to Crookham (a town very close to the Scottish border) and sleep there.
Weds. June 27, 2012-The next morning, wake up early and take the 45 min drive into Edinburgh. There is not too much I would like to see there, so I would probably only stay until 2-3 p.m. I would only see the castle and Royal Mile before heading back to Durham. On the way we would see either Alnwick Castle or Lindisfarne (which would you recommend?) Before going back to Durham.
Thurs. June 28 2012- We would spend the Thursday in Durham, seeing the Cathedral and Castle and seeing some family.
Fri. June 29 2012- We would see WHitby, Helmsley, and Reivaulx Abbey before either: a) sleeping in Helmsley, b) going over to York and sleeping there, or c) Going to Ripon, seeing Fountains Abbey and then sleeping there. Which would you recommend?
Saturday June 30 2012- We would go to York and see The Shambles, York Minster, Jorvik and some of the walls
Sunday July 1 2012- We would take an early train from York to Bradford before taking a bus or taxi to Haworth from Bradford. We wouldn't stay in Haworth longer than 3 hours, and then we would go to Bradford and take a train to London. We would have dinner with some family before bed. (also, are there any good hotels in central london that you would recommend for under 100 pounds a night?)
Monday July 2nd 2012- We would spend the morning at either the Queens Gallery, the British Library, Notting Hill or perhaps take a themed tour such as Harry Potter or Jack the Ripper. We would spend the afternoon in Knightsbridge, and go to Harvey Nichols, Harrods (and have afternoon tea there), Kensington Palace, as well as Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. We would probably see a show that evening.
Tuesday July 3rd 2012- We would spend the morning in the Westminster area, and then spend a few hours in Soho/Covent Garden. We would then take the tube to the City and see St. Pauls Cathedral and the Tower of London. That night we might do a river tour of the thames.
Wednesday July 4th 2012- We would probably take a day trip from London. I was looking at 2 tours that both looked pretty good. One took you to Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge, while the other one included Greenwich, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and a river tour of the Thames. WHich one sounds better? Are there any other good places to take a day trip to? I was thinking maybe Cambridge or Brighton. Is there anywhere else?
We would then leave on the Thursday.
Is there anything in this itinerary that I should skip? Is there anything I could do that would be a similar experience to another one yet closer?
Feb 3rd, 2012, 02:18 PM
#2
Welcome to fodors, you will find a lot of people will tell you that you are trying to stuff too much into your plan. I will too. Your paragraphs aso need a bit of break down as it is hard to see just what is happening, however, my starter for ten is
1) I'd drop Edinburgh, its a hell of a long way and you are not interested. The time will be useful
2) Friday 29th looks like the day from hell, you are just about at the start of the UK holiday period and you want to drive along some busy roads. Morgana is better than me on these roads but I'd try to limit it to Fountains, Ripon and Riveaux which would be a long day
I'll leave some more for everyone else..
1) I'd drop Edinburgh, its a hell of a long way and you are not interested. The time will be useful
2) Friday 29th looks like the day from hell, you are just about at the start of the UK holiday period and you want to drive along some busy roads. Morgana is better than me on these roads but I'd try to limit it to Fountains, Ripon and Riveaux which would be a long day
I'll leave some more for everyone else..
Feb 3rd, 2012, 02:18 PM
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That's absolutely insane 
in the nIcest way!! You ate WAY overestimating the time you will have and WAY underestimating the time things take!!! You need to cut out about 2/3 of the hints you have planned!!!
in the nIcest way!! You ate WAY overestimating the time you will have and WAY underestimating the time things take!!! You need to cut out about 2/3 of the hints you have planned!!!
Feb 3rd, 2012, 03:19 PM
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<i>Monday July 25 2012 </i> I'm assuming you mean June 25 2012
Fly to Newcastle (there's a flight at 8:30am), take Metro to Newcastle Central Station, train to Durham. See if you can add a flight to your ticket so you don't have to collect & recheck luggage and be covered if for some reason you miss your flight Oop North. If you do take the train pick a routing via London Bridge to St Pancras which is next door to Kings Cross rather than going to Victoria and have to use the Tube across London
<i>Tuesday July 26 2012</i> Why are you crossing England (admittedly at it's narrowest bit) twice in one day. What is at Crookham (I pass that way on a regular basis and have never had a need to stop). You are going to be spending over 6 hours just driving.
<i>Fri. June 29 2012</i> There's at least 3 days worth of visiting there. There's at least 6 hours driving in what you propose
<i>Weds. June 27, 2012</i> 45 minutes - in your dreams, try over 90 minutes - as I pointed out I drive that route on a regular basis and even I can't get it under 1h15m without being totally stupid. The drive back to Durham will take at least 3 hours. By the time you get back to into England attractions will be closed. Lindisfarne Castle is on an island and if you don't get off by 19:35 that day you are stuck overnight. Not much of Alnwick Castle is visible from outside the estate.
<i>Sunday July 1 2012</i> To get to Haworth you take the train to Keighley via Leeds. You then either take the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway to Haworth or walk to Keighley Bus station and take a bus from there. Train for London leave from Leeds not Bradford.
It's a road crash (possibly literally) of an itinerary. We've seen worse - but not many. You are jumping all over the place, did you even look at a map when planning this. You need to chop at least half of what you want to see.
Here's what I'd do
25 Jun - arrive, fly to Edinburgh
26 Jun - Edinburgh
27 Jun - drive to Durham via the coast
28 Jun - Durham
29 Jun - drive to Whitby or Haworth then York, drop off car.
30 Jun - York
1 Jul - train to London
Fly to Newcastle (there's a flight at 8:30am), take Metro to Newcastle Central Station, train to Durham. See if you can add a flight to your ticket so you don't have to collect & recheck luggage and be covered if for some reason you miss your flight Oop North. If you do take the train pick a routing via London Bridge to St Pancras which is next door to Kings Cross rather than going to Victoria and have to use the Tube across London
<i>Tuesday July 26 2012</i> Why are you crossing England (admittedly at it's narrowest bit) twice in one day. What is at Crookham (I pass that way on a regular basis and have never had a need to stop). You are going to be spending over 6 hours just driving.
<i>Fri. June 29 2012</i> There's at least 3 days worth of visiting there. There's at least 6 hours driving in what you propose
<i>Weds. June 27, 2012</i> 45 minutes - in your dreams, try over 90 minutes - as I pointed out I drive that route on a regular basis and even I can't get it under 1h15m without being totally stupid. The drive back to Durham will take at least 3 hours. By the time you get back to into England attractions will be closed. Lindisfarne Castle is on an island and if you don't get off by 19:35 that day you are stuck overnight. Not much of Alnwick Castle is visible from outside the estate.
<i>Sunday July 1 2012</i> To get to Haworth you take the train to Keighley via Leeds. You then either take the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway to Haworth or walk to Keighley Bus station and take a bus from there. Train for London leave from Leeds not Bradford.
It's a road crash (possibly literally) of an itinerary. We've seen worse - but not many. You are jumping all over the place, did you even look at a map when planning this. You need to chop at least half of what you want to see.
Here's what I'd do
25 Jun - arrive, fly to Edinburgh
26 Jun - Edinburgh
27 Jun - drive to Durham via the coast
28 Jun - Durham
29 Jun - drive to Whitby or Haworth then York, drop off car.
30 Jun - York
1 Jul - train to London
Feb 3rd, 2012, 04:47 PM
#5
alanRow has laid out a totally reasonable itinerary. It is still a bit rushed but is doable.
re your London plans: Which of those day tours sound better?? Neither one. Both of the tours are very expensive and VERY rushed. >><blue>Greenwich, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and a river tour of the Thames.</blue><< is ludicrous. Dover Castle alone takes 1/2 a day to even scratch the surface.
You can visit either Bath or Canterbury/Dover on your own by train, save a fortune, and actually have time to see/enjoy something.
"<i>Tuesday July 3rd 2012- We would spend the morning in the Westminster area, and then spend a few hours in Soho/Covent Garden. We would then take the tube to the City and see St. Pauls Cathedral and the Tower of London. That night we might do a river tour of the thames.</i>"
Is sort of back to front. You'll want to go to the Tower very first thing in the AM, then St Pauls, then Westminster. Soho and Covent Garden are 'open' late -- the Tower and St Paul's aren't
re your London plans: Which of those day tours sound better?? Neither one. Both of the tours are very expensive and VERY rushed. >><blue>Greenwich, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and a river tour of the Thames.</blue><< is ludicrous. Dover Castle alone takes 1/2 a day to even scratch the surface.
You can visit either Bath or Canterbury/Dover on your own by train, save a fortune, and actually have time to see/enjoy something.
"<i>Tuesday July 3rd 2012- We would spend the morning in the Westminster area, and then spend a few hours in Soho/Covent Garden. We would then take the tube to the City and see St. Pauls Cathedral and the Tower of London. That night we might do a river tour of the thames.</i>"
Is sort of back to front. You'll want to go to the Tower very first thing in the AM, then St Pauls, then Westminster. Soho and Covent Garden are 'open' late -- the Tower and St Paul's aren't
Feb 4th, 2012, 02:26 AM
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Why Whitby - for the Dracula or Captain Cook links. If the latter then there's several places on Teesside that have strong links to Cook.
http://www.captcook-ne.co.uk/ccbm/index.htm
http://www.hidden-teesside.co.uk/category/captain-cook/
http://www.captcook-ne.co.uk/ccbm/index.htm
http://www.hidden-teesside.co.uk/category/captain-cook/
Feb 4th, 2012, 02:31 AM
#8
I'm beginning to think that there must be a prize for the daftest itinerary to be posted here - at the moment , GB, you are the winner by a short margin over the chap who wanted to drive from the Cotswolds to Inverness in one day.
we managed to dissuade him from his insanity - can we work the same magic on you?
we managed to dissuade him from his insanity - can we work the same magic on you?
Feb 4th, 2012, 09:20 AM
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Yes... you are completely insane. ;-)
Seriously, that's not an enjoyable way of visiting the UK. Cover less ground and spend more quality time at each place you do go to.
You are attempting to do the Lake District in half a day. I've lived here for almost 25 years and still haven't seen everything there is to see.
Seriously, that's not an enjoyable way of visiting the UK. Cover less ground and spend more quality time at each place you do go to.
You are attempting to do the Lake District in half a day. I've lived here for almost 25 years and still haven't seen everything there is to see.
Feb 4th, 2012, 10:44 AM
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<i>at the moment , GB, you are the winner by a short margin over the chap who wanted to drive from the Cotswolds to Inverness in one day. </i>
Oh there have been worse, there was the guy who wanted to drive the length of the UK (yes UK, not England) twice in one week in February which started with arriving at Heathrow then immediately driving to Whitby
Oh there have been worse, there was the guy who wanted to drive the length of the UK (yes UK, not England) twice in one week in February which started with arriving at Heathrow then immediately driving to Whitby
Feb 4th, 2012, 11:41 AM
#13
"<i>do they get the same sort of queries on the USA board? or is it solely the europe board that attracts this sort of lunacy?</i>"
Oh -yeah!
The big difference is that <i>some</i> of those crazy plans are actually doable - which is probably why so many Yanks and Aussies think driving from London to Edinburgh, stopping in York and Kendal . . . in one day . . . is reasonable . . .
That is less than 450 miles - just slightly more than say Sacramento to Anaheim/Disneyland which folks regularly drive in about 6 hours.
Oh -yeah!
The big difference is that <i>some</i> of those crazy plans are actually doable - which is probably why so many Yanks and Aussies think driving from London to Edinburgh, stopping in York and Kendal . . . in one day . . . is reasonable . . .That is less than 450 miles - just slightly more than say Sacramento to Anaheim/Disneyland which folks regularly drive in about 6 hours.
Feb 4th, 2012, 12:53 PM
#14
That is less than 450 miles - just slightly more than say Sacramento to Anaheim/Disneyland which folks regularly drive in about 6 hours.>>
perhaps there's nothing worth seeing between Sacramento and Anaheim!
perhaps there's nothing worth seeing between Sacramento and Anaheim!
Feb 4th, 2012, 01:54 PM
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This is not my itinerary for the most part, most of it is what my companion would like to see. We were thinking that perhaps we could skip the Lake District, Lindisfarne and possibly something else. She is simply not willing to part with a lot of stuff!
I was thinking that perhaps we would spend Tuesday and Wednesday in Scotland, seeing Edinburgh and either the Trossachs or Stirling. We would then leave early on the Thursday and spend the afternoon in Durham. We have also decided to skip Fountains Abbey and spend the night in York before spending the next day there and heading back to London in the morning. Haworth is one thing I am not willing to give up, though, so we will have to fit it in somehow!
Thanks for the tips
I was thinking that perhaps we would spend Tuesday and Wednesday in Scotland, seeing Edinburgh and either the Trossachs or Stirling. We would then leave early on the Thursday and spend the afternoon in Durham. We have also decided to skip Fountains Abbey and spend the night in York before spending the next day there and heading back to London in the morning. Haworth is one thing I am not willing to give up, though, so we will have to fit it in somehow!
Thanks for the tips
Feb 4th, 2012, 02:01 PM
#16
"<i>perhaps there's nothing worth seeing between Sacramento and Anaheim!</i>"
Ain't that the truth!!
(except for an utterly enormous, very smelly, cattle feed lot at Harris Ranch -- food in the restaurant is terrific but nothing else w/i 175 miles)
Ain't that the truth!!
(except for an utterly enormous, very smelly, cattle feed lot at Harris Ranch -- food in the restaurant is terrific but nothing else w/i 175 miles)
Feb 4th, 2012, 02:03 PM
#18
GBL - well, that's a start. well done. you really were trying to fit a gallon into a pint pot - now it's only a quart.
Care to post your new itinerary so we can see how best to shoe-horn [sorry] how to "fit" Haworth in?
Care to post your new itinerary so we can see how best to shoe-horn [sorry] how to "fit" Haworth in?
Feb 4th, 2012, 02:14 PM
#19
GBLover: "<i>She is simply not willing to part with a lot of stuff! </i>"
Well, I'm not willing to part w/ lots of stuff either. But when one wants to see two countries and have a long laundry list of 'musts', one schedules a long enough trip to manage it.
"<i>I was thinking that perhaps we would spend Tuesday and Wednesday in Scotland, . . .</i>"
Two whole days? I'm not being mean here -- but do you see how that sounds. Two days to "see Scotland" is absolutely fine - if all you want is to tick places off a list.
York to Haworth to London is a 6.5+ hour drive w/o ANY stops. It makes no sense. Drive over to Haworth, then back to York, drop the car and take the train to London.
What you do have time for is Edinburgh; train to Durham; train to York; rental car for one day to tool around to Haworth, Fountains Abbey, etc.; train to London.
Well, I'm not willing to part w/ lots of stuff either. But when one wants to see two countries and have a long laundry list of 'musts', one schedules a long enough trip to manage it.
"<i>I was thinking that perhaps we would spend Tuesday and Wednesday in Scotland, . . .</i>"
Two whole days? I'm not being mean here -- but do you see how that sounds. Two days to "see Scotland" is absolutely fine - if all you want is to tick places off a list.
York to Haworth to London is a 6.5+ hour drive w/o ANY stops. It makes no sense. Drive over to Haworth, then back to York, drop the car and take the train to London.
What you do have time for is Edinburgh; train to Durham; train to York; rental car for one day to tool around to Haworth, Fountains Abbey, etc.; train to London.
