AV

My adult son and I have an unexpected opportunity to visit the UK. I would like information about budget/moderate hotels/bb in London, York, Edinburg, Glasgow and other areas you feel are good points of interest. We are debating if we need to stay overnightin York-enough for 2 days or should we move on.

While in London we would like to take some day trips. I am very interested in Oxford and Stonehenge. Any other suggestions?

Also, if there are things that we should not miss in these areas, please advise.

Thanks! Normally I research an area to death, but there is just not enough time!

PalQ

Well i don't know diddly about hotels but can advise on rail travel. If going by train, should consider the BritRail pass - a 4-day pass to be used over an 8-day period would cost $265 in second class, $395 in first class. One day to go to York, one York-Edinburgh, one Edinburgh-London and one to day trip to Salisbury. Buy the Oxford ticket or take the cheap bus service there. $265 for four days is great for your plans if you want spontaneity - be able to walk up and board any train. such fares are sky high often. Online you could get deeply discounted special fares to Edinburgh but then non-changeable, non-refundable and perhaps at this time unavailable - you could beat the pass with these restricted hard to get fares but for walk up the pass is a no-brainer if going by rail. (RailEurope or their agents 800-441-2387) To check UK prices: www.nationalrail.co.uk.) An 8-day flexipass at $385 in second class could be good to - then you can use it Edinburgh-Glasgow, London-Oxford and each way from either Heathrow or Gatwick airports.

SuzieC

Due to the time constraint, I'd be giving laterooms.com a solid look/see now. All prices are displayed, and you can find what fits in your budget.

What a great spontaneous thing! Have fun. BOn Voyage.

BarbaraJA

York is a fascinating city to visit. Take the ghost walk one evening, and if you have an extra day, Castle Howard near York is marvelous. If you ever saw the PBS series "Brideshead Revisited" it was filmed there.
As for accommodations, we always stay at B&Bs. A good website to search is http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk
Just search the county/town and it will give you descriptions, sometimes photos, and even make a reservation.
What a great opportunity! Cheerio!

Kayb95

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity. How long will you be in each city?

AV

Kayb95

The truth is we have 10 days in England and I have not made any reservations except for the airlines. I am taking the advice given and looking into the railpass.

Thanks!

badgerface

I would highly recommend www.carryontours.com
they will run tours all over the UK to your budget and they are fantastic - they really love getting involved and offer a personal touch - unlike a lot of these type of companies in the UK, they are all true brits, their customer service is impeccable and they work within your budget.
I would definitely recommend giving them a try. They run a 6 day tour visiting all the places you mentioned and you'll see some places you'd never have found otherwise!

Daisy54

When my mom and I went to England last year we visited York for 2 days and stayed at a really charming B&B called The White Horse. It is literally rooms over a pub - I think they only have 3 rooms. We had a twin, ensuite with full English breakfast included. It was £30 per person. The location is great - easy to walk everywhere in central York including the Minster which was only a few blocks, in fact the back wall of the White Horse was part of the old city wall. The place was really charming and friendly and even though the sleeping rooms are above the pub, we did not hear any noise at all from the bar. A very sweet dog named Robbie lived there also - and the human landlords were really nice too. I found them listed on the Smooth Hound website.