JCV

Am overwhelmed by all the info available on what to see, where to stay in Great Britain. Am planning Aug 7 - Aug 16 trip, arrival in London, possibly depart from Edinburgh. Want to stay in central London (Le Meridien Picadilly) for 4 nights -anybody stay there?; day trip to Stonegenge, Coltswold, castles?? Worth renting a car? What is best way to Edinburgh for 4 night stay? train or drive? recommendations for accommodations? 2 adults will be traveling. We love to walk and enjoy public transportation. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

sheila

Fly or train. Don't get a car for Edinburgh. Either take day hires if you're going into the countryside or take mini-bus trips instead. If you don't have accommodation bookings in edinburgh for the middle of the Festival by now, you will not be chooing, you will be taking whatever is available.

ira

Hi

The train ride from Lodon to Edinburgh is quite pretty.

janis

Last minute plans for August trips to Edinburgh are pretty difficult. There are four major international festivals and the Tattoo all running simultaneously. The population of Edinburgh literally doubles in August. You may be able to find a room since you want to stay for 4 days (most places have a 3 or 4 night minimum in Aug.) but it will be a difficult search.

So if you wantto go to Scotland, think about basing somewhere else - Stirling or Glasgow or on the west coast. You can always take a day trip into Edinburgh by train from any of those areas.

But on such a short trip you might be better off staying closer to London - stay 6 or 7 nights in London with maybe one dat trip by train. Then rent a car for the other 3 nights and head to the Cotswolds or S Wales or someplace like that. You really can't do a day trip of the Cotswolds from London - well some tour companies do offer them but they are VERY rushed.

GaffaUK

I would suggest 4 nights in London.
Get up early on the 5th day and drive to Stonehenge and see Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire. Stay overnight at Bath.

6th day - drive to Stratford upon Avon via the Cotwolds. On the 7th day drive to Warwick (where I live) and see the splendid castle here - then - continue to drive north to York.

8th day take the long drive to Edinburgh and spend the last 3 nights there - possibly with a day trip to the Trossachs.

dave

yeadonite

I did a similar trip in November, the problem was that the trip to Edinburgh took a good portion of the day. ie a 5 hour trip and we left at approx 9:00am. We should have planned the schedules much better.

Nigello

If you go to Edinburgh, get booking now for cheap train tickets. www.gner.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com (better, and easier to use). Don't just walk up to King's Cross station and get a ticket or your eyes will water! Second class is fine, and the journey will take about 4-5 hours.
If you are flying back from Edinburgh, then just get a single ticket (single means one-way). Or, if they are very dear, pick a non-rush hour time to come back and throw or give the return part away. Cheaper tickets are available after 11am ex London, and not on Saturday or Sunday or Friday, usually. But they have lots of restrictions, so make sure you don't miss the train you are meant to take! Expect to pay about $55 return for the cheapest ticket (a bargain). Even the standard price of about $120 return is good, as the journey is far and the trains are fast, new and comfortable.

USAEngland

I wouldn't miss Hampton Court Palace- a short train or boat ride outside London. It can easily take a lovely, full day. They palace provides lots of assistance for audio tours, private walks, there is a fine cafe, gorgeous grounds, etc.. We went last September and absolutely loved it. Another event to take in is Evening Song at one of the local churches.