2 Weeks in the UK - August 2009
 

I am trying to plan a two week trip to the UK with maybe an overnight in Paris just to take a peek at the Eiffel tower.

We're renting a car and seeing the entire country. I have no idea WHERE I should be looking for lodging. Or the high points we should see. We're not into the mainstream tourist traps/alot of people.

Anyone know of resources to plan your own driving tour?

I definitely want to spend at least 4 or 5 days just exploring Scotland.

Appreciate any tips or must sees or great hotels (we're a family of 3).

Thanks in advance!

Well, the UK is not a big country, but you are not going to see the whole of it in a fortnight ;-)
You need to give us an idea of what you like, scenery, coastline, stately homes, gardens, picturesque villages, cities?
It's going to be difficult to avoid crowds in England in Easter.
Scotland, apart from Edinburgh during the Festival will be less busy because their schools go back before the English ones.

Sorry, senior moment.
That should be August, not Easter.

Thanks for the response.
We're castle buffs. And love great scenery. Not big city folks or huge tourist attractions (figure we will get our fill of those in London).

Does it make sense to find a base location to stay in for two days at a time and take day trips? I've only gotten as far as Bath. I know nothing about the rest of England.

Where are good places to stay in Scotland? I've been to Isle of Skye and LOVED it but don't know what towns to look for lodging in. Would prefer to not stay in Edinburgh/Glasgow.

Thanks again!

Please don't be misled by the fact that "the United Kingdom is roughly the size of Oregon or Colorado, or twice the size of New York State." (acknowledgment to Encarta). I've lived here for more than half a century and my knowledge of my home country is still far from complete. There is everything from a city of 6 million where 300 languages are spoken to bleak highlands where you won't see anybody for hours or miles.

I suggest you decide what your main interests/wishes are and choose 2 or 3 centres. But note that August is the peak holiday season here and due to the economic situation more and more Britons will be holidaying at home rather than abroad. If you want to avoid crowded touristy places you may have to choose carefully.

Given the time you have available, I'd be inclined to suggest you base yourself somewhere in the Central Highlands- Comrie, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld, spring to mind- and trip from there.

You could, alternatively, stay south and just do the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway

You have mentioned an overnight to Paris and that is best done from London. How long do you plan on staying in London?

For touring the UK and I'm assuming from your remarks you mean England and Scotland, I'd do the north of England...either the Lake District and/or Yorkshire Dales. You would then be close to the Borders/Dumfries area as mentioned by Shelia.

Scotland is one of my favorite places we've visited in the British Isles, and the driving is not bad. There are wonderful places to stay, plus castles and lovely towns to visit. We spent 2 weeks there and everything about our trip was perfect. There is a series of travel books that are driving guides, with suggested itineraries, just look for them on Amazon or your local bookstore.
The lake district is beautiful as well. I'm not that fond of the Dales.
I'd stay in a place at least a couple of days. In Scotland we were able to cover distances without much trouble, opposite of what I found on our trip to Ireland.

If you are big castle buffs, then Scotland is definitely the place! Be sure to check out the Explorer Pass by Historic Scotland. This will save you a lot of money in entrance fees if you are going to several. I think Edinburgh castle alone is £ll, Stirling is 8. Edinburgh is my favorite and has the most to see... you can easily spend 4-5 hours there. Also, if you can make sure you are there around 1pm so you can see the firing of the one o'clock gun.

One of my favorite day trips if you are based not far from Glasgow or Edinburgh is to drive to Loch Lomond in the morning, Stirling Castle and then the Wallace Monument. You can easily do all this in a day. Loch Lomond is barely an hour from Glasgow (a little less if you drive like a Scotsman :). Walk around some there, enjoy the views of Ben Lomond. Then there is a great road (A811) that takes you thru the countryside to Stirling. You can do the castle in 2 hrs, 3 max. Eat lunch in Stirling and then drive the few minutes over to the Wallace Monument. The Monument is quite a hike, just so you know. There is a shuttle that takes you from the carpark to the base of the monument, then 246 stairs to the top. But there are 3 floors to stop off on your way. If you are claustrophobic beware as there is barely room for 2 people to pass on the spiral staircase. We went in November and it wasn't very crowded and hardly passed anyone on the way up!

Glasgow is a great place to visit as well and a cheap city to see the sites. All the museums are free for the general exhibits (they occasionally charge to see the special exhibits). But the general exhibits are well worth it! Kelvingrove is my favorite. It has a little something for everyone!- Art, history, science, etc. Glasgow Cathedral is beautiful and very different from the churches you will see in other parts of Europe. The Neocropolis (cemetary) on the hill behind it is worth a visit as well. Some famous people buried here and just fascinating place in general. The West End area is great- best places to eat in Glasgow (try Antipasti). The Botanical Gardens are beautiful and the conservatories are great, very large! The Kibble palace is beautiful! The city centre is cool, but mostly good for shopping!

There are a few other castles around Glasgow as well (Bothwell, Dumbarton) I haven't been to these yet but have heard they are good.

Also, I'd suggest going to part of the Fringe in Edinburgh since you will be here in August. We got to see the street festival part of it a few years ago and it was fun! Not massively overcrowded, go during the week. Also stay for the Tattoo at night, we didn't get to and it's on my list this year!

If you click on my name, you'll find my trip report. We spent 12 full days in England and Wales and didn't come anywhere near seeing the entire country.

Lee Ann