bilboburgler

yep train should beat plane L-Edinburgh, both can get held up and the view from the train is better (sit on the East side of the train).

PalenQ

The London to Edinburgh train is not very scenic until it reaches Newcastle - where it makes a dramatic scoot over bridges high above the river with a bird's eye view of the town all around - from there via Berwick-on-Tweed - just south of Scottish border it becomes very scenic as the train rolls at times right along the rugged coast.

janisj

>>The London to Edinburgh train is not very scenic until it reaches Newcastle - etc etc<<

jenna: Since you would be traveling in the opposite direction - reverse everything in that post . . . The train is scenic from Edinburgh to just above Newcastle . . . from there on you can pretty much relax w/ a good book. Except a nice view of Durham Cathedral, and a glimpse of Yorkminster if you look quick.

RM67

This might help a bit with the Edinburgh section, and give you some more affordable ideas for accommodation during Fringe

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rgh-fringe.cfm

PalenQ

>>The London to Edinburgh train is not very scenic until it reaches Newcastle - etc etc<<>

Even though the London to Newcastle portion ain't what you could call scenic for first-time travelers to the U K the scenery is interesting - sheep everywhere! The York train station is a marvel - a Victorian-era iron shed built in a uniquely curving shape - get out for a second and have a look - breaking your trip in York is possible too if not on a discounted ticket - put bags in a locker and the town center and famous Munster are a short walk away.

janisj

There are no lockers at York. The only place one can leave their bags is at Europcar @ £8 per piece -- a couple of blocks away.

'Famous Munster' -- cheese?