girltristan

I am planning to spend 2.5 weeks (October 2016) in the British Isles. I will be flying into Heathrow, and flying out of Gatwick.
I would love to visit the following places, but I'm not sure what order and the most effective way to see all of them!
Any pointers would be nice! I'd also love to know what to do in each place (though I don't shy away from pointless wandering .
London
Cornwall
Liverpool (okay with this being a quick pass through to pick up Beatles essence
Dublin
Cork
Galway

janisj

2.5 weeks is not really enough time for all for all that. How many days exactly. Say you have 17 days -- that will give you 14.5 days on the ground. Then you'll spend another almost 3 full days traveling from place to place. Cornwall is a LONG way from London and Liverpool is a LONG way from Cornwall. You may be OK w/ just a quick pass through Liverpool, but you have to get up there so it cant'd be that quick.

So you have a net of 11 or so days actually IN places. Not enough for London/Cornwall/Liverpool and three places in Ireland.

The most effective way to see Cornwall, County Cork and Galway is driving. The most efficient way to see London, Liverpool, Dublin and Cork city is by public transport.

You probably need to get a guidebook or two and decide which 3 or 4 places are most important to you and then we can help you w/ your itinerary. If this is a first visit you'll want at least 5 days in London.

bilboburgler

I'd dump Liverpool, catch the train to Cornwall and explore (by car), then travel up to Bristol (also check if Exeter has any better flights) and catch a flight to Ireland, tour (probably with a local tour) but you could do it by car. Fly out of Ireland to London, explore and then fly home

October is pretty much on the late cusp of the season. With 17 nights I might do

4 nights Cornwall (I might stretch to two stops, one at St Ives and one further East)
7 nights Ireland (2 nights per stop), if you want Beetles, go to Abbey Road.
6 nights London

All pretty rough but it gives a shape for discussion.

BigRuss

If she wants beetles, she can go to anyplace insects are. Thinking she wants Beatles, although Abbey Road would work.

;-)

girltristan

Thanks all!
To answer questions - arriving in London on Monday at noon, leaving London three Tuesdays later at 1PM.
I'm thinking that I can leave London quickly when I arrive, and then have it as my final stop so I'm already there when I have to catch a flight?
Abbey Road is really the heart of it - I may just do that while I'm in London. Thanks @bilboburgler !

Instead of driving (because I am a lowly American who will get SUPER confused, I'm sure), are there any nice train routes? I'd love to see the scenery I'm speeding past, if possible.

Thanks again, all! I'm very excited!

ESW

When you said the Isles, I thought you meant the islands off he coast of Scotland....

historytraveler

Me too.

carolyn

You can easily take a train from London to Cornwall. Check routes at National Rail Enquiries, and if you decide to go by train be sure to buy your tickets as early as allowed to get a much reduced price. We stayed in Penzance and did day trips by local bus to Marazion to see St. Michael's Mount and to St. Ives. Both were great, but St. MM was really special to me.

janisj

>>To answer questions - arriving in London on Monday at noon, leaving London three Tuesdays later at 1PM.<<

Then you only have 2 weeks. If you arrive at noon you won't be to your hotel until about 2:30 or 3PM so that day is pretty much lost. And the last tuesday is just packing and flying home so you have 14 useable days 'on the ground'.

From London to Penzance on the train takes nearly 6 hours. Penzance to Liverpool = more than 8 hours. So you are talking loooooong distances.

That is why you need to take travel time into consideration. I'd skip Ireland this trip.

thursdaysd

There's a night train to Cornwall:

http://www.seat61.com/Cornwall-sleeper.htm

Looks like a nice train - I would have taken it last year if I could have arranged accommodation on the Scilly Isles - and it saves a hotel night and sightseeing time.

And yes, "the Isles" does not mean the British Isles.

stevelyon

Just a thought - and not meaning to confuse but I frequently go to Plymouth in Devon and its a delightful train journey and you are then on the border of Cornwall, but not sure but guess there is a train route into Cornwall from there. Plymouth is a beautiful city and some of the places en route deserve exploring if you have time.

flpab

Have you been watching Doc Martin? Love the scenery.

http://www.beatles-tours.com/ Very fun

Ryanair 55m from $24
Aer Lingus Aer Lingus 55m from $59
Cheap quick flights from Liverpool to Dublin.


http://www.seat61.com/Cornwall-sleeper.htm

Saves you a hotel room and time.
Save London for the end of your trip is a good plan. You already bought tickets? An open jaw ticket is my favorite, flying into Dublin and then leaving from London.
Even if you get to see a little of each you can always come back.

You can do Ireland very easy by train or bus. The go bus to Galway leaves from the Dublin airport or in the city. 2.5 hours. Train it to Cork also. Great day tours from Dublin if you want to base yourself there or easy transportation on the dart train to Howth north of the city or south to Dalkey to see the seals.
I do public transportation in Ireland and love it.