SWL

My husband and I will be flying into Manchester, England and need to be in Edinburgh, Scotland 4 days later. We know we'll take the train up to Edinburgh, but are trying to figure out what to go see and do prior to that or along the way. Have read a bunch of things on line, but still have no clear direction for our June trip. All suggestions welcome!

Rubicund

It depends on your interests. There's so much to do and see here in Manchester that you will easily fill up your time in the city, but you could also stop in the Lake District on the way up to Edinburgh.

The weather should be kinder in June (but no guarantees) and Manchester has a very walkable city centre. There are many guided tours available again depending on your interests, lots of good hotels and restaurants to suit most budgets.

If you give us the dates you will be in Manchester, I can give you more information on what's available at that time and if you indicate your budget, I can recommend hotels and restaurants for your stay.

Manchester to Edinburgh by train is about three and a half hours with no stops. There are some indirect trains that take more time, so be careful if you book.

bilboburgler

I'd support a full day in Manchester (so maybe two nights) and then look at the Lake District, Hadrian's wall or Newcastle for a second base.

janisj

>> then look at the Lake District, Hadrian's wall or Newcastle for a second base.<< . . . Or York.

>>We know we'll take the train up to Edinburgh<<

Please clarify - are the 4 days also by train or do you plan on renting a car?

SWL

We arrive on June 10th. We weren't planning on renting a car.

janisj

>>We weren't planning on renting a car.<<

OK -- That does limit you a bit.

If you drove in 4 days you could easily go either NW into the Lakes, then up via Carlisle and the west end of Hadrian's Wall and Dumfries & Galloway and then up to Edinburgh . . . OR . . . East to York/North Yorkshire, Northumberland and the east end of Hadrian's Wall, through the Borders and finally to Edinburgh.

That way you don't have to return to Manchester . . .

But if you want to use trains - again no need to return to Manchester to catch a train to Edinburgh. If it was me . . . Train to York, stay 2 two nights (nets you 1.5 days). Then train to Newcastle for one night and take a local bus or day tour to Hadrian's Wall. Then train to either Berwick on Tweed or North Berwick for the last night before heading on to Edinburgh.

Rubicund

SWL, the "What's On" Guides for Manchester for June won't be released until the end of March, but I'll have another look for you when they are.

Although York is a perfectly OK place to visit, its attractions are somewhat limited to a Minster(Cathedral), some narrow streets and ....oh...nope, that's it. I can't see the need to go dragging off to three locations in 4 days when you're already in one of the most vibrant cities in the UK.

bilboburgler

I live in Leeds (half way between Manchester and York) and have lived in both cities. I hope that makes me non-partisan.

The two are very different; the source of their money and hence their history are very different. Manchester was made by the cotton and steam engine industry most of which is now gone resulting in a city which followed the whole donut restructuring with the centre almost empty (of habitants) at night in the '70s, all that has now reversed and the place is very hip with some fine museums, great city-management and a genuine 2nd city (but don't tell Birmingham or Edinburgh I said it) feel about it. Some of the mini-cities around it let the side down while some of the burbs are frankly crap, but you as a tourist are unlikely to visit them.

York was a city when Manchester was a ....(add label of your choice) one of the two Archbishoprics in the country, captured by the Danes, used as a base for the "Harrying of the North" (ethnic cleansing in the 1100s) famous for killing all its Jews back in the middle ages, still walled in the centre, great cathedral, old shopping quarter it has history in spades. Even its artisanal dwellings (labourer's house) are frankly impressive, and for social historians of interest. There is a fair bit to do in the very centre and the countryside around the city is worth a holiday on its own.

Hope this gives you a view. Either will soak up 2 whole days without effort.

janisj

>>ts attractions are somewhat limited to a Minster(Cathedral), some narrow streets and ....oh...nope, that's it. <<

So so wrong. The terrific Railroad museum, a walk on the Medieval city walls, Betty's, and the York Castle museum - one of the best museums in the country. Plus more.

janisj

I didn't mean that to dis Manchester at all . . . just to explain there is much more to York than just the Shambles and the Minster (which would be worth about half a day by themselves)

Rubicund

None taken janis You do need to understand the underlying rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire though. When bilbo in Otley says he is unbiased against Lancashire (where Manchester was when I was born), I assume that his tongue is firmly in his cheek! and so was mine.

It does irk (anyone get that?) a little though that Manchester gets overlooked as a destination, when it's full of things to see and do. Yes York is a fine city, a third of the size of Manchester and if a tea shop is one of its main attractions, then it's not riveting is it?

Manchester was the powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution that changed the world, had strong links with the US, (see Lincoln Square--yes that Lincoln who's statue stands there) and was originally founded in AD79 by the Romans.

bilboburgler

Rubicond, luckily, born in Dorset, and having had most of my business success in Lancashire (Bolton would you believe) I find the conflict misses my nose (let alone my cheek) most of the time but I understand your concern.

Now are you a United or City man?

Or as I was asked by the trade union convener on my first day in Bolton, first question before he sat down. "League or Union?"; (Union BTW).

Sorry SWL we are "away with the fairys" down here. Any thoughts?

Rubicund

Love Dorset bilbo, especially Wareham area. Football? See my profile picture and the latin meaning of my screen name.

bilboburgler

LOL, "when the seagulls follow the trawlers"

ESW

janisj- never Railroad. We are in the UK now. It is the National RAILWAY Museum!