My ten year old son and I will be in Edinburgh for a week of Fringe Festival early August. At the end of the month we fly out of London. Everything in between is still open.
Any suggestions of itineraries, best way to travel from Edinburgh south, what to see, bus trips, trains, etc.?
This is our first trip to the UK and we want to see it all but want to keep it to a reasonable pace on a modest budget.
Thanks!

I think a 10-year-old would very much enjoy a day at Warwick Castle. I think it's one of the most interesting medeival castles I've ever seen. When you've finished touring the castle, take a walk around the grounds, and watch for peacocks.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/postrep...p;tid=34806778

You could spend at least a day in the nearby town of Stratford, which was the home of William Shakespeare. I don't know if a 10-year-old is a Shakespeare fan or not, but even if he isn't, it's still a lovely town with lots to see. And someday when he's learning about Shakespeare in school, he will be glad to remember this experience.

Thanks P_M.
Do you suggest taking the train from Edinburgh to Stratford, or would renting a car be best?
Also do you reccommend a trip to the highlands or Skye before heading south? We do want to see castles, but also countryside as I am a photographer and love beautiful scenery.

If you take the train, York is on the way anyway, and certainly worth at least a night's stayover. The train tickets will wind up costing a bit more with the two legs, but if you book ahead, it'll still be cheaper than flying (particularly with the cost of getting from London airports to the city). You can do a bus, for very cheap, if you're willing to sit on a bus for 10 hours.

<Zoink>

(Thats the sound of me hitting myself on the forehead)

I don't know why I didn't think of York, I was just there last year. It certainly is worth a stop and I think your son will enjoy it. Our favorite things about York were York Minster (the big cathedral), the ghost tours, and the walking tour along the old Roman walls around the city.

We drove around the UK, but I have mixed feelings about it in your case. You will be the only driver and I don't know how good your son is at map-reading. Last year gas cost around $6/gallon in the UK, so it's not cheap to drive. I'm tempted to recommend the train, however driving does give you the freedom to see more out-of-the way places.

MelyChaps, if you would care to read my trip report, there is a chapter about York:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34638020