England and Scotland 15-days in November Trip Planning
 

I will be able to take a 17-day trip over Thanksgiving. I have never been to the UK before (except transit through LHR) and am interested in London (3-4 days), York (1-2 days), Cambridge or Oxford day trip, Scotland (one week). Haven't bought any tickets yet, and my preference would be going early November and end the trip Thanksgiving weekend (November 24), since I will likely take another overseas trip Christmas-New Year week and don't want to take two trips too close together. However I would love to get a feel of some of the British holiday festivities and could possibly go a week and half later and end the trip first week of December. Would there be any Christmas decorations up by the first of December?

going by car or by train or bus or bike?

I have been in London several times before Christmas and have always found the Christmas decorations underwhelming - at least compared to U S cities.

The days will be short, but it is a great time to visit London. Christmas decorations can run from oddly garish to old fashioned/homey.

Edinburgh is far enough north that the days will be even shorter. But it is an amazing city. And York is perfect fora 2 day stop.

Cambridge and/or Oxford are day trips from London --not from York.

IMO - you might want add 2 or 3 days to London since you haven't been before, and to allow for the day trip(s). Edinburgh is probably my favorite city anywhere -but you don't need a week there.

By Early Dec, you may not want to tour around rural Scotland much (depending on the weather). Sunrise/Sunset will be approx 8:30AM and 3:30PM.

So - I'd consider 6 or 7 days in London, 2 in York, and the rest in Edinburgh w/ a day trip w/ Rabbies or Timberbush -- assuming they are running in Dec.

http://www.rabbies.com/
http://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/

Will travel by public transportation only - bus and train.

Regarding one week in Scotland, I was thinking 2 days in Edinburgh, 2 day trips out of Edinburgh, and maybe 3 days up on the coast, but now it sounds even mid-November will be too late in the year to visit the islands...how about a Scottish Highlands guided tour instead?

Regarding adding more days to London, I live quite close to New York City and go there often, so I was thinking not going to a lot of museums but just focus on more of the historical/cultural aspects of London...or am I having the wrong impression between the two cities?

It looks like Rabbies and Timberbush have some tours that run year-round. Thanks for the links.

Rabbies and Timberbush are perfect for what you want to do. Both are long standing companies that do lots of tours from 1 day to 5 day-ers.

Much easier than trying to explore rural areas by public transport -- especially at that time of year.

For train schedules and fares and online discounted tickets check out www.nationalrail.co.uk and these fine sites IMO - www.seat61.com (a railpass could be a great deal if you want fully flexible travel - check out this site's commercial link to RailEurope for BritRail Pass prices) and www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Trains are frequent - very frequent and IMO more comfy than buses and often on significantly faster, like going to Edinburgh.

I think exploring historical/cultural London is a great idea. It has tons of both.

Do visit the Museum of London, though, at the site of a Roman fort, for an historical overview.

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper/index.html

An option between London and Scotland is to take the Caledonian Sleeper trains one way - check site above for some really cheap fares - save sightseeing time by traveling at night and save on the cost of a hotel.

Thank you for all the great information. I just made the flight reservation, arriving LHR at 10AM on Day 1, departing LHR at 2PM on Day 18 (Thanksgiving weekend).
I plan to start from York (and leave London at the end), spend 2 days there. Then take the train up to Edinburgh and spend 2 days sightseeing in the city, then take Rabbies' tours: Isle of Skye 3-day tour, Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond National Park 1-day tour, St. Andrews and Fife 1-day tour.
Then take the Caledonia Sleeper train from Edinburgh to London. I plan to spend 4 days sightseeing in London, plus day tour to Cambridge.

Here are the questions:
1. It seems I can take self-guided tours of York and Cambridge, without having to join a guided group tour, even though I won't have a car, because the train stations are pretty close to the main tourist attractions in those areas. Correct?
2. I am really excited about taking the overnight Caledonia Sleeper train, but I will have to plan it so that I would not be taking the Caledonia Sleeper train on a Saturday night, as the website indicates that there is no sleeper train on Saturday nights. So, if I have to stay an extra day in Scotland to return to London on a Sunday instead, should I add another group tour (I'm interested in Rabbies' Alnwick Castle day tour), or try a self-guided 1-day tour of Glascow (and take the Caledonia Sleeper train from Glascow to London)? This will determine whether I buy the 3- or 4-day Britrail Flexpass.

Sorry, that is obviously a typo, Glasgow.

You are correct about train stations in York and Cambridge. They are within walking distance of sights.

I would do the Rabies tour to Alnwick. I think that is a pretty neat castle. But just my opinion.

Thanks for the Museum of London recommendation. I will put that on my list.
I had planned to visit Osterley Park, but its website shows that the house and garden is closed when I will be in London. Do you have suggestions for alternatives?

Hatfield House, a short train ride north of London could be a good substitute for Osterly - Hatfield is a very historic house and is also known for its Knot Garden and gardens in general - in a sleepy small village of the same name.

http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/

Hatfield House looks beautiful on its website, but it says "The 2012 Visitor Season begins on Saturday 7 April until 30 September 2012", so it also won't be open when I will be there in November :(

I'd go to either Hampton Court Palace or Windsor for your day trip from London. Slight tip to HCP but either one would be easy and very worthwhile.

As for the Rabbies Alnwick tour --a definite <u>yes</u>if it is offered during your dates. Not only Alnwick castle -- but Melrose Abbey, Berwick on Tweed, and the coast along St Abbs head. A very nice day out.

I also love Hampton Court Palace as there is so so much to see and do there - not only the palace but a world-class art collection of the Queen - a maze - ornate formal gardens - a vast park and a sweet Thameside location - take a train right to a station right opposite the palace entrance and with a paper train ticket I think you get a 2 for 1 entry - saving perhaps more money than the train fare!

Will put Hampton Court Palace on my list. Thanks.

Check DICKEN'S LONDON. Several walking tours are offered and that might get you into the Christmas spirit. Relatives were also underwhelmed re. Christmas in London. Doubt that there are many restaurants opened for your Christmas goose. Might check into that too. Shows are probably on. And a Christmas Eve service would be a must to attend.
Have been in London over our Thanksgiving. Good time, less tourists.

You can take a boat one way to Hampton Court (or return but it makes a very long day) from either London or I believe Richmond and or Kingston - go up the Thames as Henry 8th and other royals once did by royal barge.