Not sure those boat services run in the winter.

and even if they do -- wouldn't make sense in late Nov/early Dec.

Naw I failed to note they were traveling late Nov - boats probably not even running - but if they are into hiking at all then they can do like I did once - walked along the north side of The Thames on footpaths the 3 or 4 miles to Hampton Court - nice riverside paths thru leafy areas and then the Hampton Court Great Park (or whatever its official name is!)

Trains go constantly to Kingston, a lively commercial regional shopping town. I walked it in early February.

It's getting close to the trip and I have more detailed questions.
I will be taking the Caledonian Sleeper from Edinburgh on a Friday night, scheduled to arrive at London Euston at 6:50 on Saturday. I already bought ticket for the 10:15 BBC Television Centre tour (near Wood Lane/Shepherds Bush station). My plan is to go from London Euston to my hotel in Pimlico (10-minute walk from Victoria or Pimlico station, if I don't get lost), check-in/drop off luggage, then go onto the BBC tour. But do you think I would be cutting it close time-wise and should just leave my luggage at the Euston station and go straight to Wood Lane/Shepherds Bush?

No - you should have plenty of time to make it to your hotel and back out to the BBC. Even time to check in and unpack if your room is ready. What I'd do is walk from Euston to Kings Cross and catch the Victoria tube line from there.

Where is the hotel exactly - along Belgrave Rd or ???

Along St. George's Drive.

The several times I have taken the Caledonia Sleepers they have been about spot on time - but of course something could always happen but they seem to run mainly on time or a few minutes late IME.

If the hotel is near the eastern (SE really) end of St Georges Drive - use Pimlico station. If at the western (north-ish) end, use Victoria. If smack dab in the middle - use Victoria.

I am scheduled to arrive at LHR at 10:00 on a Wednesday and will make my way to York via train on the same day. I know there might be flight delay, etc., but I want to buy the train ticket the day before, since the price to book the train ticket in advance is much cheaper than buying at the station. What would be a reasonable amount of time to allow for transfer between LHR arrival and King's Cross station, 4 hours? I will have check-in luggage.

The quickest way between Heathrow and Kings X probably is to hop the fast Heathrow Express that rolls nonstrop into Paddington Station, a short Tube or bus or taxi ride from Kings X, about two miles or so to the east.

Taking the Tube the whole way would take much longer but would also be cheaper.

Two points, one already mentioned by the knowledeable janisj:

1. it will be dark early, especially if you are from the midwest in the US and especially in Scotland. Edinburgh and Glasgow will be fine, but you may not see as much as you want on a trip to Skye.

2. I remember the station in Cambridge being a short bus ride from the town and university rather than a walk. It isn't all that far, but it isn't very interesting either, at least in my memory. The station in York is adjacent to the city, in Edinburgh and Glasgow in the center, and in Stirling not at all far from the sites.

Transport for London http://tinyurl.com/hwrk gives a journey time of

37mins LHR to Kings Cross taking the Heathrow Express and changing onto the Tube at Paddington or

about 60 mins taking the Tube all the way from LHR to Kings Cross (cheaper if you have time)

so with (lets say with no more than) 90 mins to clear immigration, plus your journey time, 4 hours should be fine to catch your train

I would not take the Heathrow EXpress unless you like burning money. Even though it is faster than taking the tube - it is very expensive and is not an easy transfer w/ luggage to the tube at Paddington. And if you opt for a cab from Paddingtion to Kings Cross instead . . . the journey jumps from merely expensive to VERY expensive.

4 hours should be more than adequate from arrival at LHR, via the tube to Kings X. If your flight is very late you could consider the HEX/cab - but if you land near on time just take the tube. Neither the HEX or tube needs to be decided/booked ahead.

(Just how much luggage are you talking about?)

Sorry I was not clear. The advanced booking train I was talking about is the King's Cross to York train, and I was wondering if I should make reservation for the 14:00 one, with LHR scheduled arrival at 10:00. Thank you all for the additional information about transport from LHR to King's Cross though (will take the tube).
Now a question about the Saturday markets in London. On one of the Saturdays, I plan to go to the BBC tour in the morning, followed by House of Parliament tour in early afternoon (tour ends around 14:30), and would like to go to either Brixton Market or Covent Garden Market afterwards. Would one be recommended over the other for Saturday afternoon after 15:00? I will likely go to both for the trip, but am just wondering which would be better for the Saturday afternoon itinerary.

Will the gardens at Regent's Park be worth visiting in late November? I saw it in an episode of "Rosemary and Thyme" and it looked beautiful.

IF I were to do a day trip to Dover, to see the castle and then take the ferry to Calais and back, I know the ferry ride itself takes 90 minutes, but how long it would be to go through immigration/customs?

Cambridge station is about a mile from the city centre. It's an easy walk cos it's all level and you are unlikely to get lost, but not a pretty one, cos it's along a busy road. You can take the bus which picks up right outside the station. (Don't get on the guided bus by mistake, because this goes out of town).

The colleges and backs are very attractive all year round (though summer is best, really), I love the Fitzwilliam museum, and you might even enjoy the botanic gardens if you get a nice sharp frosty morning. Good food market in the market square on a Saturday with fab cheeses, fresh juices etc etc. You might like The Chop House or Backstreet Bistro for lunch or dinner. I love the Black Cat cafe for coffee and cakes on Mill Road, but that is admittedly a good half hour walk from the city centre.

Too bad I won't be able to go to Cambridge on a Saturday (have to stay in London for pre-booked tours) for the food market. I love farmers markets.

Definitely go to Burough market - Thurs/Fri/Sat

http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

Just got back from my trip. Scotland was beautiful, but I think we got a total of 6 hours of sun in the 7 days I was there. Really enjoyed the Caledonian Sleeper experience; it actually arrived in London half a hour early, so I had plenty of time to leave my bag at the hotel and go to the BBC tour. The Borough Market recommendation was spot on. I ended up going to Dover-Calais for a day trip and enjoyed it very much, and got another combo deal from the train company for the Hampton Court Palace trip too. Thank you everybody for the suggestions.

thanks for report - curious as to what kind of sleeping arrangement you had on Caledonian Sleeper and how much you paid for it. Thanks in advance! And any more details on that overnight train experience?