sheila

For the avoidance of doubt, I'm happy to help you with what you CAN do; not tell you what you can't

janisj

So can a lot of us . . . As soon as the OP gets out of her SD/SoCal mindset. There is simply no comparison - having driven multi- thoudands of miles in both countries.

sheila

I know you CAN Janis. It's just that you're NOT

MissPrism

We often visit London from Chester and my daughter does it in reverse.
We would never dream of driving.
There's a very regular service and it takes about two hours.

historytraveler

I agree with MissPrism. Take the train from London to Chester and train to Liverpool or Manchester. It'll be much quicker and easier than driving. Then decide on whether or not to dump the one night in Lake District.and to fly to Edinburgh from Manchester or train to Glasgow/Edinburgh. You'll save some much needed time by taking the train and/or flying. Personally I'd spend some time in Chester or, perhaps, Liverpool. Depends on your interests.

The remainder of your time can be spent in Scotland. Rent a car ( knowing that Google and any other journey planner greatly underestimate travel times and weather conditions may slow you further ) or take a small group tour with Rabbies. They do 1/3/5 day tours. There are several options for day trips from Edinburgh via public transportation. You will need to check to be sure of opening times, or if the places you want to visit are open at all.

If you don't feel you can give up your one night in the Lake District don't add to it. Leave as a one night stop-over.

PalenQ

Rubicon has hit it on the head in post above. You could also easily take the train between all those places - www.nationalrail.co.uk has all the fares and schedules - leave the Highlands out in winter.

lcayres

Thanks for the positive responses with helpful information.

It seems like I was a bit ambitious in my last UK trip itinerary!


Here's where we plan on being & when:

(Nights of)
Dec 29-Jan 1: London
Jan 2 : Chester (have to visit Chester Zoo for work)
Jan 3 - Jan 4: Manchester? York? Liverpool?
Jan 5: Stop in Lake District on our way up to Scotland
Jan 6 - Jan 8: (Looking for easily accessible & interesting Scottish locations; we'd like to see castles)
Jan 9 - Jan 10: Edinburg
Jan 11: London (Fly from Ed to Lon; ticket already booked)
Jan 12: Leave London

I'd like to know what positives/negatives are of Manchester vs. York vs. Liverpool for 2 days/2 nights.

I'm thinking we will use the rail system from London to Chester & Chester to "undetermined location" - then rent our car to Lake District for 1 night and finish driving up to Scotland.

I like Rubicund's idea of spending 3 nights in Edinburg and then the last 3 in London. Only problem is we already booked our flight - is it worth rescheduling for extra nights in Scotland, or would we gain more being in London the extra days? (In your opinion...I know my interests may be different but it would be good to know why you'd like one city vs. the other)

Thanks in advance!

janisj

lcayres: I'm afraid it is still a little fractured. One night in the Lakes - really doesn't make much sense in the dead of winter. They will be beautiful and if you wanted to hunker down for a few days and wait out weather for some winter hikes or whatever. But just to stop there for a few hours and leave the next morning(?) - not really. You say you pre-booked a place there . . . where? Some parts are more accessible than others.

As for the days between the Lakes and Edinburgh -- there are castles in every corner of Scotland. The big issue will be weather. Could be OK or could be blizzard conditions -- and could be fine in some areas and awful in others. So I might not pre-plan any specific route (and DEFINITELY don't pre-pay anything).

Manchester, Liverpool and York all have their pros/advantages. York would be most people's choice -- walled medieval city, the Minster, fabulous Museums. But it is on the opposite side of the country from Chester and the Lakes, and you'd spend a lot of time zig zagging back and forth. Liverpool might be your best bet.

>>I'm thinking we will use the rail system from London to Chester & Chester to "undetermined location" - <<

One potential problem is they sometimes shut down various rail lines over weekends / holidays for maintenance. You'll probably be OK but just have a plan B in case.

(it is Edinburg<B>h</B


(Sheila -- If you read my previous posts, I think you'll find I did)

nytraveler

In terms of castles and sights in the highlands do check to see what days and hours things are open. Some may not be open at all in the winter or may be open only weekends and opening hours are likely to be shorter.

Much as I loved Scotland I can;t imagine going there then. I have no problem with cold or even rain/snow (living in NYC we often get plenty of both) but in the winter we do mostly indoor things since the outdoors is usually just gray and brown and crunchy. If we get good weekend days we may bike or whatever in the park - but I definitely wouldn;t had for any rural areas then.

As for weather - one visit in July we had highs in the 40s, a lot of wind and horizontal rain. I was wearing layers of almost everything I had brought. (It had been almost 85 when we left London 3 days earlier)

MissPrism

If railway lines are closed for maintenance, they put on an alternative bus service.
It's a bit more of a hassle, so it's better to travel on a weekday

sheila

If I were following your itinerary, I would spend your two days after the Lakes in the Borders.

I think I would not have structured the trip as you have, but in the Borders you'll find castles, and Abbeys, and pretty fishing villages, and spectacular cliffs, and posh mansion houses... Plus, it's en routed and you don't have to drive too far. Base yourself in Melrose or Kelso

ESW

The ruined abbeys and castles in the Borders which are open in December. Think Dirleton and Tantallon CAstles, Jedburgh, Melrosem Dryburgh abbeys. However the 'posh mansion houses' will be firmly shut.

sheila

Right enough. How sad. Visitor centre at Abbotsford, anyone?