England-Wales-Scotland itinerary advice
 

My family of 4 (2 school-age boys) are embarking on our first trip outside the USA this June -- a 3.5 week trip through England, Wales, side trip to Isle of Man (visiting our roots...), Scotland. We have 23 days there total. Here's the catch -- we planned our itinerary thinking we had only *22* days. So we have one day to insert somewhere, but we're not sure where. Any advice on the best place to add a day would be great, as well as any other advice anyone has on our itinerary in general -- we're definitely novice travelers outside the US. We don't want to skimp too much, but we are trying to stay within a budget.

Here's our itinerary so far:
Day 1: Arrive Heathrow 9:30 am, pick up rental car, drive to Bath, stopping at Stonehenge along the way.
Day
Day 2: Stay in Bath
Day 3: Drive into Wales, to Conwy via Cotswold
Days 4 & 5: Stay in Conwy, tour castles in northern Wales.
Day 6: Drive to Blackpool (thought might be fun for kids). Stay night in Blackpool
Day 7: Drive to Heysham, load family and car on the 14:15 ferry to Isle of Man.
Day 8 & 9: Tour Isle of Man
Day 10: Take early ferry back to Heysham, stay night somewhere (?) between Heysham and Oban
Day 11: Drive to Oban -- this seems like the longest drivng day...
Day 12: Drive to Inverness (visit Lock Ness and Urquhart Castle, visit Kiltmaker visitor center), stay night in Inverness
Day 13: Drive to Edinburgh, stay for Day 14 & 15
Day 16: Leave Edinburgh, drive to York, stop and Hadrian's Wall and also Thrisk (we're James Herriot fans). Spend night in York
Day 17: York
Day 18: York to London, drop rental car back at Heathrow, then go into London.
Day 19-22: London
Day 23: Leave Heathrow in morning for USA

Apologies for the length of this post, but I'd be grateful for any advice in general, and especially advice on where we might need that extra day.

Two suggestions; either break up that Heysham/Oban run (Danna would tell you Kirkcudbright) or add Skye into the bit before Inverness.

Also, unless you've booked it, don't stay in Inverness, but outside it somewhere. Given your kids, Aviemore?

I agree with Sheila about Inverness - try Drumnadrochit instead. It's not far from Inverness and can be found on the A82 road, which runs down the western side of Loch Ness amid glorious scenery. While you are there you would have time to look in at the Loch Ness Visitor Centre in Drumnadrochit and also Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness.

My advice would be to either stop in Tjirsk overnight and then the next day go to Whitby a lovely coastal town on the East Coast, or alternatively head west into Wensleydale and go to Aysgarth falls (Where they filmed Robin Hood prince of Thieves-the fight scene between Robin and little John) then Hawes. Drive across a road called the Buttertubs pass that takes you into Swaledale. Its a lovely route if a little long but shows England up at its best.

I would spend some extra time in Wales. If you can, take a boat/barge ride with the locals to hear their marvelous sing-song language. I hired a car & driver for a half-day guided tour and history and to see the lovely countryside. Edinburgh has the Museum of Childhood, which is a delight to adults and children alike. It is located right on the main street, facing the front entrance of Edinburgh Castle. Don't forget to circle around to the back of the castle to see the fountain. The flowers should be in full bloom in the summer. I made a trip to England Scotland and Wales in May of 2002. Watch in the rolling holl for for the sheep I think found only in this region, their wool is highly prized for its unique colour, a lilac-grey. I loved York, with its wonderful Cathedrals. When you visit Hadrian's Wall, avoid the spots withthe tour buses, there are locales that really show you there was actually a wall there, just a thought. You sure picked a great first trip. Have a wonderful time.

That "extra day" will be a "rain day"; given the likely weather in the British Isles, you'll find yourselves cooped up indoors somewhere. Sorry 'bout that...

First, cograts on the general nature of your plan - including the isle of Man [it's great.]
I don't altogether envy you the job of choosing where to have your extra day because whichever you choose, you will be giving up something good.
As a Yorkshireman now I like the idea of some time in the lovely Yorkshire Dales between York and London and we have some grand castles and abbey ruins for the children. You would certainly enjoy it.
On the other hand, I love both Wales and Scotland, in each of which I have family. You could easily have an extra day in Wales in the wonderful Lleyn peninsula.
However I think you are proposing a trip into Scotland in which you do not go to any of what I think the most scenic areas and I bleieve in the end this is what I should choose.
If you like to e-mail me, I have got a number of folders of notes that may be useful with numerous good urls. [[email protected]]

Go for the extra day in Wales. Conwy is a very nice plaace to stay. castle is great the boys should love it. You aren't too far from Snowdiona so why not take the 'train' to the top of the largest mountain in Wales, (or walk).
It's a long drive from the Cotswolds to Conwy though maybe 3 hours.
Another really nice place I tell people about even though it's not in Wales but only a few miles out is the Roman town of Chester. Great for open top bus tour, you might even see a roman soldier walking the walls.
Have a great trip whatever you decide.