First Time Visit to UK - 3 Weeks Itinerary Help
 

Hello! Let me preface my itinerary question with this – neither my husband nor I have ever been to Europe. We recently returned from our first trip international trip where we traveled to Japan – I found everyone in the Japan forum to be so helpful in planning the logistics of our trip. As someone new to European traveling, I am hopeful to receive similar opinions and advice in planning our first ever trip to Europe. For this trip we have chosen to do a self-drive tour of England, Wales, Scotland and hopefully Ireland.

A little background about the type of travelers we are. We are in our late 20s and enjoy a little bit of everything – sightseeing, history, nature, food, culture, adventure, hiking, etc. However, we are not so much into nightlife and would prefer waking up early to explore over staying out late to party. We are hoping to have a well-rounded trip of the UK that includes part nature and part city. We’d like to see some of the big cities, charming little villages, and the countryside.

Here is my rough-draft itinerary along with researched travel time and distances for each day.
Trip Date: July 2017, 3 Weeks

Day 1: Arrive in London, Overnight in London
Day 2: Full Day in London, Overnight in London
Day 3: Full Day in London, Overnight in London
Day 4: Rent car, visit Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, Overnight in Bath (Driving: 3.5 Hours, 120 Miles)
Day 5: Roman Baths, Castle Combe Village, Overnight in Bath
Day 6: Drive through Shropshire to Snowdonia, Overnight in Snowdonia (Driving: 4 Hours, 200 Miles)
Day 7: Full Day in Snowdonia, Overnight in Snowdonia
Day 8: Drive to Conwy, Overnight in Conwy (Driving: 1.5 Hours, 60 Miles)
Day 9: Drive to Manchester, Overnight in Manchester (Driving: 1.5 Hours, 80 Miles)
Day 10: Full Day in Manchester, Overnight in Manchester
Day 11: Full Day in Manchester, Overnight in Manchester
Day 12: Drive to Lake District, Overnight in Lake District (Driving: 1.5 Hours, 80 Miles)
Day 13: Drive to Edinburgh, Overnight in Edinburgh (Driving: 3.5 Hours, 150 Miles)
Day 14: Full Day in Edinburgh, Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 15: Full Day in Edinburgh, Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 16: Flight to Galway, Ireland
Day 17: Ireland
Day 18: Ireland
Day 19: Ireland
Day 20: Ireland
Day 21: Ireland
Day 22: Flight out of Dublin, Ireland

*Must-Haves for this trip: Minimum 2 full days in Manchester to visit my extended family. Some time spent in Shropshire area, even if just for afternoon (husband’s family has ties to this area).

I know this is a lot of driving, and I don’t know how driving in the UK compares to driving in the US. Is there a more manageable way of accomplishing these sites in the given time? We don’t mind driving and would enjoy seeing the countryside, but we don’t want to spend ALL of our time driving either! Please let me know if you have any recommendations. Also am I missing any must see destinations? Are there places that I have in my itinerary that could be left out?

Thanks in advance!

Mostly very doable. I personally think you need a little longer in London.

One thing -- all of your drive times are a bit optimistic. For instance Bath to say Betws-y-Coed (in Snowdonia) will take about 5 hours. Windermere to Edinburgh - about 4.5 hours. If you are using on-line mileage calculators you need to add between 25% and 75% or more (and if using Googlemaps -- towards the high end of that)

I wouldn't move and stay in both Snowdonia and in Conwy - either can be a base for the other. That would save an extra packing/checking in/out.

First, congratulations on beginning your travel while you are still young. Your interests appear to concur with ours, and I'm glad to see that you've gotten on to spending some time in smaller places as well as just cities.

Overall, your plan looks O.K., although I might add another day in London and spend more time in Scotland and in eastern England (York, Durham, Hadrian's Wall). Check out Chester while you're near Manchester.

As to what to leave out, Ireland is not part of the UK, so if you want to focus just on the UK, then leave that out. However, I presume you have a reason for going there. In any event, I might cut two or three days out of Ireland. I presume you've read a good guidebook so you know what's where; we really enjoyed the Borders region of Scotland and York so those would be my suggestions.

While in Edinburgh, consider taking a tour (Rabbies or another outfit) that would permit you to see some of rural Scotland.

Driving in the UK is more difficult because you're of the right hand drive, which makes it hard to get used to. However, we've driven there and have had no major problems.

One piece of advice is to stick to motorways if you have a long way to go, as driving on secondary roads is or at least can be very slow going. Your driving times look like you anticipate slow going, though.

Anyway, have a great trip!

janisj and dwdvagamundo - Thank you very much for you input! A few follow up questions for you.

1. Do you recommend staying in Snowdonia or Conwy as a base? We'd like to spend a few days relaxing in a national park. An option would be to make Snowdonia a day trip from Conwy, and instead stay longer in the Lake District - what are your thoughts?
2. Is just an afternoon in Castle Combe enough? Should I stay overnight in the Cotswolds? I really want to spend time wandering around a quintessential English town (ie cobblestone streets, thatched roof cottages, charming and quaint).
3. Any recommendations for a seaside/coastal town that would fit in with our itinerary?
4. I've heard many people like York - where could we fit an overnight in York into our itinerary?
5. If I cut out Ireland, could I easily add places like Cornwall, York, Northumberland, and 1-2 day tour of Scottish Highlands?
6. I want to refrain from moving hotels too often (but I know there is a lot on my itinerary). What cities make the best bases for exploring?

Thanks for all of your advice and input!

hi Rachell,

if you want a typical english town, why not stay longer in Shropshire? Ludlow is lovely, Shrewsbury slightly further down market but also great, and there are some lovely little villages around there too as well as great walking - the Long Mynd is a classic.

Also you have omitted Wells from your itinerary around Bath - IMO it is the most beautiful place in that area with a wonderful cathedral and delightful Bishop's Palace, not to mention a medieval city with great pubs and restaurants.

Bearing in mind the driving distances, I would aim to spend another night in/near Bath, and then to stop at least one night in Ludlow or Shrewsbury. I also think that you are selling north Wales short - having got there, why not stay longer?

the same applies to the Lake District - when you see it, you will kick yourselves that you've only got one night there, as it is so beautiful.

I think that what I'm getting round to is that perhaps for this trip, you want to stick to mainland Britain - Ireland could wait for another trip all to itself.

PS - the food in Ludlow and the Lakes is very good - they both have many renowned restaurants.

The gosh darn site won't let me post!!!! grrr

So I will try to do this in segments til I find the offending part:

annhig is right -- there are so many wonderful places you will miss -- to me it mostly comes down to how important it is for you to visit Ireland. If it was me (but I don't have Irish heritage - you might) I'd ditch Ireland this trip and allocate those days to Bath/North Wales/Scotland.

Ireland is a very slow travel place (slower even than most of the UK) so another say 2 weeks trip in the future would be better to see Ireland.

answers:

1) Me personally would be happy in either Betws-y-Coed or Conwy. Maybe a slight nod to Conwy because of the water. National parks are different in the UK than in the States -- there are areas of beauty but aren't fenced off with entrance fees. There are towns, villages, 'regular life' in the national parks.

2) yes - just 2 or 3 hours is fine for Castle Combe. Should you stay in the Cotswolds - yes IMO. But only if you are dropping Ireland since there isn't time otherwise.

3) Conwy is coastal. In Scotland -- St Andrews is coastal (Gorgeous beach)

4) Before or after the Lake District (but again -- only if Ireland is toast)

5) Don't go overboard :) Dropping the 6 days you set aside for Ireland would let you add some -- but not a lot. Cornwall (Gorgeous) is along ways from most anywhere, you need maybe some more time in London, more time in N Wales, etc etc. So those 6 days will disappear before you know it.

6) That depends on your final Itinerary . . . But in general after London, Bath, Ludlow, Conwy, York and Edinburgh will each let you do day trips to a lot of interesting places.

This sits is such a PITA sometimes :)

The reason I had to break up the post was because of a long standing problem where a sequence of letters / symbols cause it to throw up on itself. I figured out it was something in the bit about Betws-y-Coed and Conwy so I re-typed that part.

Much though I'd love to see you Rachel, I'd give Cornwall a miss on this trip.

There's more than enough for you to see with the rest of your itinerary.

annhig and janisj - Thanks so much for your additional input!!! It has been invaluable! :)

As much as I hate dropping off Ireland, it seems like it would be better as a separate trip. How about this revised itinerary? I've added an extra day in London, a night in the Cotswolds, an overnight in Shropshire, two nights in York, an extra day in the Lake District, and some extra time in Scotland.

I know using google maps for driving times is a big no no. What is the best way to estimate? Would doubling the driving times give me a more realistic time frame?

Day 1: Arrive in London, Overnight in London
Day 2: Full Day in London, Overnight in London
Day 3: Full Day in London, Overnight in London
Day 4: Full Day in London, Overnight in London
Day 5: Rent car, visit Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, Overnight in Bath (Driving: 3.5 Hours, 120 Miles)
Day 6: Roman Baths, Castle Combe, Overnight in Bath
Day 7: Drive to Cotswolds, Overnight in Stow-on-the-Wold (Driving: 1.5 Hours, 60 Miles)
Day 8: Drive to Shropshire, Overnight in Ludlow (Driving: 1.5 Hours, 65 Miles)
Day 9: Drive to Snowdonia, Overnight in Snowdonia (Betws-y-Coed) (Driving: 2 Hours, 90 Miles)
Day 10: Full Day in Snowdonia, Overnight in Snowdonia (Betws-y-Coed)
Day 11: Spend the day in Conwy on the way to Manchester, Overnight in Manchester (Driving: 2 Hours, 90 Miles)
Day 12: Full Day in Manchester, Overnight in Manchester
Day 13: Full Day in Manchester, Overnight in Manchester
Day 14: Drive to York, Overnight in York (Driving: 1.5 Hours, 70 Miles)
Day 15: Full Day in York, Overnight in York
Day 16: Drive to Lake District, Overnight in Lake District (Driving: 2.5 Hours, 100 Miles)
Day 17: Full Day in Lake District, Overnight in Lake District
Day 18: Drive to Edinburgh, Overnight in Edinburgh (Driving: 3 Hours, 150 Miles)
Day 19: Full Day in Edinburgh, Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 20: 2-Day Highlands Tour (Loch Ness and Stirling), Overnight in Highlands
Day 21: 2-Day Highlands Tour (Loch Ness and Stirling), Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 22: Flight out of Edinburgh

Looks nice. You are missing the Dales and don't have much time in Scotland but given the time you have it is very doable.

I'd consider taking the tube (or a car service) out to LHR and pick up your car there rather than in central London.

>>What is the best way to estimate? Would doubling the driving times give me a more realistic time frame?<<

Doubling isn't usually necessary (though sometimes it has been the case). I'd add at least 25% to every journey and maybe 50% in really rural areas since, while the driving is easy (honest) most Americas are a bit timid on the really narrowest roads.

well done, Rachill - I think you've nailed it.

I would still try to fit Wells in somewhere - dare I say instead of Castle Combe? [not place I've ever been to but I'm not sure what the lure is to be honest]

On your way from Bath to the Cotswolds, I suggest going up the Fosse Way [and ancient Roman road] to Tetbury - this will take you past the National Arboretum at Westonbirt - well worth a visit on a nice day. you could also move Castle Combe to this day [you'd need to cut across country a bit]

otherwise - great. have a wonderful trip.

>>I would still try to fit Wells in somewhere - dare I say instead of Castle Combe? [not place I've ever been to but I'm not sure what the lure is to be honest] <<

My thoughts on this are IF you are staying over in the Cotswolds -- then don't bother w/ Castle Combe (I actually think Lacock would be better anyway) -- do Wells/Glastonbury as an excursion from Bath.

If you weren't touring in the Cotswolds -- than yes, popping over to Castle Combe (or Lacock) would be good.

Meant to post before . . . Stow-on-the-Wold is fine -- but maybe look at Burford instead.

I am not a big fan of Manchester, and I live there. Liverpool is a different kettle of fish - compact, friendly and much more interesting. Of course this is a personal opinion but if coming through Wales that would be my goal not Manchester.

steve - I think that the OP has family commitments in Manchester

<<Must-Haves for this trip: Minimum 2 full days in Manchester to visit my extended family. Some time spent in Shropshire area, even if just for afternoon (husband’s family has ties to this area)>>

Whoops - Manchester's fab.

Hi, great advice above and the whole itin looks good.

Manchester to York 1.5 hours, only on a good day with a following breaze and it will depend on the time of day and day. Do not do this route after 3:30pm to 6pm on a work day or between 7:30am and 9:30am. I used to do this a lot and the traffic density is so high the road administrators put phoney police on the road to convoy traffic through.

You pass close to the Hepworth gallery near Wakefield one of the top 3 art galleries in the area and if you have an hour to kill and need cake this is the place to stop off. http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/

In York you want a hotel with a parking space.

"I know using google maps for driving times is a big no no. What is the best way to estimate?"


I tend to trust the AA Route Planner rather than Google Maps: