nytraveler

You can fly back from Edinburgh or perhaps Glasgow - depending on where you are flying to/from - no need to go back to London.

Have you looked at options/costs of open jaw (multi-destination on many web sites) flights?

We have done several road trips to the UK and London, York and Edinburgh is a great combination.

L_A

I totally agree, janisj's itinerary is a terrific one.

If you are minded to stay in London for one or two weeks doing day trips, though, take a look at North Greenwich? There are quite a number of flats you can privately rent there for a week or so without breaking the bank, within easy walking distance of the O2. That means you have the tube and the DLR within easy reach. It's a reasonably quiet area for sleeping in, but within easy travelling distance of any number of things you will want to do.

janisj

Jeeze -- just saw the typo in my last post -- should say >> The parts a visitor would visit are basically within the very compact city walls and just outside the walls - the railway museum.<<

Autocorrect can be a biatch sometimes . . .

paulmike73

DJ - as you will be in London and like the idea of a (football) stadium tour, I recommend a trip to Craven Cottage, home of Fulham FC. I wrote a whole article about Stadium Tours in the UK - Old Trafford features, of course! - check out

http://www.ukfootballgroup.com/visit...stadium-tours/

Also I note you are looking for " good food; beautiful scenery; not very many museums but open to castles and other interesting sites". Honestly, Edinburgh ticks all boxes. As would Durham (stunning Cathedral), on a slightly smaller scale. You could even combine on a rail trip from London, stop in Durham then on to Edinburgh.

I always try and soak up a city, whether in my own country or elsewhere, with a Bus tour. You get to see the lay of the land, see pretty much everything and have a reference point for what you would like to see more of later. London has umpteen tours available, Edinburgh also.

Have a great trip.
Paul

ticadonnita

I would like to ask a question for myself in this stream. My husband and I are taking the train from London to York on June 20 to see friends who live near Harrogate. We will be with them for 2 days and they want to show us some sights. We will then have a car until June 27th when we fly from Leeds Bradford to Paris.
My question is can we drive to Edinburgh from York area and back to catch the flight on June 27th? That would give us 3 days driving included to see Edinburgh. Or would it be better to take a train ? My husband really wants to drive on the "back roads".
Thanks for your imput. Donna

janisj

>>I would like to ask a question for myself in this stream.<<

It would be better if you started a new thread of your own -- you are talking a different set of issues/questions than the OP.

But -- unfortunately >>My husband really wants to drive on the "back roads". << isn't really an option for such a short trip. It would be motorway/main roads both directions. If you want to see Edinburgh you should take the train. If you want to meander through North Yorkshire and maybe a bit of Northumberland -- then drive.

ticadonnita

Thank you, Janisj. I think we will opt for the car drive and meander a bit. Ticadonnita

dfw17

I thought I would return to this first post I made, and let folks know the overall itinerary we decided upon:

Days 1-6 London (6 nights; renting a flat thru London Perfect)
Days 7-8 Train to York; 2 nights in York
Days 9-11 Train to Harrogate; 3 nights in Harrogate; rent car in Harrogate for 2 days exploring Yorkshire Dales (using Harrogate as our base)
Days 12-13 Train to Manchester; 2 nights in Manchester -- including Wayne Rooney testimonial game on Aug 3 (my sons are psyched!)
Day 14 - Morning flight home

Thanks for all the help!

dfw17

I should add that the Day 14 morning flight home is out of Manchester.

janisj

Nice plan