Joining site dots in UK
 

Thanks everyone for information while putting together our first trip to the UK.

It will end up as a 'road trip', kinda' like feeding at a buffet and going back again later for seconds of the best.
After a three day stay in London, we begin a 12 day overview auto tour to the Glasgow airport. Considering the major centres through which we will be passing, is there a definitely-without-a-doubt-must-see attraction in or near the locale. We know everyone has different interests, so we're just looking for insight into some key sites.
The dots on the map ( in order): Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath, Cheltenham, Cotswolds (passing through six villages), Stratford-Upon-Avon, Ludlow, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, Chester, York, Jedburgh, Edinburgh, Sterling, Fort William, Isle of Skye (maybe),Oban, Glasgow airport.
If you have a favourite one or two "must-sees", let us know just in case we missed researching that one in the area.
It's an exciting country and we definitely wish to return after this adventure to take the time to hike or relax.
The flight leaves Wednesday. Thank you for any last minute input.
Looking forward to meeting people like the helpful responders on this forum.
Enjoy the autumn season everyone.

Going from York to Edinburgh do NOT miss Hadrian's Wall - it's absolutely fascinating. There are several places you can stop and tour part of it- we went to Housesteads - worth an entire day IMHO.

Also near York visit Castle Howard - and heading north Bamburgh Castle-overlooking Lindisfarne.

Sorry - but your buffet really won't give you enough time to see/do much let alone search out other 'must sees'.

Windsor/Stonehenge/Bath is a minimum 1.5 days worth. Cheltenham & 6 Cotswolds villages is basically a full day (and that is w/o much exploring in any of the villages) .

Popping in to Stratford will eat up a 1/2 day just for finding your way in, parking and lunch. If you also visit any of the Shakespeare properties you are talking a full day.

Ludlow, just the two sites in N Wales and Chester is a full 3 day-er.

None of the above timeframes are leisurely - just basic drive throughs. So you are already looking at 6.5 days and still want to see York, Jedburgh, Edinburgh, Stirling (note the spelling), Fort William, Isle of Skye, Oban, and on to Glasgow in about 5 days. Even cutting Skye -- you will be zigzagging from Chester to York to the Borders to Edinburgh, to Stirling, to Ft William, to Oban to GLA - which is definitely <i>driveable</i> in 5 days - but not w/ any time to see much.

Your other thread was steering you to what's doable concentrating in Scotland w/ a few days enroute, but now you are trying to hit major parts of 3 countries.

Didn't see nytraveler's post. Castle Howard, Hadrian's Wall, Lindesfarne and Bamburgh are all definitely 100% worth seeing - but you don't have the time. Castle Howard alone is a half day trip starting from York.

I have to agree with Janis and say that this is quite a bit of driving for your first UK trip and learning how to drive on the left. Driving and parking in the UK is much different then the US and Canada and much more expensive. I know you want to try and see everything but with your itinerary all you will see is roads.

Even I, queen of the 'buffet dining' style of touring, bellieve this is very rushed.

I did a similar tour in four weeks - didn't even touch Wales. You might get some idea of what's possible by reading my trip report

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...at-belated.cfm

I spent three or four days in most places. I guess you could do a 'light' version. Yes driving is sometimes slow and roads are narrow and there are many roundabout. I think you can do one 'Must-see in the am and drive to your next destination and get another 'must-see done in the afternoon.

I disagree that you won't have time to see anything. I think on a fast-paced trip such as this, you don't want to be tied to other people's 'must-sees'. You already have an idea what you want to see when you planned your route. I recommend just going with the flow and seeing what you have time for.

Have a great time. I never see travel time as a chunk of time out of your day but as part of the experience. Lots to see from the car,especially if you can share the driving!

Between York and Jedburgh, Alnwick is an interesting stop.

"<i>I disagree that you won't have time to see anything. I think on a fast-paced trip such as this, you don't want to be tied to other people's 'must-sees'. You already have an idea what you want to see when you planned your route. . . . ."

"I never see travel time as a chunk of time out of your day but as part of the experience.</i>"

Of course the driving is part of the experience/sightseeing/fun. But w/ an itinerary like this there really is no time (or almost no time) for anything BUT the driving.

If one is driving from York to Edinburgh and wants to go via Jedburgh -- The best you could manage would be a quick look-see at Jedburgh Abbey.

It is about 200 miles and a good 5.5 hours w/o any stops - that is w/o any detours to Hadrian's Wall or Alnwick or Bamburgh. W/ Jedburgh Abbey and a meal - you are talking nearly 8 hours just for the drive from York to Edinburgh.

I love road trips (the whole time I lived in the UK I had roadsters/sports cars including a Morgan and was often on one road adventure or another) - but one actually needs to stop here and there.

Wow - love the sound of the Morgan, Janis!
By the way, Bamburgh 'doesn't overlook Lindisfarne' as someone said earlier in the post- they must be at least 40 miles apart!

<<< Bamburgh 'doesn't overlook Lindisfarne' as someone said earlier in the post- they must be at least 40 miles apart! >>>

Em they are within a few miles of each other on the coast - though there's no direct road between the two

<<< The flight leaves Wednesday. Thank you for any last minute input. >>>

Nothing like planning ahead - and this is nothing like planning ahead.

Well assuming that you've already booked the accommodation I would say this is a case of "making your own bed and lying on it".

If you haven't then for the sake of your marriage and sanity cut a few places out - I'd remove all of Wales, York and any part of Scotland north of Stirling and probably Stratford upon Avon. And don't even consider adding anything extra

Whoops, yes you are quite right. Over 40 miles by road if you are visiting the two places. Bamburgh is beautiful but it always seems to have been raining when I've visited - somewhat obscuring any view of Holy Island!

It's under 20 miles

It's comments like those above that make a forum like this great. Even after a couple of months researching places, calculating miles (kilometres) and time/distance relationships, it's the experience of travellers on this forum that is valued in helping to see realities.

We have selected some historical sites and architectural masterpieces to visit, yet as some say, the journey of feeling the UK countryside is no less an attraction to be appreciated. We look forward to discoveries in the landscape. However, too, many warn of the challenges in driving the distances. We have chosen to consider a plan B or C that eliminates some sites affording more out-of-car moments in a direct path of three to four days from Stratford-upon-Avon to Edinburgh.

Thanking all and especially many of the names in blue above who repeatedly offered good advice during our rough notes stage.

Wishing you a pleasant autumn and a joyous season that follows.