London to Edinburgh
 

We currently have 4 nights booked in London and 5 nights booked in Edinburgh.
We have 2 night left in the middle - many of you are much much more seasoned travelers than we are! What are you suggestions - should we just add on 1 night to each place or - add a destination stop in between London and Edinburgh ? - we were planning on taking the train between the two cities. - It had crossed my mind to take the sleeper train - but am wondering if it is worth the experience - or if a good nights sleep in a regular bed is better. I have no idea the comfort level of a sleep train.
We are a party of 3 - myself, my husband and our 24 year old son.
Your input would be so helpful. Thank You.

The usual stop on this journey is York, a beautiful city with much to see and do.
www.visityork.org

Get a map and have a look at what appeals to you.

One city will no doubt be mentioned more than any other, but there are alternatives; the Lake District and Northumberland for example.

<<if a good nights sleep in a regular bed is better>> yes is the answer to that question.

If you want a beautiful Medieval city -- train to York/2 nights/train to Edinburgh.

If you want mountain/lake scenery - train to the Lake District/2 nights/train to Edinburgh.

If you are interested in the Beatles/vibrant city - Train to Liverpool/2 nights/train to Edinburgh.

But first get a guide book and see what interests you since there are many other options.

Another alternative is Durham, dominated by its cathedral and castle, high above a deep loop of the River Wear. There is also Crook Hall with its delightful gardens. You can go for a walk along the river towards Shincliffe or catch a bus for the ruins of Finchale Priory.

Thank You for all your help.
Here is another question as I once again am learning as I go here.....
Is there one train company that is better than another?
Still trying to decide where for the 2 nights - but York may be the best on activities for our 24 year old - or maybe Liverpool.
I think he would enjoy more city than countryside activities. And he is interested in history.
I have looked through train schedules and I am confused - multiple company choices it appears...
Thank You.

Also - if anyone has any neat lodging suggestions - that may help decide our 2 night destination. Thanks

For all you rail questions check www.seat61.com - writ by a Brit who used to work for the British railways - now a guru on European trains - as for which company - I'd take the cheapest fare on www.nationalrail.co.uk - a site booking trains for all of Britains 30 or so independent rail franchises - and book ASAP as deep discounted fares can sell out weeks in advance - full walk up fare can be dauntingly expensive - by as for physical comfort IME all the various franchises running a certain route are about the same - at least in standard class - first class can be better on some IME like Virgin Trains because then you get a veritable meal of comp food and drink the whole way but only in 1st class, which is much more expensive generally than standard or 2nd class as they call 2nd class in Britainese.

York is a great choice that is smack on the quickest route to Scotland the East Coast Line - I like janis' idea of the Lake District - city or ravishing natural beauty take your pick - though that means a little more travel time on trains.

As for the overnight train - I've ridden the Caledonian Sleepers several times and if you get a private compartment they are tops but always a modicum of noise so if a light sleeper stay away - breakfast served in compartments on the trains I have been on!

For lots of great info on British trains check not only www.seat61.com but www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

but to save moolah book way way way in advance - note those cheaper tickets may well be non-changeable non-refundble so be very sure of your trains.

Far easier...just go to www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com. to book tickets. London to Glasgow is served by Virgin Trains and they have recently taken over the former East Coast Line now referred to as Virgin East Coast Line which runs from London to Edinburgh. Prices the same regardless of which site you use but may vary according to departure times

I've been to York at least half a dozen times, and wouldn't mind visiting again another half a dozen times before I die.

Last time we visited, we were a party of 3 -- son was 21 at the time. He LOVED York . . . the history, the beauty, the pubs, the wandering, the music, the clubs.

York is outstanding for young adults, which is probably why I fell in love with it for the first time as a very young adult.

On places to stay: last stay we took up 2 rooms at the Radisson Park Inn. As Flanneruk told me in response to my questions about that place before we booked, it was very conveniently located if you like a boring, impersonal box. It was perfect. It was exactly as Flanneruk described. Having said that, our views of the river were just fabulous, and when you're inside the "box" you don't have to look at it! Directly across the river were a host of pubs, restaurants, and clubs right on the water (outdoors on a nice day!). Décor inside was actually quite nice and large.

The time before we stayed right in the Shambles at Gaitres Lodge. Room was tiny, but the placed reeked of that word Americans love to use all the time in England: "Quaint". Twisting and turning through the maze of the hotel was kind of fun, but you couldn't get more than one person in the closet they called a bathroom.

There is a pub at the end of that street (Low Petergate) and around the corner where young people like to hang and play music on acoustic guitars . . . you can join in or not. Go with your son, or not. Of course, me and my husband tend to be bigger party people than my son . . . still are, in fact, so he doesn't hate following us in search of music and good times.

If this trip isn't until after our next trip in August to celebrate our 30th, we're heading up to Liverpool to check out that scene and do the whole Beatles bit.

If you want to see what the sleeper is like watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZWHVRx-6xo

I love the sleeper, it's a unique experience (which is what travel is all about, after all), and saves a hotel bill too - book at www.sleeper.scot

Though day trains on this route only take 4h20 and the chance to stop off at a wonderful place like York is great. It's pretty scenic north of Newcastle too - the train goes along the Northumberland coast.

Book day trains at www.virgintrainseastcoast.com as that's the operator's own site, and there are no fees if you use a train operator site as opposed to a third party retailer like thetrainline.com.

Book day trains at www.virgintrainseastcoast.com as that's the operator's own site, and there are no fees if you use a train operator site as opposed to a third party retailer like thetrainline.com.>

Man in Seat 61 - www.nationalrail.co.uk don't charge any fees either do they?

<<Man in Seat 61 - www.nationalrail.co.uk don't charge any fees either do they?>>

no because you don't book with nationalrail; the website merely directs you to the relevant train operating company, which as man in seat61 correctly states do not charge booking fees.

Thank you sofarsogood!