dgassa

The Plan is coming together for our 1 month UK visit in September/October. This is what I've come up with so far, but first something about us. Both in our 60's and have traveled extensively in the US in our RV. We've made two , 2 month trips to Western Europe, but not to the UK. We like to stay exclusivly in B&B's, but have made exceptions a couple of times. We are on a budget and would prefer not to spend more than 70 BP a night. We might bend this some if it's a really nice place. (we have busted the budget for London) We really not into art, but enjoy the beauty of old churches, and plan on taking a few castles. Not too many though as the Mrs gets castled out if you know what I mean. We spend most of our travels in the outdoors and plan on taking walks in the countryside on most of our stops in the UK. We like the architecture of villages and towns. (just are not the same here in the states) In the past our trips have avoided large cities, but this time we're including London and Paris for a week each.

London....6 nights (can't change this)

Rent Car in London

North York Moors.....3 nights
Northumberland.......4 nights with day trip to Edinburgh. (via train)
I'm pretty well up on the Moors and Northumberland and pretty firm on where to stay and for how long. (Moors already booked)

Here's were the questions start.
Fort William ..... 4 nights??? I want to climb Ben Nevis if the weather cooperates. I've read that Fort William it self it not much to rave about. Is this true? Should we stay somewhere else where there is more to see or stay fewer nights in FW. We hadn't planned on Isle of Skye but should we include it for a couple of days.

Lake District.....4 nights
North Wales......4 nights

Plan to climb MT Snowden

Cotswolds.......4 nights

London......1 night near St Pancras for the Eurostar to Paris

This leaves 2 extra nights for some flexibility.
I'm I missing something? Other places we should consider as not to be missed? I was looking at the small village of Kirkcudbright. Seems like and interesting area. Is it worth a night or two?

I really appreciate the help so far, and since you folks are so helpful, I'll keep asking questions

Robert2533

Try asking in lower case. You might get more response. Good luck anyway!

dgassa

A little late now.

BigRuss

<<Fort William ..... 4 nights??? I want to climb Ben Nevis if the weather cooperates. I've read that Fort William it self it not much to rave about. Is this true? Should we stay somewhere else where there is more to see or stay fewer nights in FW. We hadn't planned on Isle of Skye but should we include it for a couple of days.>>

Wait until janisj gets on here - she'll rant about how FW is a dump. I'd trust her advice, considering that I followed it when planning my own trip to Kiltland.

indy_dad

Ah yes, janisj, is the expert. She must have taken a night off. How could she?

You mentioned seeing my blog, but just in case:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06...highlands.html
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08...s-round-2.html
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05...t-weekend.html

We hiked in Skye and around Loch Katrine (Ben A'an) so can't help with Ben Nevis. Friends of ours did it though and it seemed more of a slog than a highlight.

http://schetzelsintheuk.wordpress.co...and-adventure/

Great walking site:

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/

Rather than Fort William, what about Ballachulish/Glencoe? That way you can "do" Ben Nevis and also walk around Glencoe, etc.

Multiple routes up Snowdon. Info:

http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/snowd...routes-95.aspx
http://www.mountainwalk.co.uk/walkingsnowdon.html

and in general:

http://www.trekkingbritain.com/index.htm

We hope to hike Snowdon in June ourselves. Good luck.

MmePerdu

May I have some clarification please. Are you asking in general about the advisability of this particular itinerary or asking for B&B suggestions in these locations?

dgassa

I'm asking in general about this plan. B&B suggestions would also be apreciated in the areas mentioned. I'm open to just about any suggestions in developing a trip plan that we would enjoy. I don't think we would be changing the entire route, but if you see something I'm missing about this itinerary, fell free to speak up.

dgassa

Indy_dad

A lot of good infomation Indy_dad, some of which I read some time ago. I will be going through it and if I have specifice questions I'll get your attention here or on your blog. Thanks for the suggestions

MmePerdu

Regarding places to stay, last first: I've stayed twice on Cartwright Gardens, very convenient and a short walk to St. Pancras and King's Cross Stations. Last time was at the Harlingford which I liked. http://www.harlingfordhotel.com/

What are your plans for the Cotswolds, move around or one central accommodation and see the area from there? With a car I suggest the latter, lots of places with good parking outside the towns.

dgassa

Thanks MmePerdu, I'll take a look at the harlingford hotel. We plan on stay in one central location in each of our destinations.

Ackislander

Ft William is unprepossessing and not a place that I would spend four nights, but if you are climbing, it makes a logical base, and you can do a boat tour of one of the lochs from there.

A number of years ago, we had a very pleasant stay at the Ballachulish Hotel, where Glencoe opens into Loch Linnhe. The views are gorgeous, and it is a good base for hiking and climbing in the Glen.

I assume you are are experienced in the outdoors and will be properly equipped. The weather is much more difficult than the height of the mountains would suggest to a North American, and snow is possible in any month, likely in September and October. You will certainly need waterproof jackets and trousers, one or more layers of fleece, stout hiking boots (it is very rocky, esp if you are from the West), and it is not safe to wear jeans or other cotton garments because off hypothermia.

My wife broke her ankle in a landslide while traversing the Three Sisters in August, and a friend who was an experienced climber fell down a corrie to his death several years ago.

Do it, enjoy it, but don' underestimate it.

ParisAmsterdam

Don't rent the car in London. On the trip north you mention nothing until North York so take the train to York rather than trundle up the boring motorways.

Gordon_R

I wouldn't stay in Fort William if you paid me - seriously. There are so many nicer places in the surrounding area. A personal favourite of mine is the Inn at Ardgour just across the Corran ferry to the south of FW.

As Ackislander says, climbing Ben Nevis is not to be underestimated, especially if in October. The conditions on the mountains are notoriously unpredictable and changeable, so it's very important to take heed of local weather reports and stick to the defined path for walkers (I think there's only one). You'll need a good level of physical fitness and stamina, and the right clothing.

Getting to the top of Snowdon is significantly easier in comparison. Loads of ordinary walkers, from kids to grandparents, dressed in "ordinary" clothing go up to the top on fine days. The path, though steep and gravelly in a few places, is not too difficult.

janisj

Late to the show.

Even for a climbing base, I would never stay IN Ft William. The suggestions for Ballachullish and Ardgour are good. But I might prefer staying at the Clachaig Inn. http://www.clachaig.com/

Right IN Glencoe, really good hearty food (throughout the day which is not something you often find), live music.

I agree that since your aren't stopping between London and North Yorkshire, renting at LHR is unnecessary and semi-complicated. I'd take the train to York and collect a car there. Train from central London to central York w/o having to traipse out to LHR and drive north. The train takes 2 hours.

Getting to LHR and driving would require more than 6 hours.

dgassa

Taking into considertion all suggestions. We will take the train to York from London. I can get advance tickets for the 2 of us for $66. It's a no brainer. As for those of you who cautioned me about Ben Nevis, thank you. I am aware of the dangers, but I am an experenced hiker and will be prepared for the weather conditions. If it looks like it's going to be bad, I'll find a pub. I like to climb mountains, but I do not take chances as I value my neck.

flanneruk

"If it looks like it's going to be bad, I'll find a pub."

Without rubbing it in, it's not that simple. Britain's "mountains" (almost anywhere else, they'd be little more than hills) are colossally unpredictable.

On virtually the shortest day of the year three months ago, I walked to the top of a hill a few hundred miles south of here that was several hundred feet higher than Ben Nevis, getting back into the next town just as the sun was setting. Cotton trousers, heavyish parka, a scarf and decent boots - and it was perfectly safe, if a tad tiring.

On most British mountains, such a strategy would be dangerous in midsummer, close to suicidal on Christmas Eve and foolhardy at Michaelmastide, when you're planning your walk. You can't possibly judge weather conditions here: at what we think of as high altitudes you need to consult proper forecasts before making a decision, leave a plan with someone you can trust and go equipped for most conceivable weather changes.

The standard British joke about "if you want a forecast, wait till after the event" is 100% scientific. Almost unvaryingly, a forecast made for, say, 1000 tomorrow at 0800 will turn out a couple of degrees, and a centimetre or so of precipitation, out. In our climate, at the relatively low altitudes of our "mountains", that trivial difference is equivalent to near-perfect visibility vs near-blinding mist, or a heavy snowfall vs a merely miserable rain shower.

As a rough generalisation, the period round the equinoxes (especially just after the autumn one) is where weather's least predictable, even a few hours in advance.

dgassa

I hear those of you who warn about climbing Ben Nevis. I understand the dangers. That said, lets assume for the time being that I don't climb Ben Nevis and don't stay in Fort William, some of you don't seem to like Fort William. Where in the area would you suggest we base for 4 days. Keep in mind what I wrote in the original post, B&B's, 70 pound budget, we like the outdoors etc.

Thanks to those of you who have already made suggestions. They are always welcome.

janisj

>> Where in the area would you suggest we base for 4 days.<<

Not quite sure if you realize you got several recommendations already - Ballachulish, Ardgour, Glencoe/the Clachaig . . . are ALL in the area.

indy_dad

We ended up powering on to Skye so we did not stay in Glencoe. However, this is the one I was targeting if we did (as another example). Again, no personal experience.

Lios Mhoire Bed and Breakfast

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R..._Scotland.html

http://www.scottishaccommodationinde...guesthouse.php

&pound;60/nt for 2. #1 on T.A. for what it's worth. Check it out for yourself.

BKP

When we climbed Mt Snowdon (with our 6 year old son) we stayed here:
http://www.lakeviewhotel.co.uk/index.html

Cheap, cheerful, close to the climb, it was perfect. We got in late in the evening but they still were open for dinner. Checked out right after breakfast, climbed the mountain and were on our way!