UK and Scotland Family trip
Jun 3rd, 2014, 02:42 PM
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UK and Scotland Family trip
Hi everyone, I'm planning a trip for my family (mom, dad, bro-18 & sis-11) in August for about 3 weeks.
I've been to London twice so I know my way around it (they haven't though) but we wanted to visit other cities as well and also go to Edinburg.
I was thinking of 8 days in London and daily trips from there like Oxford, Stratford-Upon Avon, Cambridge with the Walking Tours since they were cheapest. Since hotels in London are more expensive than other cities, would you recommend going for the daily trips from there or perhaps staying in another city and doing them?
Can you also recommend other cities that would be good for visiting, what to do there and for how long? We have lots of places on mind but we don't know which would be best. There's Manchester, Liverpool, Cambridge (day trip or more?), Cardiff...I don't want to overwhelm them so perhaps a city or 2 max since we also want to go to Edinburg. Also, where should we stay in Edinburg and for how long?
We won't be driving so our itinerary should be something doable via tube and train.
If you have any tips on discounts for tours or hotels or anything it would be great. Too many questions, sorry but i appreciate the help
Thanks!
I've been to London twice so I know my way around it (they haven't though) but we wanted to visit other cities as well and also go to Edinburg.
I was thinking of 8 days in London and daily trips from there like Oxford, Stratford-Upon Avon, Cambridge with the Walking Tours since they were cheapest. Since hotels in London are more expensive than other cities, would you recommend going for the daily trips from there or perhaps staying in another city and doing them?
Can you also recommend other cities that would be good for visiting, what to do there and for how long? We have lots of places on mind but we don't know which would be best. There's Manchester, Liverpool, Cambridge (day trip or more?), Cardiff...I don't want to overwhelm them so perhaps a city or 2 max since we also want to go to Edinburg. Also, where should we stay in Edinburg and for how long?
We won't be driving so our itinerary should be something doable via tube and train.
If you have any tips on discounts for tours or hotels or anything it would be great. Too many questions, sorry but i appreciate the help
Thanks!
Jun 3rd, 2014, 09:56 PM
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Difficult to know where to start to advise but you've not mentioned visiting York which is easily reached by train from London and is a lovely city. Many people stop off at York on the way up to Edinburgh (note spelling).
I am sure you are aware you are visiting at peak tourist time so everywhere will be very busy indeed.
I think that rather than just produce a list of cities I would do some more research as to WHY you want to go to a certain place. Only you and your group can decide what you want to see. Get the 11 and 18 year olds involved too!
I am sure you are aware you are visiting at peak tourist time so everywhere will be very busy indeed.
I think that rather than just produce a list of cities I would do some more research as to WHY you want to go to a certain place. Only you and your group can decide what you want to see. Get the 11 and 18 year olds involved too!
Jun 4th, 2014, 12:29 AM
#3
Even with 3 weeks, you will need to pace yourselves - if you are planning on doing a lot of day trips from London, you will need to extend the time you spend there because although YOU have been before, your family haven't, and there is loads there that they will want to see and do.
Have you thought about renting an apartment in London? THat could help to keep the costs down and would be a good choice for a family.
After that, York would make a great stop-off en route to Edinburgh and you could day trip out into the countryside from there too. Morgana could give you far more information about York and the surrounding area than i can.
if this turns out to be the eventual shape of your trip, you need to think about what order you are going to see places in, depending on whether you are doing a round trip into London, or a multi-city trip, flying into, say Edinburgh and out of London, [or vice versa]. it makes sense to put the place that you are flying out of last, so that you don't break up your stay there. So if you are flying into and out of London, there is a good argument for flying straight to Edinburgh, then returning to London via York [or wherever].
Have you thought about renting an apartment in London? THat could help to keep the costs down and would be a good choice for a family.
After that, York would make a great stop-off en route to Edinburgh and you could day trip out into the countryside from there too. Morgana could give you far more information about York and the surrounding area than i can.
if this turns out to be the eventual shape of your trip, you need to think about what order you are going to see places in, depending on whether you are doing a round trip into London, or a multi-city trip, flying into, say Edinburgh and out of London, [or vice versa]. it makes sense to put the place that you are flying out of last, so that you don't break up your stay there. So if you are flying into and out of London, there is a good argument for flying straight to Edinburgh, then returning to London via York [or wherever].
Jun 4th, 2014, 12:39 AM
#4
Stay as centrally in London as you can afford, as the cost of transport for you to get out to day trips will pile on the £££'s. These websites will give you discounted rates and allow you to pick locations for your stay:
www.londontown.com
www.lastminute.com
www.laterooms.com
August isn't too far away, so you need to get on this fairly soon. Stratford upon Avon is a bit too far away fro me to be a day trip, Oxford and Cambridge are fine. Unless you're big Shakespeare fans, then I'd give Stratford a miss.
You need to give us a bit more info on what you'd like to see and what attracts you in terms of sightseeing. Is it architecture, food, history? Do you have any sporting interest?
www.londontown.com
www.lastminute.com
www.laterooms.com
August isn't too far away, so you need to get on this fairly soon. Stratford upon Avon is a bit too far away fro me to be a day trip, Oxford and Cambridge are fine. Unless you're big Shakespeare fans, then I'd give Stratford a miss.
You need to give us a bit more info on what you'd like to see and what attracts you in terms of sightseeing. Is it architecture, food, history? Do you have any sporting interest?
Jun 4th, 2014, 12:49 AM
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Also look at Premier Inns in London (but do book central locations - it is a false economy to book a cheap hotel farther out because the cost and time you waste coming into town). Holiday Inns are also reasonably priced.
If you spend 8 days in London I would limit your day trips to 2 max. London is huge and your family will want to see the sites there as well.
I wouldnt recommend staying in London and just doing day trips from there. You will waste a huge amount of time in transit.
With 3 weeks I would stay in London for 1 week, and then pick another 4 hotel locations tops - including Edinburgh as one of the 4 stops. Do some research about areas that interest you and then we can help you organise your trip logistically.
Dont forget to look at open jaw flights into London and out of Edinburgh for example to avoid backtracking. Dont book your flights until you know what you want to see as routing may be different depending on what you decide to see.
Hope this helps!
If you spend 8 days in London I would limit your day trips to 2 max. London is huge and your family will want to see the sites there as well.
I wouldnt recommend staying in London and just doing day trips from there. You will waste a huge amount of time in transit.
With 3 weeks I would stay in London for 1 week, and then pick another 4 hotel locations tops - including Edinburgh as one of the 4 stops. Do some research about areas that interest you and then we can help you organise your trip logistically.
Dont forget to look at open jaw flights into London and out of Edinburgh for example to avoid backtracking. Dont book your flights until you know what you want to see as routing may be different depending on what you decide to see.
Hope this helps!
Jun 4th, 2014, 12:49 AM
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Good advice from Morgana Edinburgh will be extremely crowded and at this point you may have considerable difficulties finding lodging much less making your way through the crowds to visit the typical tourist sites.It might be best to focus more on England, and I'd recommend spending a few days in York.
If Scotland is a must, have a look at some other areas besides Edinburgh.
As noted, there are a number of places to take day trips from London. Consider renting an apartment for your stay in London since they are generally more economical for a family. Get input from family members and discuss where, whys etc of your trip.
If Scotland is a must, have a look at some other areas besides Edinburgh.
As noted, there are a number of places to take day trips from London. Consider renting an apartment for your stay in London since they are generally more economical for a family. Get input from family members and discuss where, whys etc of your trip.
Jun 4th, 2014, 01:22 AM
#7
and if you are Shakespeare fans, there is always the Globe in London, which would be easier to include in your trip than Stratford.
and ht makes a good point - in August Edinburgh will be crammed full of people there for the annual Edinburgh Festival and getting accommodation may be extremely difficult. Stirling might be a good alternative or even Glasgow, from where you can easily do a day trip to Edinburgh.
and ht makes a good point - in August Edinburgh will be crammed full of people there for the annual Edinburgh Festival and getting accommodation may be extremely difficult. Stirling might be a good alternative or even Glasgow, from where you can easily do a day trip to Edinburgh.
Jun 4th, 2014, 04:28 AM
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Thank you all for the comments! My family doesn't really mind where we go as long as we get to stay in London for a while, that's the main part and others are up to my judgement.
Morgana 18 y/o has been there before with me so he doesn't mind anything and 11 y/o has similar taste as me. They're not into the planning part so they always leave everything to me :/
Annhig I thought about apartments but I could't find any.. I've never rented an apt so I don't know where to look..do u know reliable websites? I'm thinking of flying to Edinburgh on July 29th for a few days if that would be less crowded and making my way South to London.
Rubicud thanks for the sites, I'll check them out. In terms of interests, I can say history and architecture and not sports. I'm looking for places that would be easy to visit without a car, just public transport.
Jamikins I agree with staying centrally, I don't want to waste too much time commuting. About the 4 stops, we've agreed on London and Edinburgh and I was thinking of Cambridge perhaps for 2 days and either York, Liverpool or Manchester since they're close to each other. I was thinking of the last 2 in particular because the hotels there were a lot cheaper than London so we can stay there for a while to try to keep budget.
Historytraveler I might have to look at Glasgow if Edinburgh is difficult. Do you know websites with apartments for rent? I tried getting input from them but they keep saying that they don't have any preference and it's up to me to decide!
Morgana 18 y/o has been there before with me so he doesn't mind anything and 11 y/o has similar taste as me. They're not into the planning part so they always leave everything to me :/
Annhig I thought about apartments but I could't find any.. I've never rented an apt so I don't know where to look..do u know reliable websites? I'm thinking of flying to Edinburgh on July 29th for a few days if that would be less crowded and making my way South to London.
Rubicud thanks for the sites, I'll check them out. In terms of interests, I can say history and architecture and not sports. I'm looking for places that would be easy to visit without a car, just public transport.
Jamikins I agree with staying centrally, I don't want to waste too much time commuting. About the 4 stops, we've agreed on London and Edinburgh and I was thinking of Cambridge perhaps for 2 days and either York, Liverpool or Manchester since they're close to each other. I was thinking of the last 2 in particular because the hotels there were a lot cheaper than London so we can stay there for a while to try to keep budget.
Historytraveler I might have to look at Glasgow if Edinburgh is difficult. Do you know websites with apartments for rent? I tried getting input from them but they keep saying that they don't have any preference and it's up to me to decide!
Jun 4th, 2014, 04:47 AM
#9
Manchester is a great choice (I live nearby and was born there so I'm biased), as it has good hotels and restaurants (excellent Chinatown), lots of history, theatre, lovely Victorian buildings and eclectic areas like the Northern Quarter.
The city has excellent transport links by train, road and air, so easy to get to and from. It's also a good base for day trips to the Yorkshire Dales, Liverpool and the Lake District, although the Dales may need a car much more than the Lakes.
The second and third of the hotel links above will work equally well for Manchester. You can also have a look at the Tourism Manchester website www.visitmanchester.com
For walks in the City and its environs, on all sorts of subjects, have a look at
www.newmanchesterwalks.co.uk
or
http://www.visitmanchester.com/media...rsion-copy.pdf
for a copy of the brochure of its sister walks setup.
The city has excellent transport links by train, road and air, so easy to get to and from. It's also a good base for day trips to the Yorkshire Dales, Liverpool and the Lake District, although the Dales may need a car much more than the Lakes.
The second and third of the hotel links above will work equally well for Manchester. You can also have a look at the Tourism Manchester website www.visitmanchester.com
For walks in the City and its environs, on all sorts of subjects, have a look at
www.newmanchesterwalks.co.uk
or
http://www.visitmanchester.com/media...rsion-copy.pdf
for a copy of the brochure of its sister walks setup.
Jun 4th, 2014, 05:56 AM
#11
I haven't read everything and am dashing out so will post more later . . . but skimming the responses I noted jamikim's post >>Also look at Premier Inns in London <<
Premier Inns are great for family accommodations/quad rooms. Unfortunately they are pretty strict that both children must be under 16. So you wouldn't qualify. I HIGHLY recommend you consider renting a flat instead and stay a week in London (Cambridge is a VERY easy day trip from London by train)
Premier Inns are great for family accommodations/quad rooms. Unfortunately they are pretty strict that both children must be under 16. So you wouldn't qualify. I HIGHLY recommend you consider renting a flat instead and stay a week in London (Cambridge is a VERY easy day trip from London by train)
Jun 4th, 2014, 07:14 AM
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Doing Edinburgh first is an excellent idea. It will be easier to get around and easier to find a place to stay. But start looking right now.
All your places of interest are cities. Going in the summer I'd like to see something of the countryside, both in Scotland and in England. I find the southern English countryside particularly beautiful, like one giant green golf course. There are day trips from Edinburgh and London that get you out of the city. From Edinburgh look at Rabbies and Timberbush tours. From London London Walks (www.walks.com) runs excursions to place like the Cotswolds.
Re: apartments, look at vrbo.com, airbnb.com, homeaway.com, visitlondon.com and/or tripadvisor.com. It's important to thoroughly vet any rental to make sure you're not being scammed. Use a credit card for any prepayments as a form of insurance.
Note: Scotland is part of the UK.
All your places of interest are cities. Going in the summer I'd like to see something of the countryside, both in Scotland and in England. I find the southern English countryside particularly beautiful, like one giant green golf course. There are day trips from Edinburgh and London that get you out of the city. From Edinburgh look at Rabbies and Timberbush tours. From London London Walks (www.walks.com) runs excursions to place like the Cotswolds.
Re: apartments, look at vrbo.com, airbnb.com, homeaway.com, visitlondon.com and/or tripadvisor.com. It's important to thoroughly vet any rental to make sure you're not being scammed. Use a credit card for any prepayments as a form of insurance.
Note: Scotland is part of the UK.
Jun 4th, 2014, 08:15 AM
#13
Rana, i've never rented an apartment in the UK [living here I've never needed to!] but mimar has some good suggestions or search this forum for recommended agencies.
and definitely get going on Edinburgh if you are going to go there - and put it first on your trip.
and definitely get going on Edinburgh if you are going to go there - and put it first on your trip.
Jun 4th, 2014, 01:38 PM
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Rabbies also run tours out of London, as do many other towns although I believe they are usually 2/4 day trips. London Walks is good for day trips from London. Sorry I usually travel solo so never an advantage for me to rent an apartment, but there are numerous threads on this site with apartment recommendations. I prefer Edinburgh over Glasgow but think Glasgow often gets short shift. It has a number of places well worth visiting. On a smaller scale, Stirling is fine too.
Personally, unless you want to take part in the festival activities, I'd skip Edinburgh. Substitute Glasgow, Stirling or York. Glasgow is host to the Commonwealth Games which end around the 3rd of August ( I believe that is when the games are over, do check), so I wouldn't plan on being in Glasgow prior to that.There are numerous possibilities for day trips from London and many can easily be done on your own and may be cheaper than the guided tours such as London Walks. Of course, the guided tours will provide considerable information, but you can also take guided tours once you arrive. Oxford and Cambridge offer tours lasting 1 to 2 hours as do many other cities.
Personally, unless you want to take part in the festival activities, I'd skip Edinburgh. Substitute Glasgow, Stirling or York. Glasgow is host to the Commonwealth Games which end around the 3rd of August ( I believe that is when the games are over, do check), so I wouldn't plan on being in Glasgow prior to that.There are numerous possibilities for day trips from London and many can easily be done on your own and may be cheaper than the guided tours such as London Walks. Of course, the guided tours will provide considerable information, but you can also take guided tours once you arrive. Oxford and Cambridge offer tours lasting 1 to 2 hours as do many other cities.
Jun 7th, 2014, 01:37 PM
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All, thank you for the replies and I apologize for the delay, I have been traveling.
So far the itinerary is Edinburgh, Cambridge, York/Manchester then London. I couldn't find any apartments available for the duration of our stay in London, only for a few days sparsely apart so it won't work. I looked into other hotel suggestions and found some good ones but I noticed that the standard for the beds is rather small? A double bed is 130*150 and my brother and father are more on the 175cm so I'm still perplexed about this issue. I have made refundable booking for a hotel just to be on the safe side but I'm still looking.
The guided tours are pretty pricey for the 5 of us, almost same as traveling by ourselves and staying for a night or 2 but I don't want to exhaust them so I hope I can get a good deal for a day trip. If you guys have any suggestions please let me know!
If the guided tours does not work out, do you have any hotel location recommendations-that would not be very pricey and I could travel by train from it and return at night. So I would stay for a few days in London (doesn't have to be central) just to travel around.
Thanks everyone..
So far the itinerary is Edinburgh, Cambridge, York/Manchester then London. I couldn't find any apartments available for the duration of our stay in London, only for a few days sparsely apart so it won't work. I looked into other hotel suggestions and found some good ones but I noticed that the standard for the beds is rather small? A double bed is 130*150 and my brother and father are more on the 175cm so I'm still perplexed about this issue. I have made refundable booking for a hotel just to be on the safe side but I'm still looking.
The guided tours are pretty pricey for the 5 of us, almost same as traveling by ourselves and staying for a night or 2 but I don't want to exhaust them so I hope I can get a good deal for a day trip. If you guys have any suggestions please let me know!
If the guided tours does not work out, do you have any hotel location recommendations-that would not be very pricey and I could travel by train from it and return at night. So I would stay for a few days in London (doesn't have to be central) just to travel around.
Thanks everyone..
Jun 7th, 2014, 01:44 PM
#16
>>do you have any hotel location recommendations-that would not be very pricey<<
What do you consider 'not very pricey'? What is your actual budget. Do I understand there are 5 of you?
>>I couldn't find any apartments available for the duration of our stay in London, only for a few days sparsely apart so it won't work<<
Where did you look? There are many sources for apartments in London.
If you move fast -- one of the two bedrooms here has availability the last two weeks of august
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hamlet_uk/index.htm
What do you consider 'not very pricey'? What is your actual budget. Do I understand there are 5 of you?
>>I couldn't find any apartments available for the duration of our stay in London, only for a few days sparsely apart so it won't work<<
Where did you look? There are many sources for apartments in London.
If you move fast -- one of the two bedrooms here has availability the last two weeks of august
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hamlet_uk/index.htm
Jun 7th, 2014, 11:20 PM
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>>I noticed that the standard for the beds is rather small? A double bed is 130*150 and my brother and father are more on the 175cm so I'm still perplexed about this issue. <<
Not sure where you got that from - can you provide a link? A standard double bed mattress in the UK is 54" × 75" - equivalent to 137cm wide by 190cm long. Only a bed for a small child would be 150cm long!
Not sure where you got that from - can you provide a link? A standard double bed mattress in the UK is 54" × 75" - equivalent to 137cm wide by 190cm long. Only a bed for a small child would be 150cm long!
Jun 8th, 2014, 02:24 AM
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janisj this apartment is great, thank you! I have already emailed them to book it. It is available only for the last week of my stay ( July 30-August 21) but I hope they have something available for the week before as well. If you have any other apartments please let me know about them. I previously searched on airbnb,trip advisor,vrbo but the availability was for 1B and not many 2Bs (there were a couple that were far from the city, near the airport or did not have nearby public transportation so they were out).
Gordon I found this on booking.com. Go to this link and click on the double bedroom then bed size, it says 131*150 and this is the same for all hotels even ones with higher ratings like 'The Chamberlain' and 'Megaro Hotel', unless this website is inaccurate..
http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/eust...-lightbox-open
Gordon I found this on booking.com. Go to this link and click on the double bedroom then bed size, it says 131*150 and this is the same for all hotels even ones with higher ratings like 'The Chamberlain' and 'Megaro Hotel', unless this website is inaccurate..
http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/eust...-lightbox-open
Jun 8th, 2014, 02:41 AM
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No you're misreading/misunderstanding what it says on the booking.com website. What it actually says when you hover over "1 double bed" is "131-150cm wide" (in other words a range of bed widths). Doesn't day anything about length, but you needn't worry - an average person will find the beds easily long enough.
