Bigruss - I think yours is a good suggestion but I was reponding to what OP wanted to do - and if they took trains to all those places they should consider - consider a railpass, especially if they want total flexibility - and I stand by that recommendation for the trip theuy (not you) outlined. Thus we are both correct IMO in our suggestions and the efficacy of a pass.

If OP wants to visit Ireland then they may want to go like Bath, North Wales and take the boat to Dublin, do a bit of wee ole Eire and fly home from Dublin or Shannon Airport (near Limerick).

My husband and I plan to travel to the UK sometime this August/September for approximately 2 weeks and need some suggestions. We are both engineers, both 29, and this will be our first time in Europe. We'd like to fly into London and fit in highlights in England, Wales, and Scotland. We'd love to do Ireland as well, but our timeframe I'm afraid is too short for all that.>>

i started to worry when i read this jwood, but reading the rest of this thread i realise that you do understand that in 2 weeks, you are just not going to be able to see highlights of England, Scotland and Wales. I like BigRuss's ideas, but beware being over-ambitious. Personally I would fly into Edinburgh, tour the West of Scotland, then either fly to London or get the train to York, stay two nights there, and then train to London to finish the trip.

Iron Birdge Gorge may be of special interest to engineers? The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution:

http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far! I've come up with three potential itineraries. Please comment/give feedback.

Option 1:
London (5 days) - fly into from US (day trip to Bath)
Train from London & ferry from Holyhead to Dublin
Dublin (3-4 days)
fly from Dublin to Edinburgh
Edinburgh (4-5 days) - fly out of to US

Option 2:
Dublin (3-4 days) - fly into from US
Ferry from Dublin & train from Holyhead to London
London (5 days) - day trip to Bath
Night train from London to Edinburgh
Edinburgh (4-5 days) - fly out of to US

Option 3:
London (5 days) - fly into from US (day trip to Bath)
Night train from London to Edinburgh
Edinburgh (4 days) - possible day trip to Alnwick Castle
Possible car rental to Aberdeen or train to Western Scotland
Aberdeen and/or Western Scotland (4 days) - castles and/or possible Jacobite train
Edinburgh - fly out of to US


Do any of these sound doable? I was trying to squeeze Dublin in there, but if that doesn't work, we'd probably go with the 3rd option.

Any are doable. I'd personally do a London/Scotland option myself - but I'd tweak even that.

If you do decide on one of the Dublin options, don't faff about w/ cross country trains/ferries. Just fly between Dublin and London.

But like I said, I'd tweak the scotland version. Why for instance would drive to Aberdeen, but take a train out west? If anything a car is even more use on the west coast.

And a day trip to Alnwick will be a bit much. It is more than 2 hour's drive each way and one needs HOURS to see the castle and Gardens. An overnight would let you see Alnwick, Bamburgh and/or St Abbs Head / Border Abbeys.

Agree...the flights from London to Dublin are frequent, 1 hour, and cheap. Just fly as opposed to spending all that time schlepping across the country and on the ferry!

A day trip from Edinburgh to Alnwick is quite possible.

Take the train to Alnmouth (1 hour) then a short taxi ride (10 mins) to Alnwick.

Oh jeeze - of course. I forgot there is a station in Alnmouth. I always drive in the area and my comment was based on driving.

But if possible, Id still try to do an overnight. There is soooooo much to see/do in the general area.