rickmav

In my opinion skibunnyjan, this might be a good time for you to step back and reflect on your trip rather than trying to piecemeal together an itinerary from the suggestions you get on this board. Have you chosen the places you have - Oxford, Whitby, York, Lake District, Cotswolds, St Ives, London, etc. based on things you've long wanted to see and have read about, or on recommendations from friends, or built around free accommodation, or your own version of Amazing Race because you are action-oriented people who sleep little, or places associated with your family, etc.?

If what you want is an hour or two is a whole bunch of places the people on this site, although a bit grumpy about it, will help you with all the different air, train, bus combinations to make that work. If you are looking for a quality experience in three places over three weeks, we can help you locate the best bases from which to see all kinds of interesting things. But before you cancel things I think you should take a deep breath and really think about what will be the best, most meaningful experience for you.

I apologize if I sound preachy. But I understand what you are struggling with. We are from Canada, another large country, and in our first planning attempts assumed that as England was no larger than the province we live in, it would be a piece of cake to see everything we'd ever heard of. We now triple the time it would take to get anywhere in England vs. England, and if we get stuck in a pile-up on an M road or have to stop for a washed out B road, we don't worry that it's 3:18 and we aren't in Taunton. I also wouldn't worry much about the friends with wings - needing wings to complete an expensive, quality, adventuresome itinerary isn't really an achievement.

skibunnyjan

Rickmav

The places we really want to see are:
Cotswalds, Lakes, Edinburgh( St Andrews), York, Cornwall & Devon & other parts of London we have not really seen previously. If possible Bath. It sounds as if we can do Oxford & Cambridge as day trips from London.

One thing I am concerned about is the chances of getting accomodation at that time of year.

Usually we have arranged accom. prior to leaving eg Italy, Canada & US. This is the first time we are doing it this way, so if we could arrange a base in a few places I guess I would feel more at ease.

Appreciate your assistance & thoughts.

skibunnyjan

Sorry Janisj I didn't see your latest reply, which sounds great, given the hassle with the hire car. We have visited Windsor previously, but did not get to Eton and I like the suggestion of Lincoln Cathedral etc. Really appreciate assistance. Given time of year, would we need to pre book?

janisj

You'd want to have accommodations pre-booked in York (apparently already taken care of), Edinburgh, and the Lakes for sure. Most other places -- even in popular areas like Cornwall and the Cotswolds, you can usually find places on the fly. Weekends are tougher obviously.

But just about every town has a Tourist Information Office and they have a "book-a-bed-ahead" scheme. Say you are in York and have decided to stop along Hadrian's Wall the next night -- you go into York's TIO and have them find accommodations for the next night in Hexham or Haltwhistle or someplace. There is a very small fee for this service.

skibunnyjan

Thanks janisj have booked York & Edinburgh. Any suggestions for a base in Lakes - want to see Beatrix Potter, Lake Windermere, not sure of what else??

KayF

We stayed at a great guesthouse in Windermere, in the Lake District -

Denehurst Guest House

It was about 10 mins walk into Windermere or the other way to Bowness and the lake. The owners were friendly and helpful, room was very comfortable and there was a choice at breakfast, which is a little unusual but a welcome change. Price was reasonable too and it gets good reviews on Trip Advisor.

Kay

skibunnyjan

Thanks for the tip Kay I will have a look at it.

kfoster2047

We stayed at Blenheim Lodge in Windermere - friendly place and reasonable rates. It had a great view from the bedroom window but the trade-off was an uphill walk back each evening. It has been some time since we were there but the recent reviews on TripAdvisor look good.

skibunnyjan

Thanks everyone, but have settled have settled on a B&B in Keswick. From there we will move onto the Cotswolds.