PalenQ

Wolsey Lodges in any case is a venerable institution of unique lodging often in historic places - very established and well worth the reference.

janisj

Yes - Wolsey Lodges are very nice - however LLewellyn owns one of them and only posts links to Wolsey Lodges. They are well known and well respected - but this flogging of them over and over gives a bad taste they don't need.

Possibly not "advertising" in the strictest terms since he isn't linking to his own business anymore . . . . but . . . .

PalenQ

janisj - thanks for explaining that and i understand Noe's comments now.

Lionors

Hopping back in!

We're set with airline reservations and lodging (at last!) I've got a couple of activities reserved, and information on more, since I'm trying to be reasonably flexible.

A question. I'd originally planned our trip as London to Edinburgh because we couldn't get a flight from London to Edinburgh on the 6th. However, it turns out it'll be better for us to start in Edinburgh after all.

I have a 4 day BritRail pass for us, so we can get to Edinburgh without a problem.

However, what I don't know is how much time to allow to get through customs at Heathrow and how much time it would take us to get to Kings Cross (which the BritRail site says is the station we need to be at for the London-Edinburgh train).

BritRail says I should make reservations. I can do this online, but what I need to know first is the following:

1. How long does it usually take to clear customs? Neither of us have been through customs before. We're arriving on the 6th of July at 11:30 a.m. (provided American Airlines gets there on time, of course. *cough*)

2. What's the most timely way to get from Heathrow to Kings Cross rail station at that hour?

I see there's a Heathrow Express, but it takes you to Paddington Station. I think we can get a tube over from there to Kings Cross, although I'm not certain if that gets me anywhere near the rail center or not.

3. The times available for the London-Heathrow train after we arrive are 12:00, 1:00 and about every 30 minutes thereafter.

If anyone can chime in on that, it would be greatly appreciated as always. Thank you all so much for the information thus far -- it's been enormously helpful, as always.

~Elizabeth

PalenQ

Yes quickest way - Paddington via Heathrow Express (BritRail pass valid) then tube or taxi to Kings X - tube takes you right to station. No quicker or better way for speed.

Lionors

Thanks, Palen.

Any idea how long it'll take to get through customs at that hour and the best time for me to make the London-Edinburgh reservation?

~Elizabeth

Lionors

Oh, by the way, I did check the Heathrow airport site with the estimated times on how long it takes to get from the airport to the various stations. The real kicker is just the customs time at this point.

~Elizabeth

PalenQ

the lines seem to be at passport control, the first hurdle and not at Customs inspections with most people just passing thru.

hurry off the plane and beat some of the queue, which can be a half-hour or so in my experience.

you do not need reservations on these trains, though they are advised in 2nd class - i've ridden first class many times and never did not have several empty seats around me.

But the beauty of the pass is you can reserve any train and if you miss it you're pass will still get you there.

Lionors

Oh, good. I was afraid that if we reserved one and missed it, we'd be out of luck.

Thanks much, then.

~Elizabeth

PalenQ

naw - two trains most hours Lon-Edin - can always board.