What to do with 2 Weeks in UK?
 

We will have two weeks in England this summer. We hope to spend time in London and in the country. What itinerary might you suggest? What must we do and how long should we stay each place? Thank you!

hi, i think you should definately spend some time in the lake district it would be a great way to relax after spending time in london. there is some beautiful countryside there with lots to see and do - partic if you enjoy the outdoors. edinburgh is also a fabulous city if youre planning to go as far as scotland?

I would do 5 days in LONDON and the rest in the countryside...

I love Chester, and the COTSWOLDS, and Bath area..that would be doable for a 2 week stint...

The Lakes District is too far a drive if flying in and out of Heathrow...

But if you are set on the Lakes District, then plan on heading back towards the Cotswolds 2 days before flying home and then to Heathrow to leave.

Too far? We stayed o/s Bath 2 days, in Stratford 2 days, NE of Shrewsbury 2 days, and 2 days Lake District. I suspect the latter is about a 4 hour direct drive from London, unsure.
With TWO weeks, you could include Cornwall, Wales, York on this basis.

We did 2 nights each in Stratford, Hay-on-Wye (Wales) and Bath, in the middle of a 3-week visit, a great itinerary for us, with no very long drives.

We've been to the UK many times, but I'm still happy with our very first itinerary. We spent 5 nights in London, then took a train to York for 2 nights. There we got a car and drove to the Lake District (2 nights), down to Chester for one night, to Broadway in the Cotswalds for 2 nights, Stamford for one night, and 2 nights in Lincol. We returned the car to York and took the train to Edinbourough -- but that's a whole 'nother trip for your length of time. We really felt we saw a lot of the countryside and found places we've gone back to since.

The second year we spent a week in London then did a week driving to Land's End, Devon and Cornwall. That was beautiful, but I think we actually enjoyed the variety of what we saw more on that first trip.

Ask 10 Fodorites and you will get 10 (or more) itinerary suggestions. There is no "best" one but to give you useful info we need more info from you. . . .

First - what do you mean by "summer" ? It makes a HUGE difference if you mean the middle of August vs. the end of June. Places like Cornwall, the Lake District and Edinburgh are VERY crowded in August. Hotels are booked up months ahead and traffic is very congested. Whereas in June or early July all three of these areas are just fine.

second - what are you interested in and why are you going to the UK? Are you into hiking and outdoor pursuits, ancestor hunting, gardens, museums and "culture", seaside resorts or rural/mountains, etc.

You could spend 6 months in the UK and not see it all, so to advise you where to go for 2 weeks w/o more info from you would be pretty futile . . . . .

Oops - meant to add -- How do you plan on getting around? Rental car or trains/buses?

Could I just add to janis' list - what about your budget? Staying in London is horribly expensive, but if cost is no object, why not stay there as long as you can. But if you only have so much to spend, I'd limit my time in London and/or do day trips from nearby.

Also, I'm assuming you've never been before, but are you planning on going again in a couple of years or do you think this is it? That would infuence the things/experiences I would recommend.

Thanks for your responses ~ the more exact date will be the end of June and first wk. of July. We just want to discover and experience the charm of English life and people, shopping, neighborhoods, parks, gardens, historical places, art, theater, tea, food, etc. I'm not sure about transportaion ~ possibly train, but maybe rent a car. Budget?~ certainly a consideration, however willing to make some splurges ~ we've waited a long time for this "someday".

Also, my husband loves to fish and I'd really like for him to experience this in the English countryside. Any suggestions?

England is not huge, especially by North American standards, but it does take time to get from place-to-place. This is particularly true if you are attempting to see some of the rural areas and drive the tiny roads that give you the best access to these areas. Trains are, or at least have historically been, a reliable mode of transport, but you'll see most of the countryside from a speeding train window, instead of at a flexible, leisurely pace.

All that as an intro to my basic point of advice: don't overpack--your itenerary (or your suitcase, but that's another matter). I like the "thumbprint" approach that travel author Susan Toth advocates in her series on England. Pick an area, find a good place to stay, and use that a base to really explore. The alternative of "drive a day, stay a night, drive a day, stay a night..." allows you to cover lots of ground, but it can be grueling.

I'd spend 5-6 days in London, with maybe a couple of closeby daytrips (like Windsor, Hampton Court, Greenwich) thrown in. Then perhaps take the train to another, mid-sized city and rent a car there. Examples:

York--and tour the Yorkshire Dales
Bath or Oxford--and tour the Cotswolds and so-called "heart of England" area.

There are dozens of alternatives. The Cumbrian Lake District is certainly worthy although it is a fairly long way from London. (I think the Lakes would really be a hit with your fisherman husband)

Enjoy planning your trip...

David White
[email protected]

Hi
You are going to be in London during the Wimbledon tournament period.
Hotels book up many months in advance, so don't wait to settle on one.

I'd use some of the suggestions above, and plan 5-7 days in London if budget permits, doing 2-3 daytrips: choose among Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, Bath, Kew Gardens, which ever ones appeal.

IF you don't want to drive, you could then take a train up north, as far as Edinburgh, or to York or the Lakes.
In the lake area you could hire a car and driver to take you among some of the towns, you could visit Chatsworth House, lots of options.

Then, if you are flying back home from London, head closer and stay 2-3 days in the Cotswolds, or use Oxford as a base for exploring the Cotswolds. There is a bus system, or again, you could hire a van or car or drive yourself.

This sounds wonderful, let us know what you settle on.

I have a file on London and daytrips; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Your suggestions are a great help. Thank you very much!