Hello all from New Orleans! With the help of some lovely and very informed people on this forum, my husband and I have put together a 2-week trip late in late May/early June of this year. We would love to read any and all comments and suggestions! There are two things you should know. The first is that we had originally planned to meet friends in London for a few days prior to our trip, but unfortunately, that has changed. So, yes, we are flying into and out of Heathrow. We realize this is not ideal, but we have accepted it. The second thing is that we love to drive and long day trips do not bother us in the least. With that said, here you go….

Sunday---arrive Heathrow 12:20. Train to King's Cross. Check in for a good night's sleep at the Montague on the Gardens hotel.

Monday---train to York York Museum Gardens. Stroll down the Shambles and explore. Maybe food and drink at Ye Old Shambles for a pint or the Potion's Cauldron?

Tuesday----York Minster in am; Yorkshire Air Museum in pm
Dinner ?????????

Wednesday---Cold War Bunker and York City Walls. Pick up rental car and drive to Grassington. Check into airbnb. Explore local area (maybe Malham and/or Janet's Foss)
Dinner at local pub--maybe the Devonshire

Thursday----Kettlewell --> Aysgarth Falls --> Hawes for cheese and Richard Fawcett Sheepdog demo 6:30pm
Dinner at the White Hart Inn (rez made). Drive back to Grassington.

Friday----Thirsk all day. Dinner at The Angel at Hetton (rez already made). Drive back to Grassington.

Saturday----Drive to Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle by 1pm (for cannon). Check in AirBNB and explore.
Dinner ??????

Sunday---Stockbridge Market (10-5). Picnic lunch. Royal Botanic Garden (?). Explore Grassmarket area.
Dinner ?????? Tipsy Midgie (whiskey tasting) after dinner

Monday----Drive to Stonehaven/Dunnotar via Dundee and Perth. Head to Glamis--explore and eat at Castle Kitchen????. Back to EDI

Tuesday----Drive to Lindisfarne/Holy Island/Bramburgh Castle (SAFE CROSSING 11:45 - 8:20 )---> Back to EDI.

Wednesday---Explore Old and New Town-Royal Mile. Take a tour?????
Dinner at BaBa (rez made)

Thursday----Drive to Glasgow. Kelvingrove Museum. Check into airbnb.
Dinner ??????

Friday----to Glencoe and Glen Etive, the Great Glen (fault) --> Stirling-->Falkirk ---> Back to Glascow

Saturday----Return rental car. Train to Newcastle London and check into airport hotel for a good night's sleep

Sunday----home to the States

I've never stayed in Grassington but it would probably be a decent location. Hopefully Morgana will see your thread for more info re Grassington.

Note: EDI is the airport, not the city.

Just a few random thoughts --I personally don't think your first Saturday plan is that great. They do the cannon firing every day so you can experience it on Wednesdat since that's when you plan on Old Town. . As it is you will drive right past Bamburgh and Lindesfarne on the way north, so doing them as a day trip from Edinburgh really doesn't make sense to me. If it was me -- I'd drive up from Grassington on Saturday, maybe check out a bit of Hadrian's Wall and Bamburgh. Stay Saturday night in/near Bamburgh (or on Lindesfarne). Visit Lindesfarne in the morning and drive on to Edinburgh Sunday mid day. The drive from Holy Island to central Edinburgh will take between 90 mins and 2 hours.

As discussed on your other threads the Monday excursion will be a VERY long day but doable. More than 5 hours in the car plus long stops at Dunnottar and Glamis, you'll have to get an early start to fit both in for sure.

The Kelvingrove is terrific but I personally would not add two nights in Glasgow just to fit it in. Especially because the second/last Friday is one hellacious plan. I'd really say impossible. Just the drive from Glasgow to Glencoe will take at least 2.5 hours. What are your dates - if this is the Friday of the Bank Holiday weekend the drive could take 3 or 4 hours. Then adding Glen Etive, Stirling and Falkirk you are talking a minimum six hours in the car without any stops at all. Glen Etive takes 2-ish hours, Stirling Castle is about a 2 hour stop, Falkirk another hour -- but never mind -- Stirling Castle will likely be closed by the time you got there, and the Falkirk Wheel will definitely be closed by the time you got there.

I'd consider skipping Glasgow and spend that night/2 days doing Glencoe, Glen Etive and Stirling/environs.

Then I'd drop the car at EDI (the airport this time ) and fly down to LHR for the last night. A train from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to London would not put you anywhere near LHR -- After a long train ride (especially if its from from Glasgow) you'd have to take a long tube ride to the airport.

There's a lot to unpack in your post so I'll give it another try later today . . .

Oh -- and if you drop Glasgow, you could fit the Falkirk Wheel in on your drive to EDI. Its only 30 or 40 minutes from the airport.

I like your plan. I had a wonderful stay in Grassington (even before it became the filming location for All Creatures Great and Small) and loved the wild scenery all around the village, including some fantastic pastures full of sheep and cows. Last summer I spent about five days in Glasgow and loved that too -- the city is super walkable, with wonderful architecture and fascinating museums. And in York, my friends and I had our best dinner ever at Le Cochon Aveugle. Sadly, it closed years ago, but it has been resurrected at Restaurant Myse, about 20 miles north of York. If I had the chance, I'd go there!!!

I agree with janisj about skipping Glasgow and spending 2 nights in Glencoe which was one of the highlights of our trip. This area is absolutely stunning! Please take the time to drive down the Glen Etive Road all the way to Loch Etive. It's 12 miles each way, in and out on the same road. We were there in June, and the scenery is just glorious. Lush green valley, a river, and probably thousands of rhododendrons! And the pretty Loch Etive at the end. We stayed at the Glencoe Inn for 2 nights, and we were very happy with our lodgings. We had an excellent dinner at their restaurant, The Gathering.

Some restaurants we enjoyed in Edinburgh are: Dishoom, Cafe Royal, Mussel's Inn Restaurant, Makar's Mash Bar (recommend reservations), and Kao Pao Restaurant.

We did a Royal Mile tour with Mercat Tours, and we definitely think it's worthwhile. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and we learned a lot.

I wouldn't recommend driving into Edinburgh before you check into Air B and B as I cannot imagine where you would find parking.

Either stay both 'Glasgow nights' in Glencoe/Ballachullish or what I'd probably do instead even though I try to avoid one night stops -- One night in Glencoe and one night in the Stirling - Doune/Callander - Aberfoyle triangle. The Falkirk Wheel would be about a 30 minute detour off the Stirling > EDI route. Instead of a 40 min drive it would be about 1:10 plus how long a stop at the Wheel. So you could easily book a late afternoon flight down to LHR

Drop Glasgow yes

My general comment is this is a very rushed trip

I might also look at Bolton Abbey, Fountains Abbey, Ripon Minster plus look up and see if you see/hear any red kites. Reintroduced into the UK about 30 years ago these are spreading up the Wharfe valley and now heading north at a pace.

A few comments on the Dales part of your trip.

Wednesday - busy day, can't see where you'll fit in Malham. I'd get settled in at Grassington and eat locally. The evenings will stay light so you could do a short walk before or after dinner.
Grassington is one of those places which has lovely walks in all directions and you're out of town and strolling through fields in minutes.

Thursday - looks fine

Friday - curious what you are going to do in Thirsk all day? Visit the Herriot museum I assume but that won't take long.

Maybe Thirsk in the morning, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Watergarden in the afternoon, and then dinner at Hetton. Busy but manageable.

Dinner at the Angel - nothing to say about this except I am green with envy! Fab place, enjoy!

There's a Bank Holiday at the end of May, plus school half tern week. Places will be busy, especially if the sun shines. Sensible to make dinner reservations when you can.

Fountains is a UNESCO site and always busy but it is a huge estate and won't feel so once you are parked up and in.

Why King's Cross from Heathrow? If you are taking the Piccadilly line tube you can get off at Russell Square just before which is much nearer your hotel. Or you can take the more comfortable, quicker but a bit more expensive Elizabeth Line train from Heathrow to Tottenham Court Road, from where the hotel is about 10 minutes walk.

Do not underestimate the time it takes to drive in the UK - it is much slower than the US. The drive from Grassington to Edinburgh will take the best part of 5 hours with a stop, for example. the quickest way from Grassington is up the west coast rather than the east but heed janis' point about it being much better to visit Lindisfarne on your way up rather than committing to a long day trip from Edinburgh. You also need to check the tide times to make sure than your trip fits in with when Lindisfarne is accessible.

Do you have parking arranged in Edinburgh? A car is a real encumbrance in the city and casual parking will be hard to find.

If you click on my user name, you will find my Scotland trip report with lots of logistics info for the areas you are exploring.

Thank you all so, so much!!! It seems I have some work to do! I will be spending the rest of the weekend editing this trip and will repost once I've done so. Hopefully, I'll get a thumbs up from all of you in the know. The information y'all provide to novice travelers is invaluable!!!!!

One quick question---when is the bank holiday?

The Bank Holiday is Monday May 26 so the Fri afternoon and Sat/Sun/Mon all or most tourist attractions will be more crowded than typical, accommodations at a premium, and if the weather is nice the roads can be a total mess.

The best option for Bank Holidays if it works out dates-wise can be to hunker down in a city like Edinburgh since most locals will be headed out into the countryside/coast. If you are in the Dales over the Bank Holiday be prepared for hundreds (maybe thousands) of motorcyclists on all those narrow roads.

I hadn't noticed the Thirsk day. I agree with Morgana that long is totally unnecessary. I've been several times -- and even the trip where I stayed in a flat for a whole week just 5 miles up the road, have never spent more than 3 hours in Thirsk. The Museum is brilliant but the that is really all a first timer would be much interested in. You know -- Thirsk is a very easy excursion from York by train. Less than 20 mins so I'd perhaps do my Thirsk fix from York and not drive the hour+ drive from Grassington.

Hello to all! I am back! I've finally finished editing and updating our itinerary based upon all of your very wise and wonderful suggestions. I hope I've got a more feasible plan together now. I would love to hear any additional thoughts or comments that anyone may have.

I am particularly interested in advice for how to manage the Hadrian's Wall piece on Sat, 5/31. What part should we try to see keeping in mind that we still want to get to Bamburgh in time to visit the castle? Or is stopping along the Wall even feasible?

Also, Morgana, I've taken your advice and removed Malham from our plan. Since I have cancelled the dinner reservation at the Lister Arms, can you recommend a nice restaurant in Grassington?

Thanks again and again for your guidance and support!Sat, 5/24: lv Houston 9:20 pm BA Flight #196
Sun, 5/25: arr Heathrow 12:20pm Taxi to hotel--- Montague on the Gardens hotel

Mon, 5/26: To York via train--check in at Airbnb----Stroll down the Shambles (the Potion's Cauldron), Walk Stonegate (Snickelways), Clifford's Tower

Tues, 5/27: AM--York Minster (book @ end of April; must book Tower day of); PM--Yorkshire Air Museum

Wed, 5/28: York City Walls (section between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar) - -->PICK UP CAR--->on to Grassington--check in at Tucked Away House.
Explore Grassington; Dinner at ???

Thurs, 5/29: Kettlewell --> Aysgarth Falls/Bolton Castle --> Hawes--Wensleydale Creamery and Richard Fawcett Sheepdog demo 6:30pm
Home to Grassington---go to a local pub (the Devonshire is used as the exterior for Drovers Arms)

Fri, 5/30: Thirsk---> Museum--->Fountain's Abbey & Studley Royal Watergarden
PM--Dinner at The Angel at Hetton 7pm (deposit paid)

Sat, 5/31: Drive to Bamburgh. Check out Hadrian's Wall on the way. See the castle. Check into Lowick House (Bamburgh)

Sun, 6/1: Holy Island and Lindesfarne Castle. [Safe crossing 10:20 - 18:05]. Drive to Edinburgh--check in AirBNB
Explore Grassmarket area and eat dinner; Tipsy Midgie for whiskey tasting

Mon, 6/2: Explore Old Town/Royal Mile--- Edinburgh castle (cannon @ 1pm); St. Giles Cathedral/Thistle chapel, Mary King's Close, Dunbar’s Close (secret garden),
Scottish Parliament; Holyrood, Arthur's Seat Tues,

Tues, 6/3: Drive to Stonehaven/Dunnotar --> Glamis -->Edinburgh NEED TO GET TO DUNNOTAR BY 9:30 -10:00/Try to be on road to Glamis by 1p/Eat at Castle Kitchen??
*Via Fife, Tay Bridge, Dundee, Perth, Tayport, then back home through Glamis.

Wed, 6/4: Stockbridge Market; picnic lunch in Royal Botanic Garden; Water of Leith walkway to Dean Village
Dinner at BaBa @ 7pm (reservation made)

Thurs, 6/5: Drive to Glencoe and Glen Etive, the Loch. Check into condo in Ballachulish

Fri, 6/6: Drive to Stirling: Stirling Castle. Holy Rude church. Explore Old Town. Free evening in Ballachulish

Sat, 6/7: Drive via Falkirk to EDI----Return car-->Train to LHR
Check-in Sofitel-Heathrow, terminal 5

Sun, 6/8: lv Heathrow 9:25 am

I'll make a few comments but really absorb your full itinerary in the morning.

1) "Taxi to hotel--- Montague on the Gardens hotel". No, no, NO!. A taxi from LHR to Bloomsbury will cost a king's ransom. During commute hours it could easily run Ł100. Better options are a pre booked car service (about half the cost of a taxi), or Tube to Russell Square and a five minute walk, or Tube to Kings Cross and a short taxi ride, or Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road and either a very short taxi ride or a 10 minute walk.

2) I'd really consider doing Thirsk from York. It is a very short train ride and say 2-2.5 hours in the town and train back. As it is combined with Fountains Abbey you are talking about 3 hours drive time. Three hours in the car, 2.5-3 hours in Thirsk, 2.5 to 3 hours at Fountains/Studley plus lunch somewhere makes for quite a long day.

3) Aim for Chesters on Hadrian's Wall. It is a great location and isn't too much of a detour -- maybe an extra 35 - 45 minutes car time.

More tomorrow . . .

Holiday plan now looks much better, but listen to janisj

Your Friday Dales day is too much if you want to see Fountains properly.
Agree with Janis about going to Thirsk from York - the only slight issue is that Thirsk railway station is a mile and a half out of town and it's a not particularly pleasant walk along a busy road to get to the centre. But I understand there is a regular bus service from the station into town.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Garden and then your lovely meal at the Angel would easily be enough for a day. The Abbey ruins are wonderful but the UNESCO award is for the Water Garden - so many people rush round the ruins and don't leave sufficient time to see the other treasures there.
There's also the Mill, Victorian Church, Elizabethan Fountains Hall, a deer park etc - if your visit coincides with a tour then go for it as the tour guides are excellent and bring the place alive.
Use the free shuttle bus across the estate if you start to flag.

Grassington House would be my choice of restaurant in the village.

OK---I'm listening. Do Thirsk from York. In order to do that, we will obviously need to cut something from the York itinerary. Thoughts on what that should be?????

I don't think you need to cut anything really. If you take an early train you can be in York by mid morning. You may not be able to check in to your airbnb that early but there is a rental car agency (EuropCar) a very short walk from the station that has a left luggage facility. so you have just about a full day on Monday so just re-jigger some things to fill that day better.

Now more comments/suggestions. Your Edinburgh Monday is very full . . . since it is light very late and Tipsy Midgie is essentially next door to Arthur's Seat you can do both that evening. (However there are many bars all over Edinburgh where you can do whisky flights, plus there is the Scotch Whisky Centre near the castle))

Note my edits below: "Via Fife, Tay Bridge, Dundee, Perth, Tayport, then back home through Glamis."

Via Fife, Newport-on-Tay, Tay Bridge, Dundee, Perth, Tayport, then back home through Glamis, and Perth.



OK . . . "Thurs, 6/5: Drive to Glencoe and Glen Etive, the Loch. Check into condo in Ballachulish

Fri, 6/6: Drive to Stirling: Stirling Castle. Holy Rude church. Explore Old Town. Free evening in Ballachulish"

Your Glencoe days are very mixed up -- Driving from Ballachulish all the way back to Stirling really doesn't make sense

Instead . . . consider this:
Thurs, 6/5: Drive to Stirling, visit castle etc. and drive on to Glencoe with a short detour to Killin/Falls of Dochart. Check into condo in Ballachulish

Fri 6/6: Glencoe and Glen Etive. As time allows visit Neptune's Staircase and Glenfinnan. Sleep in Ballachulish