This will definitely vary though depending on age and individual personalities , That said, you are trying to do a great deal in 10 days. Personally, Id not bother with the hassle of changing cars and just stick with the same one, you just need to check that its ok to drive the car in Ireland as well . Id also add Edinburgh Castle of course if you like castles, as well as the more ruined Craigmillar Castle on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Accommodation will obviously depend on how comfortable you like to travel, and food will also vary a lot depending on if you prefer fine dining or simpler fare. Of course, this is the UK, so rain and cooler weather is certainly possible (although you can get this in July and August as well! However, if you have a car and can afford a bit more time on the road, traveling by road has its benefits. Go from Winchester to Bath: A hire car will open up some interesting side-trips en route to Bath. If all that sounds like too much hard work, you could extend your time in Scotland, or alternatively, you could take in the west coast of the UK, including Glasgow, the Lake District, and Liverpool, as well as popping into Wales for the stunning Snowdonia national park, and rejoin this itinerary in South Wales or Bristol. Certainly your plan is possible but will also be quite packed. check and book your Edinburgh hotels here. Have a great trip, let me know if you have any more questions! July is not particularly worse in my experience, it can be a bit heavier, but its not normally awful unless you are unlucky and encounter an accident, or there are road works. 3 days in Scotland (you can either fly from Cardiff to Glasgow / Edinburgh, or take the train, but the train will take around 8 hours). We were looking for trip ideas that covered the areas for both a historical trip as well as a family roots trip. Much of this is doable, certainly between the major cities by train at least. However, Id probably advise modifying the itinerary fairly substantially, especially the city parts. I was planning this itinerary since I saw and had 15 days in the region. as some people say not to miss out on the lake district. The main things I would suggest, depending on where you are travelling from, are to plan what you want to see, to plan your accommodation and transport, and to pack properly for winter. Drive to Cotswold explore.. Drive on up to peak district stay over night . If possible, I did want to ask about more recommendations as far as castles/history goes. We are visiting UK this summer for two weeks. Read our Privacy Policy. Top tips for traveling with your dog in Britain this summer, The best British campsites for summer 2022: picture-perfect coasts, glamping and more, How hiking Britains longest trail helped me recover from COVID-19, The 3 greatest road trips in Britain: hop in you car or jump on your bike, The Beatles in Liverpool: A Fab Four fans guide. Days 18-20: Continue your UK backpacking itinerary from North Wales back into England and arrive in Liverpool. Laurence, Great to hear from you. Also, if you book public transport well in advance, especially trains, this can be much cheaper than buying tickets on the day. Id say between 200 and 300 a week, plus any parking fees. We can recommend spending some time in Belfast and driving north along the causeway coastal route to see such highlights as the Giants Causeway, ruined castles and spectacular coastline. So Id probably recommend dropping the rental car in Belfast or Dublin and then flying across to Cardiff or Edinburgh, depending which way you go. Go from York to Cambridge: The last long travel portion of this itinerary the drive to Cambridge will take three hours, though the train (connecting at Stevenage) will have you there slightly faster. Ive drawn on my experiences travelling here to put together my perfect two week UK trip to help you plan your own trip. For your time in Ireland, you have a lot of options! For this kind of trip I also obviously recommend that you look into renting a car. Must see attractions Great Britain, The United Kingdom - Lonely Planet A circle of rocks, built by a people who had nothing but their hands and some bits of wood to help them out, in the middle of the Wiltshire countryside, hundreds of miles from an actual quarry, is just mind blowing. For Edinburgh to Dublin, your only option is realistically to fly. There are a whole number of ghost walks that take in the spooky past of York, so if you want an evening of entertainment and intrigue, likely accompanied with a number of fine drinking establishments, an evening ghost walk is a great bit of fun. Thanks for your amazing post! Its a self-drive road-trip, although could also be modified to support travel by public transport if you prefer. please guide me. Is the link still available. But the one thing they have in common is youll leave with a deep appreciation of everything that makes England special: a contrast of wild and idyllic landscapes, fascinating history and captivating urban destinations. I am planning to visit UK between April 22 and May 1. The Romans didnt discover the waters at Bath, but they did build a huge bathing complex over them in the city they named Aquae Sulis. Consider AIR BnB stay, Home cooking where ever possible, car drive and budgeted expense suitable for family. You could also head out to the some of the other islands, like Lewis. Its a couple of hours from Edinburgh, and is an absolutely stunning valley in the highlands. Sorry a lot of questions, just trying to decide if I need to break the trip up to just one or two countries. I realize most hotels only have accessible showers and whatnot in certain rooms so will understand if you dont know. Would it be hard for someone from the US to land at Heathrow and rent a carthen drive to Windsor right after landing? Hope this criticism is constructive. I think you are making a sensible choice there is a lot to see on the mainland of the UK, and its also less hassle to worry about rental cars and ferries if you leave Ireland for another trip . Lonely Planet's Great Britain is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Hi Jessica! However these are definitely rooms for two people. So glad to have stumbled upon your site, as I am planning this trip to the UK in October, and I didnt even know where to begin. Family with kids who like a bit of adventure, culture so interested in castles, nature etc. Worth taking a bit of time to explore, in my opinion. We are a retired couple, living in Australia six months of the year, and Atlanta, Georgia the other six months. Sorry I cant be of much more help right now , Your email address will not be published. You definitely wont have trouble finding places to see! I am a solo traveler female aged 74 and I wish my 75th Birthday be spent on the next trip. What are the best places in wales to see and visit? If you want to see more you will likely want a few more days in Wales. Can the one way car rental work in this scenario (London, Scotland, ferry to the Emerald Isle, drop rental at Dublin)? Please check your e-mail to confirm your sign up. I have some questions but will start with only one. Let me know if you have any questions, and have a great trip! Thanks much in advance. Here's a guide to traveling the UK with your four-legged friend. But I would say I would go from London to Cambridge, then up to the Peak District, Manchester and York. From Cardiff youll cross the enormous Severn estuary over the impress Severn road bridge and be back in the UK, or Bristol to be precise. Traveling east from the Lakes carries you across the Pennines the chain of hills known as 'the backbone of England' to reach the green fells (hilltops) and dales (valleys) of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Thanks for the information. I know it is difficult to provided a balanced approach due to limited wordage but the emphasis should be on the UK. It was exactly what I was looking for! Thanks Leslie please do! Thank you for this. Loved it. The west coast is stunning, and if you can find time to head over there I would definitely suggest doing so. Thanks Patrick! we are flying in n out of london i am open to hire a car for 2 to 3 days if required. We have previously travelled from Cairnryan with Stena Line, which has been a fast, comfortable and efficient service. From Oxford you are also well located to take in the incredibly picturesque Cotswolds area all quaint villages and rolling countryside. Look forward to hearing from you. Continue southwards to enjoy the epic emptiness of Salisbury Plain, home to Stonehenge and other intriguing archaeological relics. I think in the UK we use the term hire car, wheras in the USA its more likely to be called a rental car. If you wanted to see the Cotswolds, you could do that with a hire car from Bath, or on a tour from London. Just a few questions. However, you can instead book a private tour. See ourCode of Ethicsfor more information. A medieval marvel, the highlight of the city is the Shambles, surely one of the most photographed laneways in England. Sam. Certainly, between the major cities on the itinerary there are good rail and/or bus links, with the train usually being a little faster. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. Your information is a Godsend and thank you so much for all your planning. Britain has thousands of campsites to choose from for families this summer. Throw in 15 national parks, numerous nature reserves and countless beauty spots, and it all adds up to a nonstop inspirational panorama as generations of poets, painters, musicians and photographers have discovered to their, and our, advantage. If it was me though, Id spend a bit more time exploring some of the castles in Northumberland like Alnwick, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh, as well as some in Scotland. On the other hand, a ferry ticket without a car is cheaper! Get to Great Britain, rent a car, and hit the road! This is a great question, and the answer will come down to both budget and your interests. Also we will be hiring a car in London and return there. Here youll find all sorts of interesting items of historical interest, largely running on a nautical theme, as well as some of the best street art in Britain. Your advice is so helpful. My husband are both disabled to a degree; neither of us are capable of walking long distances or sitting for any duration. They offer a campervans from a range of companies at different price points, so you can find the right one for you. Have a great trip, and let me know if you have any more questions! 5. Here are a London expert's top tips to travel smart. I also think focusing on England is a good idea. If you are ok with lots of time driving then yes, this is doable, I just wanted to be sure you knew . Lonely Planet Great Britain's Best Trips 2 (Travel Guide) So make sure when booking that you get a room that inside the castle (I think otherwise it sort of defeats the point!). We like the 2 week itinerary but dont want to do the Ireland and Wales portion. Of course, you might be lucky and get good weather, but this is not guaranteed. Here's how fans can explore their roots on a visit to the city. I would welcome your knowledge and suggestions. Weve got lots of resources to help you plan your trip to the UK, from posts weve written ourselves to third party content were happy to recommend. Such beautiful scenery all along the southern coastline and some wonderful towns and villages. There is just something about the place that makes you wonder. If you are interested in doing this itinerary by public transport, check out my guide to taking a 10 day UK trip by public transport, which as well as a route, has lots of ideas for how to book different forms of transport in the most effective and cost-efficient way. Sure, you can just drop me an e-mail via the contact page on the site, or just fire away in the comments and Ill see what I can do. 1 night in Bristol or Bath, You could of course spend more or less time in each destination, and leave say London after two full days but only one night, and overnight in Oxford. My pleasure So I would suggest that driving the Causeway Coastal Route (https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/causeway-coastal-route-northern-ireland/) Might be a good option . So i wanted to divided for following parts: Want to keep up to date with us and our latest travel tips? Many car rental firms dont allow for rentals to be taken on the ferry, plus you have to pay more to transport a car, so this would likely save you money. I am planning for a 2 week get away to UK. I have been trying to plan a road trip in UK around July end for approximately 12days and have found a lot of helpful information.There are certain things i would like to know from you: I would say that would be a good way to do it! https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/2016/08/guide-public-transport-london.html You could even drop the car off in Edinburgh and fly out from there if you didnt want to drive back down to London . we would be staying with our friends family (4 member) in LONDON and then accompany them to this tour plan. Sorry about that, the map was causing issues for mobile users so I removed it. It helps if you know the persons name you are researching and where they lived before leaving Scotland. 22nd full day to explore Bath. Were also interested in visiting landmarks like the cliffs and stonehenge. Lots to see, lovely castle. There are direct ferry connections to the Isle of Man from Belfast, Dublin, Lancaster and Liverpool. Is there anyway I can contact you to get more personalised advices from you? I also have a guide for getting around London: The dark, imposing interior conjures up medieval might and can send a shiver down the spine. Here are 15 top things to do in this green and pleasant land. We were looking at your 2 week itinerary and wanted to ask what would you suggest instead of Ireland, We only want to visit London, Wales and Scotland start at London and return to London. Another option would be Birmingham. And love you blogs and all the information and amazing photography. Ive also heard nothing but good things about the isle of Skye! Unfortunately that time of year is school holidays, and there arent many companies operating the routes, so the prices go up. They can also provide a chair in the shower if you want. Thank you so much!! Your two weeks itinerary is great resource for us. Good parts of it are certainly possible, as the major cities are linked by public transport, and the trains in particular are an excellent and fast way to get around. On the way though, youll be passing through some of Englands least travelled, yet stunningly beautiful, landscapes. We will be catching the ferry to Wales. Hi Paul, Ive been battling with google maps over this and gave up as it wouldnt let me have enough waypoints. This itinerary is very busy and fits a lot in, including time in Ireland. waiting for ur reply, My advice would be to follow my 10 day UK itinerary, which is designed for public transport: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/10-day-uk-itinerary-public-transport-train-bus/. Itineraries 34. There are also of course the Irish people, well known for their love of a good time! Londinium, the largest city in ancient Britannia, was a Roman creation. There will be rain, especially in the West of England and Wales but there always is. Your site has helped so much. 2 This is correct, for safety reasons most group tours do not accept children under a certain age, which is often 5. Enjoy a final day back in London, immersing yourself in galleries, museums, parks, street markets, West End shows or East End cafes or whatever takes your fancy. I changed our lodging to London instead of Heathrow and booked different places when we travel around with our Britrail passes. My pleasure have a lovely trip. Day 10 head up to Fort William / Glencoe. Hi For a good example of this, check out our guide to visiting Edinburgh at Christmas. Id also advise finding accommodation close to the city centres and attractions, so at least one of you can go out sight-seeing if one of you needs to stay behind for naps etc. Its definitely achievable in part though . Austin and San Antonio are great too. Again, the value is up to you and how much you can get out of them. 23 th drive toward So up to you really! Thanks Laurence we toured the UK in the last half of August using your itinerary. Birmingham (Cadbury world + other attractions) 1 day It might be that you would be best off focusing on Ireland and Scotland on this trip, perhaps five days in each, rather than trying to see everything and just having a stressful time. Certainly. Need advice please (Coming from Boston, USA) Thinking of a two-week vacation late August 2020 (family of 4 2 college age kids) flying into London and out of Dublin. 36 Amazing Road Trips in Great Britain with Lonely Planet Hi Laurence and Jessica, this trip looks super fun and we are looking to visit July-Aug of this year starting in Dublin (as the airfare is best to there from our home in New Orleans). Hi Stephen it really depends on many factors, including your budget for accommodation / food. Second Q if we were to eliminate the Wales back to London segment how would you fill in that itinerary staying in Ireland? This trip is definitely quite fast unfortunately folks dont have too much time sometimes, and are keen to see as much as possible, which is what I try to achieve on this itinerary. Darlene. I hope this helps a bit with your planning! Ive read your itinerary and the questions and answers that followed. And finally, we always recommend the London Pass to save money if youre planning on visiting a lot of attractions. For Scotland, again, Castles and we are both big Outlander fans so weve have to see Loch Ness, Inverness and any and all sites made famous by Outlander. The choice is yours! But its more suitable for adults without kids to travell to Ireland within two weeks. We found your site and loved everything that you have written about. Also, make sure you specify you want an automatic as most cars in the UK are manual . I have a two day Itinerary here: Any information would be much appreciated, thank you in advance. Planning on rental car and driving everywhere. Id definitely advise always booking a hotel that includes free parking. Family Travel 47. You might consider instead flying from Edinburgh to Belfast or Dublin instead, and hiring a car in Ireland rather than taking the ferry, if that is a cheaper option! Very helpful since Im trying to plan a driving vacation for my husband and myself and really didnt know were to start. An hour and a half trip by road or train will deliver you to that ancient seat of learning, Oxford. Another option for travelling in the UK is to hire a motorhome. HI , Just wanted to ask. Unsure of the driving though since we zero experience. So I would advise reaching out to private tour operators who should be able to assist. Muchas Gracias! But for good reason! From train prices to the rules for queueing, its important to know some key practicalities when visiting England. Thanks for your detailed itinerary. I appreciate you advice very much. Stop off to explore the lovely parklands around Chatsworth House near Bakewell if time allows. For accommodation, there are a great many options to choose from, ranging from cosy B&Bs through to upmarket hotels, and everything in between. May 12, 2022 10 min read London is the ideal starting point for exploring England by rail or road Franckreporter / Getty Images Want to see as much of England as possible on your trip but don't know where to start? Its laurence@findingtheuniverse.com . Most of the ferries take cars, but the question is as to whether or not your rental car company will let you take the car on the ferry. So Nottingham is nice (I went to university there), but with limited time I wouldnt say it was a must do. Margaret. My daughter likes Harry Potter, so preference on these kind of attractions. I think that should give you plenty to work with let me know if you have any more questions! Youd want to check train times for the day you are going, but the earliest trains are around 5am based on my research, so you would get to Heathrow around 7.30am. 2. Ive obviously missed out a great number of places, as no two week trip can possibly hope to see everything, but Id like to think I covered a great many highlights of this truly fascinating country. If youve not seen that post yet, its here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/10-day-uk-itinerary-public-transport-train-bus/. Also, if you want to see puffins, the Isle of May just near Edinburgh is one of the best places to get up close to them. There are several different entry points and bases to choose from for each of the parks so driving distance and public transport connections can vary.