Vacation in Britain

[Jock Scot]

I cannot agree more with Thistledown and others, darting around like a headless chicken for 5 days trying to see the UK will get you nowhere and will most certainly cause you frustration and ultimate disappointment if you are not careful. As a local I am really the last person, in many ways, to advise on what to see and how to do it, but there has been some really good advice given in the various threads here. What I can say, however, is that even after 70 years of pretty extensive travel around the UK, I know full well that I am nowhere even close to seeing all that our small country has to offer.

[ThistleDown]

I What I can say, however, is that even after 70 years of pretty extensive travel around the UK, I know full well that I am nowhere even close to seeing all that our small country has to offer.

Just so, Jock. I haven't yet seen all the bits and pieces I have on my close-to list, let alone those a hundred miles away. Giving up England entirely, I would devote two months just to attacking the top ten best places in Scotland on my list -- and I live almost half my life here

[Downunder Kilt]

As many others have said Drac and obviously as you have come to realise 5 days is just not enough. I spent 5 weeks in England, Wales and Scotland and still felt like I had rushed around like a mad idiot. I found that I could have spent a week each in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh. I also found that everytime you went driving through the countryside there was some interesting village, monument etc that would sideline you for at least a couple of hours.
Wherever you decide to go Drac, have a great time and I can assure you that you will want to return

[Drac]

From what everyone is saying I take it that it is not worth it to come for a week? I am getting constant 5 days is enough.

Should I put this off 30 years until I can spend a month or two? You all keep saying anything else will be a disappointment.

Jim

[Paul Henry]

From what everyone is saying I take it that it is not worth it to come for a week? I am getting constant 5 days is enough.

Should I put this off 30 years until I can spend a month or two? You all keep saying anything else will be a disappointment.

Jim

I think that five days is such a short time that you can only touch the surface, but perhaps think of it as a little teaser. But it might be better to concentrate on just one area and see lots within there, that way you won't be spending time travelling so much.

[Drac]

I have said a couple times that I understand now that Scotland and London are realistic and that we will be concentrating our time in London but even after that people keep saying it isn't worth the trip.

I am seeing if you all are saying don't bother coming?

Jim

[Oldhiker]

I would say if you only have 5 days, pick one spot or the other. Don't try both or you vacation memorys will be airports and train terminals. Each of my trips have been two weeks min and I always wanted more. You also need to remember a day to physically get on the time zone.

YES 5 days is better than waiting years to go but 10days-2weeks is great.

[tripleblessed]

As frequently happens, I will post in a different direction. My first trip to England was for a healing conference in Glastonbury, and I didn't really have
the money. I flew into Heathrow, arriving at 7:00AM, luggage and customs
by 8:00. My bus to Glastonbury would be at two, or one at Royal Albert Hall.
Everybody said wait at the airport, not any time, so that was the plan. About 8:15 I decided no. I asked if there was a Tube station near Westminster that would have lockers. Took Tube to Victoria Station, luggage in locker, took off. Went to Big Ben, the Cathedral, the palace, bumped into Central Hall, a Methodist church which has one of the largest free-standing domes in captivity (and I found relatives on the register). Made Royal Albert in time. Have the pictures, more importantly the feelings. Met some folk from South Africa at the conference, was invited to drive with them to Land's End and Wales. More pics and memories. On a trip to Siberia, I arrived Sat. AM Heathrow, flight to Moscow Sun. AM. Arranged a room in university housing near Victoria, spent the day exploring. Pics and memories. It amused me to stay in that part of town for 10 pounds. Not posh, but certainly serviceable.
Certainly worth it. Just wandering. Could I have spent a month? Absolutely.
Driving from Glastonbury to Glasgow airport on another trip, I was being passed frequently, adjusted upward 'til passed rarely. Crossed the border
at 105, was still passed. Drove to Inverness, overnighted at Findhorn.
It's easier than Longview to Midland/Odessa. Plan well, treat it like you would
a reconnaissance raid_get in, see WHAT there is to see, plan to go back
and SEE it another trip. Just driving through the Highlands is great. It's a real quick stop at Dunkeld to see the cathedral, walk into the Taybank and soak up the music vibe, cross the bridge and get a shot of each other in the hollow of the Birnam Oak, and roll. Go back again, with a better feel for what draws you. That's just me. Yes, it's great getting back with more
time, but in 5 days you can see more than some of our forebears did in a
lifetime. And if for unforeseen reasons you don't get back, there's great
pictures in your head.

[Tony]

I have said a couple times that I understand now that Scotland and London are realistic and that we will be concentrating our time in London but even after that people keep saying it isn't worth the trip.

I am seeing if you all are saying don't bother coming?

Jim

Absolutely not. 5 days lets you pick from the cream.

Enjoy yersel'.

[GG]

I have said a couple times that I understand now that Scotland and London are realistic and that we will be concentrating our time in London but even after that people keep saying it isn't worth the trip.

I am seeing if you all are saying don't bother coming?

Jim

Jim, if you only have five days, five days are enough. When I was in London for the first time I had only two days and I got a very good impression of London. I have been in Scotland for three days, and I have a good impression of Edinburgh and the highlands.

Just prepare in advance what you really want to see. Even if you had five weeks you couldn't see everything.
And that's OK, or at least the way it is.

I'm convinced you shall have a great time.

Greg