Uk visit 2013

[Deleted member]

I am booked to fly SYD - LHR 10/04 returning 07/05 LHR -SYD.
The first week is sorted. London for a few days , then Eurostar to Paris for a few days. Then ( and I said I never would ) Easy Jet Paris - Edinburgh
This is when it gets untidy. Other than 2 days in Edinburgh, a visit to the Falkirk wheel , I really don't have much of a clue about what to do next, other than to,say I want to see a bit of the Highlands. Inverness, Skye, Plockton (I am a Hamish Macbeth fan) and the like, then south see a few friends on the way, end up in Forest of Dean ( to see the bluebells) all of a sudden I am not so sure what to do. My thoughts are Lake district, maybe a day or so in the Yorkshire Dales , then maybe some tiki touring around on my way to Gloucester. Does anyone have suggestions for must do, and good places to stay. I will have Mrs GPH in tow + MIL and maybe her sister. ....yes I know, what sane man goes on holiday with his wife and mother in law ? . I am fortunate in that mine is a good one.
Anyway I have a few ideas , I like castles, cathedrals and good food , scenery and generally taking it all in. Any suggestions will be gratefully received .

 

[craven morehead]

You are most likely going already but Edinburgh Castle is worth a visit. Lakes district you should beat the crowd and a night on the Yorkshire moors is different.

 

[The Rok]

Edinburgh castle by night is spectacular .

 

[Blinky]

I stayed only two days in Edinburgh. I wish I had stayed four. It can take aday just to fully experience Edinburgh Castle.

 

[codash1099]

I highly recommend Rabbies Tours for a look at the highlands. They run excellent small group tours with knowledgeable guides. They have an office on the Royal Mile.

 

[Deleted member]

Looks like Edinburgh gets a day or so extra

 

[Deleted member]

Any tips on the lake district?

 

[tuapekastar]

Any tips on the lake district?

I stayed 2 or 3 nights in Keswick in 2010, and enjoyed it. I recall taking drives to Buttermere (through the Honister Pass, a narrow windy high road), Ambleside and Windermere and perhaps one other I cannot recall). Would have hiked a bit (really ) but they had had some significant rain just prior and the ground was muddy and I was not equipped for that.

I stayed at a B&B called Elm Tree Lodge which was pleasant. The male half of the couple who run it is an interesting (and nice) guy, a mountaineer, and led a party of people to the summit of Everest last year (2nd time he's been up there). My room was small, but that's not unusual for B&B's there as most have had an ensuite added to each room. Anyway, I enjoyed the accommodation and Lake district in general. A bonus at this one is a small amount of off-street parking (2 cars only), and when you see all the cars parked on the narrow streets you'll see why. I was the only 'car' staying there at the time - I think with 2 you would have to co-ordinate with the other driver - it's just a tiny driveway. No idea if you can 'reserve' the parking. It's a short walk into town. If you like cars there are 2 car 'museums' and for something completely different The coughberland Pencil museum! (I did not visit any of these).

They will recommend restaurants as well. I ate twice at Star of Siam Thai which I found quite good (not sensational) but there is another (I think) very small Thai place in another guesthouse - Shemara - which has good write ups. I ate at one of the pubs (maybe Packhorse, but not sure) and was very disappointed (I shouldn't have been - with the exception of the odd gastro pub I generally find English pub menus to be depressingly similar, and the food pretty ordinary).

Anyway, it sounds like I'm trying to sell the B&B to you , I'm not, just trying to provide some detail on my stay. It reviews pretty well on TA and my stay was consistent with that. Being the tourist area it is, there is plenty of choice, and not limited to B&Bs if they don't suit you. And there are a lot of eating places as well - just avoid the pubs unless you get an ironclad guarantee it's a good 'un.

 

[Deleted member]

Thanks taupekestar
I managed to book a 3 bedroom apartment near the lake district.
My party now consists of me Mrs GPH , the MIL and the MIL's sister.
The up side is shared expenses. The down side ( if any ) is yet to reveal itself.

 

[Deleted member]

Well the Lake District was lovely. Met up with friends of MIL who are locals. Had a great tour . Visited the bobbin mill ( on the opening day after new refurb). Fantastic place.