Help with an Itinerary
Itinerary Assistance Needed
Hello everyone! My girlfriend and I are gearing up for a trip to the UK this summer, likely in June or July, and we could really use some help planning our itinerary.
We’ll be there for four weeks and are currently considering a route that includes Liverpool, Manchester, York, Bath/Cotswolds, and finally London. We’re planning to spend about a week in Manchester, York, Bath, and then London, but we want to keep our time in London shorter since we’ve both visited before and find it a bit pricier than the other locations.
Here’s where we could use some advice: how can we adjust our itinerary to stay in London for only 5-7 days? We prefer not to rent a car, so we’re looking for locations with plenty to see and do that are easily accessible via public transport. We’re hoping to keep our budget for the week in these other locations between £300-£600, so we’re looking for affordable options.
We’d also appreciate any recommendations for places to stay in London. We’re thinking about focusing on zones 3 and 4, ideally near the tube. We’d love suggestions for neighborhoods that have good amenities within walking distance, such as grocery stores and easy travel options.
Thank you for your help!
That sounds like an exciting trip! Here’s a suggested itinerary and some tips to help you along the way:
Suggested Itinerary:
Week 1: Manchester
– Days 1-4: Explore Manchester. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry, the Northern Quarter for its cool cafes and street art, and take a day trip to the nearby Peak District if you’re up for a bit of nature.
– Day 5: Day trip to Liverpool (just a short train ride away). Visit the Albert Dock, The Beatles Story, and take a stroll through the city center.
Week 2: York
– Days 6-10: Head to York. Spend a couple of days exploring the beautiful city walls, York Minster, and the Shambles. Consider a day trip to the Yorkshire Dales or Whitby for some seaside charm.
Week 3: Bath and the Cotswolds
– Days 11-15: Travel to Bath (1.5 hours from York by train). Enjoy the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent, and spend a leisurely day sampling the local cuisine. From Bath, you can do day trips to the Cotswolds, visiting picturesque villages like Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Week 4: London
– Days 16-22: Head to London. Since you want to budget and keep your stay short, consider spending a few days in areas like Clapham, Brixton, or Greenwich (all around zones 3 and 4). They’re well-connected to the city center via tube and have vibrant local scenes.
Budget Tips:
Things to Do in London:
Additional Stops:
If you’re open to adding another destination, consider visiting Oxford or Cambridge. They are both easily accessible by train from London and offer stunning architecture, rich history, and plenty of things to explore.
Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip! Let me know if you have any more questions!