Hello everyone,

I am traveling to London and beyond for a 9 day trip with my husband and 2 kids (ages 3 & 7). Please give me some advice on what else to see in England, wales and Scotland, we want to do mostly trains and see the beutiful green english country side and castles, cliffs etc.

We will be there is July end and some tips on accomodations would be helpful too.

Thanks for you help - looking forward to tips from the experienced visitors.

Thanks
Shubhra

Shubhra,

General and broad questions are a bit difficult to respond to. It would be a good idea to begin by skimming through the titles on this message board to see what has been posted previously. I'm sure you'll find lots of suggestions in several places that will give you some initial ideas that you could then ask about.

Also, it's not clear whether you have a total of ten days or that many after leaving London. One thing to keep in mind is that you really shouldn't be thinking of traveling to many places in that amount of time, especially with two young children.

Advice that is given over and over again here is to try to decide on a few places that you'd really like to visit this time and concentrate on them, perhaps staying in no more than three places - say a minimum of four days in London and three each in other areas. Never assume that you won't return again.

Personally, I'd recommend dividing ten days between London and one other location - perhaps the Cotswolds, or another scenic spot in the countryside.

Ann

P.S. Here are a few other websites that might give you some good ideas:
1.London with Kids
2.Things for Children to do in London.
3.Children Attractions in the Cotswolds.
4.Things to do with the Kids - the Cotswolds to the Chilterns.

With only 9 days to spend, I think the best advice would be to not try to do too much, especially if you're going to be dependent on train timetables.

If you're looking for one area that meets your requirements, how about Yorkshire which has good castles, ruined abbeys, cliffs and countryside as well as one of Britain's finest cities (York). At least one of the castles (Scarborough) is on a cliff!

Another possibility, much closer to London and therefore much cheaper (beware that British trains are very expensive) is Sussex. It has some of England's greenest and pleasantest countryside, one of the prettiest castles at Bodiam as well as some of the best cliffs at Beachy Head. One of the most enjoyable ways of seeing the countryside is on a steam train of the Bluebell Railway.

With two kids, I might look at taking it even slower in London. Plan stuff around ice cream breaks and playing in parks. Our routine has been to do one thing in the morning and one in the afternoon but always allowing for downtime at some point. I would also do a few day trips instead of moving around. There is so much to see in and within one hour of London that you will have enough to do.

Personally, I'd spend my entire time in London with maybe a day trip or two out in to the country (e.g., Hampton Court). When my kids were younger (and well, even now really), the part they didn't like about traveling was the bouncing from one location to another - the packing and unpacking. With nine days, you'll have plenty of time to explore some of the London parks too.

As far as accomodation - have you checked out our London Vacation Rental Reviews? Also, if you provide a budget, that might help narrow down suggestions.

If, despite advice to stay in and around London, you decide to take a trip elsewhere another place to consider is the Isle of Wight.

It's less than 100 miles from London and is a microcosm of much of the best of England, including magnificent cliffs and castles and plenty of countryside in its small area. Amongst the delights of Carisbrooke Castle for children of all ages are the donkeys. Being a holiday (vacation) destination, there are plenty of other attractions aimed at children and the ferry journey over adds to the fun of a visit.

I'd probably stay in London, with a couple of day trips, but if you want a change of scenery, try Portsmouth. It's lot a long train trip & think most kids would enjoy the nautical nature!

While in London, give the Docklands Museum a try - interactive & hands-on for the children. Great fun!

Enjoy!

I have to agree with others...with only 9 days AND 2 small children, London, Scotland and Wales is more than a bit ambitious! I think you'll find plenty to do in and around London. there are some good links posted above for ideas. I think York is too far away, and would recommmend staying closer to London. You could spend a good part of the day at the Tower of London, touring the tower, walking along the Thames, looking at the boats in St Katherine's, maybe eating at the Dicken's Inn. When I took my kids we walked across Tower Bridge....on the upper level.

Ride a double decker bus around the city, just looking at the sights! Check out the zoo, take a canal boat ride. Your children might be too young to appreciate all that St Paul's or Westminister Abbey has to offer, but they'll be impressed by the grand scale, and by the tombstones...just do a little research, or find a tourguide.

Check out the Globe Theater, the HMS Belfast or the Victoria and Albert museum. Take a walk in Hyde Park and feed the ducks. Watch the changing of the guard, esp if there's a day when the band will play. Gosh, I'm not even sure if you'll have time for a day trip!

We have visited England with our daughter when she was 5, 8 and 10. Our first trip was ten days and our last trip lasted 11 weeks.

I know from personal experience that it is tempting to want to try to go a lot of places, and since it seems that England is a small country (an island), that it would be easy and quick to get from place to place. It isn't. The driving can be slow on small roads, and depending on the time of year, there can be heavy traffic. You will have a much richer, more enjoyable experience to limit the number of places you try to visit, especially when you are traveling with children.

My suggestion would be to break your trip between London and someplace in the countryside-- and I would suggest the Cotswolds. This would offer two totally different experiences in England. (I also agree with those who say that you could spend your entire time in London and do a day trip or two, but I think there is something totally different about actually staying in the countryside.) You could begin your trip in London and then get a car to drive to the Cotswolds (less than two hours). Or train to somewhere outside the city and pick up a car there.

The Cotswolds has so much to entertain and enchant children-- quaint storybook villages, fields of sheep, duck ponds, castles with mazes. I could offer some specific suggestions if you are interested.

Barb had some great ideas for London. Our daughter really enjoyed the Victoria and Albert museum on our last visit and we ended up going back twice. Many museums and other attractions in England have special activities for children.

Kathy

Everyone - Thankyou so much for all the helpful suggestions. I am researching these places even as I type.

We have already been to London twice, so wanted to get out a bit. I am sure these will help tremendously.

Thanks
Shubhra