help with itinerary!

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mantaraya
mantaraya

Hi,

I have some questions to plan my itinerary using all public transportation for the first part of my trip from London to Ediburgh. I am having trouble putting it all together by using public transport and to get a variety of experiences and I would appreciate any info you can give me or changes of any sort. Thank you!!.

Arrive London, 8:30 AM, Heathrow--- Cotswolds, 3 nights.

(Are there buses that go directly to this area from Heathrow? Or, would it be better to take the train to Paddington and then on to Moreton-in-Marsh)? I would like to do some easy walks. I read of one out of Moreton.., another from Bourton..and one in Broadway. Hidcote Gardens. Any comments? Best base of operations--Moreton...because of transportation?

Cotswolds-----northern Wales, 4 nights.

(How best to get to this area, train from Moreton.. or)? I would like to see Snowdonia via Welsh Highland Railway out of Caernafon, getting off in Beddgelert to do easy? walk to Aberglaslyn Gorge. I am also interested in the Slate Caverns in Blaenau.. and the Nat'l Slate Museum in Llanberis. If I do Welsh Highland Railway, would that give me a good taste of Snowdonia, or would the Snowdon Mtn. Rail with another walk be better? I would also like to see Conwy for castle and Plas Mawr. Beaumaris? Harlech castle? Suggestions for best base(s) of operation to do this?

northern Wales-----York, 4 nights

(With my schedule above, where would be the best place to catch the train to York?) In York, I would like to see some museums, church and Castle Howard. I am also thinking of going to Pickering and taking the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby for a night instead of 4 nights in York to see abbey, museum, Robin Hood's Bay? Cook Museum? Other ideas, Fountains Abbey? Leeds for Royal Armouries Museum?

York area----Edinburgh

(Again, with schedule above, is it best to leave from York to get to Edin..or???)

Thank you so much!!

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michelangelofan
michelangelofan

There isn't a single rail company for the whole of the UK, unlike other countries in Europe. Different (private) companies cover different routes and one of these sites will give you information about destinations and tickets.

http://www.thetrainline.com

http://www.redspottedhanky.com

This link might help if you are looking for a bargain.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-train-tickets

It can be difficult to compare prices between different companies and get a good deal but I've found redspottedhanky offers cheaper tickets. Also bear in mind you will get a cheaper ticket if you book in advance instead of buying at the station on the day.

A quick google for heathrow airport gives you the transport options that leave from there.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/transport-and-directions/buses-and-coaches

If you need information about local buses and trains google the name of the city + bus or train.

Also bear in mind there is a national coach company, National Express. Its worth checking to see if they're more convenient than the train and they are usually cheaper, if a bit slower.

I don't understand your last question, is it best to leave from York to get to Edin..or???

The east coast main line passes through York to Edinburgh and the journey takes three hours but there are lots of other train and coach options for getting there from places other than York.

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eurotrash
eurotrash

The hardest part is going to be getting from the Cotswolds to Caernarvon (which isn't on the national rail network). It would be better to get the train to Bangor and then take a bus from there (you can get to Caernarvon, Llanberis and various other places in Snowdonia fairly regularly). Conwy is an easy train ride from Bangor. But even getting to Bangor is going to be a chore - websites are coming up with ± 5:30 journey with 2 or 3 changes.

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bsmart
bsmart
blog

Have you thought about hiring a car. This itinerary looks pretty complicated to do just on trains and the bus.

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grahamapoole
grahamapoole

The UK aint the easiest place to tour by public transport (nor is most of Western Europe) and trains tend to connect cities and most seem to head for London!.

Are you aware of the cost of train tickets and also the cheaper rates aren't available until after 09.30 singles are especially costly.

Your post does bring up some queries - why 3 days in the Cotswolds - are you rambling?

Welsh Wales is quite delightful but difficult by train.

I suggest you carry on googling your itinerary using bus connections and aslo dont avoid day coach trips from the lerger towns, often good value, particularly for locations like the Welsh coast but you are best arranging that when you get there.
I feel that I cant sensibly advise as your trip seems to be a disjointed jaunt - will be good fun but hard to arrange in advance.

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glanfor
glanfor

Hi

I run walking days in North Wales I could take you out for a guided walk in and around Snowdon, we also run Inspirational Journeys which focus on creating art from the inspiring Welsh wilderness.

Inspirational Journeys

regards
Nick

e:nick@glanfor.com

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michelangelofan
michelangelofan

How much will you charge her for the guided walk and the inspirational journey?

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grahamapoole
grahamapoole

Dear OP and Gianfor..

You may not realise that Gianfor's post is not permitted on this site as is considered as spam directly touting for commercial gain.

I would suggest that OP communicates directly by email before Gianfor is considered png.

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ambarush
ambarush

trying to discard message. Please ignore this

Edited by: ambarush

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mantaraya
mantaraya

Thanks to everyone for their great advice. I realize now that I will need to scale way down on how much I will be able to see in each place due to time schedules to get the best prices.

I'm now looking at Rail/Air connection from Heathrow to Moreton-in-Marsh. 2 nights taking local buses to a few places to do walks (any suggestions?)

Since I took one night away from the Cotswolds, I can add that extra night to either the Snowdonia area or York area. Which place would you suggest I add it to?

Train from Moreton-in-Marsh to Conwy to spend the night. From there, I'm not sure how or what to do in Snowdonia, probably a combination of buses and trains, still researching. Then on to York and finally Edinburgh both by train.

Thanks again!

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