Need suggestions on where to go in the UK.

Okay, I have in mind three areas I want to travel to, and they are all within the UK. England, Scotland or Ireland. Now, where in any of those three places should I visit (city/locale)? Why? What are a few things you would suggest doing/seeing while there, where would you suggest staying (hotel), and is it best to rent a car or use public transportation in that city/locale? My plan is for a visit of 4-5 days.

Edit: I'm the type that doesn't much care for touristy places, more into trying to see/feel the culture/history, etc., of an area.

Edit 2: Been to London, so not interested in that. Also, I'm mostly of Scottish heritage and am thinking I might like Scotland.

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Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

All depends on where you're going.
Most big cities have very good public transport but if you're in some of the smaller towns you may have to plan journeys carefully since ten bus companies can operate from one town !
http://www.traveline.info/

With regard to where to stay, most large towns and certainly cities, have similar accommodation to the big chains in the states
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/best-and-worst-uk-hotel-chains

Car hire:
https://www.travelsupermarket.com/en-gb/car-hire/united-kingdom/

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Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@frequentlyme If you have some idea of where you want to go folk might have some idea as to how best to advise.

eg: If using the motorway make use of the M1 but try and avoid the M25.

frequentlyme · 70-79, M

@Picklebobble2 That, at the moment, is the problem :). I don't care for touristy places, so for the moment, that's about all I know for sure.

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@frequentlyme Well, Britain breaks down to basically Town/city life. Countryside. or 'Seaside' areas.
All pretty easy to get to

fazer1k · 56-60, M

My vote would be Caernarfon Castle in Wales but I see you didn't list Wales.

It really depends on what interests you - Scotland has beautiful scenery, as does the Lake District in England. Places like London, Oxford and Salisbury are great if you are interested in history. New Forest areas are peaceful and would probably appeal if you like nature and a quaint, rural feel.

I have no thoughts about specific hotels although the 'star'rating is a good indication of the quality you can expect. I definitely think you should hire a car if you don't mind the UK road system as that will open up your options while you are here plus public transport can be a nuisance. The exception to that would be if you choose (Greater) London because it's a hectic city and driving there can be a bit of a nightmare. The tube (London Underground) will easily get you everywhere you need to go.

SW-User

What would you like to see/Your interests? The Brontes Parsonage home, in Keighley and the beautiful countryside which inspired so much literature and poetry. Perhaps Tintagel, rumoured to be the origin of the King Arthur legend, again beautiful. Maybe Hadrians Wall and a few Roman settlements? I'd avoid the common spots the crowds may cause dissapointment!

frequentlyme · 70-79, M

@SW-User You are on target with my tastes in travel - get off the beaten path, get away from tourists and see more of the "real" area/country/city.

SW-User

Is that 4-5 days in total? I'd suggest maybe London, York and Edinburgh by train, but depends what you want to do. Ireland might be a bit much if you only have 4-5 days and you'd definitely need a car to get out to tbe West.

frequentlyme · 70-79, M

@SW-User Yes - thinking of spending 4-5 days (not including travel time) in one city/area and getting to know it a bit.

SW-User

@frequentlyme you could easily fill 4-5 days in London with museums, parks and sites but msybe you've already been. Oxford or Cambridge are eadily done as a day trip from London. York is worth a visit on route to Scotland. I'd definitely recommend Edinburgh as a starting point for Scotland, you'd probably need a car if you wanted to see the Highlands. In Ireland the North Antrim coast is a great drive from Belfast. If you fly into Shannon, the Wild Atlantic Way is a must.

Edit. Ignore most of the above if you want to get away from tourists lol.

frequentlyme · 70-79, M

@SW-User Thanks, and yes, I've done the London thing. I'm quite drawn, at least initially, to Scotland.

SW-User

Oh and if you can ...loch ness has the cameron house hotel ...not sure if all of it is repaired yet but you should have high tea there ...it is an old beautiful mansionbut there may be still some parts that are getting repaired due to a fire a while back ...but I think it's opened ...the grounds are beautiful...it overlooks loch ness ...

SW-User

Ok ....so being that I have lived in scotland for a few years I will tell you that you must visit the highlands particularly aberfoyle ...stay in the b&b and vist the gardens there ...the town itself is very charming and lovely ...gawd I miss it !

JovialPlutonian · 36-40, M

Nottingham is nice

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