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7-day route
A first week in Britain
London, York and Edinburgh: the capital cities and one great walled city, at an easy pace.
- Where
- London, York, Edinburgh
- Pace
- Steady. Three bases for seven days; the two rail legs take up part of those days.
- Best season
- May to September gives the longest days; pack for rain whenever you go.
- Suits
- First-time visitors, Rail travelers, Anyone short on time
- Step-free access reported at 10 of 23 stops
- 3 of 23 stops marked family-friendly in our guides
Step-free and family flags come only from data we hold (OpenStreetMap contributors or the venue's own access page) and are not a full access check. Contact each venue before you go.
The route on a map
Numbers follow the order of the days below.
The interactive map needs JavaScript. The stops are listed below.
Saved. Plan your days in My trip
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (opens in new tab).
Day by day
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Day 1 · London
London: royal Westminster
Overnight: London
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Westminster Abbey
Check opening times.
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Palace of Westminster
Tours need booking.
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London Eye
Optional river view.
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Day 2 · London
London: the Tower and the river
Overnight: London
-
Crown Jewels
At the Tower of London.
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Borough Market
Nearby: Southwark Cathedral. Photo: Stephen Armstrong, CC BY-SA 2.0 Lunch stop.
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Shakespeare's Globe
Nearby: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Photo: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 Tour or play.
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Tate Modern
Nearby: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Photo: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 Usually free; check the official site.
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Day 3 · London
London: museums and parks
Overnight: London
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British Museum
Usually free; check the official site.
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Natural History Museum
Usually free; check the official site.
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Kensington Palace
Nearby: Kensington Palace. Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 A royal palace in Kensington Gardens.
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Hyde Park
Finish with a walk.
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Day 4 · York
York: the Minster and the Shambles
Overnight: York
Getting from London to York. By train. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.
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York Minster
Photo: MatzeTrier, CC BY-SA 3.0 Start here.
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The Shambles
Photo: Vincej at en.wikipedia, Public domain Wander the old streets.
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York Castle Museum
Photo: Jitka Erbenová (cheva), CC BY-SA 3.0 A museum of everyday history.
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Day 5 · York
York: walls and the railway
Overnight: York
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Clifford's Tower
Photo: bryan..., CC BY-SA 2.0 Climb the mound.
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National Railway Museum
Photo: Glen Bowman from Newcastle, England, CC BY 2.0 Usually free; check the official site.
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York Museum Gardens
Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0 A quiet end to the day.
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Day 6 · Edinburgh
Edinburgh: the Old Town
Overnight: Edinburgh
Getting from York to Edinburgh. By train. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.
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Edinburgh Castle
Photo: Stephencdickson, CC BY-SA 4.0 Book ahead.
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St Giles' Cathedral
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 On the Royal Mile.
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Greyfriars Kirk
Photo: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0 A kirk and kirkyard.
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Day 7 · Edinburgh
Edinburgh: palace and hill
Overnight: Edinburgh
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Palace of Holyroodhouse
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 Royal palace.
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Arthur's Seat
Photo: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0 A hill walk.
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National Museum of Scotland
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Maccoinnich~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 Usually free; check the official site.
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Rail times vary by day and operator, so only times from an official page are shown. Opening hours, prices and tickets change: check each official site. This route is independent and unofficial.