In 2003, Adam and I met while studying at a university in England. Fast forward to 2024, Adam’s parents were visiting my homeland for the first time since their initial trip nearly two decades ago. Determined to make the most of their visit, I planned an action-packed 7-day tour of the UK, showcasing some of its most iconic sights and hidden gems. Here’s how our adventure unfolded:
Day 1: Arrival in London
We flew from Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow and stayed at the Premier Inn T4 near the airport. Having tried most of the airport hotels over the years, we’ve come to appreciate the convenience of a simple, comfortable place to rest for the night before starting our journey.
Day 2: Exploring London and the Caledonian Sleeper to Edinburgh
Our adventure truly began with a car service from Twelve Transfers picking us up at the Premier Inn. We dropped off our luggage at Bounce Luggage Storage inside London Euston to travel light for the day.
Our London tour kicked off at Westminster Abbey, where we marveled at the historic architecture. We strolled past the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street, capturing touristy photos in red phone boxes. Lunch was a quick stop at Pret-a-Manger before heading to the London Eye for the VIP Pod Champagne Experience. This allowed us to skip the line and enjoy breathtaking views with a glass of champagne (fizzy apple for the kids).
Afterwards, we hailed black cabs to take us to see “Frozen the Musical” at Theatre Royal Drury Lane (For my review post, click here). Post-show, we wandered through Covent Garden, entertained by street performers, before taking the tube to London Euston to pick up our luggage and catch the Caledonian Sleeper Train to Edinburgh. We booked four family sleeper rooms, each equipped with bunk beds, an en-suite bathroom, and amenities. These room types gave us access to the Guest Lounge, which unfortunately was completely full and there was nowhere for us to sit and relax as we waited for the train. That being said, the staff were very friendly, helpful, and attentive. On board, breakfast was delivered an hour before our morning arrival in Edinburgh.
Day 3: Rainy Day in Edinburgh
We woke up on the train and took taxis to our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. It was clean, well-located, and the staff were wonderful. The weather forecast humorously indicated “Blowin’ a Hoolie,” which was accurate as it rained all day. We visited Edinburgh Castle in the morning, but the persistent rain led us to change our plans. We ended up at Alice in Puzzleland at Escape Edinburgh, a fantastic last-minute addition that provided great fun and shelter from the rain.
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile
Escape Edinburgh – Alice in Puzzleland
Day 4: Road Trip to York
Renting a Ford S-Max to fit all seven of us was a challenge, especially with limited trunk space. We joked about strapping Grandpa or the luggage to the roof! Our drive from Edinburgh to York included stops at the Scotland/England border and Housesteads Roman Fort, part of Hadrian’s Wall. We explored the ruins and had lunch at the on-site restaurant. In York, we stayed at the charming Guy Fawkes Inn, a historical building with quirky angles and a view of York Minster.
Day 5: York in a Day
We had an incredible private tour of York with Dave from Dave Haw Tours, covering all the major sights in one day. Highlights included York Minster, the Roman city walls, Clifford’s Tower, the Shambles, and shopping. We enjoyed a delightful Afternoon Tea at Betty’s of York, famous for its elegant tea service and that happened to have a wonderful pianist that day who added a touch of class (and musical theater!) to the experience. That evening before sleeping once more at the Guy Fawkes Inn, some of us even visited the Railway Museum AND took a nighttime ghost tour around the city – both of which were lots of fun!
Day 6: Scenic Drive to Bath via Bristol
Our journey south took us through the picturesque Cotswolds, via Stratford-upon-Avon (the birthplace of William Shakespeare. We stopped at various points to stretch our legs and soak in the stunning scenery before arriving in Bristol. There, we enjoyed a delightful dinner with friends from Wisconsin who had recently relocated to the UK. We dined at the “Grain Barge,” a unique restaurant situated on a permanently docked barge, known for its “locally sourced veg-focused and seafood menu.” The combination of great food and wonderful company made for a memorable evening. However, the adventure took an unexpected turn when I inadvertently drove through a “bus gate,” resulting in a fine being sent to us all the way in America—lesson learned that Google Maps doesn’t always have the latest intel on new traffic fines! Despite this little hiccup, we continued to Bath and settled in for the night at The Woolpack Inn, a charming pub hotel set in a centuries old stone coaching inn – this was Adam’s selection, he is a huge fan of Greene King IPAs, and it was his wish to stay at a Greene King Inn – who am I to deny him one of his life’s greatest wishes?!
Bus Gate Fine Details (not that I’m salty about it…)
Day 7: The South Coast and Farewell
Our day in Bath started off with so much promise but was cut short by the unpredictable British weather. We began by exploring the Roman Baths, taking the self-guided tour complete with headsets offering an engaging child-friendly option. The kids were fascinated, and we even tried some of the water from the natural spring fountain—an experience! The water was pretty gross and sulphuric tasting, but it’s a must-try for the full historical experience. Afterward, we walked up and down the picturesque hills of central Bath, soaking in the charm of the city. Our stroll led us to Bath’s famous Royal Crescent, an iconic sight recognizable from shows like Bridgerton, Persuasion, and The Duchess. Just as we were about to delve deeper into the city, the weather took a turn for the worse, forcing us to jump into the car. We decided to head to Stonehenge, only to discover we had missed the cutoff for the last tour and had to settle for a distant view from a small gravel road. Word to the wise: The closing hours displayed on the website and online search engines only apply to people on property. You will not be allowed to so much as drive into the parking lot if you are within 2 hours of closing time. It was definitely one of those “go with the flow” days, where we had to make quick decisions to still catch glimpses of the sights we had hoped to see.
Day 8: The South Coast and Farewell
Our final day took us to the south coast, my childhood home. We walked around Arundel Castle and Arundel Cathedral, and enjoyed lunch at the Black Rabbit, my favorite pub overlooking the River Arun. We drove by High Salvington Windmill on the way to my sister’s home. Spending precious time with my sister and nephew was the perfect end to our trip. We then drove back to London Heathrow, returned our rental car, and spent the night at an airport hotel before flying back to Chicago.
This whirlwind itinerary isn’t for everyone, but if you’re eager to see a bit of everything the UK has to offer, it’s a fun and memorable way to do it. From the bustling streets of London to the historic charm of Edinburgh and York, and the scenic beauty of the Cotswolds and south coast, our trip was a perfect blend of adventure and family bonding!
Katy x
Lo+Mo 
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