r/uktravel

I got a flight at 6.55 in the morning, is there any hotel that allows early check out without additional fees?

So basically me and my partner were trailing to Hendon from Sowerby Bridge, we got the Northern train to Leeds which was on time at 10:58am, got on the LNER train at 12:10 and they cancelled due to someone jumping in the tracks in Stevenage, the people at the station told us to get on a train to Sheffield and a train to London from there as they weren’t going to be done cleaning the station until 3pm. So we did that, we arrived in London at around 4:18pm and got on the train to Hendon at 4:33pm which got us to our destination at 5:05 pm. These were advanced singles as we were picking up a new car and driving our way home. Now this is where the issue starts:

I can’t claim for a cancellation refund as we still traveled to the destination but when I’ve tried to claim through LNER for Delay Comp they say that the train was cancelled so I should claim for cancellation through Trainline, Trainline says I still did the journey so I should claim for delay through LNER. Am I doing something wrong or what? I paid £70 for the tickets, and ended up at the garage 2 hours late, so damn right they should pay me back. I won’t tell you about all the following issues we had….. it was a long day and riddled with bad luck 🙄 basically we got back home after midnight….

I'm solo/female traveler, flight gets in around 9:25pm at night and I'm taking the tube for 50 mins to my hotel in Covent Garden. I've made this trip before but during the daytime, so I'm a little uneasy. Was also looking at the heathrow express. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Sorry if it's a dumb question! Just uneasy about taking the train at night carrying a suitcase.

Update: didn't expect so many responses, but thank you all so much! Really appreciate your help, and thoughtful responses. Looking forward to a UK trip!

Hi! I went to London 10 years ago and we used the Oyster card to get around. I’m traveling again this summer and plan on using the Tube. Should I just use tap and pay? I live in NYC and we all use tap and pay but wanted to see if anyone had any advice.

Thank you!

looking for a 2–3 night couples holiday with woodland/cabin/naturey vibes in the UK in early June, hoping for under £400, no car. any suggestions? thank you in advance 🙏🏻 edit to add: we’re starting in suffolk :)

Is it doable to visit all three in the same day to see selected parts? I'm not planning a full tour of each, with V&A possibly being the place I spent most my time at, given I have limited time already. Would queues take hours or 20-30 mins top? I'm fine with waiting 20-30 mins, I can just eat my sandwich in between museums.

trying to sort a trip to the highlands for september and i swear half the listings are just automated scripts farming deposits

almost lost 500 quid yesterday. The host seemed totally legit until I got a weird feeling and reverse image searched the living room window view. it blows my mind that these massive travel platforms don't require any physical proof of identity to list a property. you can just make an account and start taking peoples holiday money

Was looking at how other industries handle fraud and saw places like docusign are starting to use that world id protocol where u actually have to verify your human status at a physical orb just to sign a contract. if corporate tech can force people to prove they physically exist, why are we still letting anonymous bot networks take our booking deposits?

it really puts a dampener on trying to plan a decent staycation when u have to treat every nice looking rental like a potential crime scene. genuinely exhausting having to play detective just to book a few nights away

I'm bringing a group of 18, including 12 Girl Scout teenagers to London this summer. Transportation will be paid from our troop account (i.e. a single payment card).

Reading about the options, it seems like maybe having each of them install the TLF app on their phones is the way to go, and link all those accounts to our troop card? But some of the reviews for the app make it sound like you 1) cannot set this up until you're IN London. 2) might have to have a British address on the card to link payment?

Is there any easier way to do this for a large group? Most, but not all of the kids have Apple devices if there's a way to make Apple Pay work? Am I missing a better app or load-able card solution here?

Hi everyone!
I’m planning a solo trip to the UK in July, with a big focus on the English countryside, and I’d really love some recommendations from people who know these areas well.

I’ve gone down an internet rabbit hole and now have too much information and zero clarity 😭 so I’d appreciate any suggestions on itinerary, places to stay, hidden gems, transport, safety, etc.

Part 1 — London (4 days)
I’ll be flying into Heathrow and spending about 4 days in London.
I’ve visited London once before as a student and did most of the classic tourist attractions already (Big Ben, London Eye, hop-on-hop-off buses, King’s Cross, etc.), so this time I want a slower and more local experience.
Current rough plan:
1 day: Harry Potter Studio Tour (massive Harry Potter fan, absolutely non-negotiable)
1 day: Bicester Village shopping
Remaining time: markets, cafés, pretty neighbourhoods, bookstores, parks, walking around, maybe a day trip to Bath
Would love recommendations for:
Non-touristy things to do in London
Favourite markets / cafés / neighbourhoods
Areas to stay in Zones 2–3 with good Tube connectivity
I’d prefer avoiding super touristy central areas, and since I’m from India, walking a lot and using public transport honestly doesn’t bother me at all.

Part 2 — The Countryside (1 week)

This is the part I’m most excited about.
I grew up reading Enid Blyton, so I’ve always romanticised the English countryside — cottages, seaside towns, village bakeries, winding roads, green fields, all of it. I want this leg of the trip to feel peaceful, cosy, and very “storybook England.”

Right now I’m considering:
The Cotswolds
Dorset

Cotswolds
I’m struggling to figure out the best base for 3–4 days.
Places I’d love to explore:
Bourton-on-the-Water
Bibury
Burford
Other beautiful villages nearby

Would appreciate recommendations on:
The best village/town to stay in as a base
Whether I should stay in one place or split stays
Cute Airbnbs / inns / countryside hotels
Things that are actually worth seeing vs Instagram hype

Dorset
This area looks beautiful but I’m finding less detailed information online.

Places I’m interested in:
Lyme Regis
Swanage
Dorchester
Abbotsbury

I’m especially drawn to the seaside/coastal side of Dorset, so I’d love recommendations for:
The best coastal town to stay in
Hidden gems
Scenic drives/walks
Cosy countryside or seaside stays

Car rental question
A lot of people online suggest renting a car for both Dorset and the Cotswolds because public transport can be limited.
Would you recommend that for a solo female traveller?
I’m comfortable driving in India, but I’ve never driven in the UK before, so I’d love honest opinions on:
Whether it’s manageable
Whether manual cars are easy to rent and manage - I’m great at driving have been doing so for more than 15 years now so no issues in that!
Parking difficulties
Any safety tips for solo travel/driving

Also completely open to suggestions beyond Dorset/Cotswolds if there are other countryside or coastal areas you think fit the vibe I’m looking for.

Thank you so much in advance 🤍

I’m so excited to be visiting London for the first time with my family later this year. I did some research already, but I’d love personal tips.

We’re planning to visit places like the Natural History Museum and stroll around Hyde Park. For food, I’ve heard Borough Market and Camden Market but I’m curious if there are other street food spots or hidden gems you would recommend.

We’re especially interested in authentic local experiences rather than just touristy things. Any tips for must visit neighborhoods, unique attractions, or special dining experiences would be amazing.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip to the UK and I am completely obsessed with the "Midsomer Murders" aesthetic. I’m looking for recommendations on areas or specific villages to visit to truly experience those vibes.

To be clear: it doesn’t actually have to be the exact filming locations (though that's a bonus!). I’m more interested in capturing the overall atmosphere:

• Charming, smaller villages with thatched roofs, stone cottages, and beautiful parish churches.
• Cozy, traditional pubs with good food, local ale, and a roaring fire (or a nice beer garden if the weather allows).
• Great countryside walks/footpaths right on the doorstep, where you can wander through fields and rolling hills.

I want to avoid the massive tourist hubs and instead find those slightly quieter, quintessential English countryside spots where time moves a bit slower.

Which regions or specific villages should I base myself in to get the ultimate cozy, rural British experience?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Post:
Hi everyone!

My partner and I (late 20s) are planning our first Scotland trip for mid June and wanted some honest feedback on whether this itinerary feels realistic, scenic, and enjoyable or if we’re trying to do too much.

A few things about our travel style:

We prefer slower travel over ticking boxes
Love scenic drives, landscapes, cozy stays, cafés/pubs
Want at least one proper hike/trail
Self-driving
Don’t want to spend the whole trip exhausted in the car
Okay with moderate walking/hiking but not hardcore trekking
We enjoy cozy pretty stays/views more than luxury hotels
We’ll be arriving from London and spending 1-2 days in Edinburgh separately, so these are the additional 4 days we’re planning for the Highlands/Skye.

Tentative plan:

Day 1:
Edinburgh → Loch Lomond area → Glencoe
Stay near Ballachulish/Glencoe
Possibly do Lost Valley Trail

Day 2:
Glencoe → Glenfinnan → Fort William → Isle of Skye
Stay around Broadford or Portree

Day 3:
Explore Skye
Thinking Old Man of Storr + Quiraing

Day 4:
Drive back toward Edinburgh via Pitlochry/Cairngorms

A FEW QUESTIONS:

Is Skye worth including for only 1.5 days or does it become too rushed?
Would you recommend more time in Glencoe instead?
Is Old Man of Storr worth it in peak season crowds?
Are we underestimating driving fatigue?
Any underrated scenic stops/cozy villages we should add/remove?
Would you stay in Portree or Broadford for a calmer experience?
For the first night of driving, would you recommend staying in Fort William or Glencoe/Ballachulish area?
Roughly how much budget should comfortably be enough for 2 people for these 4 days (excluding flights)? We’re thinking mid-range stays, pubs/cafés, self-drive, not ultra-budget but not luxury either.

Also, if anyone has recommendations for:

scenic but budget-friendly stays
scenic but moderately easy hikes

would LOVE suggestions.

Thank you! Scotland has been a dream trip for a long time, so trying to get the balance right within this short period!!

Hello, we will be flying out of Gatwick but have 2 days to make our way up to London. Ive gathered the best way is the train from the airport up. The first day we plan to leave at 12pm up and go to the Buckingham and then walk around some before returning. Second day is visiting Tower of London and an Arsenal tour. Would we have more time to squeeze anything in or would Buckingham be boring? 2 adults and 2 teen boys that love futbol. Plan is to pay tap at trains and get the youngest a child discount card.

Hi all - I'm hoping to see Edinburgh since I think Scotland and its beauty is really interesting but I've also heard you could stay in London for 3 weeks and be occupied. I really like castles and history which I know you can find in both cities. I was thinking of doing Sat-Tues in London then taking the train up to Scotland in the morning and having the rest of weds, thurs, and a few hours on friday since my flight would be around 4pm. Is this realistic? Is it not enough time to really appreciate both cities so i'm just screwing myself? I dont know if i'll make it back to Scotland if I don't go now but at the same time don't want to short a city like London. Thanks

My international flight out of Heathrow doesn't leave until 1630/4:30pm. I'd really like to do the Victoria and Albert museum before heading to the airport, but I'm not sure how much time to leave myself to wander the museum and grab lunch. Any insights or suggestions?

I live in Kentucky, USA. I'll be in Derbyshire (flying in/out of Manchester) in mid-August for work, and after I'm hoping to spend a few days seeing some specific things.

First, I want to visit Grassington - I'm a huge fan of the "All Creatures..." series and figured that would be an easy jaunt. I planned to rent a car from Manchester, drive up to Grassington (as a stop for an hour or two), then head to Liverpool to geek out on Beatles sites. After that, the following day, I'm debating dropping the car back at Manchester, taking the train to London, geek out on some more Beatles stuff (I'm honestly fine not doing all of the typical London touristy things and I won't have time to), and fly back to USA out of Heathrow. Alternative would be to simply fly home out of Manchester after Liverpool.

Is this a do-able plan? Are there "must see" things that I'll regret not adding to this itinerary? Thanks in advance for your experienced advice and wisdom!

I’m visiting Edinburgh for the first time and desperately want to see the Scottish Highlands but the catch is that only have one day to spare. Can I please get recommendations where can I go for a day trip or a one-night stay.
I don’t want to book with any tours and can get on a bus or train. can probably utilise the journey to enjoy a scenic ride to somewhere? I sometimes require mobility aids and hence don’t prefer hiking or long walks. So any place that can allow me to experience the highlands without walking long distances (nothing more than one hour) is preferred please.
Any help and suggestion is greatly appreciated, thankyou!!

So it's my 30th in a couple of months and usually I take myself abroad (I'm not one for birthdays haha), but this year, as much as I'd love to go abroad, I'm fed up of being alone (I just end up wishing I was with someone). Even though I'd still be on my own, I'd just feel better being at home- that being said, I'm after some recommendations for hotels in England...

I do love a hotel room. Even better if it's a quirky hotel (not meaning 18+😉 hotels before people start suggesting 😂)- I did see the FFoulkes Spa hotel, which is a possible option. Something a bit different, but not horrifically expensive (I'm aware everyone's idea of horrifically expensive varies- ideally something less than £200pn, and even that is pushing it for me 😂).

Something quirky, something a bit different, something that has something novelty about it (fun vibes, rooftop pool, swim up bar, platform to feed giraffes- obviously not all realistic (apart from the crazy prices West Midlands Safari park room haha) but you get the gist). 😊

Thanks in advance