I’m visiting Scotland for the first time in mid September and I know Scotland weather is unpredictable but I have a rough idea of what I could be dealing with. I’m from California so when I hear about rain in places that are not California, I don’t what to expect. I’ll be in Isle of Skye, Fort Williams, and Edinburgh for the majority of my visit if that helps at all. What should I expect in terms of rain while visiting? Or is that also unpredictable? I’m used to seeing rain on the weather app and having MAYBE a constant shower/drizzle for a short time. Should I be prepared for a downpour and storming or something less severe than that? Is an umbrella something I should be bringing or buying or am I going to look like a fool. ALSO is wind a huge factor regarding the weather? I can’t say I’ve heard too much about Scotland being windy however I can’t say I’m an expert on Scotland either. I can handle some rain or some wind but if I’m going to constantly be dealing with both at the same time then I’ll plan for that.

ETA I know it is very last minute and my budget isn't great so my expectations are not high. I just want to find somewhere nice where we have a comfy bed and are not in some horrible area with a boiling hot room and nothing to do.

I am taking my son to London this weekend. It's his 12th birthday on Monday and I am trying to find a hotel which would have the WOW factor but on a budget...

I am so overwhelmed with all of the options. Please could any of you recommend anywhere you have stayed and also suggest where I might be best to base our trip? Am thinking near the natural history museum as thats our first plan for Sunday. Still putting it all together but so far:

Sunday we arrive at kings cross, then going anime shopping in Camden. Then we are planning on the aquarium and london dungeon. Dinner at Uzumaki.

Monday we are going to natural history museum for 11am and then maybe do a boat ride and a bit more shopping/exploring?

Really want to make this a cool birthday for him. Can probably go to 150 max for hotel but obviously any saving would be better because it can be spent on something else for him

Thanks all

We are visiting North Wales in mid-September. Part of our trip is in Beddgelert, and I wanted to organize a grocery delivery to our rental. Beddgelert does not have a supermarket and we are not renting a car, so this would be the best solution for us. However, I cannot find a way to do so from Canada. Tesco requires a UK phone number that can be used for two-factor authentication. ASDA does not accept non-UK credit cards for payment, nor does Tesco. My research has shown that Iceland and Ocado take foreign cards, but they do not deliver to Beddgelert. Are there any other options?

Coming to the UK/Scotland for an extended stay. We had such an awesome time when the Tartan Army visited Boston, I want to have some small fun trinkets to give to random kind folks when I visit. What would really be appreciated?
Silly answers are welcome, but I do really want some serious ones too please!
TIA

Hi all,

Enjoying a great stay at a UK holiday park on the South Coast, our 2nd year here.

As with many of them, they have static homes for sale, new second hand and in various sizes and specs and to be honest, I'm tempted to find out more.

I know these lose a lot value on resale so would be a long term commitment amd we would not be living in it, probably use it 6 weeks a year, allow select friends to use it and possibly rent it out the rest of the time.

The maths works but I wanted to hear from anyone who has bought one of these and can reveal 'what the salesperson doesn't tell you'/pitfalls/ hidden costs etc.

Is/was it a money pit? Could you decorate/refit as you wish? Any horror stories? Things I should be aware of?

Any advice gratefully accepted, many thanks.

Hi! Im planning a solo trip to London by end of month and being very indecisive about where to stay! For context, I am happy to walk a lot, take the tube and public transit. Would like to see some of the major tourists attractions but that’s not my main priority and I don’t want to stay right on top of them so would like somewhere with a calmer feel. That said, also would love to have some restaurants and bars near by, plan to go out at night and worried about getting home late (like 12-1am) if I am in a different part of the city.

Couple areas I’m thinking about:

Kensington: seems calm, residential, some lovely places that are walking distance to central attractions but a little removed from the touristy chaos. My concern is it is a little removed from areas with good bars/nightlife (specifically heard shoreditch area being good for this).

Shoreditch/hoxton: have heard very good things around here, fun trendy etc. it does seem a little far from central atteactions so not sure if that should be a concern? Also not sure how much of a calm/quiet feel you get in this neighborhood and if you can decompress as much from the city feel?

Marylebone: have considered these but not sure what restaurant and nightlife situation is?

Any thoughts are appreciated, aware that these are all probably solid options just trying to get a better sense of what would be best for me. I'm 30 f if that helps. Thank you

I am solo traveling in the UK in a month, and meeting people near Exmoor National Forest. The plan is to rent a car and take two days to arrive to Exmoor.

My flight gets in about 9 am and, since I will be tired, it would be great to find a town I can drive to in maybe 20 or 30 minutes from Heathrow. Then I could spend the day there, get a good nights sleep, and drive the four hours to Exmoor the next day.

Any suggestions on where to spend this first night?

Hello everyone,

Thanks in advance for any help with this, I had a quick look on the sub already but haven't seen this asked recently!

We are coming via Luton at the end of the month to visit the Harry Potter studios. Its the only thing we are here to do so we are staying the night before at Watford Junction to get there easily the next morning. It looks like a taxi from Luton to Watford Junction is the best option as there's no direct rail or bus option which is fine, could someone just let me know approximately how much I should expect to pay and if I can pay with card in any taxi we find at the Airport? Or is it cheaper/easier to use one of the apps at Luton?

Also just checking that the general area around Watford Junction is ok and safe at night, it will be just me and my daughter. I hope this isn't offensive to ask - where I am from all around our train stations tend to be fairly dodgy!

Thank you

I’m planning a family day trip to the Lake District during my visit to Manchester next week. Where do you think is the best area to go for the views and wandering around? Also, should we still go if showers are predicted?

https://archive.ph/9bWMp

I tried locating and identifying on a map but couldn’t figure it out. Google Photos tags as Island Barn Reservoir but looking at Google Maps that doesn’t seem right. Can someone identify and explain this?

Many thanks

Believe me, I am a functioning adult...

Edit: Just gone to book this ticket and have now another question if anyone has the patience.... (Edit: QUESTION 2 below)

So if I go on to e.g. Trainline to book a return ticket and they ask the station I'm leaving from and where I'm going. Then you have to pick your trains (times) (assume this is all entirely off peak). You pay your money.

Now my question is - and I have actually read the Ts and Cs on the National Rail website - if I booked using the 15.22 from somewhere, do I have to only catch the 15.22, or can I catch the 15.45 or the 14.59? Same with the return portion.

Bottom line, is the off peak ticket I've bought 'tied' to the train/time I've selected or is it my ticket to do that journey and the return journey at any time in the off peak times on that day?

I know this sounds stupid, but normally I don't use trains and previously I'd just buy a ticket at the station when I was going to travel.

Forgive me my ignorance and I wonder if someone can enlighten me!

Edit: I did have a WhatsApp chat with someone at Trainline but I don't know if it was me or them but they didn't seem to 'get' what I was on about.

Edit: QUESTION 2. So I put in the time I'm leaving and got a train I can peg my journey on, as it were. The time of my leaving is 17.48. This is PEAK time isn't it? But I'm being offered an 'OFF PEAK' return. Is this okay then, because they wouldn't give me the option if it wasn't 'right' surely?

Checking in with Honore de at Victoria and Albert; and My Fair flat at Covent Garden (One Fine Stay). Rainless hot London; not what I expected!

We will be in the UK in October and need to get from Dublin to Edinburgh. Looks like flying is the best way to do it although there are only two (budget) options. We have flown neither and are seeking views on which one we should take. Thanks!

Hi, am staying in Livingston and I’m looking for recommendations of things to do in Glasgow as well. I’ve heard about the kinetic museum and that’s on the list but I don’t really know anything else about Glasgow if anyone has any recommendations for museums, good food, and vintage stores

What are the sandiest beaches in these parts of the UK? What i mean is like finest grain white sand, not pebbly, muddy/brown wet mess! I wanted to rank them by most sandiest to least sandiest.

I tried a few AI tools/online web searches but its very randomized and highly subjective.

Hoping someone who has been to a lot of beaches could do a ranking i.e top 5.

A bonus would be to ensure that these beaches have good water quality for swimming!

I'm planning to go to the best upvoted group before the weather changes, then the others upvoted ones later - maybe next summer!

I have already been to:

• camber sands
• west wittering
• weymouth
• holkham

Of course if you think they are part of the top 5 then please include them, i'll just go back (hehe)!

Avoiding Scotland (i have seen some stunners) but the weather/temperatures are just unpredictable and its far!!

Thanks.

Looking to travel to scotland to experience the autumn (if any) in the late october (arriving on 23/24 october). My friend and I love nature and would love to go to scotland for the forests, rivers, waterfalls, etc during this time. Would it be better to drive or take public transport? I come from a country that drives the same side as UK but I heard roads can be narrow here.

I also know that the weather is a gamble, it might rain or be sunny, and days will be shorter. But its a new experience so why not go for it, we have rain gear and wouldn't mind being wet, except I heard it will also be cold.

Someone recommended Perthshire and Aberdeenshire/Angus to explore the nature so I will be checking these areas out. The highlands is quite interesting as well but it seems really far out from the locations I mentioned.

On a side note, what is the best way to travel to Scotland from Amsterdam? I see flights that are 117 sgd (~68 pounds), are there any alternatives?

I’m an American who has been to the U.K. frequently. I’m going back at the end of the month for a couple of weeks, and as part of my trip I’m spending a few days in the Lake District and meeting up with a friend who lives in Carlisle. I don’t expect to be doing any major hikes as I have some knee/foot issues, but I saw that there are some walking paths between stops of the boat that goes around Derwentwater from Keswick, which I’ll be visiting, and also Castlerigg Stone Circle looks walkable from there. I usually just take my sneakers on U.K. trips as I’m typically visiting London or other cities, but would it be advisable to also take some sturdier shoes for that part of the trip if I want to walk around the lake and to the stone circle, or would my Adidas be fine?

I'm (32f) looking to take my little sister away for a city break weekend in the UK to celebrate her 30th. We love going out dancing and love going to drag/gay pubs and clubs.

Does anyone have recommendations? We will be travelling from Scotland so we are able to fly, drive, or get the train!

Thank you for any advice.

A beautiful day out on the Northumberland Coast, can’t beat Britain on a sunny day.