England: London, Bath & York in 8 Days
England
Overview
This route keeps things simple: enough time in London to see the icons properly, a well-connected side trip to the Roman baths and Georgian streets of Bath, and a rail hop north to walk York's medieval walls and Minster. England's rail network makes every leg a straightforward one-to-two-hour journey with no car required.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Pace
- Relaxed
- Transport
- Public transport
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- £1,300–£1,700
Route
1. London2. Bath3. London4. York5. London
Highlights
- The Tower of London and Tower Bridge
- The Roman Baths and Georgian architecture of Bath
- York Minster and the medieval Shambles
- Traditional afternoon tea, at least once
Worth knowing
- London is one of Europe's most expensive cities for food and lodging
- Sunday rail engineering works can disrupt the Bath or York legs — check ahead
- Book major London attractions online well ahead to skip queues
Day by day
Day 1
LondonMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Westminster and the Houses of Parliament
- South Bank evening walk
Optional additions
- London Eye
Overnight: London
Day 2
LondonMain activities
- Tower of London and Tower Bridge
- British Museum
Optional additions
- Borough Market for lunch
Overnight: London
Day 3
LondonMain activities
- Buckingham Palace area
- Covent Garden and the West End
Optional additions
- An evening show in the West End
Overnight: London
Day 4
London → BathMain activities
- Train (~1.5h)
- The Roman Baths
- Georgian old town walk
Optional additions
- Royal Crescent
~1.5 hoursOvernight: Bath
Day 5
Bath → LondonMain activities
- Free morning in Bath
- Train back to London (~1.5h)
- Free evening
Optional additions
- Stonehenge day-trip detour instead of a return to London
~1.5 hoursOvernight: London
Day 6
London → YorkMain activities
- Train (~2h)
- York Minster
- The Shambles
Optional additions
- York's medieval city walls walk
~2 hoursOvernight: York
Day 7
YorkMain activities
- JORVIK Viking Centre
- National Railway Museum
Optional additions
- Afternoon tea in York
Overnight: York
Day 8
York → LondonMain activities
- Train back to London (~2h)
- Departure
~2 hoursOvernight: London
Alternatives
Shorter version · 5 days
Drop York and use the extra days in London, with Bath as a single day trip.
Longer extension · 11 days
Add the Lake District for 3 days of hiking between Bath and York.