# Britain by galleries and rail · More time in the middle and at the far end

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/europe/open-jaw/britain-by-galleries-and-rail-z0611/>)

More time in the middle and at the far end

- Region: Europe
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 12
- Interests: Food & Drink, Science, Nature, Literature, History, Humans

## Route and nights

- London · 3 night(s)
- York · 4 night(s)
- Edinburgh · 5 night(s)

Tradeoff: The middle base gets time of its own. Book the last gateway separately and compare the total transport cost.

Compare: Rail

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · London

- 15:30 to 16:15 · Check in and drop your bags · citizenM Tower of London
- 16:35 to 17:35 · Take a short orientation walk near the hotel · St Katharine Docks, London. Skip this block if you arrive later.
- 17:50 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Tower Hill, London
Overnight: [citizenM Tower of London](<https://www.hotels.com/ho579364/citizenm-tower-of-london-london-united-kingdom/>) · London

### Day 2 · London

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast around Tower Hill · Tower Hill, London
- 09:40 to 10:20 · Cross London Bridge and stop by Southwark Cathedral · Southwark Cathedral, London. Check visitor access if you plan to go inside. [Official information](<https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/visiting/>)
- 10:30 to 12:20 · Browse Borough Market and have an early lunch · Borough Market, London. Check the trading schedule. If closed, look for lunch in nearby Bankside. [Official information](<https://boroughmarket.org.uk/visit-us/>)
- 12:30 to 13:15 · Walk past the Globe toward Tate Modern · Shakespeare’s Globe, London. Follow the riverside rather than doubling back through the main roads.
- 13:20 to 15:20 · See the Tate Modern collection · Tate Modern, London. Choose a few galleries and keep ticketed exhibitions optional. [Official information](<https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern>)
- 15:35 to 17:00 · Follow the Thames path to Southbank Centre · Southbank Centre, London. Leave time for a coffee stop if you prefer a shorter walk.
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Supper on the South Bank · South Bank, London
Overnight: [citizenM Tower of London](<https://www.hotels.com/ho579364/citizenm-tower-of-london-london-united-kingdom/>) · London

### Day 3 · London

- 08:10 to 08:55 · Breakfast around Tower Hill · Tower Hill, London
- 09:10 to 09:55 · Take the Underground to South Kensington · South Kensington, London
- 10:00 to 12:40 · Explore the Science Museum galleries · Science Museum, London. Check current gallery access and choose two or three areas to see in depth. [Official information](<https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visit>)
- 12:50 to 13:50 · Lunch near Exhibition Road · South Kensington, London
- 14:00 to 15:10 · Visit the V&A for one gallery or exhibition · Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Swap this block for more time at the Science Museum if that is your priority. [Official information](<https://www.vam.ac.uk/south-kensington>)
- 15:25 to 16:30 · Walk north to Kensington Gardens · Kensington Gardens, London. Shorten this stop if daylight or weather is limited. [Official information](<https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/kensington-gardens>)
- 17:30 to 19:00 · Dinner in South Kensington · South Kensington, London
Overnight: [citizenM Tower of London](<https://www.hotels.com/ho579364/citizenm-tower-of-london-london-united-kingdom/>) · London

### Day 4 · York

- 08:15 to 09:00 · Have breakfast before checking out · Tower Hill, London
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Check out and allow time to reach the departure point · citizenM Tower of London
- 09:45 to 12:40 · Travel from London to York · London King’s Cross. Confirm the station on your ticket and leave time for the train boarding area. Use the confirmed times for the journey you book.
- 12:50 to 13:50 · Have lunch near your new base · York Railway Station
- 14:30 to 15:25 · Drop bags and check in when the room is ready · Hampton by Hilton York
- 15:40 to 16:30 · Take a short orientation walk if time allows · Micklegate, York
- 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your new hotel · York Railway Station
Overnight: [Hampton by Hilton York](<https://www.hotels.com/ho419119/hampton-by-hilton-york-york-united-kingdom/>) · York

### Day 5 · York

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near your hotel · Toft Green, York
- 09:45 to 11:10 · Walk the Museum Gardens and the abbey ruins · York Museum Gardens. Check garden opening and leave the indoor museum as an optional extra. [Official information](<https://www.yorkmuseumgardens.org.uk/>)
- 11:20 to 12:25 · Walk down to Lendal Bridge and follow the River Ouse · Lendal Bridge, York. Use city streets if the riverside path is wet or closed.
- 12:40 to 13:40 · Lunch around the river or in the city center · York city center
- 14:00 to 15:35 · Visit the Yorkshire Museum if open · Yorkshire Museum. Pick a section and check for any seasonal timetable changes. [Official information](<https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/visit/>)
- 15:50 to 16:50 · Take a short loop toward the station side of the river · River Ouse, York
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner around Micklegate · Micklegate, York
Overnight: [Hampton by Hilton York](<https://www.hotels.com/ho419119/hampton-by-hilton-york-york-united-kingdom/>) · York

### Day 6 · York

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near your hotel · Toft Green, York
- 09:45 to 11:20 · Browse bookshops around Stonegate and the Minster · Stonegate, York. Pick one or two shops based on their opening hours.
- 11:35 to 12:20 · Walk around the Minster and Dean’s Park · Dean’s Park, York
- 12:35 to 13:40 · Lunch near Goodramgate · Goodramgate, York
- 14:00 to 15:25 · Visit York Explore Library if open · York Explore Library and Archive. Use this block for a reading break or an exhibition if one is scheduled. [Official information](<https://exploreyork.org.uk/york-explore/>)
- 15:40 to 17:00 · Continue to the Museum Gardens or take a cafe break · York Museum Gardens
- 18:10 to 19:30 · Dinner near Stonegate · Stonegate, York
Overnight: [Hampton by Hilton York](<https://www.hotels.com/ho419119/hampton-by-hilton-york-york-united-kingdom/>) · York

### Day 7 · York

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near your hotel · Toft Green, York
- 09:35 to 10:00 · Walk to the Minster through the center · York Minster
- 10:05 to 12:05 · Visit York Minster · York Minster. Check visitor entry around services and decide whether to add the tower if slots and access work for you. [Official information](<https://yorkminster.org/visit/>)
- 12:20 to 13:25 · Lunch around Bootham or Stonegate · Bootham, York
- 13:45 to 15:10 · Walk an open section of York’s city walls · York City Walls. Choose a short section near Bootham Bar and check closures. Stay on street level if steps or conditions make the wall unsuitable. [Official information](<https://www.york.gov.uk/york-city-walls>)
- 15:25 to 16:40 · Explore the streets around Goodramgate · Goodramgate, York
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner near the Minster · York Minster, York
Overnight: [Hampton by Hilton York](<https://www.hotels.com/ho419119/hampton-by-hilton-york-york-united-kingdom/>) · York

### Day 8 · Edinburgh

- 08:15 to 09:00 · Have breakfast before checking out · York Railway Station
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Check out and allow time to reach the departure point · Hampton by Hilton York
- 09:45 to 13:05 · Travel from York to Edinburgh · York Railway Station. Use the service and platform shown on your ticket. Leave time for the walk out of Edinburgh Waverley. Use the confirmed times for the journey you book.
- 13:15 to 14:15 · Have lunch near your new base · South Bridge, Edinburgh
- 14:30 to 15:25 · Drop bags and check in when the room is ready · ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge
- 15:40 to 16:30 · Take a short orientation walk if time allows · Royal Mile, Edinburgh
- 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your new hotel · South Bridge, Edinburgh
Overnight: [ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge](<https://www.hotels.com/ho444124/ibis-edinburgh-centre-south-bridge-royal-mile-edinburgh-united-kingdom/>) · Edinburgh

### Day 9 · Edinburgh

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast around South Bridge · South Bridge, Edinburgh
- 09:30 to 09:55 · Walk past Old College toward Nicolson Street · Old College, Edinburgh
- 10:00 to 12:15 · Explore Surgeons’ Hall Museums · Surgeons’ Hall Museums, Edinburgh. Check opening hours. Some collections include human remains, which may affect how much time you want here. [Official information](<https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/visit/>)
- 12:25 to 13:25 · Lunch near Bristo Square · Bristo Square, Edinburgh
- 13:40 to 15:35 · Visit one section of the National Museum of Scotland · National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. The collections are large. Choose one subject instead of trying to see the whole museum. [Official information](<https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/>)
- 15:50 to 17:00 · Walk across the Meadows or take a cafe break · The Meadows, Edinburgh
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner in the Southside · Southside, Edinburgh
Overnight: [ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge](<https://www.hotels.com/ho444124/ibis-edinburgh-centre-south-bridge-royal-mile-edinburgh-united-kingdom/>) · Edinburgh

### Day 10 · North Berwick

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Breakfast around South Bridge · South Bridge, Edinburgh
- 09:00 to 10:20 · Travel from Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick · North Berwick railway station. This is a travel window, including the walk and station buffer. Confirm the actual train for your date. [Official information](<https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey>)
- 10:30 to 11:35 · Walk the harbor and look toward Bass Rock · North Berwick Harbour. Use public paths and stay clear of rough water. Bird activity varies with season and weather.
- 11:45 to 12:45 · Visit the Scottish Seabird Centre · Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick. Check hours and admission before you travel. A boat excursion is a separate decision that depends on conditions and availability. [Official information](<https://www.seabird.org/>)
- 12:55 to 14:05 · Lunch near the harbor or High Street · North Berwick High Street
- 14:15 to 15:35 · Walk along West Bay and browse High Street · West Bay, North Berwick. Use the high street if wind or rain shortens the waterfront stop.
- 15:55 to 17:20 · Return to Edinburgh Waverley · Edinburgh Waverley. Choose a train on the actual schedule and leave time to reach the platform. [Official information](<https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey>)
- 18:15 to 19:45 · Dinner in the Old Town · Old Town, Edinburgh
Overnight: [ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge](<https://www.hotels.com/ho444124/ibis-edinburgh-centre-south-bridge-royal-mile-edinburgh-united-kingdom/>) · Edinburgh

### Day 11 · Edinburgh

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast around South Bridge · South Bridge, Edinburgh
- 09:30 to 10:00 · Walk to Lady Stair’s Close · Lady Stair’s Close, Edinburgh
- 10:05 to 11:25 · Visit the Writers’ Museum · The Writers’ Museum, Edinburgh. Check the museum calendar before going. [Official information](<https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/writers-museum>)
- 11:45 to 12:45 · Browse the bookshops around the Old Town · Old Town, Edinburgh. Use this block for one or two shops rather than crisscrossing the city.
- 12:55 to 13:55 · Lunch around George IV Bridge · George IV Bridge, Edinburgh
- 14:05 to 15:20 · See the current exhibition at the National Library of Scotland · National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh. Check the current exhibition and opening times. [Official information](<https://www.nls.uk/>)
- 15:35 to 16:50 · Walk to Greyfriars Kirkyard and George Square · Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner in the Southside · Southside, Edinburgh
Overnight: [ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge](<https://www.hotels.com/ho444124/ibis-edinburgh-centre-south-bridge-royal-mile-edinburgh-united-kingdom/>) · Edinburgh

### Day 12 · Edinburgh

- 08:20 to 09:10 · Breakfast around South Bridge · South Bridge, Edinburgh
- 09:30 to 10:15 · Travel to the Leith waterfront · The Shore, Edinburgh. Compare the tram and bus routes for your dates. [Official information](<https://edinburghtrams.com/>)
- 10:25 to 11:55 · Walk The Shore and the Water of Leith · The Shore, Edinburgh. Keep to a waterfront loop so lunch stays nearby.
- 12:05 to 13:20 · Lunch around The Shore · The Shore, Edinburgh
- 13:40 to 14:30 · Continue to Stockbridge · Stockbridge, Edinburgh. Take a bus or set aside more time if walking.
- 14:40 to 16:45 · Explore Stockbridge and pause for coffee · Stockbridge, Edinburgh. Use the time for a short neighborhood walk and stop at a cafe rather than adding another ticketed visit.
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner around Stockbridge · Stockbridge, Edinburgh
Overnight: [ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge](<https://www.hotels.com/ho444124/ibis-edinburgh-centre-south-bridge-royal-mile-edinburgh-united-kingdom/>) · Edinburgh

### Day 13 · Edinburgh

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · South Bridge, Edinburgh
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Take an optional last walk · Royal Mile, Edinburgh. Skip the walk if you have an early departure.
- 10:00 to 10:30 · Check out and collect luggage · ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge
- 10:30 to 11:30 · Allow time for onward travel · South Bridge, Edinburgh. Use the confirmed departure and pickup times from your booking.