When my husband had a work trip to the UK, I knew I had to tag along. It turned into the perfect mix of working remotely during the week, exploring solo, meeting friends, and squeezing in weekend getaways. In just a few days, I managed to soak in the charm of Edinburgh, the historic castles of Wales, and the bustle of London—all with a mix of trains, buses, and plenty of walking.
Day 1 – Arrival in London & Train to Edinburgh
We flew direct on United from Denver to London Heathrow, landing mid-morning. The Business Class lounge was a blessing—shower, change of clothes, and we were refreshed for the day ahead.
Getting into London was surprisingly simple: just a quick swipe of a credit card for the underground, and we were on the Piccadilly line to King’s Cross. From there, we activated our BritRail Pass (a great value for non-UK residents) and hopped on the 1:30 PM LNER train to Edinburgh.
Pro tip: Bring some homemade snacks for the journey! We had bisibelebath, curd rice, and mixture, which paired perfectly with coffee bought onboard. The last hour before Edinburgh is especially scenic—don’t miss it.
By evening, we checked into the Intercontinental on George Street—a beautiful hotel just minutes from Waverley Station. Dinner was simple: homemade podi idlis, and then straight to bed.
Day 2 – Castles & Cobbled Streets in Edinburgh
We started early with a Bolt ride up to Edinburgh Castle. Tickets are best purchased online in advance, but thankfully, we could book a 9:30 AM slot on the spot. The castle is majestic and full of history, with sweeping views of the city from its towers.
From there, we strolled down the Royal Mile, stopping at St Giles’ Cathedral, admiring its gothic beauty, before continuing toward Scott Monument. Edinburgh’s old town streets are endlessly photogenic.
Lunch was a treat at Dishoom on George Street. Ask for a second-floor seat—you’ll thank me for the views. The paneer roll, house chaat, and mango lassi were winners, and the complimentary masala chai was the perfect ending (skip the “Gunpowder Potatoes,” though).
In the afternoon, we tried Edinburgh’s Lothian buses. Tip: the red ones are for the city, green for the countryside. Grab a front seat on the upper deck for postcard-perfect views! We rode out toward Queensferry to see the Forth Bridge, a Scottish engineering marvel.
Rain cut short our attempt to climb Calton Hill, but we found refuge at Black Sheep Coffee near Waverley Station. Their strawberry waffle and coffee are worth a stop. Even better—we met Kavya, my friend Karthi’s daughter, there. She was such a sweet guide and even helped us get back to the station in time for our next train.
That evening, we caught the train to Warrington Bank Quay, where our dear friends Rekha and Rajiv picked us up. A warm welcome, chats, and cuddles with their dog Jill made it a perfect ending to the day.
Day 3 – A Welsh Adventure
Our friends took us on a road trip to Conwy Castle in Wales. This medieval fortress by the sea is stunning, especially with the unique view of three bridges (road, rail, and pedestrian) side by side.
Next stop: the charming town of Betws-y-Coed. At Gwydyr Hotel, we indulged in scones, fruit crumble with ice cream, and endless cups of tea and coffee. Simple joys, but unforgettable.
Later that evening, we boarded the fast Avanti West Coast train back to London. Boarding at Warrington was smart—the train filled up quickly after Crewe. By night, we were checked into the Residence Inn by Marriott, Kensington—a comfortable stay with a kitchenette.
Day 4 – Our 31st Anniversary in London
What better place to celebrate 31 years of marriage than in London?
We began at the Tower of London, exploring the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, and centuries of history. A short walk brought us to Tower Bridge, and from there, we hopped on the tube to Westminster.
Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, statues of Churchill and Gandhi—history at every corner. We strolled past the impressive Taj Hotel and reached Buckingham Palace, where we sat at Victoria Square simply admiring its grandeur.
After a short break at the hotel, we celebrated with dinner at Hoppers in Soho. Their paneer chilli, dosa, jackfruit cutlet, egg appam, and aubergine dishes were packed with flavor. Soho itself was vibrant, with street musicians filling Piccadilly Circus with Bollywood melodies. To my surprise, I also bumped into Rohini, my daughter’s classmate friend, right there in the square—it felt like such a small world moment!
Our Uber ride back even passed Harrods—London at its finest.
Day 5 – A Pause Before Heading Home
After so much travel, we took this day to rest, work, and pack.
Day 6 – Back to Denver
Heathrow is a workout in itself, so be prepared to walk, walk, and walk before reaching the gates. Thankfully, the United Club Lounge near the B gates was a comfortable send-off.
Final Thoughts
In just six days, I experienced the timeless castles of Edinburgh and Wales, the royal grandeur of London, and most importantly, the joy of reconnecting with friends and loved ones.
The UK is one of those destinations where every corner has a story to tell. And while this trip was short, it was filled with memories to last a lifetime.
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