A mother-daughter train journey from London to Oxford, Lincoln, York & Edinburgh
“Taking my daughter to the UK over spring break was an experience we’ll never forget.
The trip Emma helped us plan from London to Oxford, Lincoln, York and Edinburgh perfectly matched our travel style and wish list. Emma’s every recommendation was spot-on. I highly recommend Emma for her vast knowledge, creativity, and intuition!”
Gabby L, Boone, North Carolina
At a Glance
The Brief
Gabby and her high-school-aged daughter came to me wanting a spring break trip full of British art, theatre, fashion, history, and castles — with plenty of time in London, but the chance to venture beyond it too. The one firm rule: no driving.
The Journey
We built a bookended itinerary from London to Edinburgh by rail, with a day trip to Oxford and stops in Lincoln and York along the way.
London: From theatres, palaces, monuments and museums, to visiting handpicked London streets and boroughs known for fashion, art and music —the perfect way place to launch.
Oxford: a day trip to walk the colleges and follow the footsteps of William Morris, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and, of course, Harry Potter.
Lincoln: one of my personal favorites, and the perfect place to step back in time — this quaint walkable little city was a Roman fortress, then a medieval trading powerhouse, and still has the highest concentration of surviving medieval buildings in the country.
York: Roman, Viking, and medieval history layered into one, topped English tradition and heritage, from proper afternoon teas to the city’s role as a chocolate-making mecca. The Shambles, a popular shopping area with winding medieval alleyways (the real-life inspiration for Diagon Alley) — is worth the stop alone.
Edinburgh: The grand finale, with a warm Scottish welcome, a palace at one end and a commanding castle at the other — plus a vibrant arts scene.
