Best Cities to Visit in the UK: London, Edinburgh & Bath

I’ve done the London-Edinburgh-Bath loop three times now, and each trip taught me something new about pacing. These three cities are the backbone of any UK itinerary, but they reward different travel styles. London demands energy and a good Oyster card. Edinburgh asks for sturdy shoes and a raincoat. Bath just wants you to slow down. Here’s what I’d tell a friend planning the same trip.

How many days should you spend in each city?

Three nights in London is the minimum if you want to see the core sights without sprinting. Two nights in Edinburgh works, but three lets you breathe. Bath can be done as a day trip from London, but one overnight gives you the quiet evening streets after the tour buses leave.

London: 3–4 nights. Focus on one or two zones per day. Don’t try to do the British Museum and the Tower of London on the same morning.
Edinburgh: 2–3 nights. The Royal Mile and the New Town feel different; give each at least half a day.
Bath: 1–2 nights. The Roman Baths and the Thermae Spa rooftop pool are best done on separate days.

What’s the best way to get between London, Edinburgh, and Bath?

Trains beat flying for this route. The London to Edinburgh run on LNER takes about 4.5 hours from King’s Cross. Book ahead on the LNER website or through Trainline to lock in advance fares—I paid £42 one-way last March. London to Bath is a straight shot on Great Western Railway from Paddington, roughly 80 minutes. No need for a car in any of these cities.

London to Edinburgh: LNER from King’s Cross. Sit on the left side for views of the coast near Berwick-upon-Tweed.
London to Bath: Great Western Railway from Paddington. First-class on a weekday is sometimes cheaper than standard if you book two weeks out.
Edinburgh to Bath: You’ll change at London King’s Cross or Paddington. I usually break the journey with a lunch stop in London rather than rushing.

Where should you stay in London, Edinburgh, and Bath?

Hotels near train stations save time, but they can be noisy. In London, I’ve stayed at the Marlin Aparthotel County Hall near Waterloo—quiet rooms, river view, and a 10-minute walk to the South Bank. In Edinburgh, the Motel One Edinburgh Royal on Market Street is clean, central, and affordable. In Bath, the Apex City of Bath Hotel sits a minute from the Roman Baths and has a small pool that’s worth using after a day of walking.

London budget: The Z Hotel Shoreditch—tiny rooms but great location near Brick Lane.
London mid-range: The Hoxton, Holborn—good lobby workspace and solid coffee.
Edinburgh central: The Balmoral is iconic but pricey. Ten Hill Place is a quieter alternative run by the Royal College of Surgeons.
Bath boutique: No. 15 Great Pulteney—quirky decor, excellent breakfast, close to Pulteney Bridge.

What are the best things to do in London that aren’t tourist traps?

Skip the London Eye—the queue is longer than the ride. Instead, walk the South Bank from the Tate Modern to Tower Bridge. It’s free, you get the same views, and you pass street food stalls and the Borough Market en route. For museums, the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is less crowded than the British Museum and has better design exhibits.

Free stuff: The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street—book a free slot online for a 360-degree view.
Worth paying for: The Tower of London guided tour by a Beefeater. It’s included in the ticket and way better than wandering alone.
Neighborhood to wander: Spitalfields and Brick Lane on a Sunday morning. Vintage markets, bagel shops, and fewer tourists than Covent Garden.
Where I ate: Dishoom Shoreditch for breakfast naan rolls. Padella near Borough Market for fresh pasta—expect a line, but it moves fast.

What should you not miss in Edinburgh?

The Royal Mile is the obvious starting point, but the real magic is in the closes and wynds—narrow alleys that cut between the main street and the lower levels. Mary King’s Close offers a guided underground tour that’s historical, not gimmicky. Arthur’s Seat is a 45-minute hike from the city center with views over the Firth of Forth.

Museum worth your time: National Museum of Scotland—free, and the rooftop terrace is open to the public.
Food spots: The Scran & Scallie in Stockbridge for gastropub food. Oink on Victoria Street for pulled pork rolls.
Whisky without the price tag: The Scotch Whisky Experience is overpriced. Go to The Bow Bar on Victoria Street for a proper dram in a pub setting.
Day trip option: North Berwick is 30 minutes by train from Edinburgh Waverley. Sandy beaches, a seabird center, and lobster rolls at The Lobster Shack.

Why is Bath worth an overnight stay?

Bath gets slammed with day-trippers from London between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Stay overnight, and you get the city when it’s quiet. The Roman Baths are genuinely impressive—the museum audio guide is well done. The Thermae Bath Spa rooftop pool is warm even in winter, and the natural mineral water smells faintly of iron, which is strangely relaxing.

Walk: The Royal Crescent and The Circus are a 10-minute walk from the center. Go at sunrise for empty streets.
Eat: The Pump Room is touristy but worth one scone and pot of tea. The Circus Restaurant does a solid three-course dinner for under £35.
Skip: The Jane Austen Centre unless you’re a superfan. It’s small and expensive for what it is.
Nearby: Prior Park Landscape Garden is a 20-minute walk uphill. The Palladian bridge and valley views are better than the crowds at the Roman Baths.

When is the best time to visit these three cities?

May, June, and September hit the sweet spot. Crowds are manageable, weather is mild, and daylight stretches past 8 p.m. July and August bring peak tourist volume and higher hotel rates. December is charming but cold and dark—Edinburgh’s Christmas market is lively, but London’s streets feel packed.

London: April–May for cherry blossoms in Greenwich Park and fewer queues at the Tate Modern.
Edinburgh: September for the Edinburgh International Festival fringe shows without the August chaos. November is grey but cheap.
Bath: March or October for lower hotel rates and steam rising off the Roman Baths in the cold air.

FAQ

Is it better to take the train or fly from London to Edinburgh? Train. The LNER journey from King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley takes about 4.5 hours city-center to city-center. Flying adds an hour of transit to airports, security waits, and baggage delays. Book advance tickets on the LNER website for the best price.

Can you do Bath as a day trip from London? Yes, but it’s tight. The train is 80 minutes each way. You’ll have about 5 hours in Bath, which is enough for the Roman Baths and a walk around the Royal Crescent. If you want to visit the Thermae Spa or eat a relaxed dinner, stay overnight.

Which city is best for solo travelers? London, because of the sheer volume of free museums, walkable neighborhoods, and social hostel common rooms. Edinburgh is also excellent—compact and safe—but solo dining can feel awkward in the fancier restaurants. Bath is better for couples or slower-paced travelers.

Conclusion

London needs at least three nights and a plan to avoid the worst queues—book Tower of London and Sky Garden tickets in advance.
Edinburgh is best explored on foot through the closes and up Arthur’s Seat; skip the Scotch Whisky Experience for a real pub.
Bath works as a day trip but rewards an overnight stay with quiet streets and a spa session.
Trains connect all three cities efficiently; book LNER and Great Western Railway tickets early for savings.
Travel in May, June, or September for the best balance of weather and crowd levels.