✈️ 2 Weeks in the UK: Our 20th Anniversary Trip Through London, Bath, Edinburgh & Inverness
- Deborah McCollum
- Nov 4
- 7 min read
For our 20th wedding anniversary, my husband and I finally took the trip we’ve been dreaming about for years: a two-week adventure across the United Kingdom. From the grandeur of London to the quiet magic of the Scottish Highlands, we explored history, culture, food, and more—one unforgettable stop at a time.
This post is an overview of our full journey—how we planned it, what we loved, what surprised us, and a few tips for anyone hoping to do something similar. I’ll be diving deeper into each city in individual blog posts, but this is the big picture of what made this trip so special.
🗓️ Our 2-Week Itinerary at a Glance
We designed this trip with a balance of big city energy and peaceful escapes, giving ourselves time to revisit London while also venturing further into Scotland. Here’s how our route looked:
London – 3 nights
Bath – 1 night
London – 2 nights
Edinburgh – 3 nights
Inverness – 3 nights
Back to London – 2 nights before flying home
This loop allowed us to ease in, slow down, and then end the trip on a high note—both literally and emotionally—with a scenic return to London before heading home.
📍 Destination Highlights
London (First: 3 nights, Second: 2 nights, and Last Stay: 2 nights)
We started and ended our journey in London, and honestly, it deserves all the time you can give it. Walking through Hyde Park to Kensington Palace, exploring Notting Hill, watching the city light up at night near Big Ben—there’s nothing quite like that first breath of London air.
We split our time in London across three visits, each one offering a new layer of the city to fall in love with. Our first three nights helped us get acclimated as we explored iconic landmarks like Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, Notting Hill, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. One of our favorite walks was from London Bridge along the Thames to Tower Bridge and back along the opposite side—a scenic loop that really set the tone for the trip.
After a quick stay in Bath, we returned to London for two more nights, giving us time to visit Borough Market, Buckingham Palace, and Leadenhall Market, and to see Big Ben and the Parliament building beautifully lit up at night.
Our final two nights in London—after returning from Scotland—were a perfect way to close the trip. We revisited Big Ben and the surrounding landmarks after dark, walked to Tower Bridge in both the morning and evening (it was just steps from our hotel), and enjoyed breakfast with panoramic views at the Sky Garden. We also toured the Tower of London and made one last stop at Borough Market, because those chocolate-covered strawberries were absolutely worth the repeat visit.
Bath (1 Night)
Our time in Bath was brief, but surprisingly satisfying. With about a day and a half to explore, we found it to be the perfect amount of time for a quick but meaningful stop. The city is incredibly walkable and felt like stepping onto the set of a period film—lined with honey-colored Georgian buildings, elegant streets, and rich history around every corner.
We visited the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, both absolute must-sees, and wandered through charming shops and cafes. A stroll across Pulteney Bridge, one of only a few historic bridges in the world lined with shops on both sides, was another highlight—its architecture and riverside views were straight out of a painting. We also enjoyed the peaceful Jane Austen Gardens, a quiet green space honoring one of Bath’s most famous former residents.
One standout stop was The Circus, a striking ring of Georgian townhouses with a fascinating past. Designed by architect John Wood the Elder, The Circus was completed in the 1760s and built to reflect ancient Roman and Druid symbolism. From above, its circular layout, combined with nearby Queen Square and the Royal Crescent, forms a key shape—believed to be inspired by Stonehenge and the power of sacred geometry.
While we could have happily lingered longer, our short stay gave us a beautiful glimpse into Bath’s elegance and historic charm—making it a destination we’d gladly revisit on a future trip.
Edinburgh (3 Nights)
Edinburgh stole our hearts. We stayed on Rose Street, which turned out to be the perfect central location—quiet at night, mostly flat, and just steps from everything. That flat terrain ended up being a major win, because while the city is incredibly walkable, nearly everything is either uphill or downhill. We felt for the poor travelers dragging their suitcases up the steep Royal Mile!
Our time in Edinburgh was a mix of historic exploration and cozy local charm. Touring Edinburgh Castle with our guide Joe was an absolute highlight—his storytelling brought centuries of Scottish history to life in the most engaging way. We also visited the outside of the University of Edinburgh, which had such a classic and intellectual feel, and took two fascinating tours: the Dark History walking tour, which gave us a glimpse into Edinburgh’s more eerie past, and the Real Mary King’s Close tour, which took us deep beneath the city to explore preserved streets from the 1600s.
We found ourselves returning often to our favorite local pub, The Rose and Crown, just a few doors down from our stay. Great prices, good vibes, and friendly locals—it became a staple. With its gothic architecture, hidden closes, and lively yet grounded atmosphere, Edinburgh had a vibe all its own. It was the kind of place that made us feel like we were walking through a living storybook, and we already can’t wait to return.
Inverness & the Highlands (3 Nights)
After taking the train from Edinburgh, we arrived in Inverness and stayed along the beautiful River Ness—a peaceful and picturesque spot that felt like something out of a storybook. The river views were stunning, and we loved how walkable and inviting the city center was.
We spent our first day wandering the charming streets, popping into shops (where we found the perfect cozy sweaters), and visiting Leakey’s Bookstore—a dreamy, wood-burning-stove-warmed treasure trove of secondhand books inside an old church. We also visited Uilebheist Distillery and Brewery, which ended up being one of the most fun stops of the whole trip. The staff was fantastic, and we had a great time tasting both whisky and beer while laughing with the guys behind the counter.
On day two, we rented a car and headed out for a full day of exploring. First stop was Fort George, a well-preserved 18th-century military fort with views stretching out over the Moray Firth. From there, we visited the hauntingly powerful Culloden Battlefield and the nearby Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site that felt otherworldly.
Our third day took us to the legendary Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, where we soaked in the views and tried (unsuccessfully) to spot Nessie. We also made a must-do visit to Farm Ness, where we got to meet and snap photos with some adorable Highland coos up close. On a local recommendation, we drove out to Cromarty, a peaceful coastal town with stunning views of the bay—an unexpected and perfect way to cap off our time in the Highlands.
This leg of the journey was slower, more scenic, and full of rich history and breathtaking landscapes. It offered a peaceful contrast to the bustle of the cities, and it gave us some of our most memorable moments from the entire trip.
🚆 Getting Around
Train Travel: We used trains for nearly all city transfers—London to Bath, back to London, then up to Edinburgh and Inverness. Train travel in the UK was comfortable, scenic, and surprisingly easy to navigate, especially in Scotland where the views were breathtaking.
Flight from Inverness to London: To save time and avoid a long return train ride, we opted to fly from Inverness back to London for the final leg of our trip. The flight was quick and smooth, giving us more time to enjoy our last two days in the city.
Walking: We averaged over 20,000 steps per day. The best way to explore most of these cities is on foot, so comfortable walking shoes are a must—your feet will thank you.
Car Rental: We only rented a car while in Inverness to explore the Highlands. It gave us the freedom to visit more remote areas at our own pace, but driving on the opposite side of the road and navigating single-track lanes definitely came with a learning curve!
Public Transit in London: The Tube is fast, efficient, and surprisingly easy to navigate. We used Tap to Pay with our credit cards, which made getting around seamless—no need to buy tickets or passes in advance. We relied on Google Maps and the TFL Go app for directions, live updates, and transit schedules. Navigating the city this way was smooth and gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace.
💕 Reflections from the Road
This trip wasn’t just about crossing off bucket list items—it was about slowing down, celebrating our marriage, and sharing awe-filled moments together. There were quiet nights in cozy pubs, golden hours walking through gardens, and hilarious (slightly terrifying) attempts at navigating Scottish roads.
We came home with tired feet, full hearts, and more stories than we can count. It reminded us that after 20 years of life together, there’s still so much world to explore—side by side.
🗺️ Coming Up Next:
I’ll be sharing individual posts soon that dive deeper into each city:
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