Part 2 of The Ultimate 10 Day England Itinerary

London to Newcastle by Train

We traded the busy streets of London for the quiet rhythm of the rails, boarding a train north to Newcastle upon Tyne. The ride was a journey in itself: rolling green fields stretched toward the horizon, tiny villages passed in a blur, and church spires rose unexpectedly from the countryside. It was the kind of trip that makes you grateful for a window seat—and a hot cup of tea in hand.

Travel Tip: Book tickets in advance through Trainline to lock in the best prices and keep mobile tickets on your phone. If you’re planning multiple journeys, consider a BritRail Pass for consecutive days of travel—it can save you money and adds flexibility. We bought a 4-trip pass to use within two weeks, and even splurged on first class, which made the longer rides more comfortable.

Our Route:
London ➝ Newcastle ➝ Langley Castle ➝ Bristol ➝ Plymouth & Cornwall ➝ London

Stay: The Vermont Hotel

In true travel-oops fashion, I forgot to book our Newcastle stay ahead of time. Fortunately, we managed to snag a last-minute room at The Vermont Hotel—and it turned out to be a wonderful surprise.

  • Rooftop dining & drinks with a sweeping view of the Tyne Bridge, one of Newcastle’s most iconic landmarks.

  • A lively upstairs bar packed with football fans—supporters of Newcastle United, the lifeblood of the city. The atmosphere was buzzing, and even as outsiders, it was impossible not to get swept up in the excitement.

  • A unique mix of old-world architecture and modern comforts, making the hotel feel both historic with todays conforts.

  • Outside, fancy old cars like Bentleys and Rolls-Royces pulled up to the entrance.

  • And one detail I loved: the different accents. Compared to London, the Geordie dialect in Newcastle had a rhythm and warmth all its own.

Day 4: Newcastle Shopping & Christmas Vibes

We spent part of the day wandering through Newcastle’s large shopping mall, Eldon Square which was beautifully decorated for Christmas. Twinkling lights, holiday music, and bustling crowds gave it a festive energy that felt worlds away from London.

For lunch, we took a break from traditional pub fare and had some excellent sushi—a fun reminder that England’s food scene is far more diverse than many people expect.

By afternoon, we called an Uber and headed out toward our next adventure: staying in an actual castle.

Food in England: What to Try & What Surprised Us

One of the best parts of traveling is discovering food traditions—and England’s turned out to be richer and more interesting than I expected.

  • Sunday Roast: A weekly tradition with roast beef (or another meat), potatoes, vegetables, rich gravy, and Yorkshire pudding (a savory pastry, not dessert).
  • Full English Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, grilled tomato, and toast. Hearty enough to keep you going all morning.
  • Pastries & Espresso: Cafés like La Forchetta in London served some of the best croissants and strong coffee we had on the trip.
  • Pub Food: Beyond beer, pubs serve classics like fish & chips, steak & ale pie, and bangers & mash.
  • Local Sourcing: Menus often listed the farms or regions where ingredients came from. The eggs were always fresh and tasted incredible.
  • The “Iced Tea Problem”: My favorite drink at home was nearly impossible to find in England. Hot tea? Everywhere. Iced tea? Forget it.

Stay at Langley Castle, Northumberland

Pulling up to Langley Castle felt like stepping back in time. Built in the 14th century, its stone towers rise out of the Northumberland countryside, not far from remnants of Hadrian’s Wall.

  • Dining in the castle: Meals were served in the grand dining room, where stone walls and candlelight created a truly medieval atmosphere. The owners of the castle—American expats—were even dining nearby, which gave the experience a friendly, personal touch.
  • Castle tours: We explored the ramparts, wandered the grounds, and learned about the castle’s centuries of history.
  • Jet lag reset: After days of go-go-go in London, we finally slowed down here. Between the hearty meals, glasses of wine, and the quiet countryside, we caught up on sleep and shook off the worst of our jet lag.

The Castle Stay Experience

There’s something magical about sleeping in a place where knights once walked. The thick stone walls muffled every sound, the heavy drapes kept out the winter night, and it was easy to imagine life here centuries ago. For us, Langley Castle was the perfect pause in the middle of a busy itinerary—a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy England’s history not just as tourists, but as temporary residents of a fortress.

Tip: If you’ve ever dreamed of a castle stay in England, Langley is a fantastic option. Book early—it’s popular, especially around the holidays.

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