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Planning trip to England, Scotland- Ireland. When is the best time to go.. weather. Planning trip to England, Scotland- Ireland. When is the best time to go.. weather.
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 21 Aug 2012
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Planning trip to England, Scotland- Ireland. When is the best time to go.. weather.
Hey guys, I am planning a motorcycle trip to England. Don't care if I even go to London or not... been there few times... But never been to the country side and I would love to ride the English countryside, Wales, Scotland and possible Ireland.
I have a BMW GSA, would like to ride a similar bike. Planning a 10 days trip.
Any tips on where to rent a bike, locations to visit and what is the best time of the year to go??

Thanks for any tips!
David- Nashville.TN
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  #2  
Old 22 Aug 2012
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The Yorkshire Dales and Welsh Mountains are do able and relatively close together. Some excellent roads and spectacular scenery in both and well worth the effort. Scottish Highlands are also great, as is Cornwall. As for the weather....well its pot luck anytime of year - hot when you least expect it, and freezing when it should be hot, but try and avoid ice and snow if you can as that is rarely fun but you should be OK in most places between March and the end of November. But then you never know. The thing to remember with the UK is that although its small, it can take forever to get to places because of traffic and little roads. So although on a map it may only look 300miles away, it could take you longer than you would expect. But then again, it might not..... enjoy it whatever you decide to do.
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  #3  
Old 22 Aug 2012
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Scotland
Hi, the NW Scotland is spectacular but doesn't tend to have the best weather. March to October is fine ( lots of hotels / bars, etc shut for the winter), June - August is the best for weather but busy with tourists & midgies. Andy
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  #4  
Old 22 Aug 2012
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I've noticed a trend in recent years in that we're getting exceptionally lovely weather in Spring, around April/May followed by a generally unsettled and variable summer.

Come in Spring; the sap is rising, the birds are carousing and there's a wonderful sense of opportunity and possibility in the air. And British lanes never look so lovely and feel so ridable as in Springtime
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  #5  
Old 22 Aug 2012
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The weather
Yep - the weather - the most talked-about thing there is.

Be guided by this long-range weather forecast for England, the most reliable you'll find......

Weather for August
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  #6  
Old 23 Aug 2012
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For the Highlands in particular and Scotland in general, early-mid September to mid October is the best, no or few midges and horseflies (clegs), most of the tourists have gone and the hills are looking at their best. However, if you end up in Scotland during the summer months, give me a PM, I'm usually home then and can offer a bed, shower and washing machine. Ride safe.
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  #7  
Old 23 Aug 2012
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Weather? Ha!
We've just had the wettest drought ever - hosepipe ban followed by floods!
Best time to visit? Spring
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