British Isles Excursions -2025

[auntlynne]

@ido - if one opted for the Blarney Castle tour from Cobh, would the grounds/ gardens, castle itself (without the climb to the stone) + scenery make for a reasonable experience for those with mobility issues?

I’ve seen there is a walk from the car lot to the castle.

 

[auntlynne]

We are on this cruise as well. No mobility issues. Following along. We love castles and scenery. Not afraid of non-dcl excursions. Probably will save Stonehenge/Bath for a possible excursion on the way back from Southhampton and do a tour of Jurassic coast in Portland. Liverpool- Conwy Castle/Wales. Would love to make it to Edinburgh-we shall see

Conwy Castle - that looks neat.

 

[ldo]

if one opted for the Blarney Castle tour from Cobh, would the grounds/ gardens, castle itself (without the climb to the stone) + scenery make for a reasonable experience for those with mobility issues? I’ve seen there is a walk from the car lot to the castle.

I don't recall a long walk, but it was 2018, so I'd email the tour company. We did not stand in line to kiss the stone (which is inside a tower in the small castle ruins). We just took a photo of the castle ruins and then walked the grounds and went to the poison garden. Although, per this map, the grounds are spread out, you can easily stay within the main area and enjoy the beautiful area. https://blarneycastle.ie/plan-your-visit/map-and-virtual-tour/

Conwry Castle (pictured above) is on the BusyBus Liverpool tour. We saw it on our BB tour from (Holyhead). Snowdonia National Park is also a stop on the Liverpool tour--beautiful.
https://www.busybus.co.uk/sightseeing-day-tour-to-north-wales-from-liverpool-cruise-terminal/

 

[auntlynne]

I don't recall a long walk, but it was 2018, so I'd email the tour company. We did not stand in line to kiss the stone (which is inside a tower in the small castle ruins). We just took a photo of the castle ruins and then walked the grounds and went to the poison garden. Although, per this map, the grounds are spread out, you can easily stay within the main area and enjoy the beautiful area.
https://blarneycastle.ie/plan-your-visit/map-and-virtual-tour/

So, a possible recommend for @hockeygirlcs with her elderly parents? Based on seeing the environs?

Your prior excursions sold me on your excursion picking ability. If you find someone who has enjoyed something you have enjoyed, it certainly gives a feeling of assurance.

Thanks!

 

[FairyGodmother00]

View attachment 894625

Conwy Castle - that looks neat.

This castle is awesome!!!! We toured it about 17 years ago

 

[ldo]

So, a possible recommend for @hockeygirlcs with her elderly parents? Based on seeing the environs?

If they are in a wheelchair, definitely. If not, and they can walk 10 minutes slowly before tiring, I'd say yes. There were plenty of elderly there. Many of the sites are not that far from the main area and I think there are a number of sitting places, where someone could sit and enjoy while others ventured off further.
Thanks for the kind words. I spent a lot of time researching, so am happy to download my recommendations. Elaine

 

[auntlynne]

While we “missed” visiting Stonehenge, this is what we saw from outside the fence. And realize it was not a tall chain link one, making viewing easy.

You can somewhat see the stanchions creating the walking path.

But I couldn’t feel the energy from the ley lines.

This was actually on the way to Barcelona for a WBTA after a stop at DL Paris. I made the most of that transatlantic flight! England was to visit a niece doing a semester in London. I feel so fortunate when I remember the trips I have taken.

 

[auntlynne]

Since the internet spies on me, I found this video in my YouTube feed.

I had no idea Liverpool looked this neat. Such a variety of archtitecture.

Hope everyone who goes there has a great time.

 

[jujubiee4]

Following as we are on this cruise also. Looking at the excursion list I wondered if a private tour
would be better. But seeing the suggestions here sound very good!

 

[txdisneygrl]

I actually just got home from this cruise this year! We spent about two days in Bath before taking the train to Southampton the night before the cruise.

My family did DIY to Glasgow from Greenock. At the recommendation of a security guard who gave us directions we bought the train ticket that included the hop on hop off bus. We spent a good deal of time at the Cathedral and walking around downtown but definitely enjoyed the city tour as well. I loved Glasgow and would love to go back and spend more time in Scotland.

For Liverpool we just walked around the city and the port area. The architecture is very interesting and they had some neat shops. It was unfortunately quite chilly and rainy, evidently the ship nearly wasn't able to dock.

In Cobh we took a DCL port adventure that went over to Kinsale, which is beautiful.

For Portland we did the DCL port adventure to Lyme Regis which included beautiful countryside an an absolutely charming seaside resort town. Lots of stairs and inclines though so could be a challenge with mobility issues.

Some of the excursions, Stonehenge and Blarney Castle, as well as most of the Edinburgh ones sell out very quickly.

 

[auntlynne]

@txdisneygrl - sounds like a great adventure.

Add-ons, pre- or post-cruise can be great for getting that little extra viewing, especially of areas further inland. Like Bath.

If cruisers have the time and money for a few extra days or a week, that expensive transatlantic flight covers more memories.

 

[hockeygirlcs]

If they are in a wheelchair, definitely. If not, and they can walk 10 minutes slowly before tiring, I'd say yes. There were plenty of elderly there. Many of the sites are not that far from the main area and I think there are a number of sitting places, where someone could sit and enjoy while others ventured off further.
Thanks for the kind words. I spent a lot of time researching, so am happy to download my recommendations. Elaine

Thanks! Yes, they can walk but tire easily so have to have breaks.

 

[Hubie]

Been to Europe on three DCL cruises out of Copenhagen and on seven other land trips over the years. In Ireland, I'd concentrate on exploring Cobh or Kinsale. While in Scotland I'd concentrate on seeing my favorite city of all -- Edinburgh. The old part of the Scottish Capital just oozes with history and provides so much to explore, including all of its museums, which are free. But since you'd be limited for time while there, I would concentrate on touring the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.

 

[shoegal9]

We just returned from this cruise last Sunday. We loved it so much! The most special parts for me were the send offs. In Greenock there was a full bagpipe ensemble/ it was incredible. And in Portland the Portland choir came to sing and the military shot canons. Literally made me cry.

As for excursions. In Edinburgh we did the “Edinburgh On your own by train”. It only took us 1.5 hours by train so we had about 4.5 hours to wander the city. It wasn’t enough of course, but my mom did the castle and Holyrood tour and she wished she had just taken the train with us. I loved Edinburgh so much we are already planning a trip back.

In Liverpool we had terrible weather. We didn’t book an excursion and just had lunch and did a gin making experience at the distillery. My mom did Taste of Chester and LOVED it. Should be noted that the Conwy Castle was not offered for our cruise.

In Cobh we did not book an excursion. We took the train into Cork for a few hours but wished we hadn’t because Cobh itself is so lovely! We had lunch there, popped into a few pubs and shopped around. An amazing port city in my opinion.

In Portland we did Stonehenge. The bus ride was long but 100% worth it.

I’m so glad we did this cruise instead of any other in Europe. Enjoy!

 

[auntlynne]

Don’t forget Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle from Greenock. A bit of castles and history and the Scottish countryside. Maybe less strenuous, less time walking.

My stream if consciousness video viewing took me from a ferry in Iceland and Faroe Islands to rings of stone in Scotland. …I came out rethinking what interests me the most there: the scenery. I loved it in the Cotswalds and the Lake District. Scotland looks gorgeous.

 

[DVC Jackie]

We just returned from this cruise last Sunday. We loved it so much! The most special parts for me were the send offs. In Greenock there was a full bagpipe ensemble/ it was incredible. And in Portland the Portland choir came to sing and the military shot canons. Literally made me cry.

As for excursions. In Edinburgh we did the “Edinburgh On your own by train”. It only took us 1.5 hours by train so we had about 4.5 hours to wander the city. It wasn’t enough of course, but my mom did the castle and Hollywood tour and she wished she had just taken the train with us. I loved Edinburgh so much we are already planning a trip back.

In Liverpool we had terrible weather. We didn’t book an excursion and just had lunch and did a gin making experience at the distillery. My mom did Taste of Chester and LOVED it. Should be noted that the Conwy Castle was not offered for our cruise.

In Cobh we did not book an excursion. We took the train into Cork for a few hours but wished we hadn’t because Cobh itself is so lovely! We had lunch there, popped into a few pubs and shopped around. An amazing port city in my opinion.

In Portland we did Stonehenge. The bus ride was long but 100% worth it.

I’m so glad we did this cruise instead of any other in Europe. Enjoy!

My husband and I are doing this cruise next September on the Fantasy. Thank you for the insights into the port excursions! My husband has limited mobility… was Stonehenge a relatively flat walking surface? Also, was there any special nights on the ship ( formal/ semi-formal) ? If so, what nights were they? I’m having trouble finding info on this cruise. Thank you so much for your responses!

 

[shoegal9]

My husband and I are doing this cruise next September on the Fantasy. Thank you for the insights into the port excursions! My husband has limited mobility… was Stonehenge a relatively flat walking surface? Also, was there any special nights on the ship ( formal/ semi-formal) ? If so, what nights were they? I’m having trouble finding info on this cruise. Thank you so much for your responses!

Yes, Stonehenge would be fine with limited mobility. You can either walk to the site (which we did on the way there & it was lovely but far) or you can take the shuttle bus from the visitors center. The bus gets you within a couple hundred feet or so to the actual stones. There is a pretty smooth small gravel path.

We had formal night on night 2, semi-formal the last night, and pirate night was on night 5 when we left Ireland.

 

[DVC Jackie]

Yes, Stonehenge would be fine with limited mobility. You can either walk to the site (which we did on the way there & it was lovely but far) or you can take the shuttle bus from the visitors center. The bus gets you within a couple hundred feet or so to the actual stones. There is a pretty smooth small gravel path.

We had formal night on night 2, semi-formal the last night, and pirate night was on night 5 when we left Ireland.

Thank you for the info shoegal9!

 

[Scottishdisneyfan]

If anyone is on this cruise i live just down the road from Greenock and work in Glasgow so im more than happy to help with any suggestions as to where to go or if the excursion is tourist bait or not. Remember that you dont have to tip 20% here.
I am a member of a nice wee golf course (Kilmacolm) if anyone fancies a round of golf.