The wife, kids and I are going to England this summer....... any advice on what to do and what to see?
(we just got our Silverstone tickets [evil])
geoffduc... ;D
Oulton Park [evil]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oulton_Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oulton_Park)
One of my fav clips from OP - 675 vs R6
Richards v Kennaugh Last lap at Oulton Park bss 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mfJ9pKcs0w&playnext=1&list=PL031D45CB3BDD317A#normal)
We have been to UK twice...and the missus loves it.
she would rather go there than Italy.
first time we went (May) we went to London, Salisbury (stonehenge), Bath, and Edinburgh
second time we went in Oct with friends to London, Salisbury, York, Scarsbourough
Tons to see esp in London, plan 2-3 days there.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of my Happy Places.....
Cask Ales are fantastic (dont be afraid of 'bitter')
food is fine...we mostly ate in pubs. (indian and chinese food is good in london)
fish-n-chips, meat pies=good
gammon ham, full-english, and 'bacon'= not so much
cell phone and GPS were handy
public transit is excellent
I've got a helmet for you too-
(http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/dir/image.php?id=53016)
bought it for the missus this week, S is too big...shes an XS
have fun
London is a great city - easy to get around, folks are friendly, and the food defies the stereotypes. I like the Imperial War Museum, Tower of London, and British Museum. If I only had three days to spend, I would spend a day at each, maybe trying to fit in the Tate British too. The Tate Modern is too big, cold, and warehouselike - take it from a former art student, spend no more than a couple hours there. Check out Belgo for really good food and beer.
+1 for Bath for a day trip, and Edinburgh for a multi-day trip.
Book very soon if you have not already. Learn how to incorporate the words "massive", "brilliant", and "cheers" into every sentence, and you will be speaking British English. If you drive, remember that they don't speak middle finger. Have a massively brilliant time. [drink]
I really liked the Churchill Museum and the London Transport Museum
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/ (http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/)
http://cwr.iwm.org.uk/ (http://cwr.iwm.org.uk/)
And the Borough Market before or after seeing the London Bridge.
http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/ (http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/)
Look kids... Big Ben, Parliament!
Big Ben, Paliament...!
I CAN'T GET LEFT!!!!!
[bacon]
Edinburgh
York
Isle of man
Cheddar
Bath
Stonehenge
London: Greenwich (highly Recommended), tower, tower bridge, horse guard,
Westminster (newton's burial place)
Beautiful country, epic history.
Cousin Avi - London (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbWJoZAsCs#normal)
Snatch: I'M COMING TO LONDON! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyKBSy6rgdY&feature=related#normal)
Don't Go To England (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZoYUQSU38E&feature=related#normal)
Another vote for Bath.
Side note...don't follow a "frenchie" speeding on a freeway.
mmmmmmm... real clotted cream on scones.... mmmmmmmm....
and in cheddar, clotted cream on an ice cream cone after hiking on the cliffs. never saw clotted cream spread on ice cream anywhere else.
Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh. Just cause it's in Scotland. But in August they have Tattoo (big event of different performers from around the world including US military bands) at the castle in Edinburgh. Also, on the royal mile theres two places where you can get anything fried from Mars bars to hamburgers. They also have the Closes along the mile, they do a tour through the more open one- I think Mary Kings Close which is supposed to be haunted.
In England it's kind of cool to do a Jack the Ripper tour with on of the Beef Eaters if you guys are into that kind of thing.
BP, LM, and the kiddies:
European Vacation - Roundabout (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAgX6qlJEMc#normal)
[cheeky]
[bacon]
Quote from: JEFF_H on February 10, 2011, 10:00:05 AM
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of my Happy Places.....
That's a real place? I just read a piece of fiction (
The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch) that mentioned it a couple of times, but I thought the place was, well, also a piece of fiction! I have much to learn.
LM
Yes, it is a real place. "Rebuilt in 1692" (might have the year wrong, but close to that. Been there for a while.)
Some Billy Shakes guy used to go there write a lot.
Bath is worth the trip. [thumbsup] The Pile of Rocks, only because it is sort of on the way to Bath.
All the normal touristy stuff is worth it in London - The British Museum, Westi Abby, Buckingham & the changing of the guard (as long as you see it on a non-rainy day), St. Pauls Cathedral, The Tower, Hyde Park...
The London Dungeon museum
Brighton to Dover & The white cliffs.
Hampton Court
Windsor Castle
Oxford
The Holland & Holland factory (right across the street from Paddington Station), even if you are not into stupidly expensive guns, just to see the craftmanship that still goes into them.
The list goes on...
Its actually the correct side of the road ;D.
York.
The Lake District. And the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub in particular [drink].
Whitby.
Coventry Transport Museum >> http://www.transport-museum.com/ (http://www.transport-museum.com/)
in edinburgh, hike along the columnar basalt cliff up to the top of 'arthurs seat' ... spectacular
360 deg. view of the entire area. you won't see another tourist up there. sit and think
about the >2000 years of history spread before you. one of my best memories.
I wanna see the Uffington Horse..... just cuz I'm an XTC fan ;D
I left that cold damp god forsaken place at the age of sixteen. I went to the promised Land America and have been here on and off ever since. Save you money and go somewhere nice.Somewhere Cheap.
Britain is horribly expensive.
But if you are going and you are going to be in London, let me know. I was born and raised there and know some places that you might like.
When are you going? That question is asked because the sun only shines on the 3rd of August for a brief moment...usually between 7am and 702.am
make sure you take plenty of toothpaste and floss. Once the English find out what it is and what its for you'll make a bloody fortune.
hahahahahahahahaha
All joking apart its a great place. If you are going at the end May beginning of June IOMTT. It'll blow you away. I went in 2007 for the centenary. 10 of us from Portland OR went, we had a blast and I took nearly 700 pictures in a week. It was amazing.
What do you guys want to see that is the question? If you want to see Romantic England with all the quaint cottages and villages that is easy to do. If you want to see the reality of an economy that only works in the south of England go to Newcastle..................closed shipyards, closed coal mines, fewer cars
violence, drugs gangs .Yes it happens there too as I am sure you are aware.
If you or your wife like gardens I can give you a list of brilliant gardens to see or Stately Homes /Castles. Some of the world's most amazing gardens are in England ,its the stuff of magazines and fantasy etc.
Fish and chips should only ever be bought and eaten in one place. The local chippy from when I grew up is still in business. When I went back in 2007 I walked in after being gone 25 years and it was like a family reunion.When my brother walked in a minute later ( he was parking the car) it was mayhem! We were welcomed home ,even though he lives only 40 miles away and we had a great time. The owners watched us grow up and not having their own kids all the neighborhood kids became their kids. I have their address if you want it.
Its a rich Isle with a rich history. Decide what you want to see and do and then do research. I can help you if you have an idea of what you like . My mother grew up in an 800 year old house.............yes people still live in them and they are not just for the wealthy. Making a plan if you are on a limited time stay is probably the best thing to do to see certain things otherwise your time will just be spent trundling around and not seeing what a great little cold wet place has to offer.
If you go to London the beer to drink is Fullers London Pride. Fullers brewery is great and their beer a fixture in society. Be prepared to spend a LOT of money. Everything is EXPENSIVE.
Imperial War Museum, British Museum, and Tower were my 3 favorites too
first 2 are free.
get a tour with a beefeater at the tower...more fun with the stories and commentary
holocaust exhibit at the war museum is very well done and moving experience.
takes it out of you tho...
pic of my fav part of the cheese-
(http://beerlens.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/rg-0020-1283.jpg)
Our trip consisted mostly of this-
What do you want to do now?
-I dunno.....pub?
[drink]
Quote from: badgalbetty on February 11, 2011, 06:51:29 AM
I left that cold damp god forsaken place at the age of sixteen. . .
And moved to . . . Portland? FAIL!
[cheeky]
sac
/kidding
//might actually be visiting Portland in a few months
LOOK RIGHT
I'm so jealous! My ex and I had friends there (well, they are her friends and are still there...) and we visited them 5 times in 7 years. Little village south of Guilford. We were there in December a few times, September a couple, and she was there on her own with them a couple of summers. My favorite of our trips was when we rented a flat in London for a couple weeks over Xmas and NEw Years (two blocks from the SOuth Kensignton tube station)...I love that city! From the postings here, you have a lot of great suggestions so I dont need to give my two shillings worth. You will have such a great time.
Silverstone...for the F1GP or MotoGP?
Quote from: Sắc Dục on February 11, 2011, 11:51:26 AM
And moved to . . . Portland? FAIL!
[cheeky]
sac
/kidding
//might actually be visiting Portland in a few months
Then we will have to carry on from where we left off all those years ago..............
that was a helluva night was it not?
you are both welcome here anytime, I'll take the couch.
Bob send me the dates please.. [thumbsup]
[coffee]
Quote from: geoffduc on February 13, 2011, 01:00:22 PM
Bob send me the dates please.. [thumbsup]
[coffee]
We just got tickets for sundays race..... odds are we'll arrive in london a few days before and leave a few days after. We haven't booked flights yet, so arrival dates are still up in the air.
Quote from: orangelion03 on February 11, 2011, 12:50:26 PM
<snip>
Silverstone...for the F1GP or MotoGP?
Quote from: geoffduc on February 13, 2011, 01:00:22 PM
Bob send me the dates please.. [thumbsup]
[coffee]
Quote from: bobspapa on February 13, 2011, 06:51:07 PM
We just got tickets for sundays race..... odds are we'll arrive in london a few days before and leave a few days after. We haven't booked flights yet, so arrival dates are still up in the air.
Did you ever answer the first question?
What month...year?
Inquiring minds want to know. ;D
Moto GP ;D
OK Bob heres an idea... fly over to manchester (cheaper) 10 days before the sunday of the motogp, hire a car, drive to my home and I'll take you to the Isle of Man ferry terminal at Liverpool (8miles) go over on the Seecat as foot pasengers (cheaper than taking the car) and watch the 1st race on saturday the 4th june, come back on monday (you've got to see mad sunday) and I'll pick you up with your hirecar. You could then drive north to the lakes, north yorkshire moors or scotland for afew days making sure you get down to silverstone for the following weekend after which you could then go south for the cotswolds or london to finish off your vacation. Being a northerner I don't know much about london but I know that in 2002 we had friends over from atlanta and did the tour that I've suggested and they loved it (couldn't believe that guys raced on the streets) and even managed chips and fish in a beautiful market town in the lakes that has what I think is special, A car park that at weekends is reserved for motor cycles only and boy it sure pisses off car drivers (I love it).
Only an idea so don't shoot the messenger...cheers...Geoff.
[coffee]
Northen England and Scotland??? I sense a Harry Potter tour in your future ;D
Well Bob have you made your mind up yet.. :-\
BTW bring wet weather gear.. :'( we do seem to have our fare share of rain.. [bang]
[coffee]
We'll only be able to take a lil over a week off..... so far the plan is to arrive midweek, a few days before motogp, but we havent booked flights yet, so I dont know the exact when and where. Michelle has some family there that we plan on visiting.. and I think they live a lil outside london. They boys are coming with us, so thing were trying to plan have to be somewhat kid based (so my plans on getting drunk every night in a new pup are out the window)
What kind of things are needed to rent/hire a car in the UK?
What kind of things are needed to rent/hire a car in the UK?
[/quote]
Money. Lots of it. England is Expensive. [cheeky]
I rented a car back in 2002 on a visit home and I just showed my Oregon State issued d/l, passport and credit card.
If you rent a car don't get one with French License plates, The Brits don't like the French so well......they are still a bit pissed about 1066 and Hastings. Old wounds are slow to heal. [laugh]
Quote from: bobspapa on February 15, 2011, 09:20:54 AM
What kind of things are needed to rent/hire a car in the UK?
I rented a car in Italy...it was easy.
wouldnt do it in the UK...transit is so easy to find everywhere.
possible exception- driving to the highlands might be fun
ever drive a roundabout? backwards? :o
Quote from: JEFF_H on February 15, 2011, 12:13:07 PM
I rented a car in Italy...it was easy.
wouldnt do it in the UK...transit is so easy to find everywhere.
possible exception- driving to the highlands might be fun
ever drive a roundabout? backwards? :o
Oh come on Jeff if an olde fart like me can come over to the states and drive a couple of thousand miles I'm sure you guys could drive on our roads but remember we don't take prisoners... ;) ;)
[coffee]
Quote from: geoffduc on February 15, 2011, 12:47:20 PM
Oh come on Jeff if an olde fart like me can come over to the states and drive a couple of thousand miles I'm sure you guys could drive on our roads but remember we don't take prisoners... ;) ;)
[coffee]
You ever drive in Boston? :o
Quote from: ducpainter on February 15, 2011, 03:02:26 PM
You ever drive in Boston? :o
Yeah.
It's worse in the South. [coffee]
Quote from: Buckethead on February 15, 2011, 03:23:45 PM
Yeah.
It's worse in the South. [coffee]
I was in Miami a few years back.
They pretty much suck as drivers.
In Boston driving like an asshole is an art form. ;)
Quote from: JEFF_H on February 15, 2011, 12:13:07 PM
I rented a car in Italy...it was easy.
wouldnt do it in the UK...transit is so easy to find everywhere.
possible exception- driving to the highlands might be fun
ever drive a roundabout? backwards? :o
I was driving back from Oxford one night, and I did actually attempt to drive a roundabout backwards. Until I encountered a lorry driving forwards. And then I drove across the middle of a roundabout, middlewards.
Driving is fun, once you spend a couple hours on the road rewiring your brain and you stop bumping into the driver's side door, expecting more car to be there. Roundabouts are better than stoplights. There are rules to them that took a little while for me to figure out, but that you can probably ignore if you are careful, and your feelings don't get hurt by people holding their fingers up in a V formation at you. Thank you! I
did victoriously navigate this circle! Cheers!
I felt like driving on the freeway there is as easy as driving on the freeway here. Of course, you could avoid any of this wrong-side-of-car stuff if you rent a bike :)
Quote from: bobspapa on February 15, 2011, 09:20:54 AM
What kind of things are needed to rent/hire a car in the UK?
I had to get an international drivers license to rent a car in Scotland, but they're right about public transportation, even if you plan on going out to the boonies, there's trains and buses.
Oh ya, got international license at a AAA office which is good for two years.
Just like Erica advised, bring lots of money, gas at the moment is over $8 a gallon and the cost of eating out is getting more expensive by the day. Public transport is good but you need to get to grips with all the time tables, you say that you're bringing the kids well what age are they because theres Legoland at Windsor which I believe is wonderful and then sightseeing in the capital will take afew days, you'll have to hire a car to get to silverstone and make sure you're there early as it gets very congested plus have you got grandstand tickets or just general entry?
[coffee]
Quote from: geoffduc on February 13, 2011, 09:51:37 PM
OK Bob heres an idea... fly over to manchester (cheaper) 10 days before the sunday of the motogp, hire a car, drive to my home and I'll take you to the Isle of Man ferry terminal at Liverpool (8miles) go over on the Seecat as foot pasengers (cheaper than taking the car) and watch the 1st race on saturday the 4th june, come back on monday (you've got to see mad sunday) and I'll pick you up with your hirecar. You could then drive north to the lakes, north yorkshire moors or scotland for afew days making sure you get down to silverstone for the following weekend after which you could then go south for the cotswolds or london to finish off your vacation. Being a northerner I don't know much about london but I know that in 2002 we had friends over from atlanta and did the tour that I've suggested and they loved it (couldn't believe that guys raced on the streets) and even managed chips and fish in a beautiful market town in the lakes that has what I think is special, A car park that at weekends is reserved for motor cycles only and boy it sure pisses off car drivers (I love it).
Only an idea so don't shoot the messenger...cheers...Geoff.
[coffee]
Great itinerary [thumbsup] Can I come along too? ;D.
Quote from: badgalbetty on February 15, 2011, 11:39:26 AMIf you rent a car don't get one with French License plates...
...coz the steering wheel is in front of the passenger's seat (but then I expect you'll be used to that). Just remember, when you do jump in the passenger side with your hire-car keys poised for the getaway.... unlock the glove-box to look like you meant it ;).
Quote from: ducpainter on February 15, 2011, 03:39:17 PM
In Boston driving like an asshole is an art form. ;)
[laugh]
Joel and Michelle have a great time the UK will be a blast.
We got roving grandsatand tickets
Quote from: red baron on February 18, 2011, 06:47:17 AM
[laugh]
Joel and Michelle have a great time the UK will be a blast.
Hey stranger [beer]
Here's another tip to help ease the high cost of everything in the UK....
Just pretend pounds are the same as dollars.
you're gonna buy the stuff anyway...so ignorance is bliss
also- dont worry about carrying a lot of cash...just credit card it as you go
My favorite London story....
We are staying in South London Hotel (I want to say kensington)
I go the the lobby bar and order a pint.
The barman hands me a drink and says 'Free'
-me 'oh wow, this is free??'
him-<rolls eyes> and holds up 3 fingers
-me oh. three.
stupid souf london accent
(and he probably has the same story told in reverse about the stupid americans that cant understand english)
Quote from: JEFF_H on February 18, 2011, 09:26:21 AM
My favorite London story....
We are staying in South London Hotel (I want to say kensington)
I go the the lobby bar and order a pint.
The barman hands me a drink and says 'Free'
-me 'oh wow, this is free??'
him-<rolls eyes> and holds up 3 fingers
-me oh. three.
stupid souf london accent
english)
I LOL'ed on that one!
As a displaced Limey I can relate, now when I go home to visit they have trouble understanding my Texas accent ;D