United Kingdom. [What are the things not to be missed?]

[OATEK]

York has another attraction I haven't seen mentioned - the National Railway Museum. They have the A4 gathering to celebrate the world speed record for steam in 1938 by 4468 Mallard. Then you can take a tour through the Peak District across to the Lakes District.

 

[TonyHancock]

York has another attraction I haven't seen mentioned - the National Railway Museum.

York is also home to the National Railway Museum.

..........

 

[OATEK]

..........

Well done Tony - at least I extended it with mention of the A4s.

 

[greenfish]

I am thinking about a day in Bray after arrival (to acclimatize !) with dinner in Waterside Inn or Fat Duck and return to London the next day.

SQ arrival is about 7am.

Should I head off to Bray first thing or better off storing luggage in a station (? Paddington) to have lunch in London first ?

That way, I won't waste a London hotel night while traveling to Bray (check in / out is a hassle to me).

Sound reasonable to UK gurus here ?

There isn't much in Bray itself, a whole day sounds a long time, though there are some nice walks nearby (well bike rides for me, but I assume that walking would be possible).

PM if you like, am off on a the Brisbane to the GC ride in the morning so will be off-net 'till tomorrow arvo...

 

[TonyHancock]

Well done Tony - at least I extended it with mention of the A4s.

coz that wasn't referred to in the link I posted......or was it?

Only kidding..hence the here and in my original post. I really enjoyed my visits to the Railway Museum, and I think the A4 tour would be a fabulous thing to do.

 

[legroom]

Thanks for the heads up.

Nothing beats hands on experience.

There isn't much in Bray itself, a whole day sounds a long time, though there are some nice walks nearby (well bike rides for me, but I assume that walking would be possible).

PM if you like, am off on a the Brisbane to the GC ride in the morning so will be off-net 'till tomorrow arvo...

 

[drron]

Once again thanks for all the tips.Keep them coming as obviously many more will get help as well.
Firming up my plans.Flying into LHR in the evening so overnighting at LHR-SPG of course.
Pick up car,drive to Stonehenge then back through the Cotswolds to Bracknell HH of course and will try for dinner at the Waterside Inn.
Day 2-Oxford,Blenheim then an obligatory stop at Bicester for mrsdrron before Luton HGI-as it has a guest laundry.
Day 3-Drive to Warwick-Stratford on Avon and warwick castle.
Day 4 to Derby via Rugby,Coventry and Bosworth.
Day 5-to Sheffield via Chatsworth house.
Day 6,7-York.
Day 8,9-lakes district-probably staying at the Samling.
Then to Scotland-3 days Glasgow-friends there,2 nights Edinburgh,6 nights in the Highlands and last night at Aberdeen where we will start our Aaward ABZ-LHR-NRT.

 

[amaroo]

Looks good. Reminds me of a trip in 96 where we visited almost all of those places.

 

[Flashback]

Once again thanks for all the tips.Keep them coming as obviously many more will get help as well.
Firming up my plans.Flying into LHR in the evening so overnighting at LHR-SPG of course.
Pick up car,drive to Stonehenge then back through the Cotswolds to Bracknell HH of course and will try for dinner at the Waterside Inn.
Day 2-Oxford,Blenheim then an obligatory stop at Bicester for mrsdrron before Luton HGI-as it has a guest laundry.
Day 3-Drive to Warwick-Stratford on Avon and warwick castle.
Day 4 to Derby via Rugby,Coventry and Bosworth.
Day 5-to Sheffield via Chatsworth house.
Day 6,7-York.
Day 8,9-lakes district-probably staying at the Samling.
Then to Scotland-3 days Glasgow-friends there,2 nights Edinburgh,6 nights in the Highlands and last night at Aberdeen where we will start our Aaward ABZ-LHR-NRT.

If you're staying in/near Sheffield, give the Hilton a miss. The DoubleTree by Hilton which is Sheffield Park is a much nicer hotel and free parking (I think). I spent many, many nights at both this year so feel I have a fair comparison

 

[drron]

If you're staying in/near Sheffield, give the Hilton a miss. The DoubleTree by Hilton which is Sheffield Park is a much nicer hotel and free parking (I think). I spent many, many nights at both this year so feel I have a fair comparison

A man of impeccable taste-I have already decided the DT would be the way to go!

 

[Flashback]

A man of impeccable taste-I have already decided the DT would be the way to go!

I can book with my corp rate if you like although I often find booking even just a week in advance you can get sub 69 quid rooms!

The restaurant there is really good.

 

[OATEK]

6 nights in the Highlands...

You might be able to fit in a visit to the Glenmorangie distillery near Tain (southern side of Dornoch Firth). From there it is only a short drive to Croick Church, which stands testimony to the Highland Clearances. Scratched into the window panes are the names of people who holed up there protesting against being thrown off the land they had worked for centuries. From the distillery you head to Ardgay, and just before you cross the bridge over the railway line there is a road off to the left (Church Rd). Its about 14 miles to the chapel, beautiful countryside to the old chapel (on the right).

 

[drron]

I can book with my corp rate if you like although I often find booking even just a week in advance you can get sub 69 quid rooms!

The restaurant there is really good.

Decided we needed to use Mrsdrron's HH points as she will take the almighty slide at the end of March.The Sheffield park DT was just 10000 points so that is now locked in.But thanks for the offer.
And mrsdrron will become a milepoint premium member next year to cover brekkie and internet.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'm late to this one, but would endorse the York recommendations, along with surrounding areas (NY Moors, Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay), definitely Chester, Lake District, and given this is AFF, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford Air Base just South of Cambridge, a plane spotter's heaven. I spent 6 or 7 hours there. Enjoy your trip.

 

[ckelly10]

Re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

York is a really beautiful city to visit as mentioned above, have many tourist attractions, ghost walks, the shambles. In London there are endless activities, most museums are free - science museum, natural history museum, British Museum, Vctoria and Albert, The Tate, you may just have to pay for a particular exhibition if you are interested. The Lake District could be a nice quiet getaway, if you're up for walking/hiking around.

 

[Geegeela]

Once again thanks for all the tips.Keep them coming as obviously many more will get help as well.
Firming up my plans.Flying into LHR in the evening so overnighting at LHR-SPG of course.
Pick up car,drive to Stonehenge then back through the Cotswolds to Bracknell HH of course and will try for dinner at the Waterside Inn.
Day 2-Oxford,Blenheim then an obligatory stop at Bicester for mrsdrron before Luton HGI-as it has a guest laundry.
Day 3-Drive to Warwick-Stratford on Avon and warwick castle.
Day 4 to Derby via Rugby,Coventry and Bosworth.
Day 5-to Sheffield via Chatsworth house.
Day 6,7-York.
Day 8,9-lakes district-probably staying at the Samling.
Then to Scotland-3 days Glasgow-friends there,2 nights Edinburgh,6 nights in the Highlands and last night at Aberdeen where we will start our Aaward ABZ-LHR-NRT.

If you do no more than you have outlined I am sure you will have a wonderful trip.

However, you may find the following comments of value.

Seems to me that you could fit Bath in quite comfortably.

After admiring the Abbey and a stroll through the Roman Baths it is mandatory to wander down the road and enjoy one of dear Little Buttercup’s delights at Sally Lunn’s.
http://www.sallylunns.co.uk/

From Stonehenge go via the Henge at Avebury and enjoy some time at the Red Lion.

There is also a good little Bric-a-brac shop opposite theLion

https://www.oldenglishinns.co.uk/our-locations/the-red-lion-avebury

As Tony said, do stop off at Winston Churchill’s and Clementine’s elegant grave at St Martin’s Church, Bladon.

One cannot help but be moved in this environment on reflection with the WW1 memorials of the Pals Battalions often with several from the same family.

If you have any money left there is a Carlucco’s for a bite at Bicester.
http://www.bicestervillage.com/en/your-visit/food-drink/item/carluccios

On the other hand The Water Terrace Café at Blenheim is very nice.

An alternative for the Lake District
http://www.millhousecottages.co.uk/kendal-settle-kirkby-lonsdale-cottages/southerdale-cottage.html

Southerdale and Northerdale are two little1 bedroom cottages. We usually stay in Southerdale but they are the same inside. Mill House is the bigger house. Looks like they also own a couple ofother places nearby.

It's not in the middle of the Lake District which means a drive of about 30 minutes to an hour or so depending on where you want to get to in the Lakes but we have never found this to be a problem. As it's on the outside of the park it means you can use the main roads to skirt around the park if you want to go to Keswick for example.

I am sure your friends in Glasgow will set you straight for Scotland but you might like to discuss with them what they think about a trip that goes via Drymen on the edge of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (the first National Park in Scotland).
You can do many great trips that incorporates Drymen and if you like have a wee dram at The Clachan Inn, the oldest registered licensed pub in Scotland(1734)
http://www.clachaninndrymen.co.uk/

One last thing, while talking about Loch Lomond.

Here’s a good place to visit and I am sure Mrs Dron will be thrilled with the “Bicester like” store, which is at the bottom of the Loch at Balloch.
http://www.lochlomondshores.com/

 

[drron]

Thanks Geegeela there are some tips there and a couple we will definitely visit.

Bath is for a future trip.We are doing all the expensive things whilst I can still walk and work.Then when I finally really retire we will be using our points to get to Europe and driving.

 

[Buzzard]

Re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

oh and Bath too is lovely

Yes, definitely Bath. A mate of mine from Bath, now living in ADL, is a stonemason who did a lot of work on the Baths in Bath.

 

[cgichard]

Another day trip I have planned is the Bluebell Railway --

Bluebell Railway - 50 years of preserved steam in Sussex, UK

++1 for this. Ideally in mid- to late-May when the bluebells are carpeting the beech woods scenting the air with their heady smell and the cuckoo calling .... With an extra day you could stay overnight at the Cat Inn in West Hoathly Cat Inn pub and restaurant: West Hoathly and do the return train trip the next day, or follow up some of the places in their "Things to do" link. Wakehurst Place ("Kew Gardens in the country" specially recommended).

Disclosure: I lived in West Hoathly for a few years: a lovely place.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Liverpool is such an interesting City that is often missed by so many people. The waterfront was really come about in recent years with some great museum's that hard to beat for being factually interesting.

A Good night life can be had in Liverpool for obvious reasons, aka, Outstanding Music Scene.

Chester is another city just down the road from Liverpool, which is a great Walled city with fantastic Tudor architecture. A Real English Gem!