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

[TonyHancock]

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.

Very well put. I'd recommend visiting the churchyard after the palace. It is hauntingly simple after the grandeur of Blenheim. I know Winston Churchill is not quite so revered in Australia, and is often considered a man of pomp and bluster but his final resting place, chosen by himself, provides an insight into a very complex character. (He refused a peerage and could have been laid to rest at St Paul's or Westminster Abbey.)

 

[drron]

Very well put. I'd recommend visiting the churchyard after the palace. It is hauntingly simple after the grandeur of Blenheim. I know Winston Churchill is not quite so revered in Australia, and is often considered a man of pomp and bluster but his final resting place, chosen by himself, provides an insight into a very complex character. (He refused a peerage and could have been laid to rest at St Paul's or Westminster Abbey.)

Don't worry Tony I am quite taken with Winston.Have read his history of WW2.Have visited Yalta and been in the room that he stayed in.Also been to Potsdam.Also visited the spot were he was taken prisoner by the Boers.Plus of course London so Blenheim was always going to be on the list and his grave is now definitely added.

 

[Geegeela]

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/

Oops, just realised it was The Sorcerer not Pinafore, but never-the-less the pleasure is in no way diminished.

“Now to the banquet we press;
now for the eggs and the ham;
now for the mustard and cress, now for the strawberry jam!
Now for the tea of our host, now for the rollicking bun,
now for the muffin and toast, and now for the gay Sally Lunn!”
—The Full Company

 

[Geegeela]

Don't worry Tony I am quite taken with Winston.Have read his history of WW2.Have visited Yalta and been in the room that he stayed in.Also been to Potsdam.Also visited the spot were he was taken prisoner by the Boers.Plus of course London so Blenheim was always going to be on the list and his grave is now definitely added.

And you will get to see a lock of his baby hair too.

 

[rogerkambah]

I found the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton absolutely fabulous, for an afternoon. Mrs rogerk was amazed by it too, and wasn't at all bored. You can go on Concorde too if you haven't already. Its relatively close to the Wedgewood factory and museum too IIRC.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Its relatively close to the Wedgewood factory and museum too IIRC.

It is about time someone mentioned some SHOPPING !

 

[rogerkambah]

It is about time someone mentioned some SHOPPING !

Absolutely! Besides the Wedgewood factory, we shopped at the outlets at Swindon (huge) and near York. My wife loves Fossil handbags. They were about half price compared to Australia, so she got a couple. Shoes also were good both in quality and price at the outlets.

 

[alieninperth]

Cheshire Oaks outlet village (between Chester and Birkenhead/Liverpool) is pretty good for shopping as well. Its been a while since I was there though.

 

[drron]

Thanks fellas.Another 3 outlet centres.So now working out what I have to drop from my to do list!

 

[rogerkambah]

Thanks fellas.Another 3 outlet centres.So now working out what I have to drop from my to do list!

Just remember. a happy wife is a happy life!

 

[alieninperth]

You can drop the missus at Cheshire Oaks while you go into Chester, or vv of course. You can spend the afternoon wandering along the river Dee and enjooying a few local beers.

 

[Flashback]

I know it's a little early.. but should we create the June 2014 AFF drinks thread?

 

[Rebekkap]

Get yourself a copy of the good pub guide - it's meant we've eaten incredibly well on previous trips to the UK (the reputation of British food notwithstanding!). I've just ordered the 2014 guide from Amazon UK for our December trip.

I also recommend Bath (as several others on this thread have), the Lakes District, the Avebury Rings rather than Stonehenge (heaps more impressive, and not surrounded by a highway and a chain link fence!), Tintagel castle in Cornwall if you like ruins, it's in a very impressive location atop a cliff... the British Museum (particularly the Elgin Marbles) and the Tate Modern are musts in London.