Clueless American seeks advice in visiting UK

Bob, I would say that late May/early June is an excellent time to vist England. You can NEVER bank on the weather here at any time of the year, but it's likely to be not too hot, not too cold. Rain and cloud is always a possiblity, but then so is sunshine!

It's not holiday time, so you should also be able to get around without too many school age kids and families getting in your way.

Salisbury's a couple of hours from London, by car or train (from Waterloo station). It's also got a nice cathedral (although I've never been inside).

Accomodation is relatively expensive in London, but should be cheaper outside the main cities. What sort of things do you want to see and do?. There's a surprising amount here - for such a small country!

I suggest you read Bill Bryson's 'Notes on a Small Island' before you come here.It is witty,perceptive and informs the world that the city of Durham is a truly wonderful city.Durham's student population should be revising for exams when you visit and allow you a clear run at the ale houses.As far as hotels etc. are concerned I tend to book into university halls-even in term time some have spare rooms.Imperial college in London is very handy for the Kensington Museums.Do the south of England by all means but don't forget the north.

Scotland is the natural wonder of the British Isles but there again it's a long way from Salisbury. It really does depend on what you're looking for.

London has the National Gallery which is world class as well as several good concert halls and Whitehall which is good for architecture. It does have a lot of sites, The Wheel, St Pauls Cathedral & Westminster Cathedral (not the Abbey), Regents Park the Zoo etc etc. Personally I'd stay out of London if you want to get a feel for Britain.

If you can't persuade the forum to put you up avoid the big hotels esp in london unless you are rich. There are plenty of cheap and comfortable B&Bs which you can find through the Tourist Information Offices which will also give an idea of where to go and what to see. Velofellow's suggestion of the Bill Bryson is excellent. Top book.

It is a small island but there is a lot to see so don't restrict yourself unless you have to.

Tom

Actively enjoying it all

Bob,
all very good advice so far ,but don't forget to include Scotland in your intinerary well worth the journey,the locals are not still covered in woad, dispite your man Mel Gibson's thoughts.A couple of other things,If you can, hire a car[it makes life a lot easer getting around than public transport, sorry folks] and you should be able to get one with reasonable rental costs as part of your flight deal.Don't use hotels if you can help it, generaly they are not as good, and certainly not as cheap as stateside, go Bed&breakfast if you can. Try this company, we have used them all over the UK.and can highly recommend them, each place is individualy checked out and [generally they are of a higher standard than that of the usual hotels] if they do not come up to standard there dropped.
BED&BREAKFAST NATIONWIDE tel.01255 831235
P.O.BOX 2100, email: office@bbnationwide.co.uk
CLACTION ON SEA. Website: http://www.bedandbreakfastnationwide.com
ESSEX
CO16 9BW
ENGLAND.

I hope this all helps and if you wish anymore information about them or anything else give me a email at arthur.bird@tesco.net
and I would be pleased to help. one further bit of advice ,please do not join the gawpers at Buck house at feeding time, it only encourages the inmates to want more!
oldie.

Sorry Oldie, but hiring a car for the 'in London' bits wouldn't be such a smart move.

It's a nightmare to park, congestion charge, lunatic minicabs/white van drivers/couriers, cyclists....no disrespect to Bob's driving ability, but driving in London should be out of necessity only.

Different story away from the capital, obviously.

ag

ag,
sorry to disillusion you ,but there is a whole new country outside London waiting to be seen [I didn't actually mean bob to drive around with the rest of the lunatics]But you are absolutly correct with regard to traveling within London, Public Transport is undoubtably the best way to get about ,But the world doesn't end at Watford anymore
oldie.

Oldie is right. Forget England and head for Scotland. It gets so much better the further north you go

Tom

Actively enjoying it all

ps email me on alves at activesbl . plus . com if you decide to head this way

Personally I'd avoid London completely if you're at all bothered about being blown to bits by terrorists.

Be safe

P

Hi Bob

If you make it to Norfolk (the sticky-out bit, 100 miles north east of London), you're welcome to visit for an evening etc:

Norwich is a fine historic city.

e-mail as per my profile.

FWIW, here are my totally biased thoughts on Merrie Englande:

- Visit the Lake District. It is calming and magical. There are great walks and not too many people, also something oddly continental about the architecture.

- Cornwall is great. It has hills, wind and warm rain, the odd palm tree and its own unique art scene, especially if you make it as far as St. Ives. The people are like Hobbits (that is meant as a compliment) and some of the countryside is like The Shire.

- Devon is like Cornwall, with less surf and more underground parties. They make wine there from just about anything.

- Bath is nice for Regency buildings and limestone.

- Cambridge is more fun than Oxford: narrow streets and cobbles; bicycles, poetry; shrinks and clever students full of hope.

- Scotland, yes indeed. See Edinburgh and don't forget to head off to the islands: visit the Iona Community.

- If you don't have time for (southern) Ireland, go to Liverpool. Find a forum user to stay with and make them take you out drinking.

- London is full of treasures, but like everywhere these are seldom key stops in the guidebook. Maison Bertaux's patisserie in Greek Street; Queen Mary's Gardens in Regent's Park; Hampstead; the Serpentine Gallery; Odin's Restaurant in Devonshire Street; the night view from Waterloo Bridge. If the weather's nice, take a trip out to Hampton Court.

Trains are fine if you've got a sense of humour. Seeing the Tube once during rush hour should be enough for any sane person. Hire a decent car for trips out of London, and try to suppress an incredulous guffaw at the bill when you fill it up.

Have a great time.

Bob

If you get to Salisbury, or indeed any cathedral make sure you try out the echoes for which our places of worship are famous.

If you shout loud enough it can reverberate for up to 30 seconds before full decay.

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and Happy

Bob,

Bryson is a good starting point but ultimately gives a distorted, if witty and charming view of us. The resultant abrasiveness of what you will undoubtedly encounter might come as a shock. Don't let it put you off though, and certainly give London a go. I'd recommend the sir john soane museum, which is eccentric and free. Avoid some of the stuff in the guide book and wander round on foot in places like hampstead (not just the heath), borough market, primrose hill. Maybe take in a game of footie, Arsenal would be the place to start if you can get a ticket.

The lake district is indeed beautiful but actually gets quite congested, nevertheless see it on the way to scotland which is really stunning, just bear in mind that the west coast is infested with infuriating midges at that time of year, though if you dont mind that then hire a car and head for the coast and islands such as skye and lewis.

Also, head west from london and drop in to both bath and wells. you could see both in a day, transport allowing, then head on to devon where I'd recommend a morning in dartmouth then onto dartmoor itself, hopping from one village to another.

dont know much about staying in cities except that it costs a lot, however yoth hostels are quite cheap and can be a good way of meetin people, just remember you might need to book. Search on the internet, beginning with 'yha' hostels. There are plenty of independent ones too. I satyed in a great one on skye, will try and find name, but was near 'the quaraing'

cheers

roman

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Maybe take in a game of footie, Arsenal would be the place to start if you can get a ticket.

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In late May/June, cricket is probably a better option!

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Originally posted by P:
Personally I'd avoid London completely if you're at all bothered about being blown to bits by terrorists.

Be safe

P

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P, What sort of comment is that?

Bob

Don't forget to bring bubblegum and nylons for the ladies.



Stephen

If you do vivit Salisbury, try and find the Wyndham Arms, the original home of the Hop Back brewery and try some of their excellent ales - espeically the Summer Lightning (careful though, they are stronger than they taste and are very moreish). These are very popular with visiting Americans that I know.

Obviously don't attempt to drive afterwards.

Bob,

I'm from London and will be totally biased, but I have lived in Scotland before and also other parts of the planet - South Africa, the US and the Far East.

What you make of London depends on what sort of person you are. London is big on everyting contemporary and avant-garde: music, art, dance, etc. It is all here in abundance, and you can enjoy it big time. London is also incredibly cosmopolitan - you get a fascimilie of the world here, you really do, and there is an incredible richness to that. If you visit areas of high ethnicity you can sample the food, culture, music and art when you are in the area. There are downsides for sure, it is an expensive place to live for starters, but I have never found anywhere in the UK to offer such a richness of diversity that is available here.

regards

Dev

ps. you would be welcome to visit when you are here.

Bob
You can't get to the UK and not see London! Get a plan, make an itinerary. You have lots to see and you need to see as much as you can, but Scotland, with all due respect guys, is a hell of a trek for a short visit. Maybe at the end.
Go in and out of London, and let us know where you will be and when. I'm in Brighton and you are welcome to stay for a couple of nights.

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sorry to disillusion you ,but there is a whole new country outside London waiting to be seen

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Who knew?



ag, a displaced Yorkshireman.

If you want to see London do it on a Sunday morning, it's the only time you get a chance of peace.

But as Dev has pointed out, it's a great place but a typical of Britain. Basically the South is busy, full of people and happening, where as the further North you go (or West) the more relaxed and civilised it becomes.

Tom

Actively enjoying it all

Bubblechild - Scotland is not in England.

The rest of you - what a disgrace. Not a single mention of a trip to Wales.

PS: That's not in England either. I think some of us may have gone too far beyond "flat earth" to be rescued!!!

"where as the further North you go (or West) the more relaxed and civilised it becomes"

You've not been to Salford then I take it Tom.

Matthew

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If you can't persuade the forum to put you up avoid the big hotels esp in london unless you are rich

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That's not true. There are plenty of hotels in the centre of London which offer special deals most of the time. I'm staying in Drury Lane next week in a nice hotel for the same as typical B&B.

No more Premier Lodges for me.

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to offer such a richness of diversity that is available here (London).

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Mile after mile after mile of dirty buildings, noisy congested roads and litter.

Spend a couple of days there to tick it off your list, and then get the hell out and see Cornwall, Wales, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham, Northumbria, and the west highlands of Scotland. Sometimes I think the air pollution has addled the brains of Londoners who think it even comes close to most other parts of Britain.