planning a trip across the pond

[Kurby]

Dh and I plus dd 3 are planning a trip for next summer to visit my aunt just outside Manchester

We are thinking of spending a few days in London and are looking for day tours

Anyone have any links to good tours. The train from London to Manchester or Chester. Bed and breakfasts. And anything is that might be den to do

I haven't been over since 96. And stayed mostly in aberdeen where aunt used to live so I don't know much about London.

Did see a good show about the borough market. Anyone been there

Thanks

 

[Kurby]

anyone?

 

[Dimplenose]

I'm not quite sure what you are asking. Do you want recommendations for a hotel in London, things to do there or do you want a day trip from Manchester to London?

I'm sure you'd have no trouble keeping busy for a few days in London lots to see:-
Cathedrals
Tower of London
Buckingham Palace (only open to public in August, usually)
Kensington Palace (lovely kiddies playground near here)
Museums (Natural History, Science, Victoria & Albert (design) (free entry)
Art Galleries (Most are free to visit)
Shopping (Oxford Street - big stores, Covent Garden - market & street entertainers), Hamley's Toy Shop in Regent Street (very overpriced but great fun to look)
Do a hop on hop off bus tour
The London Eye (giant ferris wheel thingy!)

Day trips from London - Hampton Court Palace (home of Henry VIII), Windsor Castle (favourite home of the current queen)
Also at Windsor is Legoland - perfect for the under 12s.

I live too close to London to need an hotel but I've heard good reports of the Premier Inn at County Hall (which is near the London Eye and just accros the river from the Houses of Parliament.)

When my children were little we'd have a day out in London but do lots of things each for an hour or two, e.g. an hour or two in an art gallery/museum, an hour or so shopping, an hour in a park and a picnic or lunch in a restaurant (they've always liked TGIFridays but there is also a Rainforest Cafe, Pizza Hut and lots of counter service that they enjoyed.)

I don't know Machester, but I'm sure someone could give you ideas of things to see up there.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You haven't had much response because this is a Florida trip planning forum, you probably need to post on the UK Community Board, unless a moderator can come along and move the thread?

If I am also perfectly honest, no offence, but your questions are a little unclear also but if you clarify and post on the community forum you will get more replies.

 

[wicket2005]

We stayed in the Novotel hotel just near Euston station, it had lots of good reviews on trip advisor and is handy for King's Cross, St Panceas and Euston stations, also the tube.

It is possible just to walk round the central attractions and jump on the tube to go to where the Tower of London is. I would definitely recommend the London Eye and choose the tour guide version on this as they point out all the key monuments with interesting facts as you go round.

Trainline can be used to buy train tickets down to London and the earlier you do it often has the cheapest prices. You can buy special tickets called Oyster cards and there is another one which I cannot remember at the moment for travel round the tube without needing to find change all of the time.

There are buses that run round London doing tours and will be easy to find.

Chester is a nice place to visit and also has Chester Zoo on the outskirts which is a fantastic zoo.

You are not far from York via the train and I would definitely recommend a visit here. It is a beautiful city.

 

[wideeyes]

London is about 2 hours away by train from Manchester, if you search national rail you can check times. There is loads to do up her in the north too.

There is Roman tours in chester its a lovely cathedral city with Roman walls and a river with boat rides plus your close to north wales for things to do - such as countryside, beaches, castles.

Chester Zoo already mentioned is good. There is plenty of stately gardens and manors in Cheshire too, and most will do tours and have special themed events during the summer holidays. If you look at the websites for the tourist boards for cheshire you can see what events they will have on.http://www.visitcheshire.com/

I live very close to Manchester - popular attractions are The Lowry Centre, Museum of Science and Industry, the Whitworth Art Gallery, Urbis . Trafford centre and the Arndale centre are good for shopping.

Also Liverpool is another city not far from Chester which may be worth a visit.

 

[Kurby]

Sorry for the confusion. Yes that is what I'm looking for. Thanks everyone for the info. Ice out a post up in the community section.