UK Friends! UK trip by rail...a few ?'s

[Sirius]

Hello everyone...I tried posting this on the UK community but it keeps disappearing

I'm planning a 10th anniversary trip (June 2008) to Great Britain. We've been to London and made Very Brief stops in Oxford and Stratford. I was hoping to get some advice and maybe a few tips.

My plan (2 week holiday):
1. Purchase a BritRail pass
2. Book hotels in advance
3. Visit Edinburgh, Canterbury, Bath - Maybe Leeds, Oxford, the Cotswolds, Stratford...

Questions:

Is it feasible?
Are there any other sites or cities I should consider?
What am I forgetting?
Should I look for a travel company or should I book everything individually?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Gaspode]

Hiya,

Well I'm sure you'll have a great time whatever you do!

A few quick thoughts: When you say Leeds do you mean the one with the castle in Kent? Cos' Leeds up here in the North is not worth visiting, honest, I work there!

Yorkshire (where I'm from) is a really pretty county and you might like to see Whitby (vampire, captain cook legends) and perhaps York (wonderful roman walled town). Don't forget Wales if you can manage it, I recommend anywhere in Snowdonia as beautiful or go to the south and see Cardiff.

Luckily you have two weeks so you should be able to make the trips you plan but don't forget that Britain is bigger than you might think and London is about 4/5 hrs by rail from Edinburgh.

Hope that helps, I'm sure others will have other ideas for you!

Best Wishes,
Gaspodé

 

[Sirius]

I didn't realize there were two Leeds, but I did mean the one with the castle. Whitby and York sound great.

I think we'll avoid London for the most part. I'd even like to fly into a smaller airport like Manchester or Birmingham.

Thanks!

 

[Gaspode]

Hiya,

Yes I can always recommend avoiding London lol, especially if you've already been, there is so much more to the UK!

Manchester is a decent airport, its pretty close to us so we nearly always fly from there. It's much cleaner and newer than Heathrow thats for sure!

I figured you probably meant the Leeds with a castle. I've never been so couldn't comment. Did you know that Alnwick Castle is where they film a lot of the Hogwarts shots? Thought you might be interested. Its up North too so could maybe do a good few things up here....?

If you would like any leaflets or something I can pop to our tourist office so let me know

Best wishes,
Gaspodé

 

[emily1982]

Manchester and Birmingham are actually quite big international airports, but speaking from someone who lives not too far from Birmingham, it's quite a nice place (good for shopping) and stratford is lovely, been there quite a few times (about an hour from where i live) and is worth a visit, especially during the summer.

Sounds like a good trip!

 

[Gaspode]

I'd like to second the fact that Birmingham is a nice city to visit and shop in It's where I had my interview for the Disney WDWIP - so I'll always like it!

 

[cherjp]

hi sirius if you would like some more info on scotland there is a tourist board you can access on the web or if you'd like to visit different places in scotland i could get you some leaflets etc, i will start looking up some websites for you and give them to you over the next couple of days.there are lots of options available to you whether you wish to travel by train or get some very cheap flights to smaller airports with the uk. www. ryanair.com do very cheap flights all over the uk from smaller airports. i stay on the west coast of scotland a place called Troon the Open golf championships were held here last year. Edinburgh is very popular with tourists , Fife is further up from edinburgh and that also is very beautiful, here on the west coast you have Burns country if you know your Rabbie Burns , Glasgow is a popular city too. I will get u some website info soon .

 

[WeirdEyes]

Sirius ~ We are traveling to England & Scotland in May, 2006 and I can't wait! We'll be spending a week in Scotland and then taking the train to London for a week with side trips. I hope you have a great time!

 

[cherjp]

hi weirdeyes, where are you staying in scotland

 

[minnie56]

There's the South of England that is beautiful...Devon, Cornwall and such and to the North, Lake Windermere where Beatrix Potter wrote the Peter Rabbit books is wonderful. Sooo much to see..and so lovely. I could go on and on...

 

[VSL]

Yes, please do come and visit Wales if it's feasable! England is lovely (I'm quite partial to Bath, myself), and I have yet to visit Scotland or Ireland, but you've got to come to Wales to try some Welsh cakes and, um, stuff

 

[urglewurgle]

A few quick thoughts: When you say Leeds do you mean the one with the castle in Kent? Cos' Leeds up here in the North is not worth visiting, honest, I work there!

Yorkshire (where I'm from) is a really pretty county and you might like to see Whitby (vampire, captain cook legends) and perhaps York (wonderful roman walled town). Don't forget Wales if you can manage it, I recommend anywhere in Snowdonia as beautiful or go to the south and see Cardiff.

hey! Leeds is ok really... lol... it's birmingham that gives me a headache only joking...

everywhere everyone's mentioned are pretty good places to visit... but it really depends on your idea of fun kwim? if you like cities and night life then i would stay down south... like the coutryside more then get up to the north, yorkshire, the lakes, scotland... but bring a jumper! and wellies...

 

[minnie56]

Jumper = Sweater
Wellies = Boots (rain)

 

[urglewurgle]

ah yes.... here i go again, confusing the Americans!

Trust the Canadian to sort us all out

 

[minnie56]

Born in Britain

 

[sue1013]

Sorry to hijack the thread but VSL please tell me about the Welsh cakes. My Nana came from Tredegar we (Mom, Sis, Daughter and myself) were supposed to take a trip to Wales next year. But DD is pregnant which is great news but have to put the trip off for at least a year.

 

[VSL]

Don't really know how to explain them - they're round with a crinkly edge, about 1cm thick and with a 2" diameter. They're made of some kind of sticky dough with raisins/currants in them, and sugar sprinkled liberally on top. Get them warm if you can!

I'll try to find a picture...

Ah! Here:

Check your local supermarket or local chain-bakery (Sweetmans, Gregs, etc.) next time you go - you never know, they may have them.

ETA: Oh no! I've just realised you're not in the UK! BUT, I have found a recipe for you! - BBC recipe for Welsh cakes

 

[sue1013]

VSL that's what I was hoping they were. Nana always made them and agree they are best when warm right off the griddle. We called them Welsh cakes but wasn't sure that was the real name. Thanks!

 

[urglewurgle]

lol... was it not cold enough here for ya?

 

[minnie56]

I like it FRIGID!

No..not really
We came here when I was 5..looooong time ago!