When to go to England?

[RUDisney]

My DH wants to go to Maine again this summer on vacation. I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of the same trip for 8 years. Don't get me wrong. Ogunquit is beautiful and the food is great. I just want to do something different.

So, he pulls the line, "well, you picked Disney, so I get Maine." I told him that if that is how we're playing the game now, we'll be going to London next year. He said that was ok.

So, when is the best time to travel to England? I was there almost 20 years ago in October and it was lovely. However, I didn't miss any school to go.

Truthfully, I'd prefer to go when the kids aren't in school, unless you tell me otherwise that we should go in October, etc.

Any thoughts on nicer hotels (doesn't have to be the Savoy or the Ritz-Carlton, just nice.)

The kids are excited about the prospect of this trip and I think, although he won't admit it, DH is a little excited, too.

 

[Disfan1]

The Conrad Hilton in Chelsea is nice - that's where we stayed last year. I was there last year at the end of May and it was HOT! When I was in high school I went in mid-April & it was very nice. I think October would be a great month to go if it fits in your schedule. Try this website to help with your planning: http://www1.visitbritain.com/vb3-en-us/ oh, and this one too- www.raileurope.com Will you take me too?

 

[Teris]

It's beautiful here right now in Dorset. There is a riot of flowers everywhere, and it's not hot, but it's not cold either. On a sunny day, you would easily wear short sleeves, but today it was overcast, and I needed a light jacket when we went out.

Alot depends on what you want to do, and where you would want to go. I would really recommend getting out of London for a taste of what England is really like. The autumn's are incredibly beautiful, but so is late spring. I would vote for late spring, just about the beginning of May. If you are feeling brave, drive from London down to Cornwall. It's an incredibly beautiful drive, and I can recommend several romantic Inns along the way

I moved here when I got married to a Brit, and have been fortunate to have him take me around to alot of places that I would never have gone to otherwise.

My favorite hotel in London is the Millenium Mayfair. It faces Grovsenor Square. They have a japanese restaurent there called Shogun, that is down in an old wine cellar. Very dark, and romantic. It's about two blocks from Hyde Park and Marble Arch in one direction, and a nice walk to Bond Street shops, and Regent Street in the other direction. It's quiet, and the rooms are very nice.

 

[Danauk]

I would recommend coming to London in either June or September/ early October. May is not usually hot, the warmer weather is usually around July/August time. April/ start of May over here is known to have lots of showers. Schools are out here throughout August which might be buisier. I would recommend hotels in either Knightsbridge or Kensington, although these areas are quite expensive. When I go to London I usually stay in a hotel near the British museum or the science museum as these are nice areas, centrally located but a little cheaper. The Radison chain do nice hotels throughout the city which I have stayed in. To get a good idea check out Expedia.co.uk for some ideas. If you would like any more info I live about an hour away from London and stay there quite often when I go to the West End to see shows so would be willing to help you more.

 

[Teris]

June would be a good time. I was in the States last summer when it was really hot here, but hubby let me know how miserable he was in the heat. This time he's coming to the States with me at the end of July for a month there. I think he's hoping to bypass the hot weeks.

If the kiddies are coming with you, they will love going to the Science Museum. It reminds me a little of EPCOT. Also the Natural Science Museum is great to take the kids to. When they walk in and see the Dinosaurs, it's hard not to be impressed at any age.

My girls love going to The Reduced Shakespeare Company's 'The Complete Works of Shakespeare' at the Criterion. It's hysterical. It's just down the street from Hamby's Toy store, which is similar to FAO Swartz. I had to drag my husband out of there.

There are a couple of nice touring bus organizations as well, that you can get a 24 hour ticket for, where you can hop on and off. It's a great way to go thru London, and get a feel for what you want to focus on seeing.

Some will do day trips for you to Salisbury and Stonehenge. It's a nice way to see what's outside of London.


Sometimes the trip planning is as much fun as the trip itself

 

[RUDisney]

OK, things we'd like to do...

All things around Westminster. I still tell everyone that no picture of Big Ben does it justice. We will visit the palace, the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Harrod's, the Tower of London and London Bridge. I'd love to have my DH come with me to Bath so he can see what the Romans engineered so long ago. So, basically, all of the touristy things. Oh, and we'll definitely find out what is in the theater at the time we're there so we can see something. Do they still sell concessions at intermission at your seat? On Broadway, you can't get anywhere near the theater seats with a drink or snack. Again, something else that DH will think is interesting. I remember enjoying the zoo, when I was previously there and Madame Toussaud's.

I really believe that there is no better way for the children to learn about history than to go to foreign countries and around our own country to see where history happened, in person. Thankfully, we can afford to take the kids at a much younger age than we were when we got to travel. BTW, DH was 25 before he ever went on a vacation... and that was after he met his travel-bug wife.

I stayed in Kensington last time. I can't remember the name of the hotel, off hand. I'd have to find my photo album to remember that. It was near a tube station and the hotel was lovely... and not terribly expensive. Remember, back then, I was 19 and poor.

 

[Teris]

I love Bath too. We took a canal boat holiday two summers ago out of there, and it was amazing. I have a friend who is dragging me kicking and screaming there this Thursday for a spa day on Friday I guess I can suffer thru it LOL.

Some of the things you mentioned, you can lump together in a day, like the National Gallery, and Trafalgar Square, since they are basically together. have lunch around the corner from the National Gallery at 'The Texas Embassy',, lol. It's good fun

The British Museum (which I ended up weeping in from being overwhelmed by so many wonderful things there, and embarassed my husband to no end,,lol) is something that cant' be missed.

One great thing about the museums in London, is that they are free.

The Science Museum is the exception,, but it's great fun.

Things not to miss IMO would be

The London Eye
The Tower of London
The Science Museum
The Natural Science Museum
The National Gallery
The British Museum
Buckinham Palace


Outside of London,
Windsor Castle,
Canterbury Cathedral

Gosh, when I start thinking about it,, there is so much to see and do.
You will have a great trip

 

[Danauk]

Yes they still sell ice cream etc during the intervals at the theatre. I love going to the west end and would recommend seeing the lion king as I think the kids would love it (I did) or phantom of the opera. I would also recommend a trip on the London eye. It is a big wheel which takes about 45 mins to go around (you are in capsules you can walk around) and you get amazing views of the city. I personally am not a fan of London zoo as I find it too small. I perfer to go to Whipsnade wild animal park which also belongs to London zoo but is so much bigger. If you would like your children to understand some history the cabinet war rooms are worth a visit. It is the war rooms Churchill used during WW2 and they are left exactly as they were the day the war ended. They are really interesting. Oh and the British museum is excellent too as well as the science museum (I teach 7 year olds and have taken them on many trips there which they have loved.)
I hope you have a great time planning your trip. I love visiting London.

BTW the sciecne museum is free too, I was there a few weeks ago. You just have to pay for the special galleries and the imax cinema if you would like to see that.

 

[Teris]

I am with you Danauk, I love going into London too. I have to drag my husband there.

Last Sept, I met up with a cousin of mine who was writing for a travel mag. She was going to travel thru Europe for 4 months. Yikes!

We had such fun checking out all the places she wanted to write about. I may have gotten weepy in the British Museum,, but she weeped out in the National Gallery LOL.

Shows like The Lion King will be quite popular,, so as soon as you know your travel dates, start checking the show schedule.

Danauk, have you gone to the Tate Museum? I have yet to make it there,, but want to do it on my next excursion into London

I nearly forgot to promote a visit to Harrods,, it's a must see too. The Egyptian section, and the Food Court, will make your jaw drop

I thought we had to pay to go to the Science Museum,, but I could be confused, because when we went, it was when the Titanic Exhibit was there., and I know we had to pay for that. That was a very emotional expirence. The exhibit that is.

 

[Danauk]

Yes I have been to the Tate and the Tate modern and loved them. I was in the Louvre in Paris last month which I loved but prefered the Tate. I agree that theatre tickets sell quickly so you need to book up soon. We are lucky in that we do overnight or 2 day trips to London quite often as it is only 50 minutes away on the train and I love the theatre so much I love the west end. I agree Harrods is a must as well as Hamleys. I love the British museum too (have taken my 7 year olds from school there too), I love the Egyptian section.

 

[Princess'Mom2]

Although it was about 12 years ago when we visited London, one of the most memorable days we had was taking the train out to Windsor Castle and spending the day there -- I think it would be something you and your children would enjoy.

We also enjoyed the Tower of London and walked across the bridge.

We went in early to mid-June and the weather was comfortable -- not too hot and not too cold.

 

[Lewski709]

Now Now Now, can you go now? Not that we want you to go away or anything.

 

[nativetxn]

I really, really, really <b>want</b>/<b>need</b> to go to the UK. I'm so glad you asked this question.

 

[ibouncetoo]

THAT'S IT.....we need a DIS excursion to England!

I'm ready (unfortunately my pocketbook isn't)









Hi Katholyn

 

[Disfan1]

I'm ready to go back too! (but my credit card says otherwise...)

 

[EltonJohn]

I would go eitehr during the Trooping of the Colour, which is in the Summer I think and is the official celebration of the Queen's birthday.

Or, I would wait till football season kicks off (August/September) and go to several football matches

 

[RoyalCanadian]

If you are one for pomp and circumstance and the pageantry that only the Brits (and the Canucks too) can pull off, you simply can't miss the Ceremony of the Keys -- each night since the 14th century at the Tower of London. Leave the cameras at home. As HM Tower of London is an operational military establishment, the filming of the security procedures is strictly forbidden.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

If you are looking for a reasonably priced hotel in a good location, try the Travel Inn County Hall. It is located in the former home of London's regional government in quite a grand building. It is just a short walk across Westminster Bridge to the Houses of Parliament and Whitehall, it is next door to the London Eye and just a few minutes from Waterloo railway and underground station. There are also several bus routes that run past this hotel, giving unlimited options for getting around London and to destinations further afield.

June would be my recommendation for best time to visit - the weather should be pleasant, but not too hot, and the main tourist season of July & August will not have started. If you are interested in touring Buckingham Palace a visit in August or September would be better as it is only during those months that the Palace is open to visitors.

Regards

Rob

 

[vernon]

A few other things that are in and around London that I can recommend. Hampton Court Palace ( http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/home.asp ) , Leeds Castle in Kent ( http://www.leeds-castle.com/ ) and if you have a car for a couple of days Hever Castle also in Kent ( http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/ ) . It's also worth considering, if you're planning a stay of a decent length a side trip to Paris and maybe a day at Disneyland Paris. The best way to get there is by Eurostar train from London. The journey itself is something to brag about, not many people get the chance to take a train under the sea .

For time of year I think June/July is best and if you manage to come in June there are a number of flower shows around town. The Chelsea flowershow was last week this year and in a couple of weeks is the show in the gardens at Hampton court Palace.

As far as hotels go you can get some great deals on the internet, Expedia is worth checking as well as a number of UK based websites.

 

[EltonJohn]

When is Ascot? If you're a Horse Racing fan, and if you can get invited into the Royal Enclosure . . .