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Tell Me Where To Go
28-Jun-2007
Your chance to tell me where to go.
Dorinda and I are planning a trip to the UK and Europe, probably late in 2008. She wants to follow up on her family's genealogical research, and I want to do some worldbuilding research and just look around at stuff. We'll spend most of our time in the UK, but will try to get about. We'll only have about four weeks - not nearly long enough, but all we can spare.
So. Do any of you have opinions on where we should go? What we should see? How we should travel? People we should meet? As this thread unfolds I'll tell you what I've come up with so far, but I'm interested in what you think first of all.
Comments
I think you should take me...I don't know anything about where you should go, stay, do or whatever, but am extremely envious :-). As a writer of fantasy, surely you are obliged to visit Glastonbury, Arthur's story being the original fantasy tale???
Well, you should probably look at this place, as I believe there are other places of interests in the general area: http://www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/Destination_Library/old-sarum.htm
Then there's this one, established by William the Conqueror: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=conProperty.374
and if you've read the Brother Cadfael myterys, you might want to look at this castle: http://www.shrewsburymuseums.com/
If you must follow the artur legends surely this would be on the list: http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cornwall/castles/tintagel.htm
as would this one with the fake Arthur's round table: http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/hampshire/winchester/castle.htm
One of my favourite historical figures, William Marshall, is the reason I'd love to visit here: http://www.pembroke-castle.co.uk/
But of all the places in England I'd like to visit, this one possibly takes the cake: http://www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk/home.asp?storyid=%7B4901A29E%2DDB7A%2D485A%2D9596%2DA856D06C1FDB%7D
(why yes, I do know that is a terrible pun)
Then there's this one, established by William the Conqueror: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=conProperty.374
and if you've read the Brother Cadfael myterys, you might want to look at this castle: http://www.shrewsburymuseums.com/
If you must follow the artur legends surely this would be on the list: http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cornwall/castles/tintagel.htm
as would this one with the fake Arthur's round table: http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/hampshire/winchester/castle.htm
One of my favourite historical figures, William Marshall, is the reason I'd love to visit here: http://www.pembroke-castle.co.uk/
But of all the places in England I'd like to visit, this one possibly takes the cake: http://www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk/home.asp?storyid=%7B4901A29E%2DDB7A%2D485A%2D9596%2DA856D06C1FDB%7D
(why yes, I do know that is a terrible pun)
Gosh, Sharyn, that's fantastic. Who would have thought you could be so helpful? Or was that Chris whispering in your ear?
And Jo, I sispect Gilgamesh might predate Arthur as extant fantasy - but you're right, Glastonbury has to be seen.
And Jo, I sispect Gilgamesh might predate Arthur as extant fantasy - but you're right, Glastonbury has to be seen.
If you're feeling at all energetic when you get to Glastonbury and you want to climb the Tor, don't go up the path, drive round the side of it and climb up the hard way - it's FUN!
Yep, been there a couple of times - not to the town but just to the Tor *grin*
Stonehenge is on the way there, Avebury Ring, lots of good fantastical stuff - oooh, and that's the area where they get ooodles of crop circles!
Yep, been there a couple of times - not to the town but just to the Tor *grin*
Stonehenge is on the way there, Avebury Ring, lots of good fantastical stuff - oooh, and that's the area where they get ooodles of crop circles!
Orkney. Definitely Orkney.
Also, don't miss York.
Also, don't miss York.
I could give you a list of 1000 places, but you've only got 4 weeks. What I suggest is you first buy the English heritage book and woirk out from there. Do a region ( or even a small dsitrict) at a time and get to know it, rather than going from giant monument one side of Britain to equivalent 200 miles distant. And include local pubs and tea shops in your explorations.
I also suggest you suggest to us what you're *most* interested in. Give us periods or favourite people or dreams, otherwise suggestions will range from Tintern Abbey to the Devil's Bridge.
I also suggest you suggest to us what you're *most* interested in. Give us periods or favourite people or dreams, otherwise suggestions will range from Tintern Abbey to the Devil's Bridge.
I don't really know what I'm most interested in, as I'm interested in most things. Here's a partial list:
Historical sites of ANY period
Cornishware factory
Antique shops
Quirky places
Dramatic scenery
Interesting people
Churches and castles
St Andrews golf course
watching a game of football
Going to a concert - rock, or opera, or a play perhaps
Tea shops of all descriptions
Moors, fens and fells
and lots more ... let the suggestions range wide. I don't mind what the experience is, as long as it's interesting and not too obviously fake.
Historical sites of ANY period
Cornishware factory
Antique shops
Quirky places
Dramatic scenery
Interesting people
Churches and castles
St Andrews golf course
watching a game of football
Going to a concert - rock, or opera, or a play perhaps
Tea shops of all descriptions
Moors, fens and fells
and lots more ... let the suggestions range wide. I don't mind what the experience is, as long as it's interesting and not too obviously fake.
The great thing about Britain, England especially, is it's so tiddy. You can get to most places pretty fast. I'd look at:
Cornwall, and Mont St Michel.
The Lake District
York
The Cotswolds
Oxford
Lyme Regis
Rye
For theatre, you've got the West End. I walked into a theatre and got a seat for that night's performance of Jacobi in Voyage Round My Father. It was great.
And if you can swing it, Edinburgh. The castle and the old section are phenomenal.
Sounds terrific!
Cornwall, and Mont St Michel.
The Lake District
York
The Cotswolds
Oxford
Lyme Regis
Rye
For theatre, you've got the West End. I walked into a theatre and got a seat for that night's performance of Jacobi in Voyage Round My Father. It was great.
And if you can swing it, Edinburgh. The castle and the old section are phenomenal.
Sounds terrific!
Also, Salisbury. Magnificent cathedral. While you're in London, get to Westminster Cathedral. Shivering place. The sense of history is palpable.
Hello, first time posting, usually a lurker but when asking about my home country how can I resist!
Quirky places: Cornwall is a must, the cornish people see themselves as a separate country to England and have a different culture, similar to that of Brittany in France. Also the home of the original and best cornish pasty. Some of the smaller Yorkshire villages have some colourful characters and if you want to try some of the best traditional beer visit the Black Sheep brewery.
Dramatic scenery: The Jurassic Coast (south Dorset coast)from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is stunning, chalk cliffs, limestone arches, quiet bays, a fossil forest *sigh* it really needs to be seen via the cliff path. The Highlands of Scotland are very dramatic with mini mountains and lakes, Loch Ness is well worth being seen and if possible travel right around it as there are other bits worth seeing in the surrounding area. I recommend visiting one of the whiskey distilleries but maybe only one as the tours get very repetetive.
Churches and castles: Durham and York are well worth seeing for their cathedrals and castles and also Edinburgh castle. The cities themselves have plenty else to offer.
watching a game of football: the best for atmosphere would have to be a Glasgow Rangers vs Celtic match but tickets can be difficult to get hold of and the aftermath can be nasty
Going to a concert - rock, or opera, or a play perhaps: Glasgow Barrowlands has a great atmosphere if you want to see a band.
Moors, fens and fells: Yorkshire Moors are a must and if you're interested there are mines from days gone by that have been opened as tourist attraction that are very insightful and interesting to visit. So does Cornwall for that matter. Nothing like standing under afew million tons of barely supported rock in the pitch black *grin*
If you want a humorous insight into travelling the country I recommend you read Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island
Good luck fitting everything into 4 weeks, we may be small but there's lots crammed into out tiny island.
Quirky places: Cornwall is a must, the cornish people see themselves as a separate country to England and have a different culture, similar to that of Brittany in France. Also the home of the original and best cornish pasty. Some of the smaller Yorkshire villages have some colourful characters and if you want to try some of the best traditional beer visit the Black Sheep brewery.
Dramatic scenery: The Jurassic Coast (south Dorset coast)from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is stunning, chalk cliffs, limestone arches, quiet bays, a fossil forest *sigh* it really needs to be seen via the cliff path. The Highlands of Scotland are very dramatic with mini mountains and lakes, Loch Ness is well worth being seen and if possible travel right around it as there are other bits worth seeing in the surrounding area. I recommend visiting one of the whiskey distilleries but maybe only one as the tours get very repetetive.
Churches and castles: Durham and York are well worth seeing for their cathedrals and castles and also Edinburgh castle. The cities themselves have plenty else to offer.
watching a game of football: the best for atmosphere would have to be a Glasgow Rangers vs Celtic match but tickets can be difficult to get hold of and the aftermath can be nasty
Going to a concert - rock, or opera, or a play perhaps: Glasgow Barrowlands has a great atmosphere if you want to see a band.
Moors, fens and fells: Yorkshire Moors are a must and if you're interested there are mines from days gone by that have been opened as tourist attraction that are very insightful and interesting to visit. So does Cornwall for that matter. Nothing like standing under afew million tons of barely supported rock in the pitch black *grin*
If you want a humorous insight into travelling the country I recommend you read Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island
Good luck fitting everything into 4 weeks, we may be small but there's lots crammed into out tiny island.
Hi Russ
The most dramatic scenery? Well I loved Scotland, especially the drive to the Isle of Skye, loch and mountain and sunshine. I have to second Trudi's Orkney bid...but not sure you can make it up there with so short a time. I guess what is fascinating about the Orkneys is the complete lack of trees...
York, of course, London because it's London. Bath because there is so much Regency architecture there and you can visit Stonehenge and Avesbery on the way. Hadrian's wall was also fascinating. Didn't get to Wales, but would like to myself. And I hear Ireland is pretty cool. There are walking tours, from village to village in Ireland (I think your luggage is bussed). That looked good but it was pricey.
The thing about the UK is that everywhere there is history. There are plenty of musuems and galleries. Both Bath and York have free historical tours run by volunteers. The Museum of Scotland is one of my favourites and so is the Museum of London along with the British Museum.
There is also the Museum of Costume in Bath and the Victoria and Albert (which I haven't seen).
A month is not nearly long enough Russ. Tell Dorinda she needs to work on you more.
Because if you are in the UK it is not far to Paris.
The most dramatic scenery? Well I loved Scotland, especially the drive to the Isle of Skye, loch and mountain and sunshine. I have to second Trudi's Orkney bid...but not sure you can make it up there with so short a time. I guess what is fascinating about the Orkneys is the complete lack of trees...
York, of course, London because it's London. Bath because there is so much Regency architecture there and you can visit Stonehenge and Avesbery on the way. Hadrian's wall was also fascinating. Didn't get to Wales, but would like to myself. And I hear Ireland is pretty cool. There are walking tours, from village to village in Ireland (I think your luggage is bussed). That looked good but it was pricey.
The thing about the UK is that everywhere there is history. There are plenty of musuems and galleries. Both Bath and York have free historical tours run by volunteers. The Museum of Scotland is one of my favourites and so is the Museum of London along with the British Museum.
There is also the Museum of Costume in Bath and the Victoria and Albert (which I haven't seen).
A month is not nearly long enough Russ. Tell Dorinda she needs to work on you more.
Because if you are in the UK it is not far to Paris.
I did a month with my sister once in April. Hired a tiny car, and set off on a well-thought-out route that I planned in detail from something I got out of the British Council Library - some kind of touring guide book thingy, put out by the AA maybe? I've forgotten. Never booked any accommodation in advance though, so we could always change the itinerary if we wanted. Pays to get membership in the National Trusts etc - entry fees are very steep otherwise!!
In a month we went from heathrow as far as Skye and included wales, and the south coast - all the major places like Bath, York, Durham, Oxford, climbed a mtn in the lake district, hadrian's wall, stonehenge, included stone age stuff - fabulous trip. I wonder if I still have a copy of the itinerary. I'll look. The last week we gave up the car and wandered London.
We never felt rushed, ambled and walked a lot. Mind you, in those days it cost 5 pounds a night per person for a B&B...
In a month we went from heathrow as far as Skye and included wales, and the south coast - all the major places like Bath, York, Durham, Oxford, climbed a mtn in the lake district, hadrian's wall, stonehenge, included stone age stuff - fabulous trip. I wonder if I still have a copy of the itinerary. I'll look. The last week we gave up the car and wandered London.
We never felt rushed, ambled and walked a lot. Mind you, in those days it cost 5 pounds a night per person for a B&B...
I would recomend Edingburgh, as it's such an amazing city. The castle is really nice as well. I just love the cobled streets, traditional buildings, and interesting side streets. It's lovely.
Trudi's suggestion of Orkney is also very good. Most of the Hebridean islands are also beautiful, and have lots of historical sights.
I can give you a list of good tea/cake shops on the west coast :D
Trudi's suggestion of Orkney is also very good. Most of the Hebridean islands are also beautiful, and have lots of historical sights.
I can give you a list of good tea/cake shops on the west coast :D
This is so helpful!
Donna, it's not me who can only spare a month. Dorinda's concerned about the animals. I'd be away for three months if I could!
Rebecca, Dorinda's ancestors are mostly Cornish miners (explains a lot really), so I'm picking we'll end up spending a week in Cornwall.
Thanks Ailsa, I'm very keen to get to Scotland.
And Glenda, that's the sort of thing we intend to do. Hire car, back roads, B&B, walking etc.
Donna, it's not me who can only spare a month. Dorinda's concerned about the animals. I'd be away for three months if I could!
Rebecca, Dorinda's ancestors are mostly Cornish miners (explains a lot really), so I'm picking we'll end up spending a week in Cornwall.
Thanks Ailsa, I'm very keen to get to Scotland.
And Glenda, that's the sort of thing we intend to do. Hire car, back roads, B&B, walking etc.
Warning, never use back roads in Devon. All you see are hedges. Or that was the case back in 1981.
Or Cornwall either. Nothing but hedges *grin*. Cornish country lanes are scary if you're not quick on the brakes and a bit dodgy about driving backwards to the nearest gate/layby to let the farm tractor/other driver get past. Yes, I speak from experience heheheee!
......and Russell you have forgotten the visit to Coronation Street.........
Oh yeah, Coro St, hold me back. I'd rather cut off my nose with a rusty thing.
Rebecca, that was a great post - plenty of information with variety and humour. I'll be keeping that for my (eventual) visit to Britain, although by the time I get there, football will probably be played using jetpacks, like Quidditch (I should live so long :-) ).
Just wanted to make sure you watched the Rugby last night Russell, hate to think you might have missed it... heh! heh!
Thank you, Jo, that's so public-spirited of you. Yes, I watched the match.
*sob* we all watched the *sob* rugby Jo......Never mind THIS year we will win the World Cup :-).....sorry Russ detracting from your blog...naughty Jo
I need to give you lists of things, don't I? Where does time go?
Thanks Jo. Seeing football played in the skies would definiately be an improvement but the Football Association is well known for its aversion to any technology that isn't profit based.
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