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Yeah, I concur with the suggestion of Normandy being tricky to reach using Eurostar. If you did want to go there then the best bet would likely be to take a ferry from Poole, Porthsmouth or Plymouth on the south coast and head to Cherbourg which is near to St Mere Eglise. I keep promising myself that I'll had down that may myself but can't help you this time as I've jut realised I'll be out of the country when you are here. Sorry!
I swear that every single person I know in England is leaving the country for the time I'm there. Oh well.
Looking a little more. Since I've added Normandy I think I'll go the ferry route (much cheaper) and then take a train in to Paris. It's starting to look like I may spend a couple of days in France now. So I guess I'll be hunting around town for a French for Dummies tape.
Lets see how much this changes over the next month. But here's an overview. France is out and I have booked a couple of things.
April 29th - Fly out of Shreveport, layover in Atlanta
April 30th - Arrive at Gatwick Airport at 7:00 am - Hotel Booked for April 30th- May 2nd.
April 30th through May 2nd - Explore London. My hotel is near Victoria
Station and appears to be close to many of the attractions I want to
see. Must sees are The Natural History
Museum and the British
Museum. I think I mainly want to wander around London and just see
what I can find.
May 3rd through 5th - Head north to
Peaks Distric National Park. The area includes several old houses
mentioned in Pride and Prejudice and just seems to be a pretty area to
explore.
May 6th-7th - Make my way to Bath and more Jane Austen sights. I kind of
want to see Cornwall as well having been raised on too many gothic
romance novels set there.
May 8th-9th - Back in London. Booked to see Michael Ball in Hairspray (I
won't believe that's true until I actually see him on stage) on Thursday
night. Other than that I guess it will be more wandering around London.
As usual - I don't have many details since I like to kind of play my trips by ear. But if anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I'm interested in History, Literature, Car Racing, etc.
One thing - how is the bus system over there? I looks like I can wander around via bus for a ton cheaper than by train. Also - is it pretty easy to just go up to a bus station and get a ticket to anywhere in England, or do I need to pre-book that kind of stuff. I really hope not, but I will if the more experienced among us say so.
Oh - what local cuisine should I be looking for over there? All I really know about the cuisine is what I've read in fiction novels. Not always a good indication of what tastes good.
Thanks!
Laura
The history aspect…….
The National Trust is a charity which does an admirable job in the UK. They protect and open to the public over 300 historic houses and gardens, in addition to many other places worthy of preservation for the benefit of the general public.
Their website makes a good reference point for UK visitors if interested in historical buildings and places of beauty. Just put the area you are interested in – say Cornwall or Jane Austen - in the search engine for a result.
Jane Austen for instance.
Happy travels.
That's a great website.
Laura
hi laura, whereas you can travel quite cheaply between coach stations,and in most cases have no problems just turning up and getting a ticket you will find it's once your at your destination that the public transport system could make getting from a to b frustrating and thats why most brits [that i know anyway] don't use it. if it's an option car rental is the best way to travel once out of london.
the peak district is a lovely area but you will spend a fair time travelling up there and back to bath. personally i would stick to travelling west with your time scale.
the cotswolds have some lovely countryside and qauint villages,check out bourton on the water in that link,one of my favs. you also have stratford upon avon,shakespears home town.
if you still have the urge for a "cornish" experience but hav'nt the time then exmoor is a real gem,by passed by the crowds on there way to cornwall,it's very relaxing and some of the nicest views in england where the moors meet the sea.lynton and lynmouth is a popular spot with half the town on top of the cliff and the other down in the harbour linked by the old cliff railway and theres a fantastic walk[unless you have a fear of heights]along the valley of the rocks.the whole area is steeped in history.
sorry for going on but theres a couple of bits for you to consider,and one last thing if you find yourself at the tower of london whilst there,and you fancy a bit of quiet time,just across the road [same side of the river] and fairly well hidden are st katherines docks,a great place to take time out and relax and maybe a refreshment in the old dickens pub.
have a great trip!
Don't just stick to the same old touristy London. Spend some time out in East London, especially Shoreditch and Bow, where you'll find plenty of history of the working classes rather just king and queenery.
Must do: Columbia Road flower market on Sunday. Proper London event.
Try Borough market too and Spitalfields.
And if you want to experience an old-fashioned East London boozer try the Owl And Pussycat on Redchurch Street, E2. In fact go to the flower market on Sunday morning and then have a massive Sunday lunch at the Owl And Pussycat - you won't regret it.
You could try Camden and Brixton too - go off the beaten track.
I'm definitely not a tourist trap girl. Thanks for all the tips. I really haven't planned my days in detail because I want to try to find off the beaten path things when I'm over there. I definitely have some "must sees" on my list, but they are few and far between.
Especially thank you for the lunch idea. I try to avoid chains and fast food when out on the road and really like to find local cuisine when I can. I'll definitely be on the look-out for the Owl and the Pussycat (love that name).
Laura
You can't go wrong with a bit of what we know as 'pub grub' -- and, as you say, indpendant places are generally far better than the chains. Finding the good places can be tricky so don't be afraid to ask for tips at your hotel. It's usually best to avoid Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Hungry Horse and Harvester places. There's absolutely nothing wrong with them but they're very cookie cutter as you may say.
I bet you're getting excited abou your trip now?
Thanks for the tips on the chains. Something else to stick in my little book of knowledge. Oh and I have no qualms about asking people for ideas. I'm sure that I'll annoy more than one person in England while I'm over there. :)
I spent Friday at the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles trying to get a new drivers license. That's always fun, at least they didn't charge me. In a bizarre attempt to save money they printed all new licenses and renewals on cheap paper that fades over time. It's fine within Louisiana and anywhere close by. They just know, but I decided that I didn't want to try to explain the issue to the British government.
I think I've got all the clothes I'll need now and have a pretty good idea of what I'm taking. I've even e-mailed my hotel in London, and shocker of shockers, they e-mailed me back within a day to answer my question.
This is going to be the first time I've flown in over 10 years and only the second time I've flown without a cello. So that's what has me panicking the most.
It also doesn't help that I'm basically driving to Mexico this weekend for a wedding.
Laura