United Kingdom. [What are the things not to be missed?]

[drron]

I am aware that we have quite a few escapees from the magnificent United Kingdom here on AFF so I wish to pose a question.
What are the things not to be missed in Great Britain?
We will be spending 3 weeks next June driving from LHR to ABZ.Nearly 2 weeks are to be spent in Scotland catching up with my ancestors wild ways.But what should be on our itinerary for ~9 days before we cross the border?
Thanks.

 

[TonyHancock]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

Tomb of Henry V - Westminster Abbey
Tomb of Edward III - Westminster Abbey
Apsley House - Home of the Duke of Wellington
HMS Vistory - Portsmouth
Tomb of The Black Prince - Canterbury Cathedral
Blenheim Palace - Gift to the duke of Marlborough by a grateful nation.
Trafalgar Square - Statue of Viscount Nelson
Tomb of James Wolfe - St Alfege Church, Greenwich (There is a plaque in Westminster Abbey too.)

That should keep you going!

I'll add you as a "maybe" for the concreting of France expedition.

 

[drron]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

I knew I could count on Mr.Hancock.I should have said that we have had one previous trip but only got as far as Windsor Castle.So have seen a lot of the London sights.

 

[alieninperth]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

North Wales is nice, as is the lake district, the peak district too. I have heard lots of nice things about the SW and south coast but not been there so no formal comment from me on those areas.

Places to avoid, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bradford. Part of me wants to add Liverpool to that list but part of me loves it. If you want twee and cheesey then head to Blackpool

 

[amaroo]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

Tomb of James Wolfe - St Alfege Church, Greenwich (There is a plaque in Westminster Abbey too.)

Been to the spot in Quebec where he dropped.....will probably take the kids for a look early Jan.

 

[amaroo]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

I found York fascinating - The Shambles, Clifford Tower, York Minster.....beautiful city.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

The villages in the Cotswolds are lovely Bourton on Water being one of many and worth a few hours to stop and have lunch. Avoid Sheffield city though the surrounding country side is lovely.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

oh and Bath too is lovely

 

[wattch]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

If you want twee and cheesey then head to Blackpool

Avoild Blackpool at all costs. York is nice as is the Yorkshiredales. Gloucester, Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford apon Avon, Oxford.

Whitby is worth a look to see where Dracula landed in the UK. Scarborough is nearby too.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[ronicat]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

Why avoid Bradford Alieninperth?

 

[alieninperth]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

like many cities in the north of England, Bradford went into a bit of a decline in the 80s and 90s. However, as Bradford is so close to Leeds it has been unable to break away as a seperate entity and has now been swallowed and dominated by Leeds. The same could be said for Sunderland (N'castle), Bolton, Bury (Manchester) pretty much anywhere between Manchester and Liverpool (St Helens, Warrington etc). Surprisingly though Salford seems to have emerged from within Manchester, although most people think that Salford is a suburb rather than a city in its own right. Chester isnt bad it you like twee and orange people.

One thing going for Bradford is the curries. I believe it has the highest population of Indian/Pakisatani/Bangladeshi people in the UK.

My cousin went to uni there as well and couldn't wait to leave (he moved to Leeds).

 

[TonyHancock]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

I found York fascinating - The Shambles, Clifford Tower, York Minster.....beautiful city.

..and the walk along the city wall, Viking museum, and some fabulous pubs along the river too. I'd give a recommendation for York too.

 

[craven morehead]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

Down south Bournemouth was nice :mrgreen:

 

[craven morehead]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

York yes / Manchester no / Sheffield no

 

[Boogs]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

Definately do York, but if you have the time go to either the Yorkshire Dales or North York Moors (try the steam railway as filmed in Harry Potter). These are some of my favorite places in the world!

I lived in York for 20 years and I can vouch for the pubs! Over 300...

if you're heading to Scotland try alnwick castle and haidrians wall on the way. There is also the Lake District on the west coast.

So many things. So little time!! At least everything is close compared to Aus

 

[Geegeela]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

Tomb of Henry V - Westminster Abbey
Tomb of Edward III - Westminster Abbey
Apsley House - Home of the Duke of Wellington
HMS Vistory - Portsmouth
Tomb of The Black Prince - Canterbury Cathedral
Blenheim Palace - Gift to the duke of Marlborough by a grateful nation.
Trafalgar Square - Statue of Viscount Nelson
Tomb of James Wolfe - St Alfege Church, Greenwich (There is a plaque in Westminster Abbey too.)

That should keep you going!

I'll add you as a "maybe" for the concreting of France expedition.

If Tony’s sepulchral theme stimulates you then you might just be in time for the “event of the century” with the re-interment of Richard the Third.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2425609/Richard-III-receive-burial-fit-king--raised-tomb-York-stone-positioned-large-white-rose.html

 

[cove]

re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

The Lakes District is rather pretty around Windermere and Kendal.

 

[greenfish]

Re: United Kingdom. ["things not to be missed"]

If you're a foodie, a visit to Heston Blumenthal's the Fat Duck in Bray is a fun night (advance bookings essential).

I like Edinburgh. Cambridge and / or Oxford are worth a visit if you haven't been before - I know it's very touristy, but I took the kids punting on the Cam in July - heaps of fun.

 

[greenfish]

If you feel like doing the southern tip, there's plenty to do in Cornwall - St Ives (Barbara Hepworth, the Tate), St Michael's Mount, Padstow (for some Rick Stein food + you can cycle there on the Camel Trail), Scilly Islands...

 

[Flashback]

Should I point out the obvious? AFF drinks with Flashback, Mal, et al.