Day trip to Cardiff from London worth it?
Nov 2nd, 2014, 09:39 PM
#1
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Day trip to Cardiff from London worth it?
I'm going to be in London for a week next April and I'm trying to plan some day trips - so far have got Cambridge, Oxford, and a tour to Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury planned but just wanted opinion's on whether it would be worth doing a day trip out to Cardiff? Is there much to see and do there? I know this is obviously a personal preference as to whether it's worth it but just thinking in regards to time and cost etc. Cheers!
Nov 2nd, 2014, 11:44 PM
#2
Hi Cassie - it's certainly doable as the train only takes just over 2 hours, so if you caught the 8.45 out of Paddington, you'd be in central Cardiff by 11 am. Coming back is almost as good and there are 2 trains an hour - one direct and the other with one change so it you caught the 18.25 you'd be back at Paddington at about 20.45. you could treat yourself to dinner on the train coming back too - everyone should do that at least once!
Whether you would want to do it when you have so many other trips planned is another question entirely.
Whether you would want to do it when you have so many other trips planned is another question entirely.
Nov 3rd, 2014, 12:54 AM
#3
I'm not sure that Cardiff is worth a day trip. Apart from a small castle and a few museums it's not IME really worth the expense. If you're going to Bath, it might be worth staying overnight and staying in the area if you're determined to see the place.
Nov 3rd, 2014, 03:44 AM
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You say you will be in London for a week but then name 3 or possibly 4 days trip. Have you been to London before and seen most of the major sights? If not - you are giving London very short shrift. For a first trip I would do 5 or 6 days in London and one or at the most 2 day trips.
Cardiff is mildly interesting - not up there with Bath or Stonehenge or Oxford - and I would definitely not bother this trip.
Cardiff is mildly interesting - not up there with Bath or Stonehenge or Oxford - and I would definitely not bother this trip.
Nov 3rd, 2014, 07:15 AM
#5
OK -- Have you been to London many times? If so -- knock yourself out and go anywhere you want. But if you've not been, you <i>might</i> have time for ONE day trip. Not four.
But - if you are spending all your time outside of London . . . you are spending a lot of time and £££ going places outside the city (which has the most expensive accommodations almost anywhere in Europe).
For instance if you want to see Bath/Stonehenge/Cardiff -- stay in/near Bath or Bristol - not London. Train to Cardiff and a MadMax tour to Stonehenge.
But - if you are spending all your time outside of London . . . you are spending a lot of time and £££ going places outside the city (which has the most expensive accommodations almost anywhere in Europe).
For instance if you want to see Bath/Stonehenge/Cardiff -- stay in/near Bath or Bristol - not London. Train to Cardiff and a MadMax tour to Stonehenge.
Nov 3rd, 2014, 10:30 AM
#6
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Thanks for the advice guys! I have been to London once before but I definitely see that it would be worth spending more time there and reducing the number of day trips. Cardiff may have to be knocked off and done on another trip in that case, the main pull to the city is because my brother in law is from there but I guess it will end up being more of a sentimental gesture if there aren't many things to see and do there.
Nov 3rd, 2014, 03:21 PM
#8
Oxford would be my choice too -- but per another thread you want to go to Letchworth too. Oxford/Letchworth really doesn't work . . .
If it was me -- I'd probably do Oxford as a day trip and another day take half a day to Letchworth and back (If you choose the right train, it only takes 34 minutes from Kings Cross to Letchworth)
If it was me -- I'd probably do Oxford as a day trip and another day take half a day to Letchworth and back (If you choose the right train, it only takes 34 minutes from Kings Cross to Letchworth)
Nov 3rd, 2014, 08:58 PM
#10
I wouldn't . . . you really don't have the time to spend several days outside of London.
You say you've been to London once - right? For a week? Then you've seen maybe 15%-20% of the major sites. If you stayed a moth -- then sure.
But really, choose <u>either</u> Oxford or Cambridge. I personally think Oxfrd is the better one-day visit. But Cambridge is very good too, and IF your trip to Letchworth Garden City/Cambridge is a <i>must</i> . . . then skip Oxford.
You say you've been to London once - right? For a week? Then you've seen maybe 15%-20% of the major sites. If you stayed a moth -- then sure.
But really, choose <u>either</u> Oxford or Cambridge. I personally think Oxfrd is the better one-day visit. But Cambridge is very good too, and IF your trip to Letchworth Garden City/Cambridge is a <i>must</i> . . . then skip Oxford.
Nov 4th, 2014, 08:46 AM
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"If you stayed a moth -- then sure"
I don't go to London for the moths . . . the butterflies could be nice, though.
***
There really is a ton(ne) in London for you to see and do and unless you're going someplace really important to you for a specific reason (Wife, Tudor history, Hampton Court Palace; kids, trains, Bekonscot), taking a bunch of day trips FROM London while you're temporarily residing there = probably not the best use of your time.
I don't go to London for the moths . . . the butterflies could be nice, though.
***
There really is a ton(ne) in London for you to see and do and unless you're going someplace really important to you for a specific reason (Wife, Tudor history, Hampton Court Palace; kids, trains, Bekonscot), taking a bunch of day trips FROM London while you're temporarily residing there = probably not the best use of your time.
