ErnaGrobler4

Background:
My husband and myself arrive in London on 19 September 2015 14:30 from South Africa. We have been to UK before and have seen Cotswold, Lake Districts and Scotland. This time want to see Wales, Devon and a week in a motorhome. We have Cambridge and Kent in mind for the motorhome.
Rough itinerary:
19 September: Arrive in London @ 14:30. (Heathrow). Pick up our rented car and leave for Conwy in Wales.
25 September: Night in Tenby
26 September: Leave for Devon.
1 October: Pick up motorhome @ Luton airport and leave for Cambridge, Canterbury, .....
9 October: Leave for SA.
My question is about our trip from Heathrow to Conwy which is to far after a long flight. I have thought of Stourbridge, but am not sure. As we have to stay over a night, we can as well see a place (or village) of interest on the way. It need not be the fastest route, but the most scenic and which offers most.
Your

bilboburgler

I might delay the drive and just catch a bus to say Windsor for night before going back to LHR to pick up the rental. Saves on the danger of you on the road for the rest of us and lets you see Windsor which is pretty nice.

Stourbridge near Birmigham is not the most obvious place in the UK you would see tourists, though it might be ok down by the canal. Banbury maybe, or somewhere off the beaten track. While not supporting the idea of the drive at all you might prefer Ironbridge, a bit further but at least the area is pleasant and a world heritage site.

ESW

The obvious stop for an overnight on the way to Conwy would be somewhere in the Cotswolds...

If you are wanting to get a bit futher north, what about Warwick or Worcester?

Stourbridge is getting into the urban sprawl of Birmingham - probably not the best of places to negotiate after jet lag. There are nicer places to choose.

annhig

I absolutely agree about taking it slowly [or not at all] on your first day. I know that you will be driving on the "right" side of the road like you do at home, but even so, setting off for Conwy on Day 1 may be a bit much.

Windsor would not be too far off your route and would give you a chance to rest and recuperate before setting off, which you could then do outside the rush-hour [leaving not before 10 am would be a good idea].

sofarsogood

Ludlow, Shropshire

annhig

Ludlow is quite a long way to drive after a ?10 hour flight, sofa. if the flight lands at 14.30, they are unlikely to get out of the airport before 4pm, and to be picking up their car at 4.30, just in time for the evening rush hour.

And on 19th September it will be dark by about 7 pm. [sunset 19.07]. if it's raining as well, that could be a most unpleasant journey.

sofarsogood

I agree annhig - it was meant as a suggested stop on the drive up after a suitable overnight rest

annhig

sorry, soaf - I misunderstood. As I came back to this thread I was thinking that it would make a good stop-over.

ErnaGrobler4

Thank you! We agree to take it slower. As South Africa plays on the 19 September a rugby match, we would like accommodation with sky TV to watch the game! Any suggestions? We are happy around London/Cotswold for a night or two and then leaving for Wales.

Mimar

How about flying into Manchester instead? Then either train or drive to Chester and spend the night there, driving to Conwy the next day. Chester is a really interesting town, not far from Conwy.

historytraveler

There are no direct flights from Johannesburgh to Manchester, and I'm assuming they have already booked flights. It's been a number of years, but I remember it being a long flight. If you are arriving at 14:30, count on, at the very least, an hour to get through passport control and collect bags. If I were you, I'd just book an airport hotel with large screen TV, check in and chill out. Pick up your rental the next morning and head out. One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is trying to fit in too much, especially in the early days of their trip.

annhig

I agree - in that case, I would start by looking at the airport hotels, and find out if they have Sky Sports. Who are the Springboks playing, Erna?

tahl

Conwy to Tenby is a fairly-intense drive, or at least I would find it so, and that last little bit into Tenby is definitely windy and narrow. You'll be going down the A487. Have you considered stopping in Aberystwyth or any of the beauty spots along the way? You might be interested in this recent thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-fishguard.cfm

ErnaGrobler4

Thank you so much for taking time to reply to my question. We have now booked in London area for the first night and will leave after rush our the next day. At the moment we want to go direction Wye Valley and Shropshire to Conwy. If we HAVE to stay over another night, also OK with us. It is just the exchange rate that is killing us as we had to book for a week in Wales!! But, we want to have a good and relaxing (and memorable) experience.
annhig- South Africa plays against Japan on the 19th. Perhaps not one of the major games, but important to us as we go to support our country!
tahl- Thank you for the link. Think you are right.

annhig

ok - they are playing in Brighton kicking off at 16.45; I did just wonder if you could still get tickets but they start at silly prices - £165 each - and then get sillier. however the good news is that it will be Free to air on ITV & ITV 4 so you won't need Sky. And SA are a big rugby playing nation [you don't need me to tell you that] so I would expect good coverage of the match.

good luck!

[and you are going in the right direction to find some other Rugby fans - Wales - so there should be plenty of pubs showing the matches]

ErnaGrobler4

annhig- yes, we wanted to watch SA against Scotland in Newcastle, but could not find tickets. All sold out when it opened. We are happy to watch wherever we stay or in pubs! It is very expensive though. And yes, we love our rugby!

Thanks to everyone who replied, we have booked and payed close to London and will leave the next morning. Looking forward to our visit!

annhig

Erna - there may be lore tickets coming onto the market nearer the tournament, but by then everyone like you will have wanted to make their hotel and travel arrangements so they won't be much use.

We're going to be watching from the comfort of our living room or the Rugby Club bar - drinks optional. [for the last Lions tour, our rugby club opened up at breakfast time and you could have a full english washed down by a pint or two which was novel, at least for me!]

ErnaGrobler4

This is exactly what we want to do! Very excited and looking forward to our visit.