plr

This is not a frivolous question. I love getting started early when I travel. Allows me time to wander before crowds hit the sites, and extra hours in each day's adventures. After a superficial scan of lodgings, I'm finding that most lodgings which include full wonderful breakfasts (which I also love!) don't start seating until 8:30am, which is about an hour after I want to begin my day outside. Obviously, asking an owner to get up early for me is out of the question, and cold cereal is not something I can do. ---Any suggestions? or is that just "how it is"?

nytraveler

Well if you stay in a hotel versus a B&B I think you'll find they usually start breakfast at 7 am or earlier.

plr

nytraveler, I've actually been looking at mostly small, unique hotels, and I guess they operate more like B&B's or guesthouses. Are you referring to the larger hotel chains?

janisj

That is pretty much how it is. You stay in B&Bs, you'll have to eat when they serve. Some serve even later than 0830.

The only real exceptions I've seen anywhere in the UK are some places near major airports, that are used to customers w/ early morning flights.

But why do you need to get on the road so early -- none of the castles or narrow gauge railways open at the crack of dawn.

janisj

I posted - and it shows 3 replies - but mine disappeared. Maybe we posted at exactly the same time??

Anyway -- That is about the way it is. Most UK B&Bs do not serve breakfast at 0700 (why would they (except for some near major airports that cater to folks w/ early morning flights) most people prefer to eat between say 0800 or 0830 and 0930. A few B&Bs do serve early - but that is definitely not the norm.

These aren't hotels w/ 'staff' -- they are tiny family run places.

But why do you need to get on the road that early - none of the castles or narrow gauge railways open at the crack of dawn.

janisj

oh - now my post does show -- there was a 4+ minute delay between posting and it showing up

so sorry about the double post (sort of double anyway)

plr

Janisj--As I said above, "I love getting started early when I travel. Allows me time to wander before crowds hit the sites, and extra hours in each day's adventures." Although you apparently don't understand that or don't agree, this is how I travel. I'm not looking to stand still waiting for sites to open. I love the morning hours. Not sure what else to say. And yes I already know that "these aren't hotels w/staff." That's the reason for my post, janisj.....

texasbookworm

We are early movers, too, and so when I made reservations in 9 different B&B's in England and Wales (only 1 in Wales), I asked for breakfast early (7:30 or 8) well before we arrived, like when I confirmed reservations weeks before we left the states, and every one except one accomodated us generally with same menu as if we'd eaten later and about half the time we weren't the only ones eating early. We were in B&B's of various sizes, varying from a private home with one rental suite to a small hotel with about 16 rooms. Only one had "staff" as such. So, all that to say that it depends on the place and you might not be able to get anything cooked much earlier than 7:30 at best, but if you communicate with each one, you might be able to work something out, as we did. You won't know unless you ask.

janisj

"<i>Although you apparently don't understand that or don't agree, this is how I travel.</i>"

You COMPLETELY misinterpreted what I meant. I totally understand -- I also get moving early. I'm going on a short getaway on Sunday and am leaving at 0500. BUT that is a road trip in the States.

That is not the custom in the UK. So - if you want to stick to the way you do things at home -- you will be inconveniencing the B&B and they may or may not be able to accommodate you. IM-ever-so-HO it would be better to follow the customs in the place you are visiting. If you want things just like at home . . . .

mari5

pir....I understand your question absolutely. My husband and I .too, are early birds and believe it is the prettiest time of day , and like to eat early...However having said thatt. it seems that "it IS what it IS", or the old saying "When in Rome .....etc". We spent 9 days in Wales a couple of years ago (and could maybe give you some hints, but we are traveling at home in U.S. now and don't have the time for a few more days). Back to breakfast,,,,Not a whole lot one can do, except a gentle OH? OK?....when finding out the hours, and often the owners will open a few minutes early. We, however, have learned to ADAPT and ADJUST to the later serving hours, knowing that we didn't come across the ocean to find things like in America (or home)
That's the interesting part of travel.
Wales is so wonderful and beautiful,, nice people etc....as is our beloved Scotland (been 9 times).

Lexma90

I tend to be an early riser, even on vacation. DH is not. I use that time to head out early and go for a run or a walk. Then I return, wake DH and get ready for the rest of the day. By that time, if we're staying in a B&B, breakfast is ready.

Maybe you could make sure you stay in locations where you can have a little adventure, or just a walk, before the B&B's breakfast hour.

PatrickLondon

It does no harm to ask in advance. Most B&Bs will already have tea and coffee makers in the rooms, and a toaster for people to do their own in the breakfast room. Even if they don't feel like cooking especially early for you (though if they're planning to serve from 0800 or 0830 they will probably be up to have their own breakfast much earlier), it wouldn't be beyond the wit of man to make arrangements to put out cereals and the makings of toast for you the night before.

flanneruk

"The only real exceptions I've seen anywhere in the UK that are used to customers w/ early morning flights"

Cobblers. Don't any of you even look at the country you're visiting?

If you can't get breakfast early where you're staying, England and Wales are stuffed with early morning breakfast places.

Along motorways, they're serving breakfast 24 hours a day. On lesser major roads, Little Chefs typically open at 0600. On lesser roads still, blokes in vans in laybys from 0630 serve the world's best bacon and egg sandwiches (live on them: my cholesterol and health's fine. Probably because I won't let that sugary muck Americans eat at breakfast instead of food within 100 miles of me). In smallish towns, greasy spoons open at 0630-0700: and practically nowhere's more than 10 miles (=, at that time of the morning, 20 mins' drive) from one of them. And all edge of town hotels (the plastic and neon kind: the places posters on this board seem to think don't exist, which does rather imply they're driving round with their eyes closed) serve breakfast to anyone. And, if all fails, a McD Brunchburger is ubiquitous - and perfectly edible.

Cathinjoetown

Per texasbookworm, never hurts to ask for early breakfast as a condition of booking. I wouldn't stretch it too far, if normally 8:00, ask for 7:30. Don't assume they won't accommodate you, as my dad used to say, "You'll never know unless you ask."

Or, if you want to get out earlier than they are willing to accommodate, ask for a discount as you'll not be eating breakfast. This is a cheekier question but it's all in how you ask and how you accept the response.

Coffee or tea is almost always available so you could hit the road with that and take up one of Flanner's suggestions, those roadside sandwiches are memorable!

Ackislander

No, I am really not flanneruk in disguise, but he posted what I was going to post.

If what you want to do is get on the road for another location, think "transport cafes" -- in other words, truck stops.

Little Chef is like Waffle House or Toddle House in the US, but without pancakes and waffles.

In addition to the vans at laybys (roadside pulloffs like rest areas)any market or boot sale I have been to has had someone selling bacon sandwiches from a van, useful if you are exploring the area.

As in the US, ask a cop or a delivery man where to get breakfast.

If you are not traveling but using the place as a base and it bothers you to pay for breakfast twice, ask for a rate without breakfast at your lodging.

hetismij

Just done a quick scan of some B&Bs and small hotels/inns/pubs in Wales. Nearly all actually say breakfast can be served earlier by prior arrangement. So if you are booking your accommodation ahead of time request an earlier breakfast. If you are finding places to stay as you go along ask them about an earlier breakfast before agreeing anything with them regarding a room. Some hotels offer the option of bed only.

Or stay somewhere interesting, go out for an early morning stroll and come back with an appetite for that large cooked breakfast. As a photographer I often do that.

One place I can recommend is the Wynnstay hotel in Machynlleth. http://www.wynnstay-hotel.com/ Good locally sourced food, and breakfast served from 7.30.

irishface

I too like to get going early (5:30 ish or whenever sunrise is)as that is the best time for photography. I just keep fruit in the car and set out for an early walk after an apple or orange. That tides me over until I get back and have worked up a real appetite of the cooked breakfast. I know most people think of that as an ungodly hour, but it is how my system works. An early walk also keeps me from disturbing a roommate and lets her have the room to herself to get ready without feeling hurried by me sitting there while she showers, beautifies, etc.

plr

How refreshing to wake this morning to such a positive and constructive batch of posts. You all have been so helpful, and clearly have the idea of what I needed help with! Thank you so much.
No I don't think I shall just "stay home" if I can't get breakfast at the time I might like it abroad...

janisj

>>"The only real exceptions I've seen anywhere in the UK that are used to customers w/ early morning flights"

Cobblers. Don't any of you even look at the country you're visiting?<<

just to clarify a bit -- I was talking about B&Bs, not roadside caffs . . .

wasleys

Two quick comments.

As others have said enquire before booking.

Consider B&B on working farms, they're often up and running nice and early.