GreenDragon

OK, at first, we were planning on doing 2 weeks + in London, as we'd never gotten the chance to just do everything we want (or can realistically do) in London.

However, my dad just gave me an offer I can't refuse

He has extra timeshare points that would likely pay for a week of hotel resort fees... but none in London are open for August or September.

SOOOO... I'm thinking... a week in a resort or castle in Warwick or Cornwall or Norfolk... and the other week in London? What do you folks think? I'm a firm believer in not looking gift horses anywhere near the mouth.

We are active tourists, don't like set itineraries or 'full relaxation' trips with spas and such -- we like seeing historical sites, literary, castles, ruins, standing stones, countryside as well as the normal stuff like Greenwich, St. Pauls, Tower of London and such in the City.

This will mean we'll need to rent a car for our week in the country, which we weren't planning on doing if we stayed in London the whole time.

Suggestions? The places available are as follows:

Walton Hall, Warwickshire
Stratford Court, Warwickshire
Clowance Estate, Cornwall
Barnsdale Country Club, Rutland
Lakeview Country Club, Cornwall
Golf Apartments Richmond Park, Norfolk

Has anyone stayed at any of these, recommendations for area stuff? Thanks!!!

TexasAggie

Hi Green,
I have not been to any of those locations, but I agree about not looking a gift horse in the mouth! I'd opt for your favorite of one of those locations for a week, the other week in London, and a plan of coming back to London at some point in the future to see anything you missed!

m_kingdom2

Whilst you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, could you curtail London to ten nights, and only do four in an alternative location? If I was faced with a first-time in London or Cornwall, there's no doubt that London is far more exciting. Cornwall's too touristy at that time of year, and in my opinion is all a little sterile!

ira

Hi GD,

Lucky you; a week at a resort AND a week in London.

GreenDragon

Thanks! It's not my first time in London, just my first time for more than a few days. I've been twice, each time for 2 days -- definitely not enough!!!!

I think we are definitely going to split the vacation up. I've been to Somerset, but not Cornwall. I'm an amateur photographer, and I'm sure I'll find stuff to immortalize wherever I go, but I've always heard that Cornwall and the Cotswolds are both exceptionally 'picturesque' (that bad word) and 'quaint'. Those may be terrible words to the locals, but they sell LOTS of photos in the US

GreenDragon

Another update. Evidently, the only two resorts open still in August are Walton Hall and Stratford Court, so we picked Walton Hall.

We will be there from August 12th to August 19th, and have a car that week, then head back to London, drop off the car, and stay there until the 29th.

We have the following planned for our week at Walton Hall, each representing a day:

Oxford/Blenheim Palace

Cotswolds (Hidcote Manor Gardens, Hailes Abbey, Chedworth Roman Villa)

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Evesham

Bath/Malmseburg

Nottingham

The other two days are reserved for wandering and relaxing.


Any other suggestions on this? If anyone has pics of Walton Hall, especially the rooms (can't find many on the web) I would love to see them. Janis, you have been there many times... suggestions?

Thanks!