MissZiegfeld

Yes, I just posted yesterday asking for help with the Netherlands in January..this is a different trip! I plan a head LOL

Anyway, I'm going to see a few concerts around the UK in April. Already bought all my tickets..now comes the fun part--the planning!! I've been to London almost a dozen times but have not explored the UK much.

Here are the cities I'll be in and the dates. I'm working with this:

April 16: Aberdeen (Scotland)
April 17: Glasgow
April 23: Buxton (near Manchester)
April 26: Croydon
April 27: Bradford (West Yorkshire,near Leeds)

I will likely stay in London from April 24th till I'm due in Croydon (I may or may not stay in Croydon on the night of the 26th-anyone know if there will be any way to get back to London around 11pm??)

I have a nice big gap between April 18th and April 23rd. I will likely fly out of the UK on the 19th (spending two nights in Glasgow) and then head elsewhere in Europe. Have yet to decide.

Is there much of anything to see in and around Buxton? (keep in mind i don't have a car). Debating whether or not to return to the UK on the 22nd or 23rd.

What would be my best flight option into Aberdeen and out of Bradford?

Any thoughts?

thanks!

PalenqueBob

Bradford - Heavens Turmergetroids!

MissZiegfeld

LOL! I had a feeling someone was going to say that. I actually may just spend the one NECESSARY night there and then spend the second night someplace else in Yorkshire.

rogerdodger

Lots of trains between Croyton and London at that time of night. You might want to do a search on National Rail Enquires.

amelie

Could you fly into Aberdeen airport (ABZ)? I don't know where you are coming from though. I usually always find cheaper options for flying into Edinburgh, even though our destination is Aberdeen.

I'm curious what the concerts are?!?

wasleys

MissZiegfeld,

Well you could have visited Haworth with its nice moorland surroundings and Bronte connections, but it's in Bradford.

Michael

MissZiegfeld

rogerdodger-- thanks!

amelie--flying in from NYC, either JFK or EWR. direct flight is preferred..I'm going to check out Edinburgh options. The concert is Petula Clark; I mentioned in another thread that I'm a big fan..I rack up a lot of frequent flier miles going to see her.

wasleys: i will look into that, thank you!

Carolina

There is a lot to see near Buxton. There is also quite a wide bus network and taxis are available. Nearby places include: Chatsworth House and Gardens, Bakewell, Castleton, Haddon Hall and Hardwick House. There are also lots of small villages and walks in the countryside. I suggest you do a search for tourist info. for Derbyshire and also check out bus timetables before you go.

Re. Croydon, if you decide to stay there, I have stayed at the Jury's Inn on quite a few occasions and found it pretty good value. It is very close to East Croydon railway station.

Carolena

alanRow

From Bradford the easiest airports to reach are Leeds/Bradford & Manchester

For Leeds/Bradford the only public transport is a bus. For Manchester you can get a train from Bradford to Manchester Victoria but then you have to take a tram to change to Manchester Piccadilly where you get the train to the airport.

Whichever airport you go to you'll have to go to Bradford Interchange rather than Bradford Foster Square

For all the transport

http://www.lbia.co.uk/
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/

bilboburgler

As someone else says in the string BRADFORD!!!!!!

Much as i like the city it might be better to stay and visit Leeds (wonderful shopping elegent city etc) there are good 20 minute train links from Braford centre to Leeds centre but I guess check trains still run when Our Pet stops singing. Bradford also has a good museum (National Media) but nothing like the Royal Armories or Henry Moore in Leeds.

Train Bradford or Leeds into man airport does the fussy little switch into Manchester Piccadily but half the trains just reverse out to the airport while the other half you have to do a short change.

The bus from Leeds to to LBA is the 747 (natch) not sure of the Bradford equivelent.

MAN is the most likely airport to fly out of compared to LBA

nona1

Never mind Bradford - CROYDON?

Have a great trip, sounds like fun zooming round some gigs.

MissZiegfeld

Nona1, LOL, I know, I know--I think I AM going to stay in London since someone just told me they're driving back to town after the concert.

As for Bradford/Leeds--just checked, the last train is at 2331..hmm..that MAY be enough time (I'll probably leave the theatre at 11)..next I will check to see how close the theatre is to the station!

thanks again

audere_est_facere

Trains run from East Croydon to civilisation every ten minutes or so and don't take long. I'm assuming the concert is at the Fairfield Halls? If so it's a very brief walk (just head for the tallest building - which is Nestles headquarters - the fairfield halls are opposite.

BTW have you heard the new version of "Downtown" by Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice)? It puts quite a different interpretation on the lyrics!

owain

As already said, lots to do around Buxton - it's on the edge of the Peak District national park. A great place for leisurely hikes, so bring decent walking footwear, and hope for good weather!

That said, if you're without a car and depending on the concert times, staying in Manchester might be a better option for this part of the trip, with the last weekday train back being at 10.25pm. Or perhaps just stay one or two nights in Buxton. Being in the city would give you far more options of things to do, and more flexibility in transport out into the countryside.

And another vote for flying back from Manchester, much less hassle than the bus to LBA.

carioca4ed

I have stayed in Bradford a few times....I liked it....I was taken by an Asian taxi-driver to a Hindu Bed-and- Breakfast.....The place has a great amount of Asians living....However,I loved the idea that I had a choice of thousands of places to have a curry.....I also visited the Brontes place,which was nearby......And also Saltaire,which I would say to me was one of the Wonders of The World.....I suspect that people are putting down Croydon,but I used to geo there to visit Beano's,largest second-hand record store in U.K.(I have heard that it is either no more,or is thinking of closing,due to influence of the internet).Fairfield Halls is Brilliant!!!!Great place to see gigs.....I also live in Glasgow....It now has a very different feel to it....Years ago nobody would ever set foot in it...It was a massive city built on the wealth of tobacco,shipbuilding,etc.,and was a bit grimy.....Now it has transformed itself into the 2nd(after London),place for shopping.....There is a phenomenal amount of shopping centres,and lots of pubs,clubs,and restaurants....Aberdeen I loved.....A very beautiful city...Different from Glasgow,but I had very positive vibes about the "Granite City".......Take a warm coat for Buxton...Been there too...Brill!!!

wasleys

Bradford's OK, even Croydon at a pinch. But Petula Clark, oh deary me.

(Incidentally if you're into David Hockney then Braford has a gallery of some of his work at Salt's Mill. Personally I prefer Pet, and that's saying something.)

Michael

cassius

As someone born and brought up in Bradford(and escaped to London as soon as possible!!) - I agree, the city itself is a bit of a dump (but undergoing a lot of regeneration at the moment)however don't rule out the outlying areas.
Haworth (home of the Brontes)is the obvious choice, take the train from Forster Square to Keighley then change onto the Worth Valley Steam Railway for the trip to Haworth.
Another good place to visit is Saltaire - again take the train from Forster Square. Saltaire is a model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house his mill workers. I think the mill now houses some David Hockney art (at least it did when I was there a few years ago) and there are shops and restaurants. You can then walk through Roberts Park to the Shipley Glen Tramway, a tiny little tram which pulls you up the hill to Shipley Glen. This is a gorgeous moorland area, and a popular picnic spot. It holds a lot of nostalgia for Bradfordians of my Grandparents generation as it was THE day out from the mills of Bradford. There are some rather dilapidated tearooms and a small fairground.
Both Keighley and Saltaire are on the same train line and so is Bingley - home of the five rise locks which makes an interesting short walk along the canal, you may see a barge negotiating the five consecutive locks which take the canal up a steep hill.

On the other hand if you just want to get out of Bradford ASAP (and I don't blame you) St.Georges Hall (where most music concerts are held) is literally across the road from the interchange from where the Leeds trains leave so you should make the last train no problem.

carioca4ed

I must put in a good word for Pet.Clark....She is someone who was always in the charts when I was a kid...We knew a lot of her songs by heart....If she had only recorded "Downtown"then she would be due a place in the history of popular music...But there was tons of other great songs....I did go to see her in a musical....I did not realise she was so small in height....Because the T.V.never showed you her next to anyone....But she made up for it with her great voice...I would say that I am a dedicated fan of hers.....

MissZiegfeld

Everyone, thank you so much for the great tips! I checked the national rail site, the train from Bradford to Leeds runs until midnight, so..it's an option! I don't think I'd mind staying in Bradford, only because there are probably fewer tourists and it would be interesting..

I'm having a blast planning this--I think I may go to Wales during that gap in my trip, somewhere in the North (have been to Cardiff and Swansea, so it would be interesting to travel up north a bit).

It now looks like I may be going to Northampton on April 22, since a couple of friends told me they would be at that concert.

Carioca, was it "Blood Brothers" that you saw her in? I wish I had seen her in that (i was only about 10 when she did it on Broadway). I did see the show on the West End earlier this year and loved it! Funnily enough, I was sitting next to this woman who haaaated Petula Clark (was that you or your wife, Wasleys?? LOL)..I overheard her husband pointing to PC's picture in the program and she was about to vomit--of course I HAD to comment! It was a weird coincidence that this woman who hated Petula was sitting next to one of her biggest fans Not sure where in the UK you are, but she's doing about 16 concerts in the UK, full schedule is at her official website (www.petulaclark.net). She's wonderful in concert (and yes, very small! She's barely 5' tall and just all around petite). Of course she's been very well known in your country since she was a child, and later became famous throughout Europe and eventually in America..has written many songs including one full length West End musical, etc..very interesting career and life. At 74 years old, she certainly wins the longevity award. I've met her many times and she is absolutely lovely!

Thank you again for all the help..if I do go to Wales, I'm sure I'll posting questions here!!

wasleys

MissZiegfeld,

Neither of us. I don't hate Pet - Downtown was classic - I just find anyone who follows her round the world as um, unusual, as my son-in-law with his collection of Star Wars light sabres. ;-)

carioca4ed,

<i>She … was always in the charts when I was a kid</i>

Ruby Murray was always in the charts when I was a kid - and I still don't like her stuff.

Michael