Rye, Battle, Leeds, Canterbury - One night trip?
Aug 27th, 2007, 09:18 AM
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Rye, Battle, Leeds, Canterbury - One night trip?
I am trying to plan a one night stayover trip to Southeastern London (We will be staying in London for 4 nights, I believe, and have 3 other nights we can spend elsewhere). We definitely want to see Canterbury. We have heard that Rye is a good place to see and spend the night. We would also be interested in seeing Leeds Castle, Battle, Hever Castle, Dover Castle - probably not all of these though, and they are listed in the order of preference. Is there an easy way to accomplish this? I am trying to figure out how we can best do this without having to carry our luggage around as we sight see. I guess this would mean going to our hotel first, and then sight seeing. But then it seems like we would have to travel quite a bit more. We would be willing to stay somewhere other than Rye, if that made more sense.
Thanks for any insight/advice you might have to offer!
BPJ
Thanks for any insight/advice you might have to offer!
BPJ
Aug 27th, 2007, 09:44 AM
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That's way more than you can see in one day. If you're talking about leaving London early one am, staying in a hotel overnight and having 2 full days you can see quite a bit of it - but still won;t have time for everything.
Frankly I wasn;t that enthused by Leeds - way to modern - versus most of your other items listed. We especially enjoyed Dover Castle - including the Roman remains and Battle.
Frankly I wasn;t that enthused by Leeds - way to modern - versus most of your other items listed. We especially enjoyed Dover Castle - including the Roman remains and Battle.
Aug 27th, 2007, 10:20 AM
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BP Jones,
In 1998 I traveled to England on my own, at the time I was 63. I picked Rye for a week stay and really enjoyed it. I stayed in The George right on high street. It's a wonderful old hotel. I stayed in the old part. It didn't have an elevator. Reception was wonderful. One young lady brought her children to meet an American Grandmother. The pub and restaurant were very good. I explored the town and surroundings knowing I had a warm comfy hotel to return to in the evenings. I'd love to return to that lovely little town.
Good Luck, Joan
In 1998 I traveled to England on my own, at the time I was 63. I picked Rye for a week stay and really enjoyed it. I stayed in The George right on high street. It's a wonderful old hotel. I stayed in the old part. It didn't have an elevator. Reception was wonderful. One young lady brought her children to meet an American Grandmother. The pub and restaurant were very good. I explored the town and surroundings knowing I had a warm comfy hotel to return to in the evenings. I'd love to return to that lovely little town.
Good Luck, Joan
Aug 27th, 2007, 10:28 AM
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Leeds Castle near Maidstone is one of the most hyped castles due to its publicity machine but one that after such a build up underwhelms many folk.
Rye is a cutesy place yes.
I loved Hever Castle and Dover is the castle of your dreams
Battle is a great little town and the Battle site and ruined abbey fascinating to me but i'd put it down on your list.
Rye is a cutesy place yes.
I loved Hever Castle and Dover is the castle of your dreams
Battle is a great little town and the Battle site and ruined abbey fascinating to me but i'd put it down on your list.
Aug 27th, 2007, 10:35 AM
#5
Battle will always remind me of a time when I went to a huge military reenactment - called something like "2000 years of warfare".
Around lunchtime , in a nearby pub, pint glasses in hand , sat three Roman legionaries, two Normans couple of Naploeonic riflemen and a WWII vintage German. Not something you see every day.
In answer to the original question, Dover castle is great - you could easily spend 5 or more hours there. Canterbury is similarly impressive - not just the cathedral, but the town itself. I have never been into Leeds castle (I got as far as the gates, saw the admission charge, got back in the car and went on to Dover) Hever is very pretty, but IMO, not a true "Castle" in the way that Dover is.
Around lunchtime , in a nearby pub, pint glasses in hand , sat three Roman legionaries, two Normans couple of Naploeonic riflemen and a WWII vintage German. Not something you see every day.
In answer to the original question, Dover castle is great - you could easily spend 5 or more hours there. Canterbury is similarly impressive - not just the cathedral, but the town itself. I have never been into Leeds castle (I got as far as the gates, saw the admission charge, got back in the car and went on to Dover) Hever is very pretty, but IMO, not a true "Castle" in the way that Dover is.
Aug 27th, 2007, 10:46 AM
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But Hever reeks of history - one of Henry VIII's wives - Ann Bolyene i think lived there and that makes it intriguing - plus is in such a nice pastoral setting. Hard to easily reach by public transport and via it a long way from Canterbury - there is a Heaver train station but no taxis there - but a nice few-mile walk thru fields to the caslte IF you can find the path. Buses go direct from a larger nearby town however.
Aug 28th, 2007, 07:14 AM
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Ok, so it sounds like Leeds maybe isn't worth it. I was definitely thinking that we would see some of these things one day, stay over, and then see some things the following day before going back to London. I am having trouble planning the order that makes the most sense though. For example, if we went to Canterbury first, and then Dover, and then the hotel for the night in Rye, and then Battle the next day, we would have our luggage while in Canterbury and Dover. But if we go to the hotel first, we will have to do quite a bit of extra travelling just to be able to drop our bags off. Maybe there is no easy way to plan this . . . but if anyone knows how, I'd really appreciate the advice!
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Aug 28th, 2007, 07:42 AM
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I am more than a bit confused, however, since you are leaving and returning back to London, can't you leave the bulk of things in you London hotel and just take a very small pack for your one night away. But on the other hand you state you want to plan a one night stay, then you go on and mention a 3 night stay. Guess that is the part that I don't follow. In any event. I too suggest you give Leeds castle a pass. Have fun and let us know how it all turns out.
Aug 28th, 2007, 07:47 AM
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Just a one night stay.
And if we leave our things in the London hotel, we will have to pay for that room, and the room in Rye for the night, which doesn't seem cost effective.
We want to see all of these things with a one night stay over, not three.
And if we leave our things in the London hotel, we will have to pay for that room, and the room in Rye for the night, which doesn't seem cost effective.
We want to see all of these things with a one night stay over, not three.
Aug 28th, 2007, 09:32 AM
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If you are leaving and coming back to the same London hotel, you should be able to have the hotel store your luggage and just carry an overnight bag. There may be a charge for this.
You could also store your bags at a 'left luggage' facility at the London train station (assuming you're traveling by train) - for around 6 GBP per bag per day - and bring an overnight bag with you.
You could also store your bags at a 'left luggage' facility at the London train station (assuming you're traveling by train) - for around 6 GBP per bag per day - and bring an overnight bag with you.
Aug 28th, 2007, 09:44 AM
#13
Just a few points:
Leeds (it looks like you've already been convinced) is definitely not a "must". The graounds are very nice - but there are twenty other gardens in Kent that are just as good or even better.
Dover Castle is HUGE and takes most of a day to explore. A minimum of 4-5 hours.
Hever <i>was</i> historic but very little of the original bldg is there. It is mainly an early 20th Century remodel/invention by William Astor. Not to say it isn't worth a visit - it is much better than Leeds for sure. The grounds are amazing.
W/i a very few miles of Hever are both Chartwell (Churchill's country home) and Penshurst Place (which is much more original than anything at Hever)
So for a 2 day sojourn - I'd leave early in the a.m. to Canterbury, tour until late morning and then head over to Dover for the rest of the day. Stay in a B&B in mid-Kent somewhere between Dover and Hever. The next day I'd visit Penshurt Place, Chartwell and Hever and then head back to London in the early evening.
Rye is very interesting - but you really need 3 or 4 days to really explore much of Kent/East Sussex.
Leeds (it looks like you've already been convinced) is definitely not a "must". The graounds are very nice - but there are twenty other gardens in Kent that are just as good or even better.
Dover Castle is HUGE and takes most of a day to explore. A minimum of 4-5 hours.
Hever <i>was</i> historic but very little of the original bldg is there. It is mainly an early 20th Century remodel/invention by William Astor. Not to say it isn't worth a visit - it is much better than Leeds for sure. The grounds are amazing.
W/i a very few miles of Hever are both Chartwell (Churchill's country home) and Penshurst Place (which is much more original than anything at Hever)
So for a 2 day sojourn - I'd leave early in the a.m. to Canterbury, tour until late morning and then head over to Dover for the rest of the day. Stay in a B&B in mid-Kent somewhere between Dover and Hever. The next day I'd visit Penshurt Place, Chartwell and Hever and then head back to London in the early evening.
Rye is very interesting - but you really need 3 or 4 days to really explore much of Kent/East Sussex.
Aug 28th, 2007, 10:24 AM
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Our standards must be low. We enjoyed Leeds Castle.
We drove from London to Rochester where we spent much of the day, stopped at Leeds Castle before driving to our BnB, Frith Farm House in Otterden.
We drove from London to Rochester where we spent much of the day, stopped at Leeds Castle before driving to our BnB, Frith Farm House in Otterden.
Aug 28th, 2007, 10:28 AM
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No one said Leeds wasn't worth it - did say dissapointing when compared to other castles so there are better places for the OP on extremely limited time to dwell in on.
I've been to Leeds and enjoyed it as well but i feel it just doesn't deserve the apparently self-fueled publicity it gets so that folks seem to think it's one of England's finest castles
In fact as castles go it's mediocre - but this is still enjoyable and fine in the overall context.
How many castles have you seen? If Leeds were your first or so then your reaction may be different.
But to unfortunately at times jaded veteran England travelers Leeds is ho-hum
Sincerely
I've been to Leeds and enjoyed it as well but i feel it just doesn't deserve the apparently self-fueled publicity it gets so that folks seem to think it's one of England's finest castles
In fact as castles go it's mediocre - but this is still enjoyable and fine in the overall context.
How many castles have you seen? If Leeds were your first or so then your reaction may be different.
But to unfortunately at times jaded veteran England travelers Leeds is ho-hum
Sincerely
Aug 28th, 2007, 11:09 AM
#16
hi, BP,
here's my contribution having lived in Kent for 15 years or so, albeit leaving 10 years ago [but I bet the castles etc. haven't changed much!]
you don't want to stay in dover!
to avoid that, leave London early, get to dover, see the Castle, leave for canterbury. book into hotel [sorry I can't recommend one, but others will I'm sure], spend the rest of the day and night into the town.
set off early for Rye - perhaps taking in the romney marshes and/or the Romney and Dymchurch light railway and winchelsea on the way. Spend the night in Rye.
from Rye, head north to sissinghurst [classic english garden] then through the weald of Kent to Penshurst and finally Chartwell. if you have a third night, spend it in this area, then you could see Hever, Chiddingstone, scotney, leeds castle [great rose gardens in June/July] as well, before heading back to London.
hope that's whetted your appetite.
regards, ann
PS i'd scrub Battle - not much tere besides the castle, and it's a long way off your route.
here's my contribution having lived in Kent for 15 years or so, albeit leaving 10 years ago [but I bet the castles etc. haven't changed much!]
you don't want to stay in dover!
to avoid that, leave London early, get to dover, see the Castle, leave for canterbury. book into hotel [sorry I can't recommend one, but others will I'm sure], spend the rest of the day and night into the town.
set off early for Rye - perhaps taking in the romney marshes and/or the Romney and Dymchurch light railway and winchelsea on the way. Spend the night in Rye.
from Rye, head north to sissinghurst [classic english garden] then through the weald of Kent to Penshurst and finally Chartwell. if you have a third night, spend it in this area, then you could see Hever, Chiddingstone, scotney, leeds castle [great rose gardens in June/July] as well, before heading back to London.
hope that's whetted your appetite.
regards, ann
PS i'd scrub Battle - not much tere besides the castle, and it's a long way off your route.
Aug 28th, 2007, 11:13 AM
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It's not a very long walk from the Hever train station to the castle, maybe a mile or less. There is a painted sign board showing the way. We had a very enjoyable day trip there by train from London.
We have also done day trips to Canterbury and to Rye in different years.
I'm not sure what the breakeven point would be to make two day trips to your chosen destinations by train and not do an overnight away from London, but maybe some of our London posters can tell you.
We have also done day trips to Canterbury and to Rye in different years.
I'm not sure what the breakeven point would be to make two day trips to your chosen destinations by train and not do an overnight away from London, but maybe some of our London posters can tell you.
Sep 1st, 2007, 06:20 PM
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Here is what I am thinking now, but I do not know if it is a good plan or realistic . . .
I was thinking that perhaps we should start with the Kent area, and go to London after. I also think we should maybe stay 2 nights in Kent, instead of one.
My very tentative plan would be to: take the train straight from Gatswick airport when we arrive to Rye. Perhaps rest for a bit, and then take the train to Battle (@ 50 minute trip) and return to Rye for the night.
Leave the next morning for Dover Castle, and then from there to Canterbury. Head back to Rye for a night's sleep, and then leave for London in the early am. This plan would take care of the luggage issue, because it would just stay in the Rye hotel until we leave for London. This plan puts us at about 2 hours of train time for day 2 (Rye - Dover - Canterbury - Rye).
Does this seem do-able? A good plan?Worth the time on the train to stay in Rye?
Also - some of the suggested "journeys" on the National Rail Web site, leave about 6-8 minutes to catch a connecting train. Is this enough time for someone in is not familiar with the train system there?
Thank you all so much!
I was thinking that perhaps we should start with the Kent area, and go to London after. I also think we should maybe stay 2 nights in Kent, instead of one.
My very tentative plan would be to: take the train straight from Gatswick airport when we arrive to Rye. Perhaps rest for a bit, and then take the train to Battle (@ 50 minute trip) and return to Rye for the night.
Leave the next morning for Dover Castle, and then from there to Canterbury. Head back to Rye for a night's sleep, and then leave for London in the early am. This plan would take care of the luggage issue, because it would just stay in the Rye hotel until we leave for London. This plan puts us at about 2 hours of train time for day 2 (Rye - Dover - Canterbury - Rye).
Does this seem do-able? A good plan?Worth the time on the train to stay in Rye?
Also - some of the suggested "journeys" on the National Rail Web site, leave about 6-8 minutes to catch a connecting train. Is this enough time for someone in is not familiar with the train system there?
Thank you all so much!
Sep 2nd, 2007, 06:33 AM
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The 6 to 8 minutes to catch the next train should not be a problem. Just check the TV monitor for platform #'s. Sometimes they show the edning station, not the middle one at first, but then they will show all of the stops. Not a problem. If this fails, just ask someone.
