Specific questions regarding routes for driving in the UK, December
Jul 29th, 2017, 05:05 PM
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Specific questions regarding routes for driving in the UK, December
Back again, we are heading to Europe in December. Anyone who 'knows' us on this site knows we've been quite a few times. This time we were asked to 'babysit' our grandson (will be 1) while our daughter and dh go to a wedding in Monmouth, Wales. Any excuse to plan a trip, we had some points to use up, so we planned our flights around that and will incorporate some missed sites and a couple of new adventures.
We will arrive into Manchester early am December 15, collect car and drive to Penalt (Monmouth) where we will meet up with the family (they are having a couple of weeks ahead of us in the UK). We've booked http://www.capelpentwyn.co.uk/ for 3 nights. This time will be taken up with baby sitting, relaxing and celebrating our daughters birthday.
Question 1) Manchester to Monmouth route, should we just stick to the M6 & M5 or take the A49? There doesn't seem much time difference in it and I think we would prefer the more scenic road.
After the weekend with the family we will spend 2 nights in Bath, we have been albeit just on a day trip form London years ago. So we've booked http://www.graysbath.co.uk/ and will just explore the city on foot for the full day we will be there.......probably not visiting the Baths as we have done that.
Question 2 ) Monmouth to Bath route, should we just stick to the M4? We will have the whole day to get there, so would be more than happy to make a scenic/fun detour.
Leaving Bath we are heading to London, again to meet up with the family for a full week over the Christmas period. We've booked a house for our time here. and can even keep the car.
Which will be handy if we fancy a day trip but also to get us all to the airport for departures.
http://www.homefromhome.co.uk/proper...family-holiday
Question 3) Bath to London via Highclere Castle. Yes I'm a Downton Abbey tragic and would love to see this Castle. I'm wondering if it will open late in December? No info yet on their website. If its closed can you still 'see' the castle from any vantage points? And as for the route to take, would it be more fun/scenic to avoid the M4 and take the A36 & A303 again will have the full day to do this?
When we leave London, we will fly to Helsinki, then further north to Inari, in search of the Northern Lights. Then onto Stockholm for a couple of nights (because thats where our points took us to get home
) then home.
Thanks as always.
We will arrive into Manchester early am December 15, collect car and drive to Penalt (Monmouth) where we will meet up with the family (they are having a couple of weeks ahead of us in the UK). We've booked http://www.capelpentwyn.co.uk/ for 3 nights. This time will be taken up with baby sitting, relaxing and celebrating our daughters birthday.
Question 1) Manchester to Monmouth route, should we just stick to the M6 & M5 or take the A49? There doesn't seem much time difference in it and I think we would prefer the more scenic road.
After the weekend with the family we will spend 2 nights in Bath, we have been albeit just on a day trip form London years ago. So we've booked http://www.graysbath.co.uk/ and will just explore the city on foot for the full day we will be there.......probably not visiting the Baths as we have done that.
Question 2 ) Monmouth to Bath route, should we just stick to the M4? We will have the whole day to get there, so would be more than happy to make a scenic/fun detour.
Leaving Bath we are heading to London, again to meet up with the family for a full week over the Christmas period. We've booked a house for our time here. and can even keep the car.
Which will be handy if we fancy a day trip but also to get us all to the airport for departures.
http://www.homefromhome.co.uk/proper...family-holiday
Question 3) Bath to London via Highclere Castle. Yes I'm a Downton Abbey tragic and would love to see this Castle. I'm wondering if it will open late in December? No info yet on their website. If its closed can you still 'see' the castle from any vantage points? And as for the route to take, would it be more fun/scenic to avoid the M4 and take the A36 & A303 again will have the full day to do this?
When we leave London, we will fly to Helsinki, then further north to Inari, in search of the Northern Lights. Then onto Stockholm for a couple of nights (because thats where our points took us to get home
) then home.Thanks as always.
Jul 29th, 2017, 05:30 PM
#2
For the trip from MAN > Monmouth -- I think I'd be inclined to take the motorway simply because it is right off the flight and I'd want as simple as possible.
For Monmouth to Bath -- I'd meander more and head east through the Dean Forest and basically down the A46 through the southwest Cotswolds.
Re Highclere -- the past few years there has been a Christmas fair - but early in December. I think you will be there too late. I don't think you can see the Castle from anywhere on the road - there may be some small country lane where you could but the grounds are enormous. You could visit the the Carnarvon Arms pub though. Plus, over a pub lunch you can probably find out if there are any viewpoints. http://thecarnarvonarmshotel.com
You could also visit Avebury and explore some of the Thameside towns/villages.
For Monmouth to Bath -- I'd meander more and head east through the Dean Forest and basically down the A46 through the southwest Cotswolds.
Re Highclere -- the past few years there has been a Christmas fair - but early in December. I think you will be there too late. I don't think you can see the Castle from anywhere on the road - there may be some small country lane where you could but the grounds are enormous. You could visit the the Carnarvon Arms pub though. Plus, over a pub lunch you can probably find out if there are any viewpoints. http://thecarnarvonarmshotel.com
You could also visit Avebury and explore some of the Thameside towns/villages.
Jul 29th, 2017, 05:39 PM
#3
Oh - meant to add -- on the drive from MAN - I'd especially take the most direct/motorway route if the weather is nasty/threatening.
But you can always play it by ear - if it is a nice day and if you aren't jet lagged like crazy -- decide then.
But you can always play it by ear - if it is a nice day and if you aren't jet lagged like crazy -- decide then.
Jul 29th, 2017, 06:12 PM
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Thanks as always janisj, we're pretty good with jet lag on arrival......home bound on the other hand is dreadful. And we are flying b/class so manage to get lots of rest.
Great idea re Carnarvon Arms Pub.
Great idea re Carnarvon Arms Pub.
Jul 29th, 2017, 06:38 PM
#5
If it has been quite a while since you were in Bath you might want to visit the baths anyway. I was impressed by how much the museum seemed to have grown and improved since the first time I went (in the 90s).
Oct 27th, 2017, 09:38 PM
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Nearer the time, you might want to keep an eye on planned roadworks and other potential problems:
http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic-information/
http://www.trafficdelays.co.uk/
http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic-information/
http://www.trafficdelays.co.uk/
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