Liverpool, Cardiff & Salisbury - how would you do it?
Nov 16th, 2011, 06:16 AM
#1
Original Poster
Liverpool, Cardiff & Salisbury - how would you do it?
We've just started thinking of a 2013 UK visit, with London as base.
Would like to spend at least a day each in Liverpool, Cardiff & Salisbury but wonder what experts advise re a sensible route.
Thanks so much for any thoughts~
Would like to spend at least a day each in Liverpool, Cardiff & Salisbury but wonder what experts advise re a sensible route.
Thanks so much for any thoughts~
Nov 16th, 2011, 06:55 AM
#2
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How long do you plan on staying in London? A day trip from London to Cardiff and Liverpool? Do you realize that'll it'll take at least 3 hours more likely closer to 4 hours to get from London to Cardiff and more than 4 hours to get from London to Liverpool? Not feasible for a day trip.
Salisbury is doable as a day trip, but I'd go by train rather than driving if only doing a day trip.
How much time will you have in London and when/where do you plan to rent your car? I'm assuming from your post <I>"advise re a sensible route" </I> that you plan on driving.
Salisbury is doable as a day trip, but I'd go by train rather than driving if only doing a day trip.
How much time will you have in London and when/where do you plan to rent your car? I'm assuming from your post <I>"advise re a sensible route" </I> that you plan on driving.
Nov 16th, 2011, 07:04 AM
#3
How long is the entire trip?
London isn't a very good base for visiting Cardiff, and is a terrible base for seeing Liverpool. As historytraveler says -- Salisbury is an easy day trip from London.
W/o knowing how long you will be in the UK, can't really help w/ an itinerary/suggestions.
if you want to see Liverpool and the NW, then you might consider flying into Manchester or Liverpool, touring a bit, taking the train to Cardiff, touring a bit, train to London for the last part of the trip (doing a day trip to Salisbury), fly home from London.
But everything depends on how long you have . . .
London isn't a very good base for visiting Cardiff, and is a terrible base for seeing Liverpool. As historytraveler says -- Salisbury is an easy day trip from London.
W/o knowing how long you will be in the UK, can't really help w/ an itinerary/suggestions.
if you want to see Liverpool and the NW, then you might consider flying into Manchester or Liverpool, touring a bit, taking the train to Cardiff, touring a bit, train to London for the last part of the trip (doing a day trip to Salisbury), fly home from London.
But everything depends on how long you have . . .
Nov 16th, 2011, 07:05 AM
#4
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Salisbury is certainly doable as a day trip from London via train. You could also add Stonehenge as the bus picks up at the Salisbury train station every 15 mins I believe.
Cardiff can be done, its only 2 hours on the train out of Paddington (plus the time it to get to Paddington from where you are staying) so it would be a long day.
Liverpool is really not a feasible day trip out of London.
You could head to Salisbury/Stonehenge for a day, stay over and then take the train to Cardiff...its an additional 2 hours on the train. Then you could stay over in Cardiff and head back to London, or just head back to London that evening.
For trains check www.nationalrail.co.uk Its generally cheaper to book your tickets in advance.
Cardiff can be done, its only 2 hours on the train out of Paddington (plus the time it to get to Paddington from where you are staying) so it would be a long day.
Liverpool is really not a feasible day trip out of London.
You could head to Salisbury/Stonehenge for a day, stay over and then take the train to Cardiff...its an additional 2 hours on the train. Then you could stay over in Cardiff and head back to London, or just head back to London that evening.
For trains check www.nationalrail.co.uk Its generally cheaper to book your tickets in advance.
Nov 16th, 2011, 07:10 AM
#5
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Sorry posted too soon.
If you're planning to take in all three places in one trip, I'd probably do London-Salsibury which will be two to three hours, Salsibury-Cardiff is about the same and Cardiff to Liverpool three to four hours. Then Liverpool-London 4+ hours.
The following website is a good source when planning your routes, but you will need to add time to those suggested since they do not allow for any stops, traffic/construction problems etc.
www.theaa.co.uk
If you're planning to take in all three places in one trip, I'd probably do London-Salsibury which will be two to three hours, Salsibury-Cardiff is about the same and Cardiff to Liverpool three to four hours. Then Liverpool-London 4+ hours.
The following website is a good source when planning your routes, but you will need to add time to those suggested since they do not allow for any stops, traffic/construction problems etc.
www.theaa.co.uk
Nov 16th, 2011, 07:20 AM
#6
Original Poster
Sorry for lack of detail:
We'd like to stay several nights in London, then use public transport to visit Liverpool, Cardiff and Salisbury, spending the night(s) in each city. Then back to London for a few more days.
Time frame is open, probably 7-10 nights.
Didn't mean to suggest day trips, more like a circuit.
And no car rental, unless that proves to be the best idea.
Thanks again!
We'd like to stay several nights in London, then use public transport to visit Liverpool, Cardiff and Salisbury, spending the night(s) in each city. Then back to London for a few more days.
Time frame is open, probably 7-10 nights.
Didn't mean to suggest day trips, more like a circuit.
And no car rental, unless that proves to be the best idea.
Thanks again!
Nov 16th, 2011, 08:27 AM
#7
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In that case I would do Salisbury - Cardiff - Liverpool - London (or the reverse).
In fact, I would fly into Manchester and take the train to Liverpool (its about 1.5 hours), then head to Cardiff, then Salisbury and then finish in London flying home from there.
So book your flights into Manchester and out of London (or the reverse of course).
In fact, I would fly into Manchester and take the train to Liverpool (its about 1.5 hours), then head to Cardiff, then Salisbury and then finish in London flying home from there.
So book your flights into Manchester and out of London (or the reverse of course).
Nov 16th, 2011, 08:30 AM
#8
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Sorry, didnt notice you only have 7 - 10 nights. Thats pretty ambitious, especially if you havent been to London. I would choose London and 1 to 2 other places, I would drop Liverpool because it doesnt fit as nicely logistically.
Nov 16th, 2011, 08:55 AM
#9
If you book open jaw in to Manchester out of London (or vice versa) it would be doable but would leave you scant time in London.
An option:
• Fly into MAN, stay 2 nights in Liverpool. I suggest 2 nights because your first day will be pretty much eaten up by jetlag, logistics, and just getting acclimated. So 2 nights really nets just a bit over one full day to explore.
• Morning train to Cardiff. Stay one night. Next day take a late afternoon or early evening train to Salisbury. This will give you nearly 1.5 days in Cardiff.
• Stay the night in Salisbury and spend the next day touring the city/cathedral/Stonehenge. Early evening train to London.
That pretty much eats up 4 nights/5 days. So you would need closer to your 10 days to leave you much time in London. If you stick to 7 days -- then drop Liverpool. Stay the entire week in London and do two day trips -- one to Salisbury/Stonehenge and one to Cardiff.
And this assumes you mean 7-10 days 'on-the-ground' not counting the 2 days travel to/from the UK. So basically 9-12 days total time. If you mean 7 - 10 days 'home-to-home'--then just London + maybe one day trip would be better.
An option:
• Fly into MAN, stay 2 nights in Liverpool. I suggest 2 nights because your first day will be pretty much eaten up by jetlag, logistics, and just getting acclimated. So 2 nights really nets just a bit over one full day to explore.
• Morning train to Cardiff. Stay one night. Next day take a late afternoon or early evening train to Salisbury. This will give you nearly 1.5 days in Cardiff.
• Stay the night in Salisbury and spend the next day touring the city/cathedral/Stonehenge. Early evening train to London.
That pretty much eats up 4 nights/5 days. So you would need closer to your 10 days to leave you much time in London. If you stick to 7 days -- then drop Liverpool. Stay the entire week in London and do two day trips -- one to Salisbury/Stonehenge and one to Cardiff.
And this assumes you mean 7-10 days 'on-the-ground' not counting the 2 days travel to/from the UK. So basically 9-12 days total time. If you mean 7 - 10 days 'home-to-home'--then just London + maybe one day trip would be better.
Nov 16th, 2011, 09:35 AM
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Glad you clarified your plans as it makes a bit more sense especially if you follow janisj's advice of open jaw MAN/London.
Is there any particular reason you want to visit Liverpool? Asking because it really does take away from time in London. And, yes, with only 7-10 days including travel time to/from UK, the plan is too ambitious.
Is there any particular reason you want to visit Liverpool? Asking because it really does take away from time in London. And, yes, with only 7-10 days including travel time to/from UK, the plan is too ambitious.
Nov 16th, 2011, 11:48 AM
#11
why these 3 places? i can understand Liverpool but Cardiff? Bristol is IMHO a much more interesting place and would be easier to get to than Cardiff- important when you've got so little time.
then Salisbury? - again, why? Bath would be easier to get to, and makes an obvious place to stop between Bristol [or Cardiff] and London.
but this only works if you have 10 days, and then, only at a squeeze. if you've only got 7 days, just go to London and do the odd day trip to somewhere closer.
then Salisbury? - again, why? Bath would be easier to get to, and makes an obvious place to stop between Bristol [or Cardiff] and London.
but this only works if you have 10 days, and then, only at a squeeze. if you've only got 7 days, just go to London and do the odd day trip to somewhere closer.
Nov 16th, 2011, 01:31 PM
#12
Original Poster
Thanks especially for the open-jaw suggestion. I had believed there were no direct flights from ORD - MAN, but now see that some are available. Excellent thought.
We've been to London many times (Salisbury too) so don't worry that we don't know what we're doing. Liverpool has been on my list since 1964 and Cardiff - well, I want to see Wales.
And time - we'll be fine!
Thank you for all the ideas and input.
We've been to London many times (Salisbury too) so don't worry that we don't know what we're doing. Liverpool has been on my list since 1964 and Cardiff - well, I want to see Wales.
And time - we'll be fine!
Thank you for all the ideas and input.
Nov 16th, 2011, 10:47 PM
#13
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Cardiff really isn't "seeing Wales"
Wales is a biggish, mostly empty, space with glorious countryside and an often fabulous coastline. Cardiff is just another English set of shopping malls, with a few signs in Welsh, along Wales's mostly dull, congested, postindustrial (= as ugly as it was when the factories worked, but now with added dereliction) southern strip.
There is terrific countryside near Cardiff (though most of it's nearer Swansea, which takes quite a while to get to). But it's just as easy to get to (far prettier) Welsh countryside from Liverpool, without the huge sidetracking that getting to Cardiff involves. And in Liverpool's Welsh hinterland, they actually speak Welsh, which in Cardiff is merely an excuse for tolerating a rotten educational system or an affectation by windbag politicians.
Cross Cardiff off, stay longer in Liverpool, and use it as a base to tour Snowdonia.
Wales is a biggish, mostly empty, space with glorious countryside and an often fabulous coastline. Cardiff is just another English set of shopping malls, with a few signs in Welsh, along Wales's mostly dull, congested, postindustrial (= as ugly as it was when the factories worked, but now with added dereliction) southern strip.
There is terrific countryside near Cardiff (though most of it's nearer Swansea, which takes quite a while to get to). But it's just as easy to get to (far prettier) Welsh countryside from Liverpool, without the huge sidetracking that getting to Cardiff involves. And in Liverpool's Welsh hinterland, they actually speak Welsh, which in Cardiff is merely an excuse for tolerating a rotten educational system or an affectation by windbag politicians.
Cross Cardiff off, stay longer in Liverpool, and use it as a base to tour Snowdonia.
Nov 16th, 2011, 11:16 PM
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Take no notice of flanner, he is bonkers and knows not what he says.
Cardiff and the surrounding countryside are beautiful. I live in Cardiff and am 300 metres from beautiful countryside. We have a magnificent city centre a glorious bay area and unique shops in the old narrow shopping arcades that branch out in the city centre. We also have one of the newest and most modern shopping arcades in the UK. Not to mention the castle right in the city centre, the millenium stadium (home of Welsh sport) and the Millenium Centre Opera house.
Flanner is a dinosour living in dinasour times.
He'll be telling you that Blenheim Palace is a dump next.
;-)
Muck
Cardiff and the surrounding countryside are beautiful. I live in Cardiff and am 300 metres from beautiful countryside. We have a magnificent city centre a glorious bay area and unique shops in the old narrow shopping arcades that branch out in the city centre. We also have one of the newest and most modern shopping arcades in the UK. Not to mention the castle right in the city centre, the millenium stadium (home of Welsh sport) and the Millenium Centre Opera house.
Flanner is a dinosour living in dinasour times.
He'll be telling you that Blenheim Palace is a dump next.
;-)
Muck
Nov 17th, 2011, 07:36 AM
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I think if you reread flanner's post he states " Wales is a ... space with glorious countryside and often fabulous coastline ... There is terrific countryside near Cardiff " and "it's just as easy to get to (far prettier) Welsh countryside from Liverpool."
Opinions on the charms or negatives of Cardiff will vary. Having been there on several occasions. I think the castle is worthy of a visit and the town centre is okay, but flanner is also correct in his comments too. There are some things worth seeing in Cardiff but, IMO, not worthy of a special trip. Now the rest of Wales is an entirely different manner.
Not so much trying to defend flanner ( he doesn't need my defense ) but I do get bothered when people don't actually read a post or interpret it incorrectly because they may not agree with it. This forum is mostly about opinions. Not all will agree with someone, but that doesn't necessarily invalidate their point of view. If one disagrees with an opinion they should challenge that opinion not the one who offers it.
Okay, just my rant for the day. I'm done.
Opinions on the charms or negatives of Cardiff will vary. Having been there on several occasions. I think the castle is worthy of a visit and the town centre is okay, but flanner is also correct in his comments too. There are some things worth seeing in Cardiff but, IMO, not worthy of a special trip. Now the rest of Wales is an entirely different manner.
Not so much trying to defend flanner ( he doesn't need my defense ) but I do get bothered when people don't actually read a post or interpret it incorrectly because they may not agree with it. This forum is mostly about opinions. Not all will agree with someone, but that doesn't necessarily invalidate their point of view. If one disagrees with an opinion they should challenge that opinion not the one who offers it.
Okay, just my rant for the day. I'm done.
Nov 17th, 2011, 07:46 AM
#16
He'll be telling you that Blenheim Palace is a dump next.>>
I think that was CW.
The problem i have with trips like this is that they allow so little time in any one place that there is barely any point in going there. Nyse - if you truly want to see Wales, why are you only going there for a day? it's like me saying I have longed to see New England, and then timetabling 24 hours in Boston en route to Florida.
in fact, you could see something of Wales if you hired a car on leaving Liverpool, forgot about Salisbury, drove slowly south, returned you car in Swansea, and caught the train to London from there. That would make some sort of sense.
I think that was CW.
The problem i have with trips like this is that they allow so little time in any one place that there is barely any point in going there. Nyse - if you truly want to see Wales, why are you only going there for a day? it's like me saying I have longed to see New England, and then timetabling 24 hours in Boston en route to Florida.
in fact, you could see something of Wales if you hired a car on leaving Liverpool, forgot about Salisbury, drove slowly south, returned you car in Swansea, and caught the train to London from there. That would make some sort of sense.
Nov 17th, 2011, 09:07 AM
#17
"<i>I think that was CW.</i>"
Nope - well he may have but I don't actually recall it.
Its Flanner who is the Duke's neighbor and detests the place
I agree w/ much of the above. Nothing at all wrong w/ visiting Cardiff, but that certainly wouldn't be 'seeing' Wales. If you stay 2 or 3 days in/near Liverpool you could see some of the glorious North Wales scenery/castles/coast
Nope - well he may have but I don't actually recall it.
Its Flanner who is the Duke's neighbor and detests the place
I agree w/ much of the above. Nothing at all wrong w/ visiting Cardiff, but that certainly wouldn't be 'seeing' Wales. If you stay 2 or 3 days in/near Liverpool you could see some of the glorious North Wales scenery/castles/coast
Nov 17th, 2011, 10:10 AM
#18
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Historytraveler, Flanners post was fully read, absorbed and taken in the Flanner traditional context.
"Cardiff is just another English set of shopping malls, with a few signs in Welsh, along Wales's mostly dull, congested, postindustrial (= as ugly as it was when the factories worked, but now with added dereliction) southern strip."
Utter nonsense !
"Cardiff is merely an excuse for tolerating a rotten educational system or an affectation by windbag politicians."
What a load of cobblers !
;-)
Muck
"Cardiff is just another English set of shopping malls, with a few signs in Welsh, along Wales's mostly dull, congested, postindustrial (= as ugly as it was when the factories worked, but now with added dereliction) southern strip."
Utter nonsense !
"Cardiff is merely an excuse for tolerating a rotten educational system or an affectation by windbag politicians."
What a load of cobblers !
;-)
Muck
Nov 17th, 2011, 10:43 AM
#19
Original Poster
I shall die happy just seeing Cardiff. My virgin post on this forum was titled "Capital Combinations" - seeking advice about best groupings of capital cities.
Always have been fascinated by government and seats of power and haven't switched over to a love of scenery in the last five years.
Posts suggesting a different itinerary are well-intentioned but ....
Always have been fascinated by government and seats of power and haven't switched over to a love of scenery in the last five years.
Posts suggesting a different itinerary are well-intentioned but ....
