10 days in England
Jul 28th, 2014, 03:06 PM
#21
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The Days Out of London Pass costs for 4 days of unlimited travel over a longer validity period (I think 9 days) costs p.p. $249 or about $62/day or about 36 pounds a day. So to see if the pass is a good deal check ordinary fares at www.nationalrail.co.uk - if you want full flexibility the pass may be a good deal and on day trips IME you never really know when you will want to return - many discounted fares I believe cannot be changed once issued, at least not on the day of travel (not sure but my understanding - check conditions of use) and you can leave London anytime - some of the cheaper fares I believe can't be used until after 9:30 am Mon-Fri (again not sure but traditionally has been).
Now the pass does not quite reach to Liverpool but will take you most of the way - buy a supplemental ticket before leaving London.
anyway check the figures and whether or not you want flexibility - Oxford would be a rather cheaper trip but the others are pretty long rides with I would think staggering walk up fares perhaps. (I don't know I have not looked just presenting information to digest and consider.)
The pass of course also gives you two free tickets on the airport express trains to be used if you want outside the validity of the pass - anytime. Again things like the Heathrow Express can be real pricey but still is by far the fastest way into central London, in about 20 minutes or so to Paddington where tube and taxis to anywhere in London await.
Now the pass does not quite reach to Liverpool but will take you most of the way - buy a supplemental ticket before leaving London.
anyway check the figures and whether or not you want flexibility - Oxford would be a rather cheaper trip but the others are pretty long rides with I would think staggering walk up fares perhaps. (I don't know I have not looked just presenting information to digest and consider.)
The pass of course also gives you two free tickets on the airport express trains to be used if you want outside the validity of the pass - anytime. Again things like the Heathrow Express can be real pricey but still is by far the fastest way into central London, in about 20 minutes or so to Paddington where tube and taxis to anywhere in London await.
Jul 29th, 2014, 01:27 AM
#23
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Nobody has mentioned Hudson's Heritage Pass:
http://www.hudsons-explorer.com/
which gives free entrance to some of the great houses in Britain which can be very expensive to visit.
Again check out where you are planning to visit and do the sums.
If you've not heard of Hudson's, they produce an yearly guide book to stately homes and castles in Britain:
http://www.hudsons.co.uk/hudsons-heritage/
Checkout Amazon for their price.
http://www.hudsons-explorer.com/
which gives free entrance to some of the great houses in Britain which can be very expensive to visit.
Again check out where you are planning to visit and do the sums.
If you've not heard of Hudson's, they produce an yearly guide book to stately homes and castles in Britain:
http://www.hudsons.co.uk/hudsons-heritage/
Checkout Amazon for their price.
Jul 29th, 2014, 07:08 AM
#24
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>>For the OP 2 for 1 is valid I believe only with a rail ticket to that destination - please correct me if wrong.<<
That is correct.>
I wonder if a railpass is a valid train ticket for 2 ffor 1 purposes - if not that would be a negative for non-single travelers and I suspect a railpass is not considered to be a valid ticket.
That is correct.>
I wonder if a railpass is a valid train ticket for 2 ffor 1 purposes - if not that would be a negative for non-single travelers and I suspect a railpass is not considered to be a valid ticket.
Jul 29th, 2014, 07:51 AM
#25
Interesting about the Hudson's Pass - I had never heard of it though I am well aware of Hudsons in general having bought copies of Hudson’s Historic Houses & Gardens several times over the years. The Pass appears to have taken up the slack from the dearly departed Great British Heritage Pass. The GBHP was absolutely WONDERFUL . . . but it was taken over a few years ago by the folks who do the London Pass and it was discontinued.
The Hudson pass seems to cover many of the same properties - though the GBHP was also good in Scotland and Wales. The big savings comes from the major stately Homes/palaces/castles in private ownership like Chatsworth/Castle Howard/Blenheim.
Good to know -- the Hudsons pass isn't as comprehensive as the old GNHP but for a 'stately home intensive' itinerary it would be a terrific bargain.
(The London Pass is not a good deal BTW)
The Hudson pass seems to cover many of the same properties - though the GBHP was also good in Scotland and Wales. The big savings comes from the major stately Homes/palaces/castles in private ownership like Chatsworth/Castle Howard/Blenheim.
Good to know -- the Hudsons pass isn't as comprehensive as the old GNHP but for a 'stately home intensive' itinerary it would be a terrific bargain.
(The London Pass is not a good deal BTW)
Jul 29th, 2014, 08:32 AM
#26
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I'm no expert but I would stay 7 days in London(daytrip to Stonehenge, daytrip to Liverpool) and 3 days in Oxford (taking a daytrip to Stratford Upon Avon).
I have only been to England twice but did everything on my own. I did take a London Walks tour to Oxford the first time I went, and I believe they do Stonehenge as well. Otherwise, I echo most and like to do everything on my own.
I also was one of those that pooh-poohed Stonehenge. However my son (18 years) really wanted to go. So this past March we went and I LOVED it. It wasn't so much the monument but the entire Salisbury Plain. It is not to be missed.
Don't be intimidated by taking the trains and buses. It is super easy. Just book online (all the advice above is awesome), and then pick up your tickets at the station.
Have a great trip!
I have only been to England twice but did everything on my own. I did take a London Walks tour to Oxford the first time I went, and I believe they do Stonehenge as well. Otherwise, I echo most and like to do everything on my own.
I also was one of those that pooh-poohed Stonehenge. However my son (18 years) really wanted to go. So this past March we went and I LOVED it. It wasn't so much the monument but the entire Salisbury Plain. It is not to be missed.
Don't be intimidated by taking the trains and buses. It is super easy. Just book online (all the advice above is awesome), and then pick up your tickets at the station.
Have a great trip!
Jul 29th, 2014, 09:29 AM
#27
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Stonehenge, warts and all due to hoards of tourists and the stones now being roped off from visitors is to me like it is to mogsanova - mesmerizing in its totality and seemingly remote location on the Salisbury Plains. Many folks here diss Stonehenge and suggest skipping it but to me it would be near the top of day trips from London.
Salisbury is also a fantastic town - historic old cathedral and neata walks south of talk along a river into bucolic settings - great view of Salisbury cathedral's spires from a distance - a view that several famous artists have put on canvass.
Don't miss Stonehenge and don't miss Salisbury if doing Stonehenge.
Salisbury is also a fantastic town - historic old cathedral and neata walks south of talk along a river into bucolic settings - great view of Salisbury cathedral's spires from a distance - a view that several famous artists have put on canvass.
Don't miss Stonehenge and don't miss Salisbury if doing Stonehenge.
