caroline_edinburgh

I've always heard the Isle of Man is like Britain in the 1950s, which sounds dire.

My first choice for a 2-3 day trip would be York then over the North York Moors to the lovely small fishing town of Whitby (setting for part of 'Dracula').

jbrramsey

An Englishman writes...
I like Cornwall, but agree that it gets very crowded in Summer. However, few people know that we have a spare one tucked away on the other side of Wales. It is called Pembrokeshire, and has the same spectacular coastal scenery and historic interest and is just as acessible from London. It is nominally in Wales, but the people there despise all things Welsh, for example erasing the Welsh placenames on bilingual signs, as opposed to painting out the English versions as is the custom elsewhere in the Principality. I won't claim that it is deserted in summer, but it is possible to fall over if you collapse from the heat.

twoflower

I'd put Isle of Man as a 'next-time-round' destination. For first-timers I'd recommend Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset. I agree Cornwall is too unrelaxed in the holiday season, and if you wanted to venture beyond Somerset I'd cross the Severn to Monmouth, Symonds Yat and South Wales.

Morgana

Hi I live in Yorkshire and would recommend this as a place to visit, although without a car you are obviously restricted. Kings Cross to York Station is a swift and normally reliable train service (my husband uses it for business on a weekly basis). The food is very good too on the train. So you could leave Kings X early, breakfast on the train, and be in York nice and early to see the sites. York is a compact city - have a look at the thread "Ok everybody, what's so great about York" if you need persuading! From York you could continue on the same rail line to Edinburgh (Waverley Station is right in the centre) maybe stopping off at Durham to admire the cathedral. No chance you could hire a car in York? I could give you some wonderful places to visit within easy reach - Fountains Abbey, Harewood House, Castle Howard, Yorkshire Dales (beautiful landscape!) etc etc.

caroline_edinburgh

jbrramsey: I wouldn't generalise, if I were you. My in laws live in Pembrokeshire and are very proud Welsh people. I have never seen a Welsh place name painted over.

walkinaround

my opinion...

in general, many of the "big" sites around england are disappointing. typically it's the places that most overseas visitors have never heard of that take your breath away. england really has many beautiful places but they are usually not where most visitors go.

i often entertain family and friends from overseas and they always want to go to the places they have heard of...blenheim, stratford, etc. it's only when they let me choose the obscure little places that they really are impressed.

can you/do you like to walk? if so, this is how you will see the best of england. the dramatic coastline of dorset, north devon, cornwall...the green hills and sheep fields are all around. the stonewalls and fells of the lake district..i can go on and on. and wales..the welsh countryside and coastline is spectacular.

the only way to see all of this is to walk. england has a very well developed walking trail system and just about all areas are accessable to the public by legal rights of way. trails are very well maintained and with a good map you are all set.

i would choose one or two areas and spend days walking in the countryside. you will have a uniquely british experience and see things that you would never see in north america.

i never take the beauty of this country for granted and it never ceases to impress me.

i know there are some other walkers here...back me up, won't you?

jbrramsey

Caroline, I was perhaps overstating the case a little.But I assure you that the last time I visited Pembrokeshire, three or four years ago, most of the Wesh place names were painted over. Admittedly, it could have been the work of a small number of people. However, Pembrokeshire is sometimes known as "little England beyond Wales", so I think my point has some validity.

caroline_edinburgh

jbrramsey: yes, you have a point in that Pembrokeshire is less Welsh than other parts of Wales. It is a great place too ! As you say, rather like Cornwall - but with added castles ! Not so geared up for tourists, though - e.g. I always find hours of availability of food rather limited in rural Wales as a whole, like no lunch after 2pm.

MissPrism

I lived in Wales for many years and Pembrokeshire is known as "Little England Beyond Wales"

No doubt that there are historical reasons. It certainly is a beautiful county.

Adams

We will be visiting Pembrokshire (St Davids) May 7-14. We can't wait. It will be our second visit. It's a special place. The walkways along the shoreline are magnificent.

LOTRHP

Thanks for all the great input. So far I've narrowed my search outside of London to a day trip to Hampton Court, a day trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, and 4 days in the Penzance/St. Ives area. Curious-- what do you think of my plan? I might be able to fit one more day trip in...if anyone else can share a 'must see' place that is easily accesible by public transport.

Oh and yes I love to walk to answer another forum member.

Thank you all for your wonderful advice. Very much appreciated.
Any more suggestions are always appreciated.

robbieb

Don't be put off going to Devon or Cornwall as long as you avoid bank holidays. Both places would fit into your "beautiful landscapes" objective. For Devon, Dartmoor is lovely and a fantastic place to stay is the Nobody Inn pub in Doddescombleigh which is on the edge of the moor. Cornwall, consider St Mawes (Idle Rocks great place to stay)and for something different The Pandora Inn (pub) in Mylor Bridge which has a pontoon right on the estuary. All accommodation should be booked. For the North of England have a look at the Forest of Bowland which is the Lancashire version of the Dales but much quieter, again beautful scenery and interesting towns and villages. The Hark to Bounty (pub) in Slaidburn is a great place to stay. Lots of options for day trips from London, Bodium Castle in Sussex is the epitomy of an English castle.

Have fun...