Brief Thoughts on Kent & London
 

My wife and I just finished ba week in Kent followed by a week in London. I'm not much at report writing, but ...

First and foremost, I cannot imagine a more gracious collection of personalities than those encountered on our trip.

Second, cream tea is outstanding!

I cannot imagine attempting Kent and the surrounding area by some combination of rail, bus, and cab. Driving proved somewhat easier than I had feared. Conversely, navigation was a good deal more challenging. The smaller roads seem to prefer anonimity, and virtually all of the roads are smaller roads. Be advised that any trip you plan may well take longer than you plan, even when you plan for this contingency. That said, the combination of driving and navigating Kent is one of our most treasured experiences.

Cream teas are really great.

Sissinghurst and Hever are incomparable! Chartwell is both beautiful and interesting, as is Penshurst Place. We somehow managed
Darwin's Down House, the Knole, and Ightham Mote in a single day, making it one of our finer days in Kent.

We really enjoyed the cream teas.

We found Bateman's and Bodiam well worth a visit. The same holds for Canterbury. There is something more than a little absurd about Brighton's Pavilion, but I'm glad we saw it.

Despite warnings from Janis and others, we chose to visit Leeds Castle at the end of our one week in Kent. The grounds are stately, but the experience was, indeed, more than a little anticlimactic after Sissinghurst and Hever.

To be pefectly honest, we also found Rye (forgive us) Hampton Court to be a bit underwhelming after our experiences in Kent.

There are, of course, far too many places that we did not see, but that's for next time. (Did I mention that we really enjoyed the cream teas?)

There is no greater city than London! To have tea at the Ritz and then take one of those brilliantly designed cabs to the theatre is truly delightful.

God help anyone with children, grandchildren, and a credit card who gets dragged into Harrods by his wife!

We did the touristy stuff in London and enjoyed every minute of it. Unfortunately, we only had one week and needed three. It's a remarkable city.

For what it's worth, we stayed at the Langley Oast B&B in Kent and the Hilton London Mews in London's Mayfair district. We have nothing but good things to say about both.

Nothing beats a good cream tea. On our first trip to England we visited Canterbury and had tea at a little shop that is, alas, long gone because of the pedestrian mall. The plate held a dozen small scones, and my husband put way 8 of them with no trouble at all--he's never looked back. It's nice to be able to get clotted cream at the grocer's here these days.

Yes, but I've tried that stuff they sell here-it's really not the same as in England. I myself had one nice cream tea at Richoux's in Mayfair last week, but then, I always have a nice cream tea whereever I go in the world, be it Bangkok or Shanghai (believe it or not, the Westin in Shainghai serves an excellent cream tea, and very reasonably priced!)

I haven't actually seen clotted cream at stores here in the US. I've seen Devon or Somerset Double Cream - which is still good, but not exactly the same as clotted cream.

Brighton's Pavilion absurd? Did you try the one at Eastbourne? Every bit as tawdry as I expected Brighton to be!

And an area I enjoyed was Ashdowne Forest & Hartwell - Winnie the Pooh territory.

Did you like the cream teas?

Could one explain a cream tea?

<i> Ahhh jmf, you do make me 'homesick' for England and cream teas. I can get clotted cream here but somehow it is not the same unless consumed with warm scones in a cozy room watching it rain outside :)</i>

I have many fond memories of walking in Ashdowne Forest-it's a lovely area. And a cream tea is tea served with scones and clotted cream, sandwiches, tea breads and the like.

I believe Kaybe is correct. In the US they sell double cream, as opp. to clotted cream, last time I looked, which was awhile ago.

I enjoyed hearing about your trip to England.My grandson(14) is really wanting to go,we are from Kentucky. I am not good at driving in strange places. Could we spend a week in London and maybe take a train to some of the other areas during that time? Would you think someone his age would enjoy the trip or is it better to wait a year or so? I am totally unfamiliar with what to do or see, but would love to encourage his love of history and travel. What about his 9 year of active brother?Thanks.

Let me start by noting that I have 3 sons, 4 grandsons, and 2 granddaughters.

With grandkids in tow, I would recommend a day trip to Warwick Castle. I managed to get there on a previous business trip and recall wishing that I had my grandkids with me.

As for London, the (haunted) Tower of London and Madame Tussaud's should be entertaining. You might also take them to the theatre to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Just make sure that you find time for yourself.

Jmf314159, you're making me wish I had taken the time to have cream tea while in London last month!

Haney20, I'd say absolutely on the trip for the 14 year old. We just took our 14 year old daughter to London in June. You can search on my trip report for what she liked/disliked. Search for London/Wimbledon trip report. Susan

We, too, loved Kent and Canterbury, but what stands out vividly in my memory bank is that god-forsaken Starbucks at the entrance to the grounds!! Geez.

Actually, it's slightly to the right of the entrance and I rather enjoyed it! ;)

Great report jmf: Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.

If you want to compare notes here is the link to my London/Kent trip report

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34511389