peterSale

Greetings. It is a while since I last posted.

We are off to England for about six weeks in December leaving from Australia. We know it will be cold and dark, but we like that, so we don't need comments on our sanity.

The Itinerary is pretty much set except for a few days. What I require are great things to see and do whilst in certain areas.

We like Walking/geology/nature as our main thing, then Neolithic History, War History and Medieval History. Ale and Ciders certainly, art galleries and shopping not at all.

What are your favourite places/secret gems at the following?
Any folk music venues you can recommend?

Week One - seven nights
Canal boat from Market Harborough. (we've been on one before and love it.)

Pick up car in Leicester
Week Two -
First half in Colchester for Christmas with my sister.

Second half making our way to Bodmin in Cornwall via Portsmouth and ???
(we have been to Dover, Brighton, Hastings/Battle and Stone Henge)

Week Three - seven nights
Bodmin/Cornwall.

Week Four (five nights)
Making our way to Ambleside in the Lake District via Minehead (friend's house) and Wales last night in Ryl.

Week Five - seven nights
Ambleside and the Lake District.

Week Six (four days)
London for another sister and maybe Colchester again. This inconsiderate sister is spending Christmas in Australia!

Specific Questions.
Can we buy train tickets from London to Leicester at the time of travel or is it better to book ahead?
What is your opinion on Blaenavon. How much time to we need to visit it?
Is it also worth detouring through Bath? Is it worthwhile? or should we focus on Wales?

Much obliged.

Morgana

What are your plans for week 5 so far?
Unfortunately many of the places I would normally suggest for this week will be closed for the winter period. It's a beautiful area indeed and ideal for walking, however in December you could easily get some very foul weather. The sort of weather where you really wouldn't want to be out in it for long!

peterSale

Thanks. As yet we have no specific plans at any place and will dependent on the weather.

So at this stage I'm asking for ideas and mother nature will determine the final itinerary.

janisj

I'm just turning in for the night so will post more tomorrow -- but one thing jumped out. I know you know about the weather/daylight/etc . . . But I would be REALLY reluctant to hire a narrow boat (any watercraft really) for a day in Dec let alone a week.

Or is this a hotel boat that someone else 'drives'? I'd still avoid it in winter.

annhig

We are off to England for about six weeks in December leaving from Australia. We know it will be cold and dark, but we like that, so we don't need comments on our sanity.>>

no comments needed. it seems to make admirable sense for Aussies to be leaving OZ during the ashes season as it'll be too painful for you to stay at home!

great idea to come to Cornwall as well; sadly we'll be away in Aus/NZ while you're here, so no GTGs I'm afraid. WHy Bodmin though? Truro makes a more obvious base and during the christmas season there are quite a few things happening here.

After Cornwall, I'd suggest going to Bristol on your way "up north". It's a very historic city with lots of museums, galleries, concerts and it's a most attractive city too with the Downs, the Avon Gorge, and the new docks area right in the city centre.

Morgana

Ok, to kick you off with some Week 5 ideas.
My first idea is to NOT spend a week in the Lakes but split the time between the Lakes and then drive across to York.
I have a feeling you would love York - plenty of history. Avoid the Christmas shoppers and you'll find the city nice and empty of tourists. Don't miss the Railway Museum, Castle Museum and Minster.
http://www.visityork.org
Not far outside York is the very good modern history museum called Eden Camp. Check opening times though.
http://www.edencamp.co.uk
For the Lakes - Zefferellis in Ambleside is an excellent place to spend an evening with their meal and movie deals.
http://www.zeffirellis.com/
Castlerigg Stone Circle is magical - pick a clear day!
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...-stone-circle/
Blackwell's is a lovely Arts and Crafts house with good café.
http://www.blackwell.org.uk
Rheged is an 'indoor' place to visit on a wet day.
http://www.rheged.com
Carlisle had some excellent museums too.
http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/leisure_a...galleries.aspx
Once again I will reiterate the high possibility of bad weather in the Lakes at the time you are visiting. I've been there on days where you can hardly see your hand in front of your face (and that's not just during winter!!), and it sometimes rains like you wouldn't believe. On many days it would be foolhardy to even contemplate taking to the hills and fells.

peterSale

Thanks Morgana I will peruse the websites. We have been to Carlisle and loved both the Castle and the Cathedral. We missed York the last time and will endeavour to get there this time

Both had great tour guides. Time permitting we will go again.
Point taken on the weather. I used to be a ski patroller and having been a searcher many times and have no desire to be the "searchee".

Our last two trips to Europe have been in October. We were snowed on in Iceland, Norway and Finland. In England the rain followed us. My sisters said they had a lovely Autumn. We had non stop drizzle. So we have some idea of what we are letting ourselves in for.

Also we have seen very little of the inside of England, so as yet have not seen many castles, cathedrals, museums etc. so have plenty to fill in if/when the weather is foul.

We are both sensible and will gladly find a pub or cidery etc. We've walked in the rain before - not much fun.

Bodmin chose us as that is where the time share is located, likewise Ambleside. So no room for movement there. Although we are giving up our timeshare for a night and staying with a couple who run the folk club night in Penzance.

Thanks Annhig. We missed Cornwall the last time. This is why we are spending a week there. Is there fireworks on new years eve? If so where is the best place to go? Remember we come from rural Australia where an hour takes you to the next town!

Thanks again.

Rubicund

During your weeks 4 & 5 I'd certainly have a couple of nights at least in Manchester on your way North. Lots of history and museums, great hotels and restaurants and it will be lovely over the Christmas period with its Christmas markets.

Manchester has fantastic Art Galleries(Lowry, Manchester Art gallery, Whitworth etc) and of course the Imperial War Museum North. There are various folk music venues around the city but this is a bit far out to get "what's on" yet. Google it nearer your trip. If you're in to sport, then maybe you could get tickets to either Manchester United or City.

flanneruk

Trains. There are significant savings on non-refundable advance booked tickets.

Though the silliest discounts are available twelve weeks prior to travel, advance booking discounts are usually available up to about 1800 the night before travel, assuming the train's not sold out (generally unlikely on your route, unless it coincides with the peak of the Xmas/NY travel period). To get a sense of the level of discount available both by advance booking and off-peak travel (the two are often cumulative), try dummy bookings at www.nationalrail.co.uk

peterSale

Thanks. Imperial war museum north looks good.

Booking 12weeks out is no problem either.

annhig

Thanks Annhig. We missed Cornwall the last time. This is why we are spending a week there. Is there fireworks on new years eve? If so where is the best place to go? Remember we come from rural Australia where an hour takes you to the next town!>>

mmm - New year's Eve fireworks. the answer to that is "probably". where in Bodmin is this timeshare? it won't take you long to explore the town, that's for sure. it's about 30 mins to drive to Truro, 30 to Launceston [across Bodmin Moor, not a great place to be in the driving rain or snow] and if it's good weather, you'll have access to some lovely places like the Merry Maidens.

http://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/...ry_maidens.htm

The Eden Project normally offers special events too, and skating.
info about Xmas events in Cornwall isn't out yet but when it is, I'll try to remember to post it. What exactly are your dates here? there are usually some good theatrical productions on, plus concerts, carol services etc.

finally you'll be relieved to hear that should you care to stay up, every ball of the cricket will be available on TMS on Radio 4 extra, all through the night.

Grindeldoo

A fairly random list of suggestions - I come from Devon originally, which you'll have to pass through on your way to Cornwall:

For the geologist, much of the Dorset coastline is interesting, especially places like Durdle Door, Portland Bill, etc. Lyme Regis is a must, at the start of the Jurassic Coast. A little town on the coast. If the tide is right you can walk along the beach a way and look for fossils from the eroding cliffs. In fact if you're thinking of heading west from Portsmouth I'd do a detour (if time allows) to take a look at Salisbury Cathedral or Sherborne Abbey, but mostly stick to the coastal roads. Less traffic and much more scenery, with a great variety of beach types.

Once you pass the River Exe (the cathedral city of Exeter is certainly worth a visit on your way west - the cathedral is beautiful, there are remains of the Roman occupation, city walls, excellent regional museum etc.), limestone and chalk are left behind. Red sandstone and granite predominate. Dartmoor for granite - more dramatic than Bodmin Moor, and if the weather is halfway decent, excellent hiking here, as well as along the Southwest Coast Path - see http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/ in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

If you're looking for a place to stay the night in the Exeter area I'd suggest Topsham. An old port, with plenty of pubs, some decent places to eat and a very attractive place to stay.

fredandgingermad

I'd book ahead for train tickets from London to Leicester as this can be a very expensive route if booking on the day (as i found to my expense once when i missed the train!)

peterSale

Great Info. Thanks heaps. I knew I could rely on you all to fill in the gaps.

The time share is at the golf course in Bodmin.

I've been told there is a Bodmin beast we need to look out for on the moor. But that's all I know so far.

I haven't been following the cricket, except to note that the team I barrack for is winning! I barrack for anyone playing Australia. They are far too cocky and sore losers.

annhig

The time share is at the golf course in Bodmin.>>

I know it well. It's about 2-3 miles outside Bodmin; I've stayed there once or twice and often take clients there if we're in that area at lunch-time. A very good choice, even if you don't play golf!

Lanhydrock House [NT] is nearby and they may well have Christmas/New year events, and Fowey is not that far away - one of the loveliest little towns in Cornwall.

As for the beast of Bodmin, who knows? there are regular stories and photos of shadowy shapes which are supposedly big cats, but no-one has actually found anything, not even any bones of anything that might be "the beast". [which must be 40 years old by now]

Morgana

There are various beasts, big cats, panthers etc reported all over the country.
If you manage to take a good, clear picture of the beast of Bodmin could I be your Agent please?

Frances

You really really don't want to go to Rhyl. Not even for one night.

chartley

While I can support visiting Winchester and Salisbury on your way from Portsmouth to Cornwall, another option is to go via Dorchester and visit Maiden Castle (www.maiden-castle.co.uk/), the largest hill fort in England. This would also tie-in with a visit to the Jurassic Coast.

On your way to Portsmouth, you could visit the Roman Villa at Fishbourne (only open Saturdays and Sundays that time of year). The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum (www.wealddown.co.uk) also has limited opening hours in December and Januray, but is well worth visiting for its collection of old buildings relocated to the site.

But then there is so much to see in Portsmouth with the Victory, the Warrior and the Mary Rose, as well as the D-Day Museum.

It is important to check opening hours before making a long journey or detour.

peterSale

>>You really really don't want to go to Rhyl. Not even for one night.

Rubicund

Rhyl is a run down resort that enjoyed its best, if indeed it had a best, in the 50's and 60's. It has nothing of note to make a detour worthwhile.