Just returned from 3 Weeks in England
 

Just got back from 3 weeks in England. We spent 2 weeks in London and 1 week on the English Riviera at Torquay. Driving was an experience. Had a great time. People were great as were sights. Saw 6 musicals in London and we caught the beginning of Wimbledon. Saw some great matches. Took the Underground in London and it was fantastic. Any questions or assistance I can be to anyone traveling over, just e-mail me.

We are going to UK in August and I am really worried about the driving. Just how dangerous is the driving when you are not use to driving on the left. We are renting a standard shift. Do you know if the clutch and accelerator also backwards? Do you recommend driving the highways over country roads? I heard that it only takes about 2 hours and you can become accustom to this way of driving. I hope this is correct, because I am really excited about the trip except for the driving. Thanks for any infor you can give. <BR>

Hi Tony..Enjoyed your trip report. Can you elaborate on "driving", special cautions, tips. Could you please comment on the six (wow) musicals you saw such as "great, don't miss", "so-so", etc. We're going to the UK in September, hoping the tourist traffic is a little lighter. Thanks. <BR>

Driving is no problem after you've gotten used to it. I hired a car from central London, and that helped, because the traffic moved very slow and there was always someone in front of me. Beware of roundabouts - they have few flyovers - you can't avoid them so look like hell. Gas and clutch are the same as in left hand drive cars. It takes a few hours to get used to changing gear with the left hand - I once found myself almost winding the wndow down! Highways (motorways) are better for speed - nice and wide with cats eyes at night and are often lit as well - country roads are often narrow by more romantic. the English are sensible drivers but the police are very strict - don't even think about having 'one for the road'

Apart from making the comments such as "great", "don't miss", "so-so" suggested by Kathy, could you also please let us know the prices of tickets for the musicals (approximately). What about "the tube"? Is it safe and clean? Is it safe at night? <BR>Thanks in advance! <BR>

We rented our car from Hertz in central London and then drove to Torquay which is southwest of London about 220 miles. I got a manual transmission also. The shifting is opposite from ours. What would be 4th for us is first and so on. The clutch and the accelerator are the same as here in the States. So at least you don't have to contend with that. We picked up the M4 from London to Bristol and then took the M5 south to Exeter. What I found on the M's, which are their motorways, is that they are similar to our freeways here (at least that is what we call them here in California). The trucks(lorries) drive on the extreme left and to pass you do so on the right(generally there were three lanes). I really never saw speed limits except it was 50 mph when there was construction going on. At these sites they had cameras(on overpasses) to take pictures of speeders. So you may want to be careful. However, I was never speeding. The cars in the number 2 and 3 lanes would go as fast as they could. I asked someone about the speed limit, bacuase I never really saw a sign on the M's showing the maximum speed limit and I was told oh 80-85 mph. I believe it because I was driving 65-70 and I felt as if I was a hazard. They really move!!! So be ready for Indy on the M's. On the A's which are the next level down from the M's, it was interesting. The speed comes down but the streets are narrower and many times particularly in cities or towns cars would be parked and you'd have to go around them into the oncoming traffic. Car in the towns can park in any direction so every once in a while you get a hollow feeling that maybe you are on the wrong side of the road or it is a one way. Also there were times in the country when the vegetation was overgrown on to the road and it was very narrow with blind turns. What I found to be the most difficult was navigating. In London the one ways and streets which change names without changing directions. Frankly, I am not sure how I got in and out of London. I would recommend if you can getting the car at either Heathrow or Gatwick. At least you won't have to contend with the London traffic/navigating. After a week of driving I was glad to get back to London and get on the Underground and busses.Leave the driving to them. All I can tell you is have a good navigator to watch for street names so you can concentrate on the driving. Good luck !!!!! If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me.

See my message to Barbara Weadock re: driving. On the musicals on a scale of 1-10 I'll rate the ones we saw. We had my 16 year old son so we tried to select plays he'd enjoy too. Rent (10) this was our favorite. Blood Brothers(9)was very good.Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story was an 8(good). Le Mis(8) was good but we have seen before. Starlight Express(8). Grease(8). We really enjoed them all, but just wanted to let you know our opinion on each. Go to Leicester Square half ticket booth at Noon on the day you want to go to play. We got some great seats at some fantastic prices.

there is a speed limit on the motorways, which is 70 mph. It may seem fast compared to the US, but is slow compared to Germany where there is no limit and sppeds of over 100 mph on two-lane carriageways are de rigueur. Most people in the UK drive faster (80), but don't get caught. The fines are heavy. You are only allowed to overtake on the right. Overtaking on the left is also fined if you are caught. Police controls vary from county to county.

See my message to Kathy. We paid 16.50 pounds for a matinee of RENT. We sat in the 4th row and the seats were excellent.For Blood Brothers we paid 16.25 pounds for a matinee(1st row. Excellent seats). For Buddy we paid 8 pounds. For Grease we paid 6.50 pounds for a matinee. For Le Mis we paid about 8 pounds for a matinee. That is about as much as I can remember on prices. Go to the 1/2 price booth a Leicester idf price is a consideration. Get there before noon and the list the plays/musicals they have tickets for that day. These prices are great for the quality of the productions. Enjoy. Let me know if I can answer any other questions. <BR>

Why don't you go and see a play instead of all those blinking musicals? <BR> <BR>London is stuffed full of great drama... read Time Out for the critics choice. I promise it'll be worth it. <BR> <BR>Eg: <BR> <BR>Most stuff at the Old Vic, Young Vic, national theatre, Royal COurt <BR> <BR>Also the Globe is more conservative but simply incredible structure (thanks to Sam Wannamaker...) <BR> <BR>Be bold

My wife and I rented a car in London at Heathrow last year after people telling us that driving was no problem. We went to the Cotswolds. WELL, driving in the country was not much of a problem, but getting back to the airport was A TRIP. When we finally turned that car in we were ready for a big drink. Those roundabouts are just awful. We had no idea who had the right of way. Just acted like we know what we were doing. Some roads are not marked very well either. I wouldn't recommend it but it is the best way to see the contryside. Also, we were taking the Chunnel to Paris after we turned the car in and the taxi from the airport to Waterloo station was $75.

To Phillip: <BR>We're doing what you have done i.e getting the car at Heathrow and going to the Cotswold. Do you recommend then that we get the car some place along the way, e.g. Cambridge or Oxford so we won't deal with the hassle of returning it to Heathrow?