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-   -   London and Farnborough (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/london-and-farnborough-859684/)

albatravels Sep 17th, 2010 07:15 AM

London and Farnborough
 
I will be in the UK for 10 days starting next weekend. I have meetings in Farnborough for three days and plan to stay there for those but can stay in Londin the rest of the time. How far of a train ride is Farnborough from London?

What is the weather like in the next couple of weeks? Can a tourist rent a car and drive around? What is around Farnborough?

I have been to London a couple of times and have things I would like to re-visit and some I have not had time to see. Here is my wish list:

Portrait Gallery
Futbol game
Bath
Covent Garden
COTSWOLDS

Any suggestions will be great! It will be my husband and I and we will be tourists Sunday and Monday the first week and then Friday and Saturday the second week.

THANKS

jamikins Sep 17th, 2010 07:46 AM

Hi there

Looks like its 36 - 60 mins depending on what stations you are using. You can check train times etc here:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Bath and the Cotswolds arent in London and would require taking a train (Bath) or renting a car usually (Cotswolds) from London.

lizziea06 Sep 17th, 2010 07:50 AM

I have to go to Farnbourough occasionally for meetings. It's a quick (30 minute) commuter train from Clapham Junction. I certainly wouldn't stay there if I didn't need to. It's really quite fast from London.

Dr_DoGood Sep 17th, 2010 08:17 AM

Second that - there's no reason on earth to stay in Farnborough when you can be in London for the duration - and thus be a "tourist" every evening of your trip not just the days you've indicated.
Farnborough has no redeeming features whatsoever. Just by virtue of your visit it'll be improved no end for the natives.

sassy_cat Sep 17th, 2010 08:28 AM

Ha, my thoughts exactly! Stay in London and commute.

Here's a link to the National Portrait Gallery

http://www.npg.org.uk/

If you want to see Bath and the Cotswolds then rent a car and I'd stay overnight in Bath to give yourself enough time to see the city and the Cotswolds (which are closer to Bath than London).

albatravels Sep 17th, 2010 08:34 AM

I hear you all about not staying in Farnborough but I'll have to socialize in the evenings with the group invited to the meetings .....I hate to move hotels twice but don't have much choice.

Any suggestions as to hiring someone in Costwolds to take us around? Caroline Roberts was recomended but her email is bouncing back.

lizziea06 Sep 18th, 2010 06:41 AM

Try Mad Max! They took me and my parents out from our base in Bath and were absolutely brilliant. Small tour group size and we are all quite pleased with our day.

alya Sep 21st, 2010 01:35 AM

Hmm... it appears that you are working and your DH is tagging along. I have some names of local antique/salvage places close to Farnborough, although you should certainly head to the Cotwolds for the weekend

If he doesn't have to socialize during the day, and likes 'old stuff' (aka antiques ;) ) and has access to a car - I can help him plan a day in Farnham including a nice pub for lunch.

Kate Sep 21st, 2010 02:21 AM

I'll address your football questions.

From what you've indicated, you'll be available to see a London game either Sun 26 Sept or Sat 2 October, is that correct? (there are no games on Fridays and very few on Mondays).

In that case, the London-based Premier League games playing during your stay are:

Tottenham v Aston Villa, 15:00 Sat 2nd and
West Ham v Fulham, 15:00 Sat 2nd.


Both of these will be popular - Tottenham v Villa (go Villa!) are successful teams and equally matched, whilst West Ham v Fulham is a London derby, so tickets may be hotly contested, but you should go to the websites of the home teams (Tottenham and West Ham) to see if there are tickets available to buy online. You would be able to collect pre-booked tickets at the ground on match day.

Kate Sep 21st, 2010 02:25 AM

By the way, if I have your dates wrong, you can see the fixture list here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...es/default.stm

London-based teams to look out for are:
Chelsea (current Premiership champions, I doubt you'd get tickets)
Arsenal (equally tough to get tickets)
Fulham
West Ham
Tottenham Hotspur

Home teams are listed first.

albatravels Sep 21st, 2010 09:09 AM

Info on Farnham, speciallyu a good pub, is much needed! Send it our way!

I'll look into this football macthes and see

THANKS

alya Sep 21st, 2010 02:43 PM

The Shepherd and Flock serves really nice food (they even named a roundabout after it :) ), it's in the middle of a huge roundabout so you may need to go around twice before you find the entrance :) If the weather is nice you can sit outside at the rear of the pub - they have heaters if it's a little chilly.

http://www.shepherdandflock.co.uk/

A couple of antique places - the first 2 are so close to each other

http://www.packhouse.com/
http://www.w3b-ink.com/antiqueswarehouse/

This one is within sight of the Shepherd and Flock
http://www.bourne-mill-antiques.co.uk/

All are open Sat/Sun

Farnham itself is nice to wander around, park the car and spend a couple of hours exploring - Enjoy

willit Sep 21st, 2010 04:02 PM

If looking for a pub in Farnborough, then the Prince of Wales near Farnborough North Station is very good.


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