Need London hotel advice (central 3-star w/parking)
Mar 2nd, 2007, 08:48 AM
#41
Hi, Hausfrau
hope you don't feel we're trying to rain on your parade; regretably the raods in teh UK are not as free and easy as the shots on "top gear" would have you belive - there is usually at least some other traffic around!
so far as walks in Cornwall are concerned, there is an official footpath all the way round the coast of Devon and cornwall [called "the south west coast path", would you believe - they're so original]. You can pick it up virtually anywhere around the coast.
Of course, some parts are prettier/more difficult that others. You should be able to get hold of a guide from the Cornwall Tourist Board. I have already told you about some of my favourite bits, but you can't really go wrong.
Boscastle is a very pretty spot; there was a terrible flood in August 2005, when amazingly no-one was killed. They are now rebuilding; i have't been since the flood, but I'm sure that it's as lovely as before. Nearby Port Isaac is also very picturesque, and you are already well-informed about tintagel.
any of these would make a good base for touring that area - what sort of accommodation are you thinking about? I'm sorry that i can't make specific recommendations - as we live here, we don't tend to use them. However, the tourist board have publications listing all the different types in that area, or you could use google.
Please let me know if i can help you more - Cornwall is a beautiful place and I'm very happy if i can help you enjoy it to the full.
REgards
Ann
hope you don't feel we're trying to rain on your parade; regretably the raods in teh UK are not as free and easy as the shots on "top gear" would have you belive - there is usually at least some other traffic around!
so far as walks in Cornwall are concerned, there is an official footpath all the way round the coast of Devon and cornwall [called "the south west coast path", would you believe - they're so original]. You can pick it up virtually anywhere around the coast.
Of course, some parts are prettier/more difficult that others. You should be able to get hold of a guide from the Cornwall Tourist Board. I have already told you about some of my favourite bits, but you can't really go wrong.
Boscastle is a very pretty spot; there was a terrible flood in August 2005, when amazingly no-one was killed. They are now rebuilding; i have't been since the flood, but I'm sure that it's as lovely as before. Nearby Port Isaac is also very picturesque, and you are already well-informed about tintagel.
any of these would make a good base for touring that area - what sort of accommodation are you thinking about? I'm sorry that i can't make specific recommendations - as we live here, we don't tend to use them. However, the tourist board have publications listing all the different types in that area, or you could use google.
Please let me know if i can help you more - Cornwall is a beautiful place and I'm very happy if i can help you enjoy it to the full.
REgards
Ann
Mar 2nd, 2007, 11:02 AM
#42
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As I always say, you get what you ask for here on Fodor's ;-)...I didn't mean for the 300-400 miles and the 4-5 hours to be put together...I DO understand the nature of UK roads and that they are different from US highways and the Autobahn (although frankly, around SW Germany, the Autobahn frequently moves about as fast as molasses). And yes, I know there's that whole problem of traffic, which they probably don't have to deal with when they close off the roads for Top Gear filming!
Actually, caroline and annhig, I think you are being very patient and nice to me and I really appreciate it. It does help to have the Edinburgh to Pembroke example. It is frustrating that the mapping sites do not give accurate times - I usually rely on sites like map24 or viamichelin when planning my driving distances and times.
annhig, we are looking for nice B&Bs or small inns/hotels...trying to average around US$150 per night for 2...right now I'm looking at the Wellington and Bottreaux hotels in Boscastle. I didn't know about the flood - it is very good to hear that no one was killed.
After all this discussion (and now that we have gone completely off the original topic, but hey - it's my thread after all) I am strongly leaning towards skipping London on this trip. I'm thinking of this as our "UK countryside" tour, and it would be much easier to fly to London for a long weekend some other time. This would give us an extra 2 nights to play with and avoid the whole issue of driving into the city.
Actually, caroline and annhig, I think you are being very patient and nice to me and I really appreciate it. It does help to have the Edinburgh to Pembroke example. It is frustrating that the mapping sites do not give accurate times - I usually rely on sites like map24 or viamichelin when planning my driving distances and times.
annhig, we are looking for nice B&Bs or small inns/hotels...trying to average around US$150 per night for 2...right now I'm looking at the Wellington and Bottreaux hotels in Boscastle. I didn't know about the flood - it is very good to hear that no one was killed.
After all this discussion (and now that we have gone completely off the original topic, but hey - it's my thread after all) I am strongly leaning towards skipping London on this trip. I'm thinking of this as our "UK countryside" tour, and it would be much easier to fly to London for a long weekend some other time. This would give us an extra 2 nights to play with and avoid the whole issue of driving into the city.
Mar 3rd, 2007, 01:11 AM
#44
Hi, Hausfrau
just googled accommodation in boscastle and looked at the two hotels you mention.
Never stayed or eaten at either, but of the two, the Wellington seems to have more of "the slightly up-market village inn" atmosphere, the other is more "country house". I do note that the W has two rosettes for its restaurant, and it's closer to the village if you want to eat elsewhere. Probably either would be great. There are other choices too, but most of them rather further out of town.
As you are keen on Tintagel, have you seen that the castle there? [www.camelotcastle.com.] I'm not sure about whether I'd want to stay there, having looked at the rather confused and confusing web-site, but it might be fun for a lunch on their terrace.
I think that your idea to cut out London is a good one; here's another - why not fly to Bristol [easyjet?] and hire a car? You'll be only 3 hours from Tintagel, and once you've finished with Cornwall, you could easily drive up to north wales or even the Lakes, and fly back from Liverpool or Manchester.
There is beautiful countryside on the way from Cornwall to Wales - Devon, the Brecon beacons, the wye valley, worcestershire, Shropshire - that would be a much more rewarding driving experience, IMO. And your car would be the "right" way round; you can always hire a GPS with the car if you want one.
just googled accommodation in boscastle and looked at the two hotels you mention.
Never stayed or eaten at either, but of the two, the Wellington seems to have more of "the slightly up-market village inn" atmosphere, the other is more "country house". I do note that the W has two rosettes for its restaurant, and it's closer to the village if you want to eat elsewhere. Probably either would be great. There are other choices too, but most of them rather further out of town.
As you are keen on Tintagel, have you seen that the castle there? [www.camelotcastle.com.] I'm not sure about whether I'd want to stay there, having looked at the rather confused and confusing web-site, but it might be fun for a lunch on their terrace.
I think that your idea to cut out London is a good one; here's another - why not fly to Bristol [easyjet?] and hire a car? You'll be only 3 hours from Tintagel, and once you've finished with Cornwall, you could easily drive up to north wales or even the Lakes, and fly back from Liverpool or Manchester.
There is beautiful countryside on the way from Cornwall to Wales - Devon, the Brecon beacons, the wye valley, worcestershire, Shropshire - that would be a much more rewarding driving experience, IMO. And your car would be the "right" way round; you can always hire a GPS with the car if you want one.
Mar 3rd, 2007, 01:12 AM
#45
Hi, Hausfrau
just googled accommodation in boscastle and looked at the two hotels you mention.
Never stayed or eaten at either, but of the two, the Wellington seems to have more of "the slightly up-market village inn" atmosphere, the other is more "country house". I do note that the W has two rosettes for its restaurant, and it's closer to the village if you want to eat elsewhere. Probably either would be great. There are other choices too, but most of them rather further out of town.
As you are keen on Tintagel, have you seen that the castle there? [www.camelotcastle.com.] I'm not sure about whether I'd want to stay there, having looked at the rather confused and confusing web-site, but it might be fun for a lunch on their terrace.
I think that your idea to cut out London is a good one; here's another - why not fly to Bristol [easyjet?] and hire a car? You'll be only 3 hours from Tintagel, and once you've finished with Cornwall, you could easily drive up to north wales or even the Lakes, and fly back from Liverpool or Manchester.
There is beautiful countryside on the way from Cornwall to Wales - Devon, the Brecon beacons, the wye valley, worcestershire, Shropshire - that would be a much more rewarding driving experience, IMO. And your car would be the "right" way round; you can always hire a GPS with the car if you want one.
REgards
Ann
just googled accommodation in boscastle and looked at the two hotels you mention.
Never stayed or eaten at either, but of the two, the Wellington seems to have more of "the slightly up-market village inn" atmosphere, the other is more "country house". I do note that the W has two rosettes for its restaurant, and it's closer to the village if you want to eat elsewhere. Probably either would be great. There are other choices too, but most of them rather further out of town.
As you are keen on Tintagel, have you seen that the castle there? [www.camelotcastle.com.] I'm not sure about whether I'd want to stay there, having looked at the rather confused and confusing web-site, but it might be fun for a lunch on their terrace.
I think that your idea to cut out London is a good one; here's another - why not fly to Bristol [easyjet?] and hire a car? You'll be only 3 hours from Tintagel, and once you've finished with Cornwall, you could easily drive up to north wales or even the Lakes, and fly back from Liverpool or Manchester.
There is beautiful countryside on the way from Cornwall to Wales - Devon, the Brecon beacons, the wye valley, worcestershire, Shropshire - that would be a much more rewarding driving experience, IMO. And your car would be the "right" way round; you can always hire a GPS with the car if you want one.
REgards
Ann
Mar 3rd, 2007, 10:38 AM
#46
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ComfyShoes, I thought no one would ever ask...I do admit to taking a few turns around the Nuerburgring, but I'm no Sabine Schmitz! ;-)
Ann, now I'm looking at Port Isaac and it looks really nice too...it's great to have so many options. Camelot Castle does have a rather odd website, doesn't it? But the views are spectacular!
We mainly decided to drive after determining the cost of plane tickets plus car rental (we were hoping to rent an automatic with GPS, but it appears to be quite expensive to get these extras). We are still considering all of our options, so I will keep your advice in mind.
For those of you still following this, I don't really want to start a whole new thread so I'll just post a few questions here...since I obviously need to start narrowing things down a little.
Which would you choose for awesome roads, beautiful little villages, and scenic hikes...northern Wales, Lake District, or southwest Scotland (i.e. Glencoe/Fort William area)? I am very interested to hear your opinions.
Ann, now I'm looking at Port Isaac and it looks really nice too...it's great to have so many options. Camelot Castle does have a rather odd website, doesn't it? But the views are spectacular!
We mainly decided to drive after determining the cost of plane tickets plus car rental (we were hoping to rent an automatic with GPS, but it appears to be quite expensive to get these extras). We are still considering all of our options, so I will keep your advice in mind.
For those of you still following this, I don't really want to start a whole new thread so I'll just post a few questions here...since I obviously need to start narrowing things down a little.
Which would you choose for awesome roads, beautiful little villages, and scenic hikes...northern Wales, Lake District, or southwest Scotland (i.e. Glencoe/Fort William area)? I am very interested to hear your opinions.
Mar 3rd, 2007, 01:59 PM
#47
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Well, I'd imagine you've seen the current thread about English villages (in the Cotswolds and other notable parts of the English countryside.)
If I were you, I'd post a new thread. There might well be people who have information that will see a new post and not open a thread about London hotel/parking. You are well into a new topic.
If I were you, I'd post a new thread. There might well be people who have information that will see a new post and not open a thread about London hotel/parking. You are well into a new topic.
Mar 3rd, 2007, 02:08 PM
#48
I agree - start a new thread because your new questions will get lost in this driving/traffic info. And when you do start the new thread -- Ft William/Glencoe are definitely not in SW Scotland. That would be Dumfries/Galloway/Ayrshire.
Mar 5th, 2007, 03:52 AM
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hausfrau, you are very welcome. I usually look at www.theaa.com to check routes but find I need to add on about 25-30% to the timings.
I think your idea of flying to London (and Edinburgh ?
) another time for a city break is a good one.
Looking forward myself to a short break in Berlin in 10 days' time !
I think your idea of flying to London (and Edinburgh ?
) another time for a city break is a good one.Looking forward myself to a short break in Berlin in 10 days' time !
Mar 5th, 2007, 09:49 AM
#51
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Hausfrau, Anyone who can even spell Nuerburgring much less drive it, earns my respect!
Okay, you have my permission to call me by my "first" name "Comfy" if I can call you "Haus". Just kidding
Hopefully you will get enough responses on your other thread to know what you want to.
Okay, you have my permission to call me by my "first" name "Comfy" if I can call you "Haus". Just kidding
Hopefully you will get enough responses on your other thread to know what you want to.
Mar 6th, 2007, 03:43 AM
#52
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Caroline, thanks for the tip and have fun in Berlin! I'll be disappointed if we don't get to Scotland on this trip, but I know we can only do so much. (FYI, I really wanted to do my college semester abroad in Edinburgh but my parents insisted that I go to France. I ended up in Montpellier, which was wonderful, but 10 years later I STILL haven't gotten to Scotland!)
ComfySchuhe, as you well know, a "haus" without the "frau" just isn't the same! ;-)
ComfySchuhe, as you well know, a "haus" without the "frau" just isn't the same! ;-)
Apr 10th, 2007, 02:35 PM
#54
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Hi Hausfrau, if you are coming through Darlington on your way to Scotland you and your H are welcome at my place if you want to rest for a night.As for driving in London it can be daunting until one is familiar with the roads.Alain
