Northern England
 

Hi, I'm going to England in September and want to see the North, as I've been to the South before. I've told a few people of my plans and they said I was crazy - very grim, unfriendly people, run down cities, dirty. Before I decide for sure, I'd like to hear your comments. Is it really that bad? How about the cities - comments on manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

by all means, go to the North. Yorkshire is facinating (Roman ruins, old castles, rock hedge rows, carpets of green, good walking paths, lovely pubs. Go see the Lake Country, the country of Wordsworth, See the York Minster, the Roman walls, etc. Manchester is not so great. Stay away from there. The farther north you go, the better, stone houses, roses and english gardens, etc. Get KAREN BROWN travel books for good maps and iteneries. <BR>

Go North to York, fan out from there. York is a wonderful city to visit. I would bag everything North of the Peak District/Cotswolds, and South of Harrogate. The Yorkshire Dales are inspiring. I found a little cabin there and stayed put for a week. The Lake District should also not be missed. If you run out of options (not likely) the Scottish Borders area of the Tweed River Valley is also terrific. Might as well take in Edinburgh too! <BR>

New Castle is an o.k. city, but too much like a midwestern US working-class town to be of great interest. My wife and I went there to see the ruins of the abbey and castle, but found the sea air had so damaged the graves, stones, etc. I wouldn't recommend going there. <BR>If you go to the Lake District, please note that it is VERY crowded in the summer--so much so that National Geographic wrote an article about its overcrowding. Off season, I'd highly recommend it or if you are a Beatrix Potter fan (tours of her homes abound--sort of like a pilgrimage site). If you still go, one interesting place is the Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick. The stones are not large, but it is more complete than Stonehenge, the surroundings are MUCH prettier, you can walk among the stones unimpeded and it's free (unlike Stonehenge)

All good advice. Stay away from those big cities, and pick places like York, the Lake District, and small towns and villages to visit. There are beautiful Abbey ruins in that area, and the countryside is beautiful. Try visiting some of Wales too if you have the time. <BR> <BR>I'm not trying to market Fodor's here, but the guidebook does offer excellent suggestions. <BR> <BR>Enjoy.

Hello, <BR>I am spending the year in Sheffield. My only familiarity is through "The Full Monty" If anyone has been there let me know, e-mail me or post a message please. I leave in 18 days. <BR>Thanks-Nicole <BR>

Yes, the advise you've already had is prity accurate. <BR>I'm from Manchester and I wouldn't advise a trip there,Shef'd or N/castle. <BR>places to consider: <BR>York, Windermere, Appleby, Keswick, Kendal, Carlisle and if you get the chance nip into Scotland and travel to Ayre to witness the Electic Brae. <BR>It is an optical illusion that noone can explain, it is well worth the trip as it will be a story piece for you to tell your friends about! <BR>Good luck.

Yes, the advise you've already had is prity accurate. <BR>I'm from Manchester and I wouldn't advise a trip there,Shef'd or N/castle. <BR>places to consider: <BR>York, Windermere, Appleby, Keswick, Kendal, Carlisle and if you get the chance nip into Scotland and travel to Ayre to witness the Electic Brae. <BR>It is an optical illusion that noone can explain, it is well worth the trip as it will be a story piece for you to tell your friends about! <BR>Good luck.

I love the north. I wouldn't reccommend York--too touristy. I would recommend the little villages around Alnmouth. Cranster and Dunsenburg Castle are wonderful. The valley's in the national park at Alnham are fabulous.

<BR>Try Harrogate, York and Ilkley for sure. Also have a look at Durham further north, and Lincoln further south. Lincoln is not really north, but then again, it is not really south! <BR> <BR>I would get a rail pass before you come if you plan to do a lot of travelling. <BR> <BR>There is an interesting museum in Leeds, called the Royal Armouries. It is a very good place, basically a way for all the stuff they can't show at the Tower of London to get an airing. Leeds is on the way to York etc, so you could base yourself there and take a day trip to Leeds, about 20 miles away. It has a nice shopping area and trendy cafes and bars near to the 'Calls' area.

York is a great tourist city. The minster, the Jorvik attraction and the museums are all worthy of a visit. The town itself is great to stroll around. Outside York are the Yorkshire Dales, the Yorkshire Moors, Whitby (Count Dracual's place) and one of my favorite things, the silver mechanical swan in a small museum just outside of Barnard Castle. The only operate it at certain times so check before you go. The abby ruins are impressive in North Yorkshire. <BR>Have fun, <BR>HankH

I agree with most of the advice you've gotten here. The Lake District is wonderful. I do have to comment on the people...the information you got is wrong. I think the people of the North are great...more down to earth and wonderful sense of humor!! I also agree that there's no need for you to go to Manchester. <BR>

I'm a native of York, living in the USA. <BR>The info. you have recieved is very accurate. York is full of tourists at peak season, but may be a little better in September. Anyway, crowded or not, you would miss such a lot if you didn't go, roman walls,churches,cathedral(Minster),Tudor buildings and streets and great museums. Outside York is Castle Howard (Brideshead Revisited). Avoid the industrial cities, Leeds,Manchester & Sheffield and go to the outlying areas.By the way, northerners tend to be more friendly than southerners on the whole. Have a great time. <BR>