cotondawgs

We are flying into Manchester early November. Our ultimate destination is Coningsby and then back to Manchester for departure a 7 days later.

What will the weather be like? We want to visit York, Leeds prior to arriving in Coningsby.

Would appreciate information on castles and other places not to miss.

Hooameye

"What will the weather be like?" Like the rest of the UK, Manchester's weather is unpredictable, lows of around 2C and highs of around 10C. You will probably see a fair amount of rain as well, or you may be lucky !!

Regards.

caroline_edinburgh

Bear in mind the short daylight hours too. I'm guessing you are visiting family/friends at RAF Coningsby and in Leeds, are you ? Neither place is that scenic but in between you have all the glories of the Peak District. It's not really castle country but there are some great stately homes in that part of the country - most notably Chatsworth in Derbyshire - and ruined abbeys etc like Fountains Abbey. Are you planning to visit York ?

bilboburgler

Should be a bit warmer than that given above but could be as bad. If you come on Nov 5th be aware that the whole country goes to war that night with the celebration of the defense of parliament against the Pope. (says alot about us a secular society) that this means the smoke makes driving a car difficult that night and the weekend before and after.

cotondawgs

We do plan to spend time in York. If Leeds is nothing special, We will just pass through. Actually I am adopting a puppy. We have never been to the UK, and November is not our choice time, but we want to make the most of it. All suggestions will be most appreciated to make the best trip of the timing and small area we will be able to see.

Cold weather sounds wonderful since I live in hot, hot, hot Texas.

P. S. I am a knitter so there will be a stop in Holmfirth for Rowan yarns. If there are any knitters on the list, pleas advise of shops I should not miss.

cotondawgs

I failed to say thank you for the information so far.

We will factor in the shortness of daylight and we arrive Nov. 8.

ElendilPickle

Are you a member of the world's best knitting site, www.ravelry.com? If not, join up before you leave and ask one of the many UK knitting groups about stores on your route.

Lee Ann

cotondawgs

Yes, I am a member of Ravelry. Thanks so much for bringing to my attention...hadn't thought of a resource I access every day!!! Thank you.

Morgana

Leeds isn't scenic but please don't just dismiss it. It's a really lively, buzzy city (I work there but live quite a way outside). It is superb for shopping and also has some excellent restaurants.
When in York I think you would love a tiny shop called Duttons for Buttons. It doesn't selling knitting wools as far as I am aware, but I still think you would love to go there.
www.duttonsforbuttons.co.uk
Please note that many National Trust properties, houses, castles etc close at the end of October (known as 'putting them to bed') until the Spring. However some, such as Fountains Abbey stay open all year. Fountains holds the occasional 'flood lit' evening where the Abbey looks magical and music plays - might be worth checking their events calendar to see what's on.

tarquin

At last, a question about my adopted part of the world!

York has to be top of the list, but Lincoln too has a wonderful cathedral, a castle and old streets with medieval and Georgian buildings - best of all, it is not touristy, or certainly not in November.

Burghley House is huge and full of fabulous things, and not being NT, is open most of the year (but not Fridays.) It is on the outskirts of Stamford, a lovely walkable Georgian town with nice little shops and places to eat. Much of Pride and Prejudice and The Da Vinci Code was filmed here.

I would be happy to help with any queries about the RAF Coningsby area and Lincolnshire.

bilboburgler

I (always) agree with Morgana. Leeds is a vibrant small city with great buildings, the West Yorkshire Sculpture park to the South. The Armories (Tower of London gear not required in London) Next door to Leeds is Bradford which holds the Skep wool shop, in Farsley ( a wonder of a shop) also Texere Yarns in central Bradford.

Bradford also holds Saltaire with a David Hockney museum plus loads of other nice things.

alanRow

Just to point out that Manchester, York & Leeds AREN'T Northern UK - not by a few hundred miles.

alya

alanrow - it's all down to wording, Northern UK instead in Northern England

I'd like to take bilbo up on his/her wording of "Bradford also holds Saltaire" since I know the difference between Bradford (a run of the mill northern city, hehe get the pun?) and Saltaire (a village but more importantly a UNESCO World Heritage site) but for the OP? It makes little difference because they have a map and they do know the area they are focusing on.

Bilbo - I really don't mean to be picky it's just that I went to school in Saltaire - not many people can say they were educated in a UNESCO site

cotondawgs - Do I read this correctly that you are flying to England to adopt a puppy? Can we have more information about this special pup?

bilboburgler

alya you are quiet right, I guess i'm trying to make it easy to understand for people at a distance. I didn't even mention the Shuttle. But cotondawgs if you like knitting you might love the love the material in this shop. This is in a "village" called Shipley just between Saltaire and Bradford

alanRow

<<< alanrow - it's all down to wording, Northern UK instead in Northern England >>>

Even then there's a lot of England to the North. In reality Lancs & Yorkshire are really the midlands

Lifeman

Don't miss out on Manchester itself cotondawgs. It's a much more interesting place in terms of history, shopping, theatre and eating than Leeds is. It also has a greater choice of hotels.

It's certainly worth at least a couple of nights. I'd be happy to recommend any of the above if you decide to stay there.

alya

Bilbo??? Is the Shuttle still open?? Cool.

I was born in Shipley, head from there towards Canal Road.... no actually... don't - as CW would say it's grim

But as a child it was a wonderful place to be raised. Lots of open space, many friends to play with, trees to climb and a time where people had respect for their neighbourhoods.

Alan - we know!

cotondawgs

Wow, I missed checking for a day and really got some fabulous responses. So is this technically called the "Midland"?

We plan to stay in Holmfirth for 2 nights...and take day trips from there. Keep the suggestions coming. I truly appreciate your comments.

markrosy

If you are staying in Holmfirth eat at the Three Acres on Emley Moor or the Golden Cock at Farnley Tyas - proper Pubs!

If you like castles and Pubs - the North York Moors - around Helmsley cannot be beaten.

annhig

cotondawgs - as a midlander, no it isn't.

"the Midlands" end somewhere bewteen Birmingham and Manchester, but are over by the time you get to Leeds and York, which are definitely "northern england".

have a great time "up north"

regards, ann