chris45ny

europeannovice-

I think I may let my husband decide between Rye and Tunbridge Wells!! Too bad I don't have an unlimited budget to spend more time! That would be great if we could do some other things the day we do Dover Castle. I had read some posts that advised 5 hrs. for the Castle. I did think that was lengthy but with the tunnel tours and the wait time maybe it is reasonable to factor in that long?? I will read your trip report now that you've peaked my interest! Thanks for the suggestions.

europeannovice

Actually to save money I highly recommend purchasing the English Heritage and or the National Trust pass. We purchased both family passes because we traveled with my son and it was well worth it in savings for the places we visited.

Yes, Dover Castle requires about 5 hours. It is very spread out and certain things are done by timed ticket so I think you do need the 5 hours. That is why I suggest getting there a few minutes before opening. We did that and then were able to visit Walmer Castle and the Richborough Roman Fort which was open until 18:00 on the same day.

Tunbridge Wells is a livable town. It has food markets, shopping, banks and other things you need when living in a town. We had to go to the phone store early one morning to straighten out our cell phone issue and the store was at the mall. We went to the supermarket often for supplies and snacks. In the evening we visited many of the restaurants. There are quite a few to choose and some of them were very good. In Rye there are lovely cobbled streets and some touristy restaurants and touristy shops but we found Tunbridge Wells to be more practical for a multi day stay.

Below is the link to my trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...london.cfm?138

maxima

Seeing Shakespeare in Stratford on Avon is wonderful. Check the times of the trains. You should be able to take a morning train that will get you there for an early quick lunch, and perhaps take the last train back to London in the early evening so that you can enjoy the theater without worrying about getting back. The train ride is about 2 hours from Marylebone Station in London. Sometimes one way tickets work out cheaper than a roundtrip (single v return) depending on whether it is an off peak train or not.

annhig

i like the idea of seeing a matinee at Stratford - it's a great experience to see a play there. I used to live nearby when i was growing up and went a lot then. I looked at the RSC website but I don't recognise the names of the actors starring in Othello and they haven't mentioned who's going to be in MoV so that won't really help you choose.

http://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/?seas...0Season%202015

if you were prepared to stay overnight, you could see MoV in the afternoon of Sat 8/8 and Othello in the evening - it would mean effectively paying twice for the same night but it might be worth it for a once in a lifetime experience!

jamikins

We have been to both Rye and Tunbridge Wells and preferred Rye. Just felt the atmosphere was more olde worldly and we enjoyed the pubs etc.

Our pictures of the area are in this link just over halfway down.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637219655175/

Happy planning!

annhig

Unless you are very picky, I suspect that you would find the restaurant/pub food in Rye perfectly acceptable, but there is undoubtedly more choice in T/Wells which is much bigger. The atmosphere in Rye is more "olde worlde" than T/Wells [apart from the Pantiles area] and once most tourists have gone in the evening, quite charming.

europeannovice

I have nothing against Rye. It is a very charming town filled with cobbled streets and that olde world charm for sure. For us for a week's stay Tunbridge Wells was more practical. The bank we needed Barclay's was nearby as well as the supermarket for things and the shopping for cell phone help. All within walking distance of our B&B. As far as restaurants we searched for places to eat for lunch in Rye and we found the prices to be higher and definitely geared more to the tourist crowd (high prices, not great food). In Tunbridge Wells there is loads of choice of different restaurants. Some were great, some not so much. We had a two course dinner for around £11 which was really good. In Rye we spent more for lunch and the food was just okay.

Plus for us Tunbridge Wells was a great central location to stay the week. We were a little over one hour away toward Eastbourne in one direction for the Seven Sisters area and we were only one hour away in the other direction for Dover Castle, Canterbury etc. Rye and Battle were only 45-50 minutes away from TW. Chartwell, Bodiam, Sissinghurst all not far at all distance wise from the TW location. Just saying the area worked really well for us.

annhig

I don't disagree with you, en, for a longer stay T/Wells is probably a better choice, but for 2-3 nights Rye probably fits in better with the OP's route and the places they want to see, especially as they are planning to stay in Canterbury anyway.

I agree that for a week exploring Kent, T/Wells makes an excellent base.

europeannovice

Thanks, Annhig.

When we were planning we were also originally thinking of staying a few nights in Canterbury but glad we actually didn't. It is a lovely walled city but I found York (another fabulous walled city) to be much more charming. In Canterbury the T shirt shops and pubs abound all around with other tourist tat all around the Cathedral area. York did not have the same atmosphere in my opinion. We were glad we visited Canterbury Cathedral and we even went to visit the Canterbury Tales which was cute. However, we were also glad we were able to drive back to Tunbridge Wells for the evening. It was good to have a base to stay for the week without moving around every 2 days. We have done those trips as well and found that to be more exhausting than having one or two bases to explore.

chris45ny

ann-

I think I'd like to see the MOV as we are going to be spending a week in Venice on this trip. I don't think I could get my husband to sit through 2 plays-LOL!! Maybe I could go solo and he could find something else to do. Will have to scope that possibility out.

jamikins-

Your pictures are amazing! Lucky you to be able to see such great areas. BTW you are a very talented photographer too. If you don't mind, what camera were you using? I'm thinking about buying another camera that takes good low light/evening pics as well as ones taken during the day. I really loved your pictures.

annhig

I meant to say that I was glad that you enjoyed Chartwell - I used to live nearby and went fairly frequently to the cafe and the plant/gift shop, which being NT was pretty good. I also remember going with some german friends and their 10 year old son asking who Churchill was - where to start?

janisj

I also agree that Rye would be better than Tunbridge Wells. I know Europeannovice enjoyed their stay in T. Wells, but having a supermarket isn't that big a deal to me unless I'm staying a week in a cottage or something. Yes, T.Wells has other shopping too, but on such short/busy/touring stay one won't be in town during to the day to shop.

Rye is much more 'scenic' as a town and there are more than enough places to eat/drink and is a lovely place to walk around in the evenings.

PalenQ

The tunnel ain't dark and dank no mo' Hasn't been for quite a while. And I do know about the DLR stations. My point was to walk under the river from the lift at Greenwich to the lift at Isle of Dogs -- if one took the DLR across -- they wouldn't be walking through the tunnel, would they?>

sorry janis but the way you writ the comment it made it sound like you had to walk under the Thames to get the DLR - you can understand that - and for years yes the DLR did end at Island Gardens, right by the ASDA store - there are some neat gardens there too!

and I agree with walking under this historic dating from 1902 foot/bike tunnel - check the pictures below - but not everyone will want to do it so I just wanted to be sure to clear up your statement that seemed to say you had to walk under the Thames as some folks may well not.

http://www.greenwich-guide.org.uk/tunnel.htm

https://www.google.com/search?q=gree...w=1455&bih=977

PalenQ

In Greenwich be sure to trot up to the famous observatory and cross from the Western Hemisphere to the Eastern hemisphere (or is it vice versa?)

chris45ny

PalenQ-

Going to check out the Foot Tunnel for sure. I'll get a picture with one foot in the western hemisphere and the other in the eastern! We did that in St. Martin/St. Maarten and also if I remember correctly someplace in Africa for some reason to do with gravity I think??

PalenQ

http://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observato...FQ0oaQodV3MAww

You can visit free the Royal Observatory - like the site says it is a 25-minute walk uphill but through the lovely Greenwich Park. And be sure to stroll around the ancient Navy College, part of which has been converted to some normal college but buildings are open in the museum part - right on the Thames.

PalenQ

If you want to see the 2012 Olympics area at Stratford - maybe a quick glance you can take the DLR to Stratford and then catch the Tube from there to anywhere in London.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park there may be of interest to some:

http://queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/

braaiseason

My 2 cents worth having lived in T.W. area for 25 years & now close to Rye for 12 years, I would go with Rye, puts you much closer to the places you wish to visit. Rye to Sissinghurst Gardens is going to be the furthest distance & should take a maximum of 1½ hr drive through the countryside & small villages. Otherwise if you wish to stay closer to Sissinghurst then suggest Cranbrook or Goudhurst over Hawkhurst. Tenterden is a lovely small town also in that area. Don't miss the wonderful views across Rye from Udimore.

chris45ny

braaiseason-We have decided to stay in Rye. I agree that logistically it makes sense for us. Making note about Udimore. I always love a good view!

PalenQ

rye is marvelous - for years I explored all parts of Kent and I'd say Rye is just as neat a place and pretty as there is in Kent.

And for something different take a ride on the historic Romeny, Dumchurch and Hythe railway through some desolate terrain. Not far from Rye.

http://www.rhdr.org.uk/