UK 7 day Trip Report
Aug 21st, 2011 | 02:42 PM
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UK 7 day Trip Report
We are 2 kiwi couples in our 60’s who have travelled to Europe together 3 times in the last 5 years. We are not into spending a lot of time in Museums etc and usually have a quick look around at various places and move on. I did a lot of research and asked various questions on trip advisor and Fodor before finalising this trip. I took on board all comments and feedback and are very thank full for the time people spent on replies. If any of them read this report they may or may not agree with how we did it but we had a great time. Yes, if time had been available we could have spent 2 or 3 as much time in each place and still not seen it all, but time was fixed and we wanted to see as much as possible rather than just getting on a train after Windsor and going to Edinburgh.
Day 1 Saturday 9th July
Arrive Heathrow 11.00am after flight from LA ( had 24hrs in LA after 12hr flight from NZ), quickly through customs and onto shuttle bus to Hertz Rental Cars (this was the biggest problem in 4 weeks of travel, almost 1hr in a queue at their counter, then be told car was not ready and would be another 20 mins- never again using Hertz)
A quick 20min drive to Castle Hotel in Windsor – great location and free parking and wifi. A bite to eat at one of the many cafes and then a 3 hour in Windsor Castle. We then had a walk around town and ended up across the bridge into Eton for a nice pub meal for dinner. A ride of the Windsor wheel and a walk along the river finished off our first day in the UK.
Day 2 Sunday 10th July
Body clock was not sorted so we were wide awake at 4.30., by 5.00 am we were on a walk through town down to Eton and a walk around the college grounds and Masters and boys accommodation, and a talk to the old local who was up early. Back at the hotel by 6.30am our friends were also up and ready to continue our adventures. Not wanting to pay the high hotel price for breakfast we thought we could eat some where cheaper. (nothing open at 7.00am) so we decided to take the country lanes and roads on our travels to Bath. By 8.15 we still had not found anything open so hopped onto the M4 and stopped at the 1st service centre we found. Great Breakfast and being Rugby mad Kiwis we talked about how close we were to Cardiff Arm Park in Wales, so we decided to drive there for morning tea. Yes were driving a bit fast on the M4, but only keeping up to those in the fast lane. The girls found a market next to the park to have a wee shop in and the boys took photos of the new stadium, we found a coffee, bit of a walk and drive around and then it was back to Bath for a late lunch. Spent the next 5 hrs walking around Bath and also enjoying a Jazz Concert in the parklands below the Royal Crescent. Had nice dinner in our Hotel, The Hilton which was a good location, expensive car parking and no free wifi.
Day 3 Monday 11th July
Yes another early morning and a nice 1/2hr walk along the river bank and back through the town and a big breakfast at the Hilton. On the road by 8.30am and decided to go straight to Coventry, managed to get early check in at the Premier Inn, great staff, good location and very reasonably room rate. Boys had 2 hrs in Transport Museum while girls had some retail therapy. Then it was off to Strafford Upon Avon for lunch, a stroll through the town, Shakespeare Home, a bit of shopping and then back to Coventry and a walk around the Cathedral and other parts of town and a nice dinner at the Italian Restaurant next to the Hotel.
Day 4 Tuesday 12th July
Another morning walk, a later breakfast and a slower start as we could not get into the Jaguar Heritage Museum at Brown Lane until 10 am. Boys heaven and it took the girls a while to get us out of there. A quick drive up the M6 ( I think) and a detour to Windermere for lunch and a walk around the town and shops, I drive a bit further up into the Lakes district and then onto our evening stop at Augill Castle at Kirkby Stephens. (this would be a great place to stay for 2 or 3 nights). Had a great dinner party with other Guests that night.
Day 5 Wednesday 13th July
Drive up to Edinburgh through Carlisle, Biggar and West Linton using the A66, M6 and A74. Nice drive with a couple of stops for coffee etc.
I certainly take on board the various feedback I had on our question to Fodor when planning this trip re drive time can increase considerably once you get off the motorways, this happen today and yesterday, but we made time up on motorways.
The best find of our travels was the 3 nights in The Knight Residence in Edinburgh, a 2 bedroom apartment fully stocked and staff that could not do enough for you. Only 4 to 5 mins to Grassmarket restaurants, 10min to the Royal Mile and Castle, with secure car parking and free wifi. We walked around the city for a few hours and then had dinner in one of the many Pubs in Grassmarket.
Day 6 Thursday 14th July
Last day with rental car so off to St Andrews Golf Course and joining the 1hr walking tour at 11.00am. This was fantastic, even though none of us play golf it was very enjoyable and a must do. After that lunch in town and a 1hour walk exploring St Andrews and then back to Edinburgh to drop car off and more walking around this wonderful city.
Day 7 Friday 15th July
We hit the Castle early and after lunch the girls needed some more retail therapy in Princes St. More exploring that night and then pack the bags for an 8.00am pick up in the morning to fly to Copenhagen.
Yes it was a quick trip, we were on the go most of the time, yes it would have been nice to spend more time in most places but as I said at the beginning, we didn’t have the time. We would not change anything, we saw more than we expected. Once we retire we may slow down and do it slower. All ready planning next trip to UK & Europe for 2013. Hope this is helpfully for those trying to do a fast trip.
KiwiPete
Day 1 Saturday 9th July
Arrive Heathrow 11.00am after flight from LA ( had 24hrs in LA after 12hr flight from NZ), quickly through customs and onto shuttle bus to Hertz Rental Cars (this was the biggest problem in 4 weeks of travel, almost 1hr in a queue at their counter, then be told car was not ready and would be another 20 mins- never again using Hertz)
A quick 20min drive to Castle Hotel in Windsor – great location and free parking and wifi. A bite to eat at one of the many cafes and then a 3 hour in Windsor Castle. We then had a walk around town and ended up across the bridge into Eton for a nice pub meal for dinner. A ride of the Windsor wheel and a walk along the river finished off our first day in the UK.
Day 2 Sunday 10th July
Body clock was not sorted so we were wide awake at 4.30., by 5.00 am we were on a walk through town down to Eton and a walk around the college grounds and Masters and boys accommodation, and a talk to the old local who was up early. Back at the hotel by 6.30am our friends were also up and ready to continue our adventures. Not wanting to pay the high hotel price for breakfast we thought we could eat some where cheaper. (nothing open at 7.00am) so we decided to take the country lanes and roads on our travels to Bath. By 8.15 we still had not found anything open so hopped onto the M4 and stopped at the 1st service centre we found. Great Breakfast and being Rugby mad Kiwis we talked about how close we were to Cardiff Arm Park in Wales, so we decided to drive there for morning tea. Yes were driving a bit fast on the M4, but only keeping up to those in the fast lane. The girls found a market next to the park to have a wee shop in and the boys took photos of the new stadium, we found a coffee, bit of a walk and drive around and then it was back to Bath for a late lunch. Spent the next 5 hrs walking around Bath and also enjoying a Jazz Concert in the parklands below the Royal Crescent. Had nice dinner in our Hotel, The Hilton which was a good location, expensive car parking and no free wifi.
Day 3 Monday 11th July
Yes another early morning and a nice 1/2hr walk along the river bank and back through the town and a big breakfast at the Hilton. On the road by 8.30am and decided to go straight to Coventry, managed to get early check in at the Premier Inn, great staff, good location and very reasonably room rate. Boys had 2 hrs in Transport Museum while girls had some retail therapy. Then it was off to Strafford Upon Avon for lunch, a stroll through the town, Shakespeare Home, a bit of shopping and then back to Coventry and a walk around the Cathedral and other parts of town and a nice dinner at the Italian Restaurant next to the Hotel.
Day 4 Tuesday 12th July
Another morning walk, a later breakfast and a slower start as we could not get into the Jaguar Heritage Museum at Brown Lane until 10 am. Boys heaven and it took the girls a while to get us out of there. A quick drive up the M6 ( I think) and a detour to Windermere for lunch and a walk around the town and shops, I drive a bit further up into the Lakes district and then onto our evening stop at Augill Castle at Kirkby Stephens. (this would be a great place to stay for 2 or 3 nights). Had a great dinner party with other Guests that night.
Day 5 Wednesday 13th July
Drive up to Edinburgh through Carlisle, Biggar and West Linton using the A66, M6 and A74. Nice drive with a couple of stops for coffee etc.
I certainly take on board the various feedback I had on our question to Fodor when planning this trip re drive time can increase considerably once you get off the motorways, this happen today and yesterday, but we made time up on motorways.
The best find of our travels was the 3 nights in The Knight Residence in Edinburgh, a 2 bedroom apartment fully stocked and staff that could not do enough for you. Only 4 to 5 mins to Grassmarket restaurants, 10min to the Royal Mile and Castle, with secure car parking and free wifi. We walked around the city for a few hours and then had dinner in one of the many Pubs in Grassmarket.
Day 6 Thursday 14th July
Last day with rental car so off to St Andrews Golf Course and joining the 1hr walking tour at 11.00am. This was fantastic, even though none of us play golf it was very enjoyable and a must do. After that lunch in town and a 1hour walk exploring St Andrews and then back to Edinburgh to drop car off and more walking around this wonderful city.
Day 7 Friday 15th July
We hit the Castle early and after lunch the girls needed some more retail therapy in Princes St. More exploring that night and then pack the bags for an 8.00am pick up in the morning to fly to Copenhagen.
Yes it was a quick trip, we were on the go most of the time, yes it would have been nice to spend more time in most places but as I said at the beginning, we didn’t have the time. We would not change anything, we saw more than we expected. Once we retire we may slow down and do it slower. All ready planning next trip to UK & Europe for 2013. Hope this is helpfully for those trying to do a fast trip.
KiwiPete
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