where to spend 4 days along chunnel train route?
 

Is there a town or city which would be enjoyable for a 4 day visit?
No car
love antiques, markets, pottery, etc.
Tanks

sorry meant thanks, not tanks!!!

Hi Erly, not quite sure what you mean by this. Are you taking the Eurostar from Paris to London and want to stop somewhere else?

The Eurostar stops only at Ashford, Calais and Lille (and most don't)

Ashford: fuggedaboutit. But you can get a train to/from Canterbury (20 mins journey, every hour or so) You CAN'T travel by Eurostar just between London and Ashford: you have to go subsonic if that's the only bit you want

Calais: fuggedaboutit too, though its hinterland's jolly nice. Needs a car to get to the hinterland (the excellence of French trains is one of the world's great myths: fantastic TGVs, but really crappy regional service by ordinary trains, and close to impossible to get anywhere in the Pas de Calais by public transport)

Lille: Bit big and postindustrial, but lots of bars and French restaurants. Personally, I can't see the point of it if you're on your way to Paris.

What I'd do: either public transport to Canterbury, or hire a car to explore the wonderful towns between Calais and Lille. Really bracing beaches too.

thanks
Canterbury sounds pretty good.
Could I spend 4 days there without a car?
I will be in Lille, and thought I would "hop over to the U.K."

Something of which to take note is that the name "chunnel" grates on most people in Europe (most particularly those on each end of the channel tunnel) the same way that the name "Frisco" grates on the people who live in the San Francisco area.

Take heed of this or not, but don't be surprised by certain reactions or silences.

if you are going to be in Lille - consider taking the ferry from Calais to Dover, spend a day in Dover for the magnificent castle. Then on to Canterbury for a couple of days. There is a LOT to see in the area including medieval Canterbury/cathedral, Leeds castle (not a great castle but a really nice garden), and seaside resorts in eastern Kent.

I've never had a problem with calling the Chunnel the Chunnel - even to Chunnel employees.

And I second janisj's suggestions.

Of course not, hetismij -- when people are seriously obtuse, they rarely realise it. And people at the receiving end prefer to remain silent in order not to waste their time.

Hi K,

So wadda youse guys what lives on each end of the chunnel call it?

((I))

the Channel Tunnel . . . . generally

hi, erly,

as well as canterbury, you might like to think about tunbridge wells, given your love of antiques. lovely old town, and good rail service.

I used to live in kent, and had no trouble calling it the chunnel. perhaps my friends were just polite!

regards, ann

I thank you for your responses, as I am planning two short trips at the same time.
One for beginning of Sept. and one for the end of October.
Love the responses and sharing on this site.
Must comment though, that this is my second post recently, and on both occasions have read a negative statement.
I say live and let live, and lets all be grateful that we are here to discuss travel, not war.

erly,

I spent a week in Rye. I remember bus loads of French children coming for day trips. So it must be doable. I enjoyed Rye very much.

Good Luck, Joan

My nephew works for them, and believe me he and his colleagues refer to it as the Chunnel. I see nothing wrong with the nick name.