I’m starting to plan a trip to the U.K. and am thinking it might be a good time to live out my childhood dream of searching for Camelot. Since I did not grow up to be an archaeologist, I’m going to have to do it as a tourist. Do other people have tips on how to go about it. I’ve seen Rabbie’s tours and day trips on Viator-type sites but I’m wondering if there are better options, or alternatively, if it would be better to plan the itinerary myself. The idea is to spend a few days in London and a few days traveling to sites associated with Arthurian legend.
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9149 posts
Regarding an Arthurian location, Glastonbury, we were not wowed about that place, but it is OK.
We recently did a wonderful 5 day Rabbies tour of Devon and Cornwall and loved it.
Rabbies is not expensive and our tour guide for the trip, David was as good as you can get for a guide/driver.
Rabbies had a small group of 11, that could have maxed at 16. Rabbies doesn't include lodging in their tour, but will pick a good place for your lodging for you. You pay directly to the B&B or hotel. You can book your own if you like. Meals are not included, but our guide had great recommendations for us that worked very well. Also, our guide provided us with a local map showing where our lodging was, and key sites to visit as well as restaurants. Out tour did include visiting some sites, just not all.
Doing it on your own may work just fine, but if you have to travel to places like Devon and Cornwall, which have heavy traffic, our guide knew the roads very well and did a great job avoiding much of the heavy traffic.
Posted by
London and Chester
54 posts
There is a theory that the Arthurian round table was actually in the Roman amphitheatre in Chester.
The ruins of half the amphitheatre are still there, although there isn’t that much to see. It’s nice place to sit in the centre of town.
There is also a supporting theory that Chester was the site of one of Arthur’s big battles.
Either way, Chester is a pretty and very historic city to visit, 2 hours from London on the train.
Posted by
California Central Coast 🐚
335 posts
I love the idea of themed trips. I have a fantasy trip to the UK based on children's literature that maybe I'll take someday. There's an old book called How the Heather Looks written by a woman who took her family on a themed trip that included Arthurian locations. You might get some Ideas from that.
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Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35536 posts
the round table (ok - one of them if Emma is correct) is in Winchester - viewed by thousands every year in the Great Hall.
https://historicwinchester.co.uk/our-attractions/the-great-hall-with-westgate-museum/
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9149 posts
The one a Winchester is at least 600 years separated from when King Arthur lived.
Chester is a great place to visit.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10242 posts
The problem is that there is a lot of legend and not very much fact. King Arthur is also reputed to have been connected with the ancient kingdom of Rheged, which included much of the Lake District. Specifically several sources suggest strong associations with Carlisle, all supposition.
But that is believed to have led to King Arthur's Round Table at Eamont Bridge, Penrith. It is a prehistoric earthwork but is thought to have been used as a jousting site in Rheged. Whether true or not the name has been there for centuries.