Hello all! I am returning to England 2 days after Christmas, staying in London and planning a few day trips. I am looking into York, Cadbury World, returning to Bath (not enough time to see all last time), and Hever Castle.
Any comments/ thoughts/ ideas on York and Cadbury World?
Is Hever castle a good idea that time of year?
If I do Hever, Bath might have to be scrapped, thoughts/ preferences?
Thanks!!
Cadbury World may be a long way for a not huge reward, but it can easily be done in a day.
If, as Emma say, the choo choo go that day.
From Euston Station, take Virgin West Coast for a fast trip or London Midland for a considerably slower but less expensive one, based on walk up tickets - both companies offer Advance Tickets at a much lower price but with a load of very specific restrictions - to Birmingham New Street, and change to the train to either Longbridge or Redditch. Just a few minutes later you will fetch up at Bournville. You can tell you are there by Cadbury purple everywhere. Cross under the tracks (don't go the wrong way or you may fall into the (very very cold in December) canal) into the station and step into Cadbury's.
Don't raise your expectations too high and you can be pleasantly surprised. Buy as many seconds and mis-shapes as you can carry.
Say hello to Brummagem on the way home. If you have spare time in Brum, a visit to the National Trust Back-to-Backs which show you very clearly what life was like on the first rung of the social ladder 150 years (until quite recently) ago. It is just a short walk from New Street Station.
Hever is open most of the year. It closes over Christmas but I don't think it's for more than a couple of days. It's a lovely spot. You can get there on the train from London Bridge or Victoria to Edenbridge Town (Edenbridge is on a different line). From there I think you have to get a taxi, but it isn't far.
York is a great day trip. We usually took the train from Kings Cross around 8:30 or 9:00am. We'd be in York around 11:00, in time for an early lunch. I love York's market. And the Shambles are not to be missed. You might have time to walk a bit of the old wall. York is also a good town for shopping- easy walking in the central area. We also enjoyed the Jorvik museum. A Disneyesqe type 'ride' through the history of the city with animatronic figures, etc. The museum shop is also decent. There is a museum of miniature trains at the station, too. And of course the minster. We also used York as a nice 'break' between London and Scotland. Stayed at the station hotel- they have a lovely garden- but Dec/Jan is probably not the best time to see it.... LOL.
