We have been to England several times and have a dear friend in Suffolk. We will be arriving in England in mid to late October. Our friends schedule is such that should arrive to visit early November. We will spend the last part of our trip in Suffolk. We are trying to decide where the first part should be spent. Considering Devon/Dorset
and Lostwithal in Cornwall, or Norfolk and Oxfordshire.
Would like to go to Northumberland and Yorkshire but are not sure if it is the right time of year. Suggestions welcomed!
Posted by
Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.
1031 posts
You don't mention how many days you have to spend in England. At that time of year, weather is likely more of a concern for outdoor activities, especially the further North you go. Daylight hours will also be an issue. (sunset around 4:30 pm) in some locations. Will you have a car or rely on public transportation? This will perhaps determine your final itinerary. Standing around waiting on buses or trains in November, would not be my idea of a fun time. For a later October/November trip, I would stick to going to cities/towns just in case the weather is dreadful.
Suffolk has some lovely villages and some (not all) pleasant coastal towns (Southwold, Aldeburgh) but you might be up against strong coastal winds. The North Sea can be mighty rough at that time of year.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7545 posts
Lostwithiel is a nice enough place, but intriguing as to why you have chosen that as a potential base in Cornwall.
It just isn't the first option that would spring to mind.
If that is for the Eden Project then I would probably opt for the larger nearby town of St Austell. It is far better placed, especially if using public transport.
My inclination would be to stay in Norwich and use that as a base for day trips around Norfolk and even to Ely and Cambridge on the regular rail service.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2228 posts
How many days are you talking about here? That will impact on any advice. Also what sort of things are you looking to do/see in those days - Sightseeing, museums, cultural activities, shopping, food, walking, birdwatching...
What areas in England have you already 'done'?
Will you have access to a car or are you dependent on public transport.
Remember clocks go forward an hour at the end of October so you will 'lose' an hours daylight in the late aftrnoon.
My preferene would be to pick somewhere not too far from Suffolk, and Norfolk would be the obvious choice. You could easily spend a day in Norwich. Cambridge isn't too far away and again is worth a couple of days (or more). Then there is Ely with is wonderful cathedral - another day. Spend a day exploring the North Norfolk coast.
Yorkshire is further away but would also work as you could easily spend several days in and around York itself as well as seeing something of say North York Moors and the coast.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for the good advice.