Pre planning a UK/England trip in September. Blanket post

If you want to do Stonehenge and Bath, I'd suggest you take 3 nights out of your London trip and do 2 nights in Salisbury and 1 in Bath. Take the train to Salisbury in the afternoon. On your full day, catch the local bus company's shuttle out to the stones from either their city centre pick up spot or the train station. Do Stonehenge, then the shuttle will stop at Old Sarum if that is of interest to you. See the Salisbury Cathedral for Evensong this afternoon (530 I think). Overnight Salisbury. Early next day, take a train to Bath and then overnight in Bath. Don't do this on a weekend as many Bath hotels have a 2-night stay requirement on the weekend nights.

Alternative - Train to Bath for 2 nights. Do the Mad Max tour to Stonehenge, Avebury and a small village or two.

It is possible to do Stonehenge in one day by leaving London very early. Catching the Stonehenge shuttle from the station, doing Stonehenge, then taking the train back to London in the evening but that is just a longer day than I like.

I don't recommend many of the "day" tours from London as they try to jam too much in (often Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath) so you are not really seeing things you want to see.

As far as your list...what's interesting to you?

For myself it would be in order: Stonehenge, Bath, York Winchester and then the rest. I've been dozens of times and have yet to get to Oxford or Cambridge. I went to Chester in the 80's. Dover on a Rick Steves tour. Both were interesting but I'd choose London over either given the choice.

IF you want to go to Cork to see friends, then prioritize that over any other day trips.

I always thought it was illegal to NOT accept cash.

It is legal to accept card payments only. Otherwise half the business owners in the UK would be in prison.

Cork is not in the UK.

So, discounting Cork, you want to do 8 day trips in your 14 days? That already seems too much to me, even disregarding the trip to Cork, which if you want any time with your friends surely needs at least a one night stay.

All of the 8 can be done as day trips. Chester and York are the furthest away and are just over two hours away each. Peterborough seems to have missed the list but is only 45 minutes from London.

My eldest son, who has lived in London for over 20 years now, always says that it takes an hour to get anywhere in London. That is less true if you stay in the centre and only want to go to sites in the centre, but it can take time to get around, maybe longer than you think. Kew will take a bit longer and will pretty much fill a day assuming you are really interested.

You will be able to pay cash in the great majority of places but there are some that do not accept it. In particular for tourists buses do not take cash at all, so you will need some sort of card to pay for that. It would also be very expensive to buy tube tickets with cash, as they are prohibitively priced to discourage you. You could get an Oyster card with cash and put cash on it to use but that again is more expensive than just using a contactless card.

Ive had multiple people tell me York, Chester and Peterbourgh are "too far" to go on a day trip. Theyre roughly 2.5 to 3 hours away from london. I never got a straight answer of "why". Is there something im missing about the national rail? Is it just "too far" for British standards?

As a Brit there is something fundamental I am missing and totally fail to grasp as to why most Americans on this forum think that is too far for a day trip, because I can assure you that British people (or at least those who use trains) don't think in the same vein. Those are entirely normal trips. It is totally normal for instance for people to commute just over 3 hours each way from the Lake District to London on business (especially) or even leisure, as a day trip.
I used to commute two or three times a week from London to Manchester by train for full day meetings- before 7am out of Euston, back at 9pm.
Last week I did the Lake District to Edinburgh as a day trip, next week Lake District to Perth (Scotland), and don't blink an eyelid over it.
Peterborough is 49 minutes on the fast trains, York 2 hours or a bit less, Chester just slightly over 2 on the through trains.

Heads up- Peterborough Cathedral is in financial difficulties. If a current appeal is unsuccessful they may not be able to open every day of the week in future.

As for the cash/credit card debate I have heard enough on here to last me a lifetime. People are choosing to use cards and trying to present that as the only option and almost as a badge of honour. It just isn't true, While anywhere can legally refuse cash (or for that matter credit cards) it is not common. It is galling when some people on the forum maliciously accuse cash only shops as tax dodgers without evidence.

Where I live, there is a row of 7 shops round the corner- 5 are cash only- was only 3 until recently.
As an example today I was in my local store- the previous person paid a £143 grocery bill in cash, or last week I was in Carlisle Cathedral Gift Shop and (as it happens) an American tourist (who clearly hasn't read this forum) paid for souvenirs costing £105 with cash. There was I paying for a £5 purchase by card.
Where you will undoubtedly run into issues is smaller branches of grocery stores like Tesco Express/Sainsbury local etc- which often have one or no manned tills, and the self service tills are card only.

Pam - i did find a half day trip early morning from London. I'd rather do bath myself. The tour was nice and focused. I don't mind tours but there are many who try to cram too much into a day (and if this is the Pam who has helped on my germany and france posts, you know I'm guilty of that and usually plan that way lol). Although a day in Salisbury would be interesting. I do have a friend that is willing to drive around. But she's be coming up from portsmouth. I will say though, everyone is ask highly recommends bath.

Johnew - while its my style to do 8 day trips, those are just ideas I have or places that interest me. London has a rediculous amount of things to do so I'm trying g to get as much logistics figured out to see what at least is viable. And you definitely have helped that a bit. Thanks

Isn31c- oddly enough these are brits saying those won't work as day trips. Usually us north Americans are used to larger distances in my experience. But its good to know the trips I had in mind are "normal".

The real problem is that i dont have a physical credit card. It's a virtual visa. But I did add it to my Google wallet just in case. London/uk isn't the only place where this debate is going on. I had plenty of.people tell me id have issues using cash in germany. I had zero issues. I was also told the opposite in greece, that people would not accept cards, yet a friend and everyone else is saw used cards. That is why I like to ask.

As a Brit there is something fundamental I am missing and totally fail to grasp as to why most Americans on this forum think that is too far for a day trip, because I can assure you that British people (or at least those who use trains) don't think in the same vein.

Well I’ll provide my viewpoint. I wouldn’t say don’t do it as a day trip. But….

• For a first time visitor there are so many things to see and do in and closer to London that I generally would not suggest that someone take day trips to places further away.
• York, Bath and other day trip cities often deserve more time.
• Many Americans are short on vacation time so I try to limit travel time so that more time is spent enjoying and exploring where they are.

For the OP you can certainly spend cash and that is how you should proceed if that’s what you’re comfortable doing. But for me paying by phone is quick and easy. No waiting around for change to be given and I can leave my wallet back in the room. Just one physical card on me. No going to the ATM and having larger quantities of cash on me.

Have a fun trip!

As someone who spends a lot of time in London, let me give my responses:

You can do any of those trips as day trips except Cork. It probably could be done but that would be one heck of a long day. (Weekends can see trains schedules change due to maintenance so keep an eye on that.)

You can use cash with a few exceptions. Some business have started to go cashless. But you can always find a similar business that will take cash. (I know of some restaurants, coffee shops and hotels that have gone cashless. You may want to check with your hotel to see if they still accept cash.)

Nowadays, it's easier for most businesses to prefer credit cards.

The only place you may have an issue with trying to sue cash is on public transportation in London. You have to use either an Oyster Card or a means of contactless payment. (You can use cash to top up your Oyster Card.) Bus drivers do not accept cash. You can use cash to buy individual tickets on the Underground but it will cost you more per ride than just putting the cash on an Oyster Card. (But the Oyster Card will cost you 7 GBP.)

Additionally, if you use an Oyster Card or some type of contactless payment, there is a daily cap for your total spending on some public transport. Not so with cash.

I just flew from Heathrow to Cork on Aer Lingus. Easy peasy. Definitely make time to see your friends. And take their tourism advice, of course. We day tripped to Cobh and to Blarney (insert eye roll here, but my friend was the third generation in her family to kiss the stone, so we went).
As far as not having a physical credit card, my travel partner used her phone to "tap and pay" everywhere in London, as far as I could tell. I vaguely remember one machine that she had to insert a card into, but I can't remember where that was. I thought it was going to ask for her PIN but it never did.

Oh, and Beamish, not Murphy's (or Guinness for that matter) when in Cork, although I'm sure others on the forum will disagree. It's just creamier and nicer, to my palate.

pencilstealer, I'm in London right now and have been using a virtual credit card (via Apple Pay) with no problem since I got here. I agree with the others about cards vs. cash. All I have used is Apple Pay, and haven't even gone to an ATM for cash. London encourages card use by giving you discounts on public transportation (as noted above by many). If you don't want to pull out your virtual card each time, then get an Oyster card. If you are eligible, you can get a Senior discount as well.

I think it would be hard to go card-less here (edited for typo). Even the smaller grocery stores are encouraging card use. I was at a small Waitrose yesterday and they only had self-service stations there that did not accept cash.

FWIW, I agree that Americans generally have no problem driving long distances. I drive between Duluth and Minneapolis (a 2 1/2 hour drive) in one day every few months. But I think that because you are on vacation, it's considered less feasible as you are taking time in transit that could be spent sightseeing; hence the cautionary warnings.

Rocket - I travel as if Ill never go to that place/area again. And tbh we do never know if we will or can. Im turning 40 this year and due to my work with the elderly, im kinda sensing the clock is ticking of ya know what I mean. So I take each trip like it will be my last. I enjoy being busy on vacation. And so far ive still managed to see everything that I want without rushing too much. And ill always say that just because you cant see everything in a day/places deserve more than a day, that doesnt mean that you shouldnt go for a day if thats all that time allows. But I will say, depending on the situation im more than open to spending the night in some cities. The only thing is ive already paid the whole 2 weeks for accommodation in London, which, since its a dorm and I booked early, I only spent $1000 CAD for a whole 2 weeks. I couldnt say no to that!

Frank - Right. Cork would be at least overnight/2 days. I just have to find out what customs will be like as a Canadian, flying in from Shengen, seeing as the Republic of Ireland apparently isnt part of the shengen zone.

Re: public transportation. Seeing as so far most of my time will be in London id probably get a week pass if at all possible. Or at least a day pass and/or use any transit app available. I am aware that a lot of Europe/UK public transportation does not take cash but so far in my experience machines do. But this is also something that I need to figure out in the near future. Any day trip/trains will be purchased well in advance.

G3rryCee - Ive never used google wallet/pay before through my phone. Im kinda old school that way lol. Ill be in France this week and I think Ill try it there to see how it works. Ill also have to figure out how the exchange rate works through my bank. Id definitely spend the night/2 in Cork if I do end up going. Id probably use Ryanair just to the price. i wont been more than a backpack and I can leave my other bag at the room in London for the night.

Mardee - well hello again! People here used to go to duluth/minneapolis for day trips all the time from here (used to but lets stay away from politics here right? ) . Im sure you remember my posts for Germany and France and the transit times I had/have. Going early enough in the morning and returning late isnt a big deal, and if you get there before many things open, you really dont waste any time in transit. I love train rides and thats part of the experience for me. It was pretty cool seeing the german countryside heading towards berlin, munich, and Nurnburg. I got to see the VW plant, and even got a glimpse of Ulm cathedral. Even had some good chats with a few people on the trains. Ill see how France goes lol. But im spending a few days in most cities im going to. Bit of a different trip to me honest.

£500 for two weeks accommodation in London, dorm or not, is a very good deal.

All your UK train trips except Chester and York are covered by the Brit Rail London Plus pass (even to Bath)- if you are setting off early each morning that is the ticket you want to save you money. Likely quite a bit of money.
It also covers the Elizabeth Line, Stansted Express, Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express trains.
Maybe see what the difference in price is between the London Plus and the Britrail England Pass. If it's not too much difference that would cover Chester and York as well. Thus giving full flexibility of the train you use and avoiding scrabbling round looking for cheap train specific Advance Train Tickets to each destination.
Every London Underground station has at least one machine which will accept cash to buy/top up Oyster cards, or the weekly London Travelcard.

I assume Peterborough is to visit Katherine of Aragon's grave and the original grave of Mary Queen of Scots before she was moved to Westminster Abbey. That could even be done as a pit stop on the way to York, especially with a Britrail pass.

I’m here to say thanks to pencil
and others- I appreciate the “time / distance” conversation as I choose my own upcoming sub-trips within the larger trip.

pencilstealer, yes or course, I remember you - and your day trip to Trier! I say go for it if that's what you like. :-)

Frank - Right. Cork would be at least overnight/2 days. I just have to find out what customs will be like as a Canadian, flying in from Shengen, seeing as the Republic of Ireland apparently isnt part of the shengen zone.

Flying into Ireland will be like flying into the UK or Schengen. You go through immigration like anywhere else. If you have a Canadian passport, that's all you need.

If you fly from Ireland to the UK there is no immigration check at all.

However to enter the UK, you will need an ETA.

isn31c - Thats actually right in Zone 1 as well! Like I said I couldnt say no to that and just got the whole 2 weeks outright. I figured even if I spend a few nights away id still be saving a decent amount of cash when comparing it to 99% of the other accommodations in the area. Accommodations that were running 1800 CAD for 7 days at the absolute cheapest.

Ill take a look at those passes! Thats a great tip. Do i need a UK address for them? Or can I purchase it when I get there? At first glance its ging to cost 500 CAD for an 8 day pass though.

You need to purchase Britrail when you are in an (any) overseas country as it is not available for UK Citizens.

There is a sort of equivalent all UK ticket for UK Citizens at £625 for 7 days, or £949 for 2 weeks so £250 (in round terms) for 8 days is a total steal, a rare case of visitors getting better value than us. And UK Railcard holders (like me as a Senior get a third off those fares).

Even on advanced train specific fares leaving London before 9am a return to Bath is around £80, Dover about £44, Salisbury for Stonehenge, Salisbury £35 etc. Open any train returns would be more again.

Much cheaper after 9.30am but that is eating into each day as above. A day return to Chester leaving before 9am is about £200, York around £150. Now there are complicated ways to get that down but those are the headline fares.

Regarding cash vs debit/credit, I'm finishing up a week's stay in London. I needed cash at the self service laundromat and the London Walks tours accept cash or credit. Everywhere else was debit/credit through virtual wallet or card.

You listed:

Bath
Stonehenge
Cambridge
Oxford
Dover
Cork
Chester
Winchester
York

Stay in England, you waste too much time and $$ getting to the airport, waiting for your flight, flying, then transport to your destination, then the reverse.

I have visited all the locations that you listed except Dover and all are great places to visit.
I would rate York as the top of them all.
The others are good and would take about 10 days to do properly. Yes, you could do a day trip to a place like York, but would miss so much.

Go to TripAdvisor.com and search things to do in York (or whatever place you want to see) and you will find out the key sites. Then allot the time you need to see them all. Just visiting the Minster (Cathedral) in York took us almost four hours. We did the tour and took in all the amazing history.

The V&A and British Library's Treasure Room are high-value places. :)
Have fun!
-Alison

isn31c - Im going to have to do some math and figure out exactly how many places I can see during my stay to see if the britrail pass is going to work. However it does give me some freedom. Itll be a few weeks before I really start to plan though, im heading to france this thursday. But maybe you can clarify a few things for me just so I can mull things over during this trip.

The britrail is good for any train in the network, even ones before 9:30 am? It does NOT work for local transit? I also see "consecutive" and "flexi" pass but there doesnt really seem to be any difference described. The england pass seems to be right for me as it would cover the cities I want to see. a 5 day is listed at 304 cad ( consecutive) and 384 (flexi). At first glance the average ticket is ranging at about 100CAD one way, so 3 or 4 trips does cover the ticket. Enough to still give me time to see london.

geovagriffith - These are just ideas ATM. The odds of me managing to get to everyone of those day trips is slim. Although the tour im looking at for stonehenge is a half day. But as stated I wont use "I cant see everything in a day" as an excuse to not to go somewhere. I could spend a year in London and not see everything. Same goes for every major city on the planet. I try to balance time with the amount of things I can do (kind of as you mentioned). York is definitely something Id love to see though. Getting a train early enough balances out any time "missed" during the train ride (even though the trips are part of the experience for me)

Re: flying. Ive managed to do it on one trip and for me it was worth it. Although, getting to say, stanstead and back to london, plus the waiting time at the airport does take up about 3 or 4 hours in total. So in that case it DOES take quite a bit of time. Id have to be in cork for 2 or 3 days to make it worth it. Right now im just thinking of ideas. Nothing will be planned until May or so (after I get back from france)

The britrail is good for any train in the network, even ones before 9:30 am? It does NOT work for local transit?

true (any daytime train) and true, and true. Just understand that the Elizabeth line is a train in the sense of intercity, it is not part of the Underground, it is covered.

I have seen all the places listed and liked all of them. There are other great places closer to London which would shorten travel and lengthen time spent in the place. Oxford, Cambridge (do one not both as quite similar with the colleges), Winchester and Dover (if you take the 1 hour train instead of the 2 hour). All would take a day to visit. Also consider the following which are closer to London, have lots of history and interesting small towns (except for Hampton Court):
Canterbury
Windsor
Hampton Court

England is a big country and you cannot see it all in 1 visit. As an example, would you train from Boston to Washington DC for a day trip? There is so much to see in London itself, you could spend the whole time there although I like to do day trips as well.

Yes, Britrail is valid before 9.30 am and in the evening peak which is a huge perk.
Not valid on local trams, buses, or metro systems in cities, such as London Underground or the Tyne and Wear metro. But Merseyrail from Chester to Liverpool is National Rail so is valid.
And in London the Overground, which makes an outer ring, and Thameslink are all National Rail.
The London Plus pass is only available in Flexi Format- to travel 3, 4 or 8 days in a month.
The England Pass is in the same flexible formats, or in 3, 4, 8, 15, 22 or 30 days of consecutive travel. That is not to say you have to travel every day, but can if you wish.
Further to what Nigel wrote it is also valid on night trains in the seated cars, and in berths on payment of the supplement.
We can see the passes on our ticket machines in the North of England, but no fares are input to block issuing them. And the website geo blocks us seeing the fares.
Regarding Cork Ryanair have an evening flight there from Liverpool on Friday and Sunday which you could tie in with Chester, and a morning flight back on Saturday.
Aer Lingus fly from Bristol, which could be linked with Bath.