Arrive London morning 6/11/17.
Cities we want to visit: Dover (castle, cliffs,) , York (National Railway museum, York Minster), Portsmouth (historic dock and ships, maybe the museum), Stonehenge, London (Tower of London, Churchill war rooms,)
Depart London morning 6/20.
What would be the best way to organize the above for the maximum fun and sightseeing efficiency? Also, we love cider and welcome recommendations for places in or near these cities to try local cider.
I'll let others guide you to York, Portsmouth and Dover.
Seeing the Churchill War Rooms and Tower of London can both be done in a day or not. Would be your choice. Personally I'd separate them on different days but that's just me. To see the Tower before the masses, get there when it opens. From there walk up to the lovely glass covered Leadenhall Market for lunch. If you prefer a pub lunch and enjoy Thai food try the traditional Princess of Prussia pub which is a pleasant stroll from the Tower. Can't comment on the cider. http://www.princessofprussia.co.uk
Use the Google overhead Satellite View to see their locations and the closest underground stations; Westminster for the War Rooms and Tower Hill for the Tower of London.
Then go here www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your London journeys. Tube gets you everywhere in London.
6/11 Arrive London. Train (2hrs) to York - 2 nights
6/13 Train (4.5hrs) via London to Salisbury - 2 nights
6/15 Train (1.5hrs) to Portsmouth - 1 night
6/16 Train (2hrs) to London - 4 nights
6/18 Day trip to Dover
6/20 Depart London
York is your only destination away from the others. We had a rental car and left London to Canterbury, then Dover (there are tunnels used during WWII near the castle), over to Portsmouth (loved the HMS Victory). Entrance to the ship's is pricey, but worth it. Then head to Stonehenge. If you happen to still have time, then head up to York. If you enjoy cryptology, stop at Bletchley Park on the way up York. On the return to London, if you like WWII aircraft, stop at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford north of London.
All helpful information. A friend suggested walking around Parsons Green. Thoughts?
We love beer. Thanks for the information!
Unless you have plenty of time, save York for another trip. Don't get me wrong, York is a great place. But it is a good distance from the main area of your trip, and I'd hate for you to lose a lot of time traveling there just to spend a day or two. Don't mean to be a downer, just food for thought.
The other side of the actual Parsons Green is Aragon House, another pub which is on the site of a house that Catherine of Aragon lived in after the divorce from Henry VIII. The extant building dates back to 1805 and is Grade II listed. Mind you I don't think it is worth a special trip.
