Hello, I am interested in planning a somewhat customized tour of England. Our family has a long, rich history in England and I would like to visit the places where our family resided over the centuries. I am totally aware that many of these places will not have any remaining structures, however some do. Over the centuries, our family controlled roughly 45 manors - from London to Bristol, then to Northampton and Cambridge and finally north towards Yorkshire and up to Northumberland. Along the way, I’d like to see many of the sites that Rick Steves offers on his 14-day England tour as well. I had thought about signing up for the Rick Steves tour and then selecting 4-5 villages to visit after the Rick Steves tour was over, taking trains to see them. I would welcome any suggestions you might have! Here are some of the places I’d like to see;
- Bradford Cathedral in Yorkshire
- Harewood Castle
- St. Luke’s Church in Northampton
- St. Mary the Virgin in Ovingham
- Warwick Castle
- Castle Comb in the Cotswolds
- Kingston-Lisle
- Berkeley Castle
- Shirburn Castle in Oxfordshire
- Blackbird Inn in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Thank you.
Posted by
1 posts
Hello GL, We are doing RS 14 day England next year- it will be our first. Have been wanting to go there all my life- now finally that we're retired we can go! We also want to see ancestor places/burial sites. Since I see Warwick Castle on your list, perhaps you are descended from the Neville family? One family I am descended from is the Throckmortons- their main family home was Coughton Court and many generations are buried there in St Peters Church and nearby St John the Baptist in Fladbury. These places are but a 25-35 minute drive from where the tour is staying in the Cotswolds. We will take advantage of the free afternoon, possibly even skipping a group activity, hire a driver and visit ancestors. I'm assuming skipping a group activity just once, or maybe twice, during the tour is acceptable as long as the tour guide is given a heads up at the beginning of the tour. But I'll have to check on that. The tour guide may even be helpful in finding the best driver for our little side jaunts. I've been doing genealogy a long time and usually our vacations in the States include seeing some ancestor homestead/church/cemetery while we visit other places. So, for my first time ever going to Europe, why would I not try to visit ancestors?! You have quite a list. I'm sure I'll have many places listed as well. I've just started tracking places and I'm already up to 4 or 5 locales, but some of them are not close to where the itinerary route is going. I think Castle Comb is only a 10 mile drive from Bath and the itinerary lists some free time there. I would think the tour guide could advise you well regarding trains, or drivers, to those places you wish to see. The RS guidebook on England suggests different private drivers, see the Cotswold section. Not sure I've helped much, but I hope you get to visit everywhere on your list. I'm still working on mine. Cheers! ps- we're probably distantly related :-)
Posted by
Lake District, England
9464 posts
The North of England parts are very easy to do-
Ovingham- three trains per hour Newcastle to Prudhoe (trains continue to Hexham or Carlisle for Hadrians Wall; then walk across the bridge; or bus 684 hourly from Newcastle to Hexham via Ovingham.
The Blackbird Inn at Ponteland- half hourly bus X77 or X78 from Newcastle, also the 74 every 3 hours or so from Newcastle to Hexham, or the X74 three times a day to Jedburgh, for Galashiels and the train to Edinburgh.
You could even do that with ease as a day trip from Edinburgh as you could Ovingham.
Harewood House (not Castle) is bus 36 every ten minutes from Leeds and Harrogate - day trip from York.
Bradford Cathedral is a very interesting place. I was there just over 2 weeks ago. Train every 30 minutes from London to Bradford Forster Square, change Leeds. From today a train continues through every two hours. Also Grand Central run a few times a day from London to Bradford Interchange.
Multiple trains an hour run from York to both stations, most change at Leeds, but one an hour is a direct. Very easy half day trip from York
Posted by
Lake District, England
9464 posts
For Kingston Lisle there are 4 buses a day, route #68 between Faringdon (Oxfordshire, not London) and Wantage- both have frequent connections from Oxford, so an easy day trip from London.
Berkeley Castle is bus 62 from Dursley- use Cam and Dursley station.
Half hourly train London to Bristol, then hourly train. A possible day trip from London, an easy one from Bath.
Warwick Castle is an easy day trip from London Marylebone.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all very much! Susan, no relation to the Neville’s that I’m aware of. Our association with Warwick castle is through the Beauchamp’s and Plantagenet’s.
ISN31C, I am aware of Harewood House. My interest is in Harewood castle, the ruins of which are located on the Harewood estate. It was built by my ancestors in the 12th century. Not sure if I would be able to visit them by visiting Harewood House or not.
Bradford Cathedral was the site of my 12th great grandfather’s baptism. He was the last person in our family to live in England before coming to the colonies.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9464 posts
Ah well, Harewood Castle is on a public footpath from Harewood Village, so same bus stop but no need to pay the house entrance fee.
Trip Advisor has detailed location instructions.