Hello. We're still not certain whether we will get to take a trip this year, but I want to be poised with a plan - just in case. Following is my draft itinerary. I'm wondering if any of you have seen these sites and have opinions. Thanks. (We have been to England many times and love to take lots of time at historical sites.)
London - 3 days
Train to York (have only been to York once before) 3 days in York seeing the cathedral, museum, train museum, shambles, Stillingfeet Gardens, antique center.
Get rental car and drive north to Bird's of Prey Center. Stay around Malton.
Spend the day at Howard House
Drive to Eden Camp (WWII camp) and Kirkham Priory
Drive to Ryedale Folk Museum - rural life from iron age to 1950's
Drive to the workhouse in Ripon
Drive to Leicester to see the Richard III burial spot
Drive to High Wycombe and visit the St. John's church with old wall paintings and Desraeli's house.
Fly home
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
I would check the driving time to High Wycombe - it's almost as far as London and would be a long day trip.
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thanks for your replies! We have been in the Yorkshire Dales before and to the coast (Whitby, etc.) so didn't think we would do this time. But we've never been to Rievaulx Abbey, Harlow Carr or Skipton Castle, so I will check those out. My calculation from Leicester to High Wycombe is 2 hours, so I thought that would be a reasonable drive and then we would be close to Heathrow to drop the car. Taking the train from London to York is the first time we will have done something like this. My husband always wants a car. But, I thought this would get us up there faster to start our focus on the things we want to see in that area. All sound good? Again, thanks!!
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1454 posts
Check out Saltaire in Shipley. The Salt Mill is one of the first Industrial Revolution Mills. It is now a museum which features exhibits of David Hockney (homeboy). It is about an hour drive southwest of York. I am assuming that you are also going to Fountains Abbey when you go to Ripon. Check the World Heritage Site. Also walk the wall when you are in York...we saw kids playing Knights of Old. Check the National Trust UK Site for other ideas for interesting sites near York.
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
I like those ideas, Kathleen. I checked them out and will incorporate into the trip. Thanks.
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Would it be too much to go to Harlow Carr, the Work House at Ripon and Fountains Abbey all in one day? We do tend to take things slow. But, I like the sound of all these places. Maybe I need to add another day?
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1454 posts
I would stay in a B & B in Ripon and go to see Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in the AM, Then go to see the Harlow Carr Gardens in the PM. You might be able to get to Saltaire depending on closing times. Maybe stay overnight in Shipley. I think I would only spend 2 nights in York...it is actually pretty small. After seeing Castle Howard I would go to Ripon.
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Wonderful suggestions, Kathleen. Thanks!