I plan to spend 10-14 days in Britain. I'm not sure that's a long enough time to do the things I want (and believe me I've been whittling the down the list for over a year). My plans include a few days in Dartmoor, a couple of days on the northwest coast of Cornwall and 5-7 days in northern Wales (8 castles on my list). Am I being ambitious? Will I be hurrying too much? And what are the pros and cons of traveling in July/August as opposed to September. I teach so my summer holidays are June-July-August, but there is a slim chance I could convince my principal to let me take a couple of weeks in mid September. Thanks, Diane
Posted by
Keizer, Oregon, USA
588 posts
If you can't go in September, go in June as early as you can. Too many crowds in July and August and there is a bank holiday or two in August.
Why Wales for 8 castles? There is so much more to see in England.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I can't speak for England and Wales, but traveling in Scotland in September is marvelous. Almost everything is open and most kids are back in school so the crowds are really down. i've found that I don't even need to book all my rooms in advance. I even find singles. ; )
Pam
Posted by
Arlington, WA
993 posts
It seems I usually go in Sept.It just usually works out that way for me and the weather is usually lovely. But I have to agree with a previous poster. If you have to go in June go as early as you can. With 14 days I don't think your list is too ambitious at all, assuming you're driving. Cornwall and Wales...must be the Celt in you. I hope Powis is on your list of Castles.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
When we were in Cornwall, we found the weather can change from one day to the next (and that was in August). If you have a beautiful day make sure you take full advantage of it for sightseeing. We found June to be good one year. We were there before the kids were out of school. I have never been there in Sept. yet.
Posted by
LONE TREE, CO, USA
29 posts
We always choose the fall is possible...cooler weather, less crowds etc...have a great time!!
Posted by
London, UK
286 posts
If you are driving, it is possible but whether you will enjoy the go go nature of your plans probably not as the distances are far and the terrain is not straight. Lovely slow drives though! Cornwall and Wales are very much slow paced, enjoy the outdoors kind of place.
August is school holidays for school children. They finish at the end of July so you are bound to see caravans and caravan parks full of holiday makers. June is okay and so is Sept but the days start getting shorter and of course the colors are changing.
Posted by
Big Eagle, KY, USA
70 posts
The summer months will equate to more crowds. Dartmoor is quite nice. Be sure to check out at least one of the white horses in the West Country or even the Cerne Giant chalk figure. I have toured this area to some extent and have always been alone in my travels, sleeping somewhere different each night, always on the move. If you have the energy, you can see quite a bit of what you have planned. There is always that challenge of striking a balance between travel time and actually spending quality time in an area. You may skip Wales and focus on the West Country. Enjoy and be sure to try the cider : )
Posted by
Lewis, WV, US
178 posts
If the Minack Theater is not on your list for the Cornwall area, do a Google search and consider it. We just went there and it was one of the hilights of our trip.