My wife and I might have a chance to visit Great Britain during January or February next year and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips/suggestions for traveling there during that time? We've been several times during the summer so are familiar with London and several other towns at that time, but neither one of us has been there during the "off season"
Thanks!
WE were there in mid Jan in 2004. It was cool (40s (F) and damp during the day. We visited Portsmouth, Cotswolds and London. Days are shorter, (make sure you know where you going, navigating narrow roads at dark is interesting to say the least) and many NT, EH places are closed. The good thing is that prices at B&Bs, hotels(even in London) are less and almost no crowds (most people were in London and at Avebury) If I wanted to go to London again or other cities, the off season would be my choice.
Tom
The first thing to say is: wrap up warm. The second is that in January and February prices are at rock bottom except around 14 February.
One thing you may like to think about is 25 January in Scotland. It's Burns Night. A wonderful celebration of one of the all time great poets. Of course it does involve eating haggis, I love the stuff at any time of the year but it's not for the squeamish. The more whisky you drink the better haggis tastes.
We haven't been in Jan/Feb, but have gone in Nov/Dec every year for almost 20 years. We love the UK during the winter. Fewer tourists, more chances to meet/mingle with locals, more time and "room" at the sites, grest seasonal food... I could go on and on. Just take layers as the weather is very changable. Be flexible and open to different ideas about what to do and see. There are often local events, festivals, etc to check out. Cardiff is great in winter, as well as London, York and anywhere in Scotland! Bath is good too as is Windsor, Canterbury and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
We were in England in Feb 2008. We went prepared for the cold but somehow we lucked out and had day after day of sunshine! Only on our madmax trip to stonehenge did we really get cold (wind and rain on the salibury plain - brrrr) but that was the only place we ran into inclement weather. We got a 26 pound a night room at the city travelodge in London and the b&b's we stayed at in Bath and York had substantial off season discounts. Crowds were non-existent everywhere we went - never waited in line.
We are currently planning another trip - this time to Paris for a week in Feb 09. We'll plan for the bad weather but hope for sun. Either way, we'll have a good time.
There's a wonderful music festival in Glasgow the latter half of January. I've been dying to go sometime. I caught part of it on YouTube this past January. If you go, you should check it out if you're interested in fiddle music and other celtic sounds. It's called Celtic Connections. http://www.celticconnections.com/
Pam
Since you've been there before in summer, the real shocker will be how much less daylight you have to work with. You won't be able to accomplish nearly as much during daylight as during the winter.
However, you can go to places that are packed in summer and have no lines whatsoever!
Personally, I didn't find it very cold in early January, and as I see you are from MI I doubt you will either. I just wore a sweater and rain jacket.
