I just love London. I've been many times. I'll be there in late April/early May, and hope to see some of the areas that really show themselves in the Spring or see some unique faires. Looking for ideas folks may have. I won't have a car, most likely, but I'm comfortable w/buses trains etc. I hope to satellite from London out into the country...maybe Turnbridge Wells, Sissinghurst, etc. I've been to most of the big tourist sites already, so looking for some hidden treasures. I got lots of great ideas last time, so giving it another try : - ) Cheers!
Posted by
chicago, il
113 posts
www.nationalrail.co.uk would help with with rail journeys.
Posted by
Longmont
8 posts
The coach service can be awesome. You can save money by buying in advance online, but remember to write down, or print out, the reference number. At Heathrow Terminal 5, there's a National Express Coach office. You can queue up to talk to a real person, or simply use the machines to buy tickets or collect ones you've pre-purchsed. You get the coach immediately outside Terminal 5. We live in Bristol in the summer and there's a direct coach. We wouldn't dream of using the train, more expensive, have to go to Paddington, trains are not great for schlepping gear. (We are MOVING when we first get there, so we're not traveling light until we make our side trips). Website: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx Train or coach, you can get around really well. Outside of London, we love Cornwall and the Lake District. And we love to avoid the touristy bits. So we've stayed in Tintagel and walked the Coast Path, visiting old churches and sites along the way. We stay along Ullswater in the Lake District, hiking and visiting friends, and friends of friends. Those are rather outdoorsy trips. Bristol is a great place to live (in summer, anyways), I'm not sure that it's a great tourist destination. It's the next train stop past Bath and from there you can get to Cardiff and Wales, or down South. I don't know if your satellite thoughts are day trips or longer. I think I've described longer... Enjoy!
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35338 posts
Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge for snowdrops and then daffodils and then bluebells.