||| Webmaster Note: This Trip Report is being republished by special request. Fran is the original author. ||| My husband and I recently returned from a 17-day vacation in England, North Wales and Scotland. Along with many other sources I heavily used Rick Steve's travel books and this site in planning our trip. Here is my feedback on the accommodations we used; all listed in Steve's 2012 UK book. 1) Bath - 3 Abbey Green - Abbey View apartment - 2 nights
Very large self-service 4-room apartment up 1 flight of stairs (owners helped with the luggage). The bath was one of the best with an over-sized shower. It was well designed and had everything I could think of including a fully equipped kitchen and clothes washer/dryer. It was on a busy street that was somewhat noisy until around midnight. But the bedroom was on the other side so no real problems. It was a street over from the Roman Baths and the Abbey (don't miss these). It was in the middle of the main restaurant and bar area. We walked everywhere. I highly recommend the free 2-hour "Mayor's tour" done by locals. On the way to Bath, I pre-booked a private tour by Alan Price (in RS book). He picked us up at Heathrow with stops at Avery;s large stone rings and burial chambers, the Wells Cathedral and Nunnery Castle. When jet lag hit he dropped us at our apartment in Bath. I highly recommend touring with Alan.
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OP
Edmonds, WA, USA
1014 posts
Warwick - Park Cottage - 2 nights
We used this as our base for seeing the Warwick Castle and for hiking the Cotswolds. Park Cottage was originally part of Warwick Castle so it was an easy 15 minute walk. We were there for Father's Day and enjoyed the Sunday roast dinner at the Vine Inn across the street from the Cottage. We stayed in the Frances room (note my name) on the ground floor which was very large with french doors to a private garden connected to the main garden. The bed was very large and comfortable. The host was very helpful in making taxi arrangements and confirming our plans for the Cotswolds. When we returned late from hiking the host left his dinner to make sure we were OK and needed anything for the evening. This included us hosing down our hiking shoes after walking through several pastures that were part of the "public pathway". This hostess also rose early on the last morning to make us a full breakfast so we could catch a early train.
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OP
Edmonds, WA, USA
1014 posts
North Lake District - Keswick - Howe Keld - 2 nights Our room was the newly d junior suite and was worth every pence! Along with London it was our favorite. It was a 10 minute walk from the bus stop (no trains to Keswick) and 10 minutes from town central and the market. It was a huge bedroom, couch sitting area and bath. Very modern like you would expect in a Norwegian country and decorated just right. Great views of the mountains and lakes from the 3rd level, which was like a private retreat. The weather here was our worst, heavy rains and winds but it didn't keep us inside. The breakfast here was special with optional pancakes and homemade granola that I took on our day trips. Our host was very informative and let us know that the Olympic torch was coming through town that afternoon! We joined all the locals in lining the streets to welcome the torch runner and their sponsors. On the 2nd day we caught a local bus to another area to hike and fought the weather and rising water. I am a shower-person but that evening I soaked a long time in the luxurious tub. York - Abbey Guest House - 1 night This B&B was as advertised a 15 minute walk from the train station; note steps at both end of the bridge. The place was right on the river and within 10 minute walk to the Abbey and 5 more to town central. The room was large with a sitting area up 1 flight of very steep stairs. The host was very nice and served us coffee and cake on arrival. Breakfast was good. The town was very special especially the Abbey and the museum gardens.
London - Lime Tree Hotel - 3 nights
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OP
Edmonds, WA, USA
1014 posts
The room and bath were very large and nice with everything we needed. What made this place special was the host. The owner personally saw to our inquires and the ladies at reception were very helpful and knowledgeable about London. They recommended the "Big Bus" double-decker, on-off bus tour. It was the most expensive tour but they had more busses and stops which decreases the wait time. We bought our tickets at the Hotel (no more than from the bus company) and the company gave us the 2nd day free! We were really glad we did as it took us places we couldn't have easily walked and still saw everything. The food was good and very nicely served in the dining room. London was the warmest place on our trip (most southern spot) the host helped us open the large windows to get the most benefit. The location was perfect, 5 minutes walk to Victoria Station, 10 minutes to Westminster. It was 5 minutes from one of the best pubs we found, St. George's Tavern. The dinning room was in the cellar (very nice) and the food great. Their blue cheese hamburger rivals anything I've had in the States. On leaving, the receptionist ordered us a cab and made sure we knew how to negotiate Paddington Station and the Express train to the airport.
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OP
Edmonds, WA, USA
1014 posts
Recommended accommodations and tours in North Wales My husband and I recently returned from a 17-day vacation in England, North Wales and Scotland. North Wales - Conwy - Bryn Guest House - 2 nights (listed in RS 2012 UK book)
This place was literately at the castle wall. We followed the host's recommendation and arrived on the train in Llandudno Junction instead of Conwy. It had taxi service and provided a beautiful view of the castle coming over the bridge. We had great mountain and city views from our room (#5) up 1 flight of stairs. The breakfasts were exceptional and included home-made Welsh cakes that I took for my mid-day snack. The hosts were very knowledge about the area and had a great garden which shared the castle wall. I fell in love with the Castle especially walking ON the wall and in the towers around the city. The second day we took a private tour with a local Welsh lady, Mari Roberts (listed in Steve's book) that I highly recommend. We saw water falls, a working woolen mill, visited a slate mine museum, and drove in Snowdon National Park with clear views of the mountain peaks. The host prepared us a full breakfast early on our last day so we could leave on time.