England places to go and stay

[vitobn]

I'll be going to England for my first time. I'm excited as heck to see our Mother Country. I'm from Southern California but I'll be leaving from Denver Colorado USA. I would like some info on what areas whould be safe and somewhat inexpensive to stay. I will be there for 15 days. I would like to stay in a Bed and Breakfast so I could experience the English people and way of life as much as possible. Any suggestions on a B&B? I would also like ideas on what the best places to visit would be. I'm sure I'll go to Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Stonehenge, Roman Ruins, Big Ben and of course anyhting to do with the Beatles. Any suggestions on Beatle places or other cool places I should check out? Any cool coastal towns?

Thank You, look forward to seeing your country.

[Buenchico]

(Multi-part post):
I could type for hours answering this one! Let's try to take it step by step:

First, you use the word 'safe'. Generally, the UK is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. As long as you avoid some of the rougher inner-city areas (which are well off the tourist routes anyway) you shouldn't have any problems. Obviously you should take the usual precautions that you'd take anywhere (e.g. don't leave valuable cameras, ipods, mobile phones, etc on view when you're not using them) but, with a bit of common sense, you shouldn't experience any problems. There's just one exception though: The UK has one of the highest rates of car crime in the world. If you hire a car, never leave it unlocked (even when paying for fuel) and never leave valuables visible when you leave the car.

If your concerns about safety relate to the threat of terrorism, then all I can say is that you're probably at no greater risk anywhere in the UK than you would be anywhere in California.

[Buenchico]

The next thing to say is that many first time visitors from the USA fail to appeciate how big the country is. The UK might be tiny compared to the US but you might still find it better to stay in 2 or 3 different locations rather than trying to do everything from a base in, or near to, London. In particular, I note that you mention an interest in the Beatles. This would involve a visit to Liverpool. A day trip from London would involve a train journey of between two and a half and three hours in each direction. If you don't plan ahead and pre-book your tickets then you'll have to pay at least the equivalent of $105 for the return fare. That's if you travel off-peak after 0900. If you want an early start, the walk-up return fare for peak-time travel is about $350! (By the way, 40 years after the Beatles, we have moved on a bit :-) )

Stonehenge is also a long way from London (although I believe that it's possible to take a coach tour from London).

[Buenchico]

In London itself you mention Buckingham Palace (nice to see but nothing to do), Big Ben (same comment) and Tower Bridge (same comment again - avoid the over-priced, rather boring exhibition). My list of 'must see' places would include these:
1. At least one of the 'big three' museums grouped together in South Kensington. These are the Victoria & Albert Museum (can seem a bit stuffy but, if you spend some time there, you'll really appreciate its charm), the Natural History Museum (moving dinosaurs, etc) and the real star, the Science Museum (for everyone who's a big kid at heart).

2. Covent Garden Piazza. (Street entertainers, interesting shops, bars, etc).

3. A river trip. (The best views of London are from the Thames. For a brief trip, travel from Tower Pier to Westminster or vice versa).

4. The London Eye. (I've not done it myself but everyone says that it ought to be part of the 'essential tour' of London).

5. Somerset House. (Fascinating history, wonderful galleries and, on a sunny day, a great place to relax, with a glass of wine, next to the fountains!)

[Buenchico]

(I could ramble on for hours about attractions in London but that will have to do for now).

London is the most expensive city in the world for accommodation but you might find some bargains here:
https://www.ryanairhotels.com/iframe/specialOffers/london.html

You also say that you're looking for cool coastal towns. As you'll be based in London for at least part of your visit, the obvious choice has to be the wonderful seaside city of Brighton. It's under an hour away from London's Victoria railway station. The seafront positively buzzes with life with lots of bars (often with live music). There are loads of great shopping areas, with North Laine being the best of these. (Loads of independent traders selling all sorts of interesting stuff).

You mentioned roman ruins. There are plenty of places where you'll find these but a great place for combining Roman and Viking history has to be the city of York. In fact, if you're planning on basing your trip in two locations, I'd suggest that London and York would make a great pairing. York is full of history but it's also a good base for touring.

OK. I've probably already reached the point where I've sent you to sleep with boredom. If you want to know more, just post a response and I'll give you my e-mail address so that I can provide any further information you require.

Chris

[VINNY100_2]

Hiya Vitobn,Your always wellcome in the West country.Try Glorious Devon.(:-)

here

[waimarie]

Hi vitobon, I absolutely endorse everything Buenchico has said. I would perhaps add catching a the open top bus tour of London. I believe it is called the London Bus Co. You get a very comprehensive tour round major parts of London, it includes river trips and you can hop on and off wherever you like. Great way for an overall view.

Also, if possible in your time scale and if you do get up to York, go a bit further north and a trip which would include Hadrian's Wall, absolutely fascinating.

Important to remember, there is more to this place than London. Have a wonderful time. (good point from buenchico about rail fares, wherever possible plan and book in advance otherwise, mega bucks)

[vehelpfulguy]

As someone else has said, although the UK looks a small place on the map it is packed with so much to do and has a history from prehistoric man to the modern day.

I am over 50 years old, and have travelled all over the UK, but there are still places I have not visited, like the medieval city of Chester for example.

If you only have 15 days you need to plan very carefully as you are not going to see everything.

I would perhaps plan 3 or 4 "bases" during that 15 days.

You will need about 5 days in London to see most of the important sights.

If you want Beatles history then it is Liverpool in the North West of England. I would plan a few days there as it will take you time to get there and back.

Stonehenge is in the middle of nowhere in a field in South West England. Maybe have another base in South West to see Stonehenge and some lovely coast nearby.

More on Stonehenge here

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConProperty.313

[vehelpfulguy]

More on the Beatles.

They all came from Liverpool so you need to go there.

You can visit Strawberry Fields and Peny Lane.

There is a Beatles museum in Liverpool, in Albert Dock

http://www.beatlesstory.com/

There are also Beatles tours

http://www.beatlestours.co.uk/

John Lennon's family home (Aunt mimi) is open as a National Trust property.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-mendips/

Paul McCartneys family home is also open as a National Trust property.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-20forthlinroadallerton/

The main places in London are Abbey Road, where the studio is, with the famous front cover of the album, and the old Apple building in central London.

Good luck

[vehelpfulguy]

If I was taking a person from the USA round the UK to show them the range of things we have I would do the following 10 if possible:

1) London. One of the worlds great cities

2) Brighton. Facinating seaside town

3) York. Amazing place, full of history.

4) Devon/Cornwall - Beautiful coast and beaches

5) Chatsworth House (http://www.chatsworth.org/) or some other large country house.

6) Lake District. Lakes and mountains. Glorious

7) Blackpool. Tacky seaside town. Most visited UK seaside town. England's Las Vegas

8) Stonehenge or Hadrians Wall

9) Premiership football (soccer) match or cricket match

10) Windsor and Windsor Castle & Runnymede (Magna Carta)

Not saying they are the 10 best, but they are diverse and give a good idea of the range of thing in this country.

[vehelpfulguy]

The National Trust own hundreds of interesting buildings and places in the UK, including the homes of Lennon and McCartney.

A foreign visitor can join for 2 weeks at a special price and get into these places for free (and loads of other places including Stonehenge I think)

Here is the link

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-overseas_visitors/w-visits-overseas_visitors-touring_pass.htm

[vehelpfulguy]

A book you may wish to read before you come, or on the plane, or while your here, is

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BLNP78/sr=8-10/qid=1147334531/ref=pd_bbs_10/103-8817321-3486228?%5Fencoding=UTF8

He is an American who lived in the UK for 20 years and this is a book about how he went round the UK staying at Bed and Breakfasts.

It is HILARIOUS, but I hope it does not put you off coming.

[unruliejulie]

I gaurentee, if you love the Beatles, when you visit Liverpool, a fab city anyway, you will get a shiver down your spine when you stand outside the Cavern Club. Even though the original was knocked down and this one replaced it, the whole of Matthew Street has a presence about it.Fantastic.Its quite surreal to know they performed there in the very early days. You really mustn't miss a trip to this great city.

[Cathyhuns]

Stonehenge is a day trip from London via the Salisbury trains from Waterloo and then special bus from Salisbury. You can then also visit Salisbury Cathedral and Old Sarum for some roman ruins. Alternatively stay in Salisbury or somewhere like Andover or Basingstoke and also visit Silchester for roman walls.

For nice B&B try www.specialplacestostay.co.uk

[Pomp]

Try www.laterooms.com for accomodation, it tends to be more for hotels than B&B's but still has some nice hotels with character

[Pomp]

Forgot to say, when in London, go to the Tate Modern museum which is in a converted power station on the South Bank of the River Thames. It is free to get in and the whole place is pretty impressive.

http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/