Need help from UK residents

[Dwarful]

OK my mother is becoming quite the world traveler this year. After a 10 day trip to WDW with our whole family in June. Mom and her hubby are taking a 3 week trip to England, Scotland & Jersey in July. Mom is going to visit her penpal of 50+ years! Started out as a school project when they were children, and has continued all these many years. THis will be my mothers first trip to England and a lifelong dream of hers. So my question is, what are some of the "must sees" of those three countries?

 

[barnum42]

There is a lot to see, as for what counts as "Must See" is all down to the individual.

A good start point may be Visit Britain Website

 

[ogryn]

What stuff does she like (views/thrills)?

Where abouts are you going in England and for how long?

Jersey is nice for all the WW2 stuff. German Underground Hospital etc....

Staying in London I would do:

Museums:
Madame Tussuads/Planetarium
Science Museum
Natural Histroy Museum

Attractions:
British Airways London Eye

Theme Parks (outskirts of London):
Thorpe Park for Thrills (Chertsey, Surrey)
Chessington for Families (Chessington, Surrey)
Legoland for Little Ones/Senior Citz (Windsor... near the Queens other house)

General:
B__________gham Palace
Houses of Parliament
Trafalgour Square
Oxford Street Shopping
Musicals?

 

[Hank Scorpio]

The London Dungeons is also worth doing if staying in London...

If you can be more specific about where she is staying / going. The UK might not look that big, but if staying in London, it would be hours of driving to get to any attractions in the Midlands or up North.

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by ogryn
Musicals?

Of course - musicals. Whilst the West End of London is still expensive it is a lot cheaper than Broadway.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

The UK is steeped in history and has a lot to offer (Brits and Tourists). Unfortunately you don't say which area mom will be staying in.
However, my list would include :-
London - shops, theatres, Royal Palaces / castles
The Lake District National Park
Stratford On Avon - Shakespear
Wales - Snowdonia National Park
Hookys House - cups of tea and sandwiches (at cheap rates) for foreign tourists :lol: :lol:

 

[JBSLJames]

Well, technically, I am not from the UK, but I was born in Lexington and am a rabid Wildcat fan. I would visit the KY Horse park, Keeneland Race Track, Natural Bridge State Park (just miles outside Lexington), Rupp Arena, and the Mary Todd Lincoln House.

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by JBSLJames
Well, technically, I am not from the UK, but I was born in Lexington and am a rabid Wildcat fan. I would visit the KY Horse park, Keeneland Race Track, Natural Bridge State Park (just miles outside Lexington), Rupp Arena, and the Mary Todd Lincoln House.

I do not claim to know the location of everything in the UK - but where abouts are these places in the British Isles?

 

[Dwarful]

Sorry I wasn't more specific, actually I didn't know specifically where all she will be going. I do know that they will be there for 3 weeks time, only a few days in Jersey I imagine, and then a full week in Scotland and the remaining 11 days in England. Specifically I do know that they will be going into London for a few days, also the area of Nottinghamshire ( I hope I am getting this right) and the rest has yet to be decided. Both are healthy 60 years old and very much interested in history, culture etc. They don't mind travelling distances, heck my mother drives 5 hours from St.Louis to Louisville Kentucky to babysit her grandsons

 

[ogryn]

There is some historic stuff in Nottingham. Castles, Robin Hood Experience

An interesting site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/features/2002/10/guide_nottingham_lingo.shtml



or proabably a better one (the links at the bottom)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/going_out/index.shtml

 

[tenchu]

In Scotland, I reckon they'll probably be near or in Edinburgh, so I'd recommend an open top bus tour of the city.

You get ones you can hop on and of of, so you can go visit the sights in that area whenever you like.

There are attractions worth seeing everywhere in the city centre, many quite touristy, and others that would appeal to locals too.

 

[JBSLJames]

Originally posted by barnum42
I do not claim to know the location of everything in the UK - but where abouts are these places in the British Isles?

My bad, when I hear or see UK I assume the University of Kentucky in Lexington Kentucky. If you make it to the Bluegrass state, hit the areas I mentioned as well as Churchill Downs in L'Ville.

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by JBSLJames
My bad, when I hear or see UK I assume the University of Kentucky in Lexington Kentucky. If you make it to the Bluegrass state, hit the areas I mentioned as well as Churchill Downs in L'Ville.

:lol:
I was trying to figure out if it was a surreal joke! Glad to see there is a sensible explanation behind it.

 

[Al]

If they are in Nottingham, approx 45minutes away is Staffordshire, namely Stoke-On-Trent, which is famous for it's pottery industry. They could visit the Wedgwood Story Museum, if they are interested in things like that ( http://www.thewedgwoodstory.com/ ) in the area there are other pottery musuems I think aswell.

If she wants to try a bit of shopping (outside of London), then Manchester city centre is very nice, it has been re developed not so long ago and looks great. Just outside of manchester is the trafford centre (www.traffordcentre.co.uk) and it has just under 300 shops and a large food hall.

Hope she has a great trip!
:wave:

For more UK info, you might want to try my forums: http://www.travel-forums.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=1 to see some more ideas and pics of things to do in the UK

 

[tenchu]

Originally posted by Al
For more UK info, you might want to try my forums: http://www.travel-forums.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=1 to see some more ideas and pics of things to do in the UK

Good point, these are good forums, come highly recommended.

:wave:

 

[Dwarful]

Thanks for so much quality info in such a short amount of time! I just knew that I could count on the folks at this website! Thanks again. They have so much to look forward to this summer, 2 weeks at WDW, then 3 weeks in UK! Gee, do I sound jealous?


one last question, any chance of catching a taping of Bargain Hunt at one of the local auction shops? They (like me) are hooked on Bargain Hunt and Cash In The Attic. can they bring me back a Blue Fleece??

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by Dwarful
one last question, any chance of catching a taping of Bargain Hunt at one of the local auction shops?

Best bet is to check with the BBC.

Bargain Hunt Website

If there is no link to taping dates, email them to find out.

 

[Dwarful]

Thank YOU!

 

[tenchu]

Originally posted by Dwarful
one last question, any chance of catching a taping of Bargain Hunt at one of the local auction shops? They (like me) are hooked on Bargain Hunt and Cash In The Attic. can they bring me back a Blue Fleece??

I'm more of a 'classic' Bargain hunt fan, back when David Dickinson was still doing it in the mornings and no-one watched it. (The joys of being a student!)

Never seen the appeal of Cash in the Attic though. (Well, unless I found some! :lol: )

 

[Dwarful]

Well Tenchu, I guess I am seeing the Classic Bargain Hunt with David Dickinson, the "helping experts" are mostly older men. Always get a bit of the history of the area they are in, etc. Of course M-F I watch the first season of Monarch of The Glen, then on Sunday its the current season. So who knows what exactly they are sending us Either way, I am hooked!