mffox Loc: Avon, CT

My wife & I are planning a tour in the U.K. in September. Starting in Edenburgh and Ending in London, our tour travels through England's Lakes District, Wales (Deganwy, Caernarfon), then into the Cotswolds, Stonehenge, Bath, then London.

Does anyone have any "must see:) favorite spots worthy of a side-trip along our itinerary? Would love to hear from you.

mffox

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

To get the best advice two questions spring into mind initially.
1}. How long are you planning to be in the UK.
2). What mode of transport will you be using. i.e. Rail or hire car.
I'm sure you will get a plethora of recommendations.

Griff Loc: Warwick U.K.

Durham Cathedral
Fountains Abbey
IronBridge Gorge and museums
Warwick and its Castle - St Mary's Church with Beauchamp chapel - Lord Leycester Hospital [not what you might think!]
Hidcote gardens.
Burford, Chipping Camden - indeed almost any Cotswold town.
Wells Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral
Tewksbury Abbey
Castle Combe
Laycock Abbey(Home of Fox-Talbot!)
Information on all of these is available on the Net.

Get the handbook of the National Trust and study it. Become a member as soon as you arrive, and then try and see as many of their properties as you can.
Choose a small comfortable car. Most roads are poor and parking is difficult. Sorry!
Have a great time.

barryt

My wife and I lived in London from 98-01. Here's my suggestions.
1. While in Bath make sure to go to the Roman Bath's.
2. If you are a golfer and you have an afternoon, take the bus from Edinburgh to St. Andrews. It's heaven for a golfer.
(I think you can also take a train)
3. Use the hand held radios at Stonehendge. It makes the visit 10 times more interesting.
4. If you have the time in London take the tube and train to Windsor. See the town and the castle. You can do it in an afternoon.
5. If you are driving and have another afternoon take a drive to Diana's final resting place. It's a beautiful place and you might even see her brother.
6. Don't hesitate using the tube in London. Buy 1 day passes; they take you everywhere and they are safe. Just avoid rush hour morning and evening. (just carry a tube map with you and you will not get lost).
7. If you have the time make sure to go to Harrords. Just don't expect to find any bargins. (maybe the most expensive store I've ever been in).
Have a great time..

Bonkles Loc: St Albans, UK

Hi
The Northumberland Coast, on the east coast down from Edinburgh is well worth a trip going south, Alnwick Castle and Gardens is just one of the many sites. Please click on http://www.visitalnwick.org.uk/explore/map_nbland.htm you will not be disappointed.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

How long are you staying in England? I was born here, travel here and after 60 years still have not covered even half of the really pleasant spots.

If your visit incorporates stately homes, castles and ruins, then I endorse the suggestion of considering joining the National Trust and also English Heritage. Half a dozen visits to each of the two domains will recoup the membership fees. Admission fees without membership tend to be quite steep.

The National Trust membership can be purchased in the States via the Royal Oak Foundation http://www.royal-oak.org/join/

English Heritage is less expensive to join, less stately homes and more castles and ruins
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Yucca_PPC&utm_campaign=Brand_Y2_B1&gclid=CJTz8biOs8YCFWbItAodO2gJUg

Tpharm Loc: Central PA

We have been to GB twice, once on a bus trip, and saw and enjoyed all of the above. May I add in London; go up in the Eye for pictures (across the Thames from The Tower) and see a play or musical. Enjoy

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Half (or more) of the UK is photo worthy, whether it castles, or historic landmarks, the beautiful country side, the Cotswolds, London, Bath, Wales, Scotland, North South East and West, one big photo op. One could suggest a few dozen "must see" sites but there would be hundreds more equally interesting and photo worthy. If someone said to me they were coming to the US starting in LA and ending in New York and wanted to know what to shoot, I wouldn't know where to begin, other than pethaps with the Grand Canyon I suppose.

MtnMan Loc: ID

If you are there for the Edinbrgh festival, which I think is in September, get the brochure for the "Fringe" festival. Very low cost productions in all kinds of venues by groups from throughout the UK. It is our fondest memory of a year in the UK.

And of course you must do the Tatoo at the Castle. We loved the Scottish National Museum. They might be in new quarters since we went but back then it was evident that Scottish thrift prevented them from throwing anything away.

Loch Ness for sure.

In London the Tower of London of course.

Don't miss The Phantom of the Opera. It is our fondest memory of our last visit about five years ago. You can also see some very fine inexpensive productions if you wait in line for cheap tickets or are ok with matinees.

We were lucky enough to visit Stonehenge when you could lay on the stones. I agree now the recordings help but suggest lower key places for a better experience, e.g. Avebury.

We loved the National Trust properties. At the time we were living there and so got the resident rate but the $95 dual on the link is a good deal. I think they otherwise want up to $30 each today.

MtnMan Loc: ID

We detested the Eye as a blight when we first saw it. We'll probably cave in to it next time.

Griff Loc: Warwick U.K.

and York!
How could I have forgotten York . . .

Humpy Loc: Wales, UK

If you visit Caernarfon, you should also visit Llanberis. Lake Padarn provides a magnificent setting for Mount Snowdon, the top of which can be reached by 100-year old funicular railway. And there is an electric mountain...
If heading for Bath via Gloucester, don't miss Berkeley Castle, still occupied by the family whose ancestors built it 700 years ago.
You may not have the two weeks you would need, but if you have, try to include Exeter, Dartmouth, Lostwithiel, Looe and Fowey in your trip for a taste of the life your Founding Fathers left behind.

Remus Loc: Norfolk, UK

A lot of castles, stately homes and other historical structures are owned and managed by the National Trust. If you intend to visit many such attractions it may pay you to join the NT as entry fees and parking charges can quickly mount up. These charges don't usually apply to members. Check their website.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

We will be on a bus with a group, but will have optional time on our own.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hello mmfox,
You are about to get lots of suggestions of places you "must see".
I will suggest only one must see and that is: Edinburgh.
Tip: it is pronounced - Edin-burr-ah and not like Pittsburgh.
Have a great trip,
John.