Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Or if you are a Lancy lad!

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Ah yes, DaveHam, Reading! On several trips across the pond we'd land at Heathrow or, more likely, Gatwick, and head for a B&B in Reading to rest up before we'd drive elsewhere. At most, on occasion we'd drive out of or into London to start or end our journey, but never IN London. The Underground maps are a paragon of clarity compared to elsewhere. I think New York City took a hint and upgraded their maps based on the London ones.

therwol Loc: USA

Been there multiple times. Every time we go, there are hoards of people, hikers and people with food spread out on the stones like they are picnic tables. When we go to England, we stay in a rented cottage in Little Salkeld, which is near Langwathby, which is near Penrith, which is near Castlerigg, Keswick etc. (Have you eaten at the Dog and Gun in Keswick? Totally dog friendly place. We always end up sitting with some interesting people and sharing stories.) From there, it's a pleasant drive to Grasmere, but parking is a challenge on Sundays.

I'm at work without access to my photos, but if I get some time later, I'll send you pictures of the hoards privately. My wife says we should go there in the middle of the night. Probably not a bad idea on a clear night with a moon.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Timing is always important. I used to live in Cockermouth so am very familiar with the area and it's pubs etc. Also how to avoid the worst of the tourist issues.

therwol Loc: USA

Our first trip to England was in 2009, and we visited Cockermouth. We took the tour of the Wordsworth house. We walked along the river. The town center had a lot of wonderful shops, including a nice bakery. Then two months after we left, the town flooded in a big way, like with 5 feet of water on the main street. All of the businesses were completely destroyed. Then when we went back on subsequent trips, the town seemed depressed and a shell of what it was. Very sad.

That first trip was like being drunk with all of the new things we saw. We drowned in Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth, and Robert Burns in Scotland. We walked around Grasmere, ate at Baldry's, took boat rides on Windemere and Ullswater, drove over the Kirkstone pass and ate at the pub on the top, etc. We went to several historic sites along Hadrian's Wall. We covered all of Southern Scotland just doing day trips, visiting old abbeys, Sir Walter Scotts house, driving all the way to Ayr to see Robert Burns' birth home and museum, etc, etc. The farthest we got from our home base near Penrith on just a day trip was Stirling Castle and St. Andrews. I could tell you funny stories about the American students eating and getting drunk in The Central in St Andrews. Here is just one. Overheard at the next table from where were were sitting: "Scotland is just like New Zealand, but friendlier." My wife stood up and stood over that table when we were finished and said in her best fake southern drawl, "Oh my! Yankees in St. Andrews! I think I'm gonna faint." (Get the reference to Gone with the Wind?") We walked out laughing hysterically.

Every time we go back, and it has been 5 times so far, the area becomes more familiar, almost like being home away from home. We've made friends. We hang out at the Lanes in Carlisle, and when we get bored with that, we drive to Newcastle, do a "park and ride" near the airport, and take the train to the city center to hang out at the Eldon Center. I know. It's just a big mall, but she is keeping Fenwick's in business buying clothes and presents for people back home in the US. And there are also interesting markets in that same area.

I know this isn't about London. I just want to point out the London and all of those wonderful things in and around there are not the whole of England. There is much more to see if you branch out.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Thanks, nice anecdotes. The Cockermouth floods were indeed bad, I expect the town will recover eventually, but these things take time and some things never come back, just like New Orleans has done in the last 10 years.

therwol Loc: USA

Yes, Katrina. We were visiting Ireland when it hit New Orleans. I think it was hitting when we were on the plane. It was huge news over there. Overheard on a radio talk show: A really drunk man was sobbing. "Oh those poor people! This is terrible! Oh those poor people! If they had only asked me! I would have told them, 'GET OUT!'"

Oh, the stories I could tell you about Ireland, especially about getting lost every ten seconds. (Pre-GPS) It didn't help that the street signs were painted on the sides of buildings in non-reflective paint so you couldn't read them after dark. It didn't help that you'd come to a roundabout, your destination would be one of the exits, and then when you got to the next one, your destination wouldn't be a choice. Oh well. Not bashing them. Just making observations. We loved it over there too. My wife he half Irish, and she was in search of her roots. Many photo ops. Unfortunately, my pictures are on film, and I've never scanned them.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Yes, Ireland is excellent also. Big fan of the traditional music and other aspects of the culture.

spywayman Loc: Bridport -Dorset-UK

If you like an English pub, try "Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese" which is down an alley off Fleet Street. They have a large wooden armchair which is said to be the one used by Dr. Samuel Johnson, who came out with the wonderful line, "A tavern chair is the throne of human felicity."

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

First day in London, buy a ticket on the double decker tour bus, you can hop on and hop off and there are typically excellent guides. I wouldn't avoid the tourist stuff- it's iconic and nice to see on a first trip. I like art so I would not miss the Tate, the Victoria Albert Museum, the British Museum. Parliament is cool at night reflected in the Thames. Do The Eye for an aerial of London. A boat ride on the Thames, the Tower, etc. read up on the History before you go. Sad to say, but we don't even know our own history very well. St Paul's I see worth climbing for a view. I had a sense of deja vu' when I climbed St Peter's in Rome -- there are many similarities. Loved my drive through Wales. Keep to the left and you'll be ok-and that includes the A1, and other two lane highways. No issues with a manual tranny. It's just coordination. You can also travel via Brit Rail but I found it limiting and spendy. Stay in B & B's.... you'll meet more people and that's at least 90% of travel for me. Pubs are great for dining out and conversing about football-- the real thing.... have a great time....

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

My wife and I spent 8 nights in England as part of an 11 week trip to Europe in 1973. We spent 3 or 4 nights in Cambridge and 3 or 4 in London, with an afternoon and night in Canterbury before heading to Paris. We were college students at the time, and LOVED Cambridge, one of our three favorite places of our entire trip (the other two being Rome and Florence). We took the train and public transportation everywhere. We took a day trip from Cambridge to Ely to see the town and cathedral- definitely worth it. My wife's cousin was living in London at the time, and we spent a beautiful July day with him on his boat on the Thames. Canterbury is worth at least a full day. I wouldn't miss the changing of the guard in London either. When we go back, I want to time it so I can go to the British Grand Prix.

Enjoy your trip!

therwol Loc: USA

Advice on car rentals if you're coming from the US. Do a thorough comparison of prices. We have found that the best deals are offered by Alamo on the domestic (US) site. Alamo contracts with rental companies over there. The prices seem to be much better if you rent on the US site. Also, if there is a problem, as we had when we were double charged by Europcar one trip, there is someone in the US to deal with who can help resolve the problem. Also check to see if your credit card includes the collision/damage insurance. Visa covers you for 30 days. I think Mastercard covers you for about two weeks. This insurance is insanely expensive if you pay for it separately to the rental car company.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I did use Alamo & my wife did the research. Much better job than I would have done. She was also terrific in telling me where to go-- but she's always been good at that....

therwol Loc: USA

One other thing I forgot to mention. Don't hesitate to rent a Diesel car in the UK. Most cars in the UK now are Diesel powered. Diesel fuel is sold at every petrol station. There is really no difference in performance, an insignificant difference in noise and great mileage. You may, and I say may occasionally sense that Diesel smell, but not when the car is in motion.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Other than the pollution issues if that is a concern to anyone.