Our first trip to England/Wales is just a few weeks off. It's not real "slow", but hopefully not too fast either. I sure appreciate all the help provided in these forums! Makes planning soooo much easier! Now how do I make through the next 6 weeks?

Day 1: Bus LHR>Bath
Day 2: Bath
Day 3: Stonehenge/Avebury from Bath
Day 4: Rental car drive to Peter Tavy (Devon - wife's family ancestral home)
Day 5: Peter Tavy - hike Dartmoor
Day 6: Drive to Chipping Campden
Day 7: Chipping Campden
Day 8: Drive to Conwy, Wales
Day 9: Conwy
Day 10: Return car, train to York
Day 11: York
Day 12: Train to London
Day 13,14,15: London
Day 16: Fly to Holland for a week with family

Ready to go!

quote:

Originally posted by thereur:
Now how do I make through the next 6 weeks?

Hi thereur, This is the time when anything goes! Read books, watch historical DVDs, drink ale , etc. I'm at twenty-six days to departure myself, so I know that your six weeks are going to fly by!

I go to Tavistock, the nearest town (about 4 miles?)to Peter Tavy a lot - my mother still lives there and I have many friends who live/have returned to live there. Peter Tavy is in a very pretty setting , with a good pub/restaurant - the lanes getting there are quite twisty and narrow! You will be there at a good time: lots of hedgerow flowers and very green, but without the bulk of the tourist rush.

Doesn't look like you will have much time to go into Tavistock in your tight schedule - it is worth it if you can, for a look at the crenallated grantite buildings in the centre of town and the covered market.

Panda - Thanks for the report! Sounds like the perfect time. We're armed with a good trail guide and ordinance map, so looked forward to it. Also, was surprised to find a place to stay in Peter Tavy. Looks like fun!
http://www.churchtownpetertavy.co.uk/

Cindy - Have read 'Notes from a Small Island' recently, and just finishing up 'London', the novel. Historical DVDs is a good add. Tnx! Lastly, I already prefer my ales at room temp, so got that covered

Though this will be out first time to the UK, it won't be out last. Already thinking to slow down to a week in London and a week in Cotswolds next time.

Since this IS the Slow Travel site -
I can't help but notice that you are spending 2 days training to and from York to spend one day in York. Do you really want to give up 2 of your vacation days this way? You might spend the time more profitably traveling between Chipping Campdena and Conwy, or keeping the car and driving between Conwy and London more slowly, and taking in some things in-between, or nearer London.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great trip. Enjoy!

quote:

We're armed with a good trail guide and ordinance map,

Glad to hear it !- there are some wonderful walks around there, but once you start to climb up, the misty Dartmoor fine rain/cloud can come down really quickly and it's easy to lose your bearings.

I know the house that the B & B is in (though I don't know the people) - it's only a small village/hamlet but has got a nice community feel. The Peter Tavy Inn is usually very busy (especially at weekends) with a good reputation for food and beer.

I've heard that about Dartmoor. Will definitely be careful, and will have compass too. Thanks!

Very good point, Kim! Unfortunately, I've learned more as I've planned this. Would definitely do that if I could change things.

quote:

Originally posted by thereur:
Though this will be out first time to the UK, it won't be out last. Already thinking to slow down to a week in London and a week in Cotswolds next time.

I understand. This will be my first time to London, too. Unfortunately, and due to the fact that I have a travel partner who is short on time, we only have 4 days there. But I'm really glad that she agreed to add it onto the end of our trip.

We'll be up to Stonehenge/Bath ourselves. Although, my stepmother doesn't know it yet because it's one of those special access tours at sunset, and if she found out how much I spent on our tickets she'd flip. But I've been looking forward to standing inside that circle since I was 10!

You'll learn to love taking it slow, it's a great travel philosophy! Next time, more UK and definitely over to Ireland to check out Dublin and Ballykissangel! I'm a fanatic!

I might refer you to a thread from last year about our family trip to Britain, including several days in London:
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6466056284/m/7781079703

I have finally motivated on getting that long post turned into a Trip Report but it's not posted yet. I got a lot of help and advice here and it's about time I returned the favor.

It sounds like we have some similar interests, including walking. We skipped Stonehenge in favor of Avebury; skipped the Cotswolds in favor of more time in Wales. You will not be disappointed in Wales. Conwy (pronounced Conway) is lovely. Be sure to see the historic house Plas Mawr. And a short drive S to the little village of Rowen might be worth your while.

Like you I am a dogged researcher of anyplace I plan to visit. I enjoyed A.N. Wilson's very short history of London, and Michael Wood's 'In Search of England,' a series of essays on English history. The 'Secret Guide' to London was very helpful. But there are dozens of books that would be excellent preparation.

Special access tour sounds good! Have fun, Cindy. Thanks for the reading tips and link, Alan. That looks like it was a great trip. Would love to see the report.

quote:

Originally posted by KimC:
Since this IS the Slow Travel site -
I can't help but notice that you are spending 2 days training to and from York to spend one day in York. Do you really want to give up 2 of your vacation days this way?

York is spectacular and well worth the effort. We don't get the same volume of tourists as the southern attractions, you there's slightly more space (except on a summer Sunday in August, perhaps!). Try and co-ordinate a visit to the Minster with sung evensong - a moving and beautiful experience (and tell them you're attending at the cathedral door - Google York Minster and you'll get the music list). The medieval city is still intact, the rail museum has free entry and can take a whole day to see properly.

What more can I say?

Good to hear that! Really looking forward to all the church visits, but it sounds like evensong at York Minster is not to be missed. We were hoping to also catch evensong at St. Paul's and St. Martin in the Fields when in London.

In York, we'll be staying at the Bootham Guest House. I talked to Emma there a couple times by phone, and she got me laughing pretty quick. Should be a kick staying there. Thanks!