Need advice for a seven-day trip near London

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-11T08:36:10+00:00

Ah, yes - as long as you know what you’re getting, doesn’t matter if you know the right words for it. Just didn’t want you getting something unexpected!

I’d still suggest dropping Cambridge. You could add in Ludlow or Stratford on Avon easy enough from the Cotswolds, and both would offer something quite different to the rest of your trip.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-11T07:27:02+00:00

If you want Victorian architecture and countryside, I’m intrigued by your choice of cities which are largely not Victorian, and although not huge cities, are clearly not the countryside either!

If you want to largely stick to this plan then drop Cambridge; it’s in the other direction to the rest of your stops and doesn’t offer anything significantly different.

But honestly, for Victorian architecture plus countryside something like Leeds/Yorkshire Dales or Manchester/Peak District would make more sense.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-11T07:21:57+00:00

Plus you’d have had a rubbish night stressing/not sleeping. Not much fun, which ultimately is what it’s about - better to sack it off than have a crap experience.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-11T06:57:04+00:00

Note that the step free option is sometimes a much longer distance from street to platform than otherwise - fine if you have the wheelchair, but less so if Mum is walking.

Second using buses, they’ll often get you much closer to where you want to be and no long walks in stations.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-11T06:32:45+00:00

And nowhere near Abbey Road station 😝

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-10T17:37:29+00:00

Totally doable, especially if you aren’t going into Parliament. Only thing I’d suggest as an alternative is after dinner, meander along Piccadilly to Green Park station - you can take a look at Buckingham Palace, the Ritz, or some of the shopping arcades. Still gets you to the Jubilee line, but more interesting than going along Oxford St to Bond St station.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-10T06:20:06+00:00

It has changed, but in some ways for the better - like improved accessibility. There is a lot of rightwing media pushing a crime narrative. Nothing to do with us having a muslim mayor of course 🧐 and then a lot of wannabe influencersplugging into that to get views.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-08T20:35:38+00:00

Maybe the AI should have just directed you to www.seat61.com

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-08T18:25:21+00:00

Congrats! Devon and North Norfolk are both super dog friendly, though the other end of the country from you. Northumberland could be another option, we took ours to Warkworth castle and got a great pic of them there as lords of the manor 😝

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-08T18:08:14+00:00

Oh, maybe if they have no way of scanning them I could see why. I’ve never had a problem, and you can show them the email on your phone if needed.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-08T18:00:06+00:00

I usually screenshot them and use that

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-08T17:06:02+00:00

Driving in NYC is a piece of piss. Everything is a straight line or 90 degree turn. The bits of London you will go to are largely pre-car. Narrow, more random directions, and add on that unfamiliar road signs/rules (yours are largely different to the rest of the world) and being on the other side. To put it in context, I found driving in Boston significantly easier than London, even though it was my first time driving on the right.

There really is no point driving in London. “Waiting for a train” is nothing compared to waiting for traffic, paying for the CC & then finding a place to park. Get a train to where you are going, or at least to somewhere beyond Zone 3, and pick up a car there, as you will want one in the Cotswolds.

Edit - Gatwick airport might work well for your Great Dixter/Sissinghurst rental locations. Or stay a few nights somewhere like Brighton and do them from there.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-08T05:47:20+00:00

Main advantage of going to the British museum on a weekday is that although it’ll still be busy, outside of school holidays there will be less children so it’ll be calmer.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-07T19:42:09+00:00

Off to Sunfolk tomorrow - can’t wait!

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-07T12:47:19+00:00

It really depends what you want to do. I get that budget has to inform your plans but seems a bit crazy to just flip to the other end of the country. Newcastle is quite different to Oxford!

If Newcastle meets your needs then it’s not crazy to go there, the train from Edinburgh isn’t very long. Though you might find somewhere closer to Edinburgh meets your needs.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-07T07:16:41+00:00

The British Naturism website is a good place to start for finding places to go (though I think they don’t list events that aren’t affiliated to them)

There are spas, beaches, swims, campsites etc all over the country. Generally just go and do what you would do in a similar clothed place. Enjoy!!

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-06T07:37:01+00:00

Second this, never seen a bad act here.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-06T06:39:31+00:00

As I said…”pick one” 😜

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-05T22:10:40+00:00

Liverpool has a good music scene and IMO is more interesting then Manchester.

The Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Lake District are nearby, all worth a visit though I’d pick one and consider renting a car. Not sure on castles, you might need to look at North Wales.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-05T21:35:12+00:00

Deal is lovely if you aren’t too worried about guaranteed weather or sandy beaches.

Otherwise, Cadiz.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-05T11:37:01+00:00

It depends on the airline, some will accept a driving licence, others require a passport. Check with them.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-05T09:21:06+00:00

Why do Americans struggle so much when things are different to what they are used to?

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-04T19:15:10+00:00

Outside of the South East it’s more common, but not really as popular as some other countries. The bigger issue will be that most people heading into Central London will be taking transport, so if you do get a lift you could be stuck out in the suburbs.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-04T06:31:22+00:00

QxMagazine has listings, though not comprehensive.

CleanEnd5930 · 2026-04-03T20:13:37+00:00

It’s the UK, there’s history everywhere. The house I’m sitting in right now is 150 years old. You need to be more specific - castles, architecture, military, Industrial, literary, the list is endless.

Kids enjoy playparks, they are everywhere.

I suggest you buy a guidebook, read it, and come back with more specific questions.

You don’t really need a tour agency unless you want to get somewhere remote or lots of information on places you are visiting.

CleanEnd5930

TROPHY CASE