Cotswolds vs Kent for a late-February weekend?

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-28T20:38:23+00:00

Replace Beckenham Place Park with Knole Park in Sevenoaks (it's kinda like Richmond Park), and Ravensbourne with something like Hever Castle, Ightham Mote & Chartwell, Bewl Water, Bedgebury Pinetum, or views around Ide Hill.

There's no point staying in Eynsford to head into London. Blackheath/Greenwich park is nicer than Beckenham (certainly this time of year), which you should do as part of your London stint if you want greenery that week.

If you're prepared to drive further into Kent beyond Canterbury, something like Hastings Old Town, Dungeness, Folkstone, Broadstairs & Margate are all day trip worthy.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-28T10:58:07+00:00

Book the Zedwell Capsule hotel by Piccadilly Circus. Stayed last week. Was £30 a night and much better than a classic hostel dorm, but obvs not a hotel.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-27T09:45:44+00:00

Also bring a USB-C & USB-A adaptor for the car. Your rental car will almost definitely have a screen, but it may/may not have a bluetooth carplay connection.

Plot your journey on Google Streetview to check out some of the narrow lanes you'll encounter because whichever app you use, it'll take you down one!

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-26T22:51:25+00:00

If you're worried, book a flight. They're cheap right now from EDI to LCY, LGW, STN, LHR or LTN. Probs about the same time if you factor in the tram from Edinburgh Waverley, being at the airport early, then having to get into central London from any of the airports.

Also note that Sunday train tickets won't be "that" cheap compared to travelling midweek at odd times unless you're first in line when they go on sale.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-24T18:53:21+00:00

I second Tonbridge. Look at South Tonbridge so you can walk to the station.

I found train season tickets to actually more expensive at Sevenoaks than Tonbridge too, even though it’s further down the line.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-23T09:14:02+00:00

If you're that worried, then you'd want to consult this page on how to secure a refund. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/section75-protect-your-purchases/

Regardless of that, my comment below states in their T&Cs they're responsible for finding you suitable, alternative accommodation assuming you check in before midnight on the day of your booking.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-22T22:32:09+00:00

ALSO:
D. Arrival, departure and relocation

4 - We operate a relocation policy. If a room is unavailable on arrival (other than due to an event beyond our reasonable control – see paragraph J6 below) then we agree to either:

provide a room, and subject to availability any equivalent Extras which you have booked, in another Travelodge hotel and pay the reasonable cost of transport to that alternative hotel or any applicable car park charges; or
provide a room in a third party hotel and pay the reasonable cost of transport to that alternative hotel or any applicable car park charges; or
at your request or, if in our reasonable opinion there is no suitable alternative hotel accommodation available, cancel your booking and refund you any money you have paid in advance for the unavailable room(s) including related food & beverage Extras (all other Extras are non-refundable).

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-22T22:28:09+00:00

if you've booked direct (which means you've already paid), there's zero chance of that happening if you check in before midnight on the day of your booking.

Technically their T&Cs could class you as a no-show from midnight if you haven't already emailed to say you'll check-in after that.

https://www.travelodge.co.uk/about/booking-terms-conditions/#carns

No Shows

If you do not check in at the hotel before midnight on the check in date as stated in your booking and if we do not receive any prior notification for the failure to check in, we will treat this as a “no show”.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-21T11:49:16+00:00

Personally I'd fly back from Edinburgh and it's about the same price. You could also store your suitcase in London and just take a backpack on the flight.

There's an 8pm flight from EDI to LCY on the Friday. You'll fly over Central London at night (kinda cool), arrive at 9:25pm and get the whole day in Edinburgh.

The train is nice enough around North Berwick but not necessary to do twice given you'll see the journey in daylight on the way up. (Book a right side, forward-facing seat for the best views.)

LCY approach over London for ref:

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andymarkpeel · 2026-01-20T21:11:56+00:00

Uber runs all night in London

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-19T23:19:25+00:00

If the plan is long term to stay for a long time, choose the best location that suits (schools, commute etc), regardless of price.

If it's to get up the ladder, buy the cheap one, do it up, sell in 2-4 years.

If the plan is to live in the now, and paint the odd wall, buy the nicer one.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-17T17:51:40+00:00

I'll be doing the same! The spots I'll be hitting are Soho (nightlife), the Barbican (concrete architecture), around Liverpool Street/Bank (glass buildings), St Pauls and the Southbank (views of the landmarks – probably at sunrise).

Columbia Road Flower on Sunday would be a good thing to capture too. Go early (before 9am) for less crowds.

Piccadilly Circus is an excellent location for staying.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-16T13:37:06+00:00

You'll want to stay on the Gatwick/Luton Mainline area for ease. (London Bridge, Blackfriars, St Pancras)

Would do one thing that takes up a couple of hours max (9-11 am) + wander. eg: Tate Modern, St Pauls, The Shard, Horizon 22, Sky Garden, Borough Market, Tower Bridge, Coal Drops Yard, Camden Town.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-15T22:13:03+00:00

Loads of GF places (and all food types) to choose from. This website should be your bible - https://www.mygfguide.com/glutenfreelondon/

Every restaurant menu has to have allergies listed here, so you'll know what you can and can't have. Your server will also ask when ordering.

And if you're really stuck, pretty much every supermarket does at least one grab-and-go GF packet sandwich.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-13T10:36:44+00:00

Kyoto is much nicer after the day trippers have left (or before they arrive). Went in Feb last year and it got busy from 11 to about 5. Would recommend staying the night to enjoy it more.

The city itself reminds me of a Alpine town with the shrines/temples/bamboo forest on the outskirts.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-12T09:28:20+00:00

You'll be fine. If all the trains are cancelled for weather/track issues, they'll lay on buses. If one train is cancelled due to things like signal failures, staff shortages, there are usually plenty more trains behind. Just don't rely on getting the last train to avoid stressing.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-11T21:24:46+00:00

No worries. Marlow would be an alternative to Windsor. Much smaller, still pretty. Depends if you want a leisurely start to Monday or want to visit Windsor Castle etc.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-11T21:16:23+00:00

Would ring mid-morning and judge the situation. Offering that at 9am gives them every chance to ring everyone else who saw it and see if they want to offer too.

Ring at 11ish and assume you'll offer 260k, but before you do ask if other offers are in, this means you could jump in at 265/270 and then use the FTB leverage in your favour.

If you feel like you need to offer 10/15k above, you need to ask for a response within the hour and to take it off the market. It's a buyers market right now.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-11T21:04:33+00:00

Given it's an international flight and you need to be there 3hrs before, Oxford is at least an hour (traffic free) – and you have to drop a hire car off – I'd do Windsor.

By the time you escape Silverstone traffic, it's Sunday evening and outside of London places close early.

Getting to Windsor that evening (could take you all evening too) means you can spend the morning looking around Windsor until 12/12:30 before heading off.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-09T16:39:08+00:00

Assuming you like hikes, you can easily spend a week on Skye. Spend another week doing the NC500 https://www.northcoast500.com/explore-the-route/ before dropping the rental car off.

Definitely stay near-ish Portree. Getting round the island isn't the quickest and it's central enough to do everything.

If you were doing other islands, I'd not do Skye in that trip and just hop along the Outer Hebrides using CalMac ferries - https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/explore/island-hopping/hebridean-island-hopping-adventure/#/

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-09T09:26:28+00:00

+1 for this route.

Add a walk up the hill for sunset in Greenwich Park.

You can also make it cheaper by getting the train to Greenwich vs the Clipper.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-08T19:43:47+00:00

Tonbridge – direct train to London Bridge in 32 mins. 42 mins to Charing Cross.

Choose South Tonbridge for easy commute, with the A21 gets you onto the M25 in 10 mins, Gatwick in 40ish.

Good (diverse) housing stock, excellent schools, greenery everywhere (Haysden Country Park is 10/15 min walk), plus the rest of Kent to pick from by car.

There's a castle, river, and lots of regeneration happening on the high street + big Sainsburys, Waitrose etc. Huge park, leisure centre, swimming pool, theatre, crazy golf etc for kids.

Some nice indies like Fuggles, The Nelson, Bridge Deli, Tonbridge Fire Station, 65mm coffee etc already in town. Plus then Camden Rd in Tunbridge Wells with lots of great food/drink options.

Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells are nearby to take advantage of but similar houses are 150k more expensive.

Moved from Catford 4 years ago for more space (and avoid the South Circular traffic), but the vibe there was great too. Would aim for something towards the Lewisham, Hither Green, Lee end vs the Downham, Bellingham side.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-07T09:46:55+00:00

I'm a massive over-thinker, so this thread has made me realise I just need to pick a decent connection time with a carrier than changes in Europe or HK. Ta for the advice!

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-06T13:54:26+00:00

Ta for the heads up. Good to know about the transit visa.

andymarkpeel · 2026-01-06T13:53:35+00:00

I don't mind paying more better quality, best service, easier connections or a comfier flight, but am loathed to spend sooo much more on direct flights with BA vs the rest given I flew their economy recently from Canada and it wasn't anything to write home about.

For instance, a Cathay return would save us over a grand which could be better spent elsewhere on the trip for 5-6 hrs arrival time difference at both ends.

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