Have ten evenings/ days precruise in SW England Oct 25 - Nov 3. must see spots?

[A Sixth?]

We want toTrain tour starting at Gatwick and no stop less than two nights

 

Been to England many times and giving a pass to London and Portsmouth so looking west, as far as St Ives

 

Ideas

Edited July 13, 2018 by A Sixth?

[A Sixth?]

Oh ya, like downtown pubs, culture and museums, and stay at Airbnb usually

 

We’re 60

[Bob++]

I think you are asking rather a lot. Maybe do a bit of internet research and come back for the fine detail?

 

Here is a start... http://www.visitsouthwest.co.uk/

 

And here a link to a national rail map that you can download... https://www.thetrainline.com/train-companies/national-rail/national-rail-map

[John Bull]

Here's another rail map. It's more cumbersome but more comprehensive than the one linked by Bob and includes every station. Bob's link is ideal for an overall picture, mine for the detail.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/nationalrailoperatorsmapzoom.pdf

 

And this is the best source for timetables & prices.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

Few places are worth more than a day, so concentrate on places with rail junctions. Some might have little to offer in themselves but can be an ideal base for day-trips by rail.

Google the places in bold type, see what you think. Those underlined would be good bases for a night or two or three. Most of the suggestions involve direct trains, a few would involve changes.

Once you've narrowed down your choices we can fill in detail of local attractions, train & other travel options, etc.

 

Some thoughts, starting from Gatwick..................

A short hop south to the coast at bohemian Brighton. Worth a day plus day-trips by bus or train+bus to The Seven Sisters, and by rail to Arundel.

Via Portsmouth and ferry or hovercraft, or via Southampton and ferry to the Isle of Wight. Don't worry about the island's single little railway line, it's an island to explore by car or Southern Vectis ho-ho.

West to the Victorian seaside town of Weymouth. From there local tour buses (in season) to places like Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, or along the Jurassic coast to Lyme Regis, or train + taxi to Bovington Tank Museum. Or if there's not enough for you for more than a day, do it from a Southampton base with other days from Southampton to Winchester, to Salisbury (and from there by ho-ho to Stonehenge), and to Bath. Southampton itself doesn't have a great deal for the visitor but has stacks of easy direct day-trip options.

Or Bath is another potential base with day-trips by train to Weymouth and tour bus to the Cotswolds.

South-west thro Exeter to Torbay, the English Riviera - three resorts, Torquay (biggest), Brixham (quaint fishing harbour) and Paignton. Local buses between the three. Paignton is IMHO the least attractive - kiss-me-quick hats etc - but its the most central, and offers an excellent steam train + ferry round-trip to Dartmouth

Continuing west to Plymouth (or make Plymouth another day out from a Paignton base) and on to Falmouth or St Ives.

But do bear in mind that west after Plymouth (into the county of Cornwall) sights are well spread-out, roads are mainly twisty and slow and public transport extremely patchy. Personally I would only tour Cornwall by car.

You'll certainly not fit all these suggestions into your ten days, so pick & choose

 

A couple of totally different alternatives if you're prepared to spread your wings..............

 

North Wales. A base in Llandudno or Conwy (in Llandudno Junction is a little more convenient for train travel but its well worth the little extra inconvenience to stay in Llandudno or Conwy). The Great Orme's Head, Conwy Castle, day trips by train to Betwsy-Coed and Blaenou-Ffestiniog (the little trains of Wales), across the border by train to Chester (Roman) and Liverpool. There'll be bus tours to other places of interest too, like Caernarfon and Snowdonia Nat Park. You could even take the train to Holyhead and ferry across the Irish Sea to spend a couple of days in Dublin

 

Scotland. We've just returned from a super road trip, and when we're too old and demented to drive we'll return to tour by train. Scotland has by far & away the UK's best scenery from a train seat - they go through scenery impossible by road.

To Glasgow or Edinburgh by air or by train (no, that's not a wonderful train journey, but see below for savings).

Train from Glasgow to Fort William goes thro spectacular scenery of lochs and highlands. The Jacobite steam train for more great scenery to Mallaig and back, then bus to Kyle of Lochalsh. Or inexpensive local train to Mallaig (same great scenery) and ferry to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Now in territory I don't know well, so can't help with detail or local buses & ferries, but the Kyle of Lochalsh is the gateway to the Isle of Skye (no trains on the island).

Train from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness, again thro magnificent scenery.

Moorland scenery to Stirling.

Finally train to Edinburgh, super historic and lively city worth about 3 days before heading back south.

Unless you're happy to spend a day or two sat on a pub or B&B terrace overlooking a loch or mountain, this option won't totally comply with your "no stop less than two nights" proviso - it's a trip for the journey more than the destinations.

 

Wherever you go, most of it will be by train.

So save yourselves a great deal of money by buying railcards - they cost £30 but save you 33% on pretty-well all rail travel.

Seems like you qualify for both "two-together" and "senior" railcards. Best would be the "two-together" because you only need one "two-together" card so it effectively costs only £15 each.

https://www.railcard.co.uk/

 

Advance purchase of tickets will save more money (certainly on the longer journeys), especially with off-peak travel times. And pre-booking for a specified train time will save even more, but if your plans change or you miss the specified train that ticket is only good for the trash can. Get plenty of advice about train tickets before you buy, the ticketing system is a complicated minefield but the right choice can save you a fortune.

 

Lots to learn, lots to consider.

Brew an enormous pot of coffee before you start ;)

 

JB :)

Edited July 13, 2018 by John Bull

[MVPinBoynton]

You have already gotten great recommendations from people who are much more familiar with the area than me. After I retired, we booked a Baltic cruise out of Southampton in 2013. This provided us with an opportunity to do a 10 day driving tour of England. I could have spent much more time, since there is so much to see. We didn't get to the far west; but thoroughly enjoyed visiting Bath, Stratford Upon Avon, the Lake District, York, Salisbury and other towns along the way. I had originally thought about taking a train; but it made no sense, since I knew we would have to drive around to see the places we wanted to visit anyway. You can see what we did in our review we did on our website that is linked to in my signature. Have a great time. We just love England.

[Bob++]

If you like trains and fancy a bit of nostalgia, stay in Bristol for two nights and take a full day out on a vintage steam train with The Torbay Express. http://www.torbayexpress.co.uk/

[A Sixth?]

Great stuff! Keep it coming.

 

Btw have done a fair amount of research on the area and was leaning towards the train just because it’s more relaxing than driving. May rent a car for a day here and there to day trip.

 

Here’s a working list Joni and I made earlier this week (in no particular order)

 

St Ives / Penzence

Plymouth

Bristol

Salisbury/ Stone Henge

And of coarse ending in Southampton to board the Reflection

Edited July 13, 2018 by A Sixth?

[John Bull]

Great stuff! Keep it coming.

 

Btw have done a fair amount of research on the area and was leaning towards the train just because it’s more relaxing than driving. May rent a car for a day here and there to day trip.

 

Here’s a working list Joni and I made earlier this week (in no particular order)

 

St Ives / Penzence

Plymouth

Bristol

Salisbury/ Stone Henge

And of coarse ending in Southampton to board the Reflection

 

 

You can achieve a great deal more in ten days, by car or by train.

 

If you don't include them in your tour, Salisbury and Stonehenge (all one word) is an easy day from Southampton by train and ho-ho. The day before embarkation? Stacks of CC members have done it.

 

Bristol :confused:

Any special reason?

It doesn't have a huge amount to attract visitors. SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge and that's about it.

But it could be a base for days by train to Bath. to Gloucester, and to Cardiff.

 

Plymouth - is a bit out-on-a-limb unless you also visit Torbay and/or Cornwall.

 

St Ives and Penzance. Easy by train from (or past) Plymouth, but without a car you're going to be severely hampered.

But with a rented car it's a whole different level.

Going clockwise around Cornwall from Plymouth there's ...............

The Eden Project near St Austell. Just down the road to little but historic Charlestown, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and the fishing village of Mevagissey.

Falmouth & Pendennis Castle.

St Michael's Mount (sister of Mont St Michel)

The tiny fishing village of Mousehole, and a little further on is Lands End (rather commercialised)/

From there along the northern coast to St Ives, Newquay, Doc Martin's Port Isaac, the remains of (reputedly King Arthur's) Tintagel Castle, the coast road down from Lynton to Lynmouth and Porlock, historic Dunster, and back across Exmoor and Dartmoor to Plymouth

Those places off the top of my head.

Something like this

https://goo.gl/maps/7zrfjMimk3H2

but that's a drive worth 3 or 4 or more days.

The lanes in Cornwall are quite narrow, only the main roads are good. Check driving times, not distances.

But traffic is light and slow, and the locals are extremely courteous.

In London the driving is dog-eats-dog but the further west you go, the more gentlemanly the drivers.

 

Lots more places in this post to google, so top up the coffee pot

 

JB :)

[A Sixth?]

Great map link John, thanks.

 

Thanks everyone and keep the suggestions coming!

 

Beginning to think Plymouth and a car rental makes a lot of sense. Also thinking of just making a short first day and the short train ride from Gatwick to Brighton to recharge.

 

So maybe:

 

Gatwick

train

Brighton (never been there, rest)

Train

Plymouth for St Ives / Penzance / car touring

Train

Bristol or Bath / car touring

train

Salisbury/ Stonehenge

train

Southampton to board the Reflection

[John Bull]

Great map link John, thanks.

 

Thanks everyone and keep the suggestions coming!

 

Beginning to think Plymouth and a car rental makes a lot of sense. Also thinking of just making a short first day and the short train ride from Gatwick to Brighton to recharge.

 

So maybe:

 

Gatwick

train

Brighton (never been there, rest)

Train

Plymouth for St Ives / Penzance / car touring

Train

Bristol or Bath / car touring

train

Salisbury/ Stonehenge

train

Southampton to board the Reflection

 

 

Sounds like a good plan :)

 

I'm guessing that's something like 2 nights in Brighton, 2 or 3 in Bath or Bristol, one in Salisbury and the rest in Plymouth / Cornwall.

 

A heads-up on a few things ..........

 

Yes, a car is a boon in Cornwall and for country drives from Bristol or Bath to places like the Cotswolds or Gloucester or Cheddar / Wells / Glastonbury. You won't need a car for your day in Bath itself, even at that time of year parking can be difficult and/or expensive. If you lodge outside Bath close to a rail station eg Bristol it's a short train ride to Bath and the station is right in the centre. In Plymouth itself a car is probably not worth the cost.

The rest is easy-peasy by train.

 

I've only just noticed the dates in the thread title - October 25th to November 3rd.

It's not the best time of year to visit England.......

 

- on 25th October (the day you arrive) British Summer Time ends and the clocks go backwards one hour, so it gets dark an hour earlier. Expect it to get dark before 6pm, and earlier in poor weather. So do allow for that when planning when to reach your overnite stops on the days you're driving - I was a professional driver but I'm wary about driving in the dark on country roads that I don't know in foreign countries where folk drive on the "wrong" side of the road.

That's particularly important if you're staying in rural or village B&Bs, cos they can be difficult to find without a precise address & postcode (zipcode) and good written directions. And locals are far less likely to know "Willow Tree Cottage" than "the Pig and Whistle" pub or "Holiday Inn" hotel.

 

- British weather is unreliable, it may be pleasant or it may be grey and miserable. Probably a bit of both. In southern / central England certainly no snow, almost certainly not freezing (just a small chance of overnite frost), average temperatures 54degF day / 43degF night. And it throws in rain and mist from time to time.

I'm so glad you didn't jump for my suggestion of Scotland :rolleyes: cos I'd have had to back-track - shorter days and lower temperatures.

 

- this time of year is well out-of-season, check whether attractions are open (and their hours) before making plans. A positive is that places won't be crowded with tourists and accommodation should be cheaper.

 

When renting a car, especially in Cornwall, choose the smallest that will accommodate your luggage out-of-sight - even if that includes the footwell of the rear seats with a coat thrown over it (petty-crime is low in the west country and Cotswolds is low but you don't want to make yourselves a target). Parking won't be a problem that time of year and most of your driving will be on good wide roads, but a small car shows its worth when you take to narrow country lanes. You'll get a wider choice and probably lower prices in Plymouth than in Cornwall.

And rental cars are stick-shift unless you specify automatic transmission.

 

The route-map was only vague, there's a limit to how many places can be included in a Googlemaps route. And a limit to how many places you'll have time for ;).

If the weather is good, Barnstaple to Lynton/Lynmouth to Porlock to Dunster & across Exmoor and Dartmoor includes some glorious scenery. But if it's miserable & with poor visibility you might want to ditch that loop and instead head for the more-suitable attractions of Exeter or Buckfast Abbey (Buckfastleigh) or Torbay (eg Brixham) and the fast & easy main road back to Plymouth.

 

Your plan is coming together :)

 

JB :)

[Ergates The Ant]

Take a look at Exeter for a couple of nights. Easy links by train from London, and then on to Cornwall or Bath depending on where you go next.

There is an amazing cathedral, and medieval underground passages which carried the water supply for the monks. Remains of a Roman wall, lots of places to eat and it's a small and walkable city.

From there, you can head out on local buses to visit the charming seaside town of Sidmouth, with its backdrop of the red cliffs of the Jurassic Coast.

Or Beer, a quaint fishing village hardly changed since it's days as a smugglers haunt.

[A Sixth?]

Take a look at Exeter for a couple of nights. Easy links by train from London, and then on to Cornwall or Bath depending on where you go next.

There is an amazing cathedral, and medieval underground passages which carried the water supply for the monks. Remains of a Roman wall, lots of places to eat and it's a small and walkable city.

From there, you can head out on local buses to visit the charming seaside town of Sidmouth, with its backdrop of the red cliffs of the Jurassic Coast.

Or Beer, a quaint fishing village hardly changed since it's days as a smugglers haunt.

 

Exter does look very nice as does this fishing ports nearby. Definitely will be looking at that. Still trying to decide about the rail pass. I think we’re going to buy it not positive there’s no hurry I don’t think it changes Price does it.?