Travelling to UK - What to do?

bpm · 01-08-2005, 13:23

Right,

I'm heading over to the UK at the end of the month, getting jabba'ed and then have 4 days to spend before Trax. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to go and any touristy things to do?

Goochie · 01-08-2005, 13:35

Jabba are in a barn in the middle of nowhere so there's not much worth staying round there for. Cambridge isnt too far away so you oculd go there with the Japanese toursist and take some photos of a bridge. IMO that part of the country is pretty flat and boring with not a lot to do.

"Bicester village" designer outlet village is in Bicester, Oxfordshire and is worth a trip if you've not been to one of those before. Its close to Oxford and Silverstone. You can also jump on the train and be in London in under an hour so you could do the London Eye etc.

The Cotswolds are nice, close to Silverstone and there are loads of touristy things to do. Stratforn on Avon is a tourist Mecca thanks to some bloke called Sharespeare. Warwick castle isnt' too far from there either.

What sort of thing were you hoping to do? Shopping, National Trust places...?

PaulC · 01-08-2005, 13:39

where are you stopping firstly town wise?

bpm · 01-08-2005, 13:43

I'm up for anything. Thinking that I just had my octy jabba'ed then some driving would be nice... I might head down south to the coast for a relaxing time..

I'm getting the ferry from Dublin on Monday morning (29th) and driving to Peterborogh to the local Holiday Inn and then onto Jabba on Tuesday morning. I reckon a small drive after thats finished to my next location (still deciding this) and then down south.

So this could be an excuse for a meet of two before Trax.

Goochie · 01-08-2005, 13:46

The south coast and all roads leading to it will be seriousy busy during most of August. You could always try a trip to South Wales, nice beaches and great roads.

bpm · 01-08-2005, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goochie

The south coast and all roads leading to it will be seriousy busy during most of August. You could always try a trip to South Wales, nice beaches and great roads.

It being effectively September, I would've thought that the schools would be starting back. No?

South Wales is a possibility too. Whats it like there?

Goochie · 01-08-2005, 13:58

If you're after the August bank holiday (29th) you should find thigs a lot quieter.

bpm · 01-08-2005, 14:11

Just thought of this. Any recommendations of a place near Northampton to get the car washed prior to trax?

KLB · 01-08-2005, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpm

It being effectively September, I would've thought that the schools would be starting back. No?

South Wales is a possibility too. Whats it like there?

South Wales - things to see/do not a million miles from the M4. I've tried to give a rough guide on how near they are/are not to the motorway; you'll have to decide which may or may not be of interest to you.

Caerleon - 5 mins off J25. This was a major Roman garrison town back in the first century AD. Lots of remains, including an amphitheatre and a bath house.

Big Pit Mining Museum - about 30 mins off J25. Visit a real coalmine; after a ride underground in the original winding gear, you get a guided tour of some of the workings (including the stables where the original pit ponies were kept) conducted by one of the miners who worked there before it was closed. Close by is the Blaenavon Ironworks World Heritage site, but (last time I went) the ironworks still looked like a pile of ruins.

Newport (J26, 27, 28) - Historic transporter bridge (one of the only two working transporter bridges in the UK, and of fewer than a dozen worldwide. Quite a few sculptures, including one at the bottom of Stow Hill commemorating the Chartists' Riot of 1839, which contributed to workers' rights and parliamentary reform. About 45 minutes north of Newport is my birthplace, Tredegar (shameless plug) which boasts a unique 80ft high Town Clock made of cast iron, erected in the same year as London's Big Ben. It was also the birthplace of Aneurin Bevan, architect of the National Health Service. Ther are a number of small Nye Bevan memorabilia around the town. If you really want to wander off the beaten track, Bedwellty Park in Tredegar also has the largest intact lump of coal in the world

. It was hewn especially for the Great Exhibition of 1851, but transport problems meant that it never left Tredegar

Cardiff (J30-is to J33-ish) Capital of Wales. (The original) Civic buildings are held in high regard by architects. The Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagan's (J33) houses historic buildings from all over Wales, dismantled stone by stone (or brick by brick) and painstakingly re-assembled on site. A lot more interesting than it sounds. Ther's a fairytale castle at Castell Coch (10 mins from J33?), and another industrial heritage/mining museum in the Rhondda (about 30 minutes from the motorway).

Shopping. If you fancy shopping, there is Festival Park Shopping Village about 45 mins from J28) or a McArthur Glen just off the motorway at Bridgend.

Seaside - Porthcawl and Barry Island still host traditional seaside amusement parks.

WW_VRS · 01-08-2005, 20:31

Northampton-wise - be careful about speeding there, loads of mobiles about and some on bridges too. Someone local will probably be able to tell you which ones are currently active

Quite a trip for a remap, I'm sure you'll enjoy the result though

matchmaker · 01-08-2005, 21:22

Having just returned from a terrific holiday in Ireland (all over - covered over 2000 miles

) I'd say WATCH OUT FOR SPEED CAMERAS!!

I didn't see one during the whole 10 days in the ROI. There are hundreds of the bloody things over here

bpm · 01-08-2005, 22:37

Speed Cameras ? What are they ?

Seriously though, thats why I got Cruise control.

Thanks Mike - it must of taken you a few minutes to write that one! Some of it sounds interesting, I might take some of it in so.

Anyone else? I'm not afraid of travelling.

bpm · 01-08-2005, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Having just returned from a terrific holiday in Ireland (all over - covered over 2000 miles

) I'd say WATCH OUT FOR SPEED CAMERAS!!

I didn't see one during the whole 10 days in the ROI. There are hundreds of the bloody things over here

Excellent. So you missed the rain then? 2000 miles on Irish roads....hmm.... Time to get your suspension checked out

matchmaker · 01-08-2005, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpm

Excellent. So you missed the rain then? 2000 miles on Irish roads....hmm.... Time to get your suspension checked out

Missed most of the rain - was sunbathing on a beach on the Dingle Peninsula while it was ****ing down in Dublin and London

Suspension? Is there something they put in Irish tarmac to make it harder? I hit a bump at 100kph on the Cork-Killarney road so hard that I was expecting to find a front strut on top of the engine

And don't mention the LHD caravans on the Ring of Kerry

Lots of Skodas but only one vRS - a silver Octy.

The Octy behaved perfectly the whole holiday, despite having to drink normal unleaded. Apart from in Dublin, the only place I found super unleaded was in a roadside garage on Valentia Island

For those who don't know Ireland, Valentia Island is a long way beyond the back of beyond. Do all of the locals drive Evos or Imprezas?

As for your trip - try and visit Scotland - a drive over Rannoch Moor and Glencoe is not to be missed

bpm · 01-08-2005, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Suspension? Is there something they put in Irish tarmac to make it harder?

They're built to last that much longer...

Quote:

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Apart from in Dublin, the only place I found super unleaded was in a roadside garage on Valentia Island

You found Super Unleaded in Dublin? Where? I've been searching for ages and haven't found any.

matchmaker · 01-08-2005, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpm

They're built to last that much longer...

Not working - mega potholes in many places

You found Super Unleaded in Dublin? Where? I've been searching for ages and haven't found any.

I'm sure I saw some but can't remember where - sorry

Think I saw some in Waterford too..................

Loved our holiday - for anyone who hasn't tried it, GO TO IRELAND. The people are wonderful, the food is out of this world and the roads are....

variable

pixi · 02-08-2005, 11:07

London is a must, not sure about how easy it would be to park overnight as we always go by train and dont forget the congestion charge.

Brighton is excellent aswell, really trendy but still originally English in other parts too if you know what I'm getting at.

Bournmouth is OK, Bath is lovely and great for shopping within nice surroundings.

Have a good trip

bpm · 02-08-2005, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixi

London is a must, not sure about how easy it would be to park overnight as we always go by train and dont forget the congestion charge.

Brighton is excellent aswell, really trendy but still originally English in other parts too if you know what I'm getting at.

Bournmouth is OK, Bath is lovely and great for shopping within nice surroundings.

Have a good trip

Excellent. Sounds good. Do foreigners in foreign reg plate cars have to pay the congestion charge? (Just wondering thats all)

Are there many big (I mean really big ones) shopping centres are around the London area?

**mannyo** · 02-08-2005, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpm

Are there many big (I mean really big ones) shopping centres are around the London area?

Several nearby.

1) Lakeside, near the dartford tunnel on the northern side (Exit J30, A13).
Good for general shopping, several department stores and has a large retail park to.
http://www.lakeside.uk.com/

2) Bluewater, near the dartford tunnel on the southern side (Exit J2 ,A2)
Good for designer clothing, several department stores.
http://www.bluewater.co.uk/

3) Brent Cross, at the southern end of the M1 Motorway (North London).
Good for general shopping with a department store.
http://www.brentcross-london.com/

bengie · 02-08-2005, 19:46

how about coming a day earlier and coming on a RR day in't south

then you'll know what you had pre jabba

come on you know you want to!!

bpm · 02-08-2005, 21:23

I've already got the RR done.... 190bhp with 206lbs torque always running on Tescos finest! But thanks for the offer. When and where is it on....I might be tempted to join you!

Just on another note.....Does Northern Irish sterling work in the UK mainland?

**GAFF** · 03-08-2005, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpm

Just on another note.....Does Northern Irish sterling work in the UK mainland?

I'd say it depend where you use it and if they notice. One place wouldn't take it off me before, I can't understand that the issue is with it !

matchmaker · 03-08-2005, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpm

I've already got the RR done.... 190bhp with 206lbs torque always running on Tescos finest! But thanks for the offer. When and where is it on....I might be tempted to join you!

Just on another note.....Does Northern Irish sterling work in the UK mainland?

Works OK in Scotland.......mind you, in Northern Ireland they accept our notes as well

Funnily enough, though, the Bank of Ireland cashpoint in the Stena terminal in Belfast issues Bank of England notes, which suggests that Irish sterling notes could be in the same position as Scottish notes - not always accepted in Englandshire

flyingscot · 03-08-2005, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Works OK in Scotland.......mind you, in Northern Ireland they accept our notes as well

Funnily enough, though, the Bank of Ireland cashpoint in the Stena terminal in Belfast issues Bank of England notes, which suggests that Irish sterling notes could be in the same position as Scottish notes - not always accepted in Englandshire

Trust me Scottish notes are always accepted in England! Even legally, it's dubious to non acception!

Anyway if you are an adventurous traveller and decide to test the car, then you can travel to Scotland and try the roads in the West Highlands. Fantastic!

bpm · 08-08-2005, 20:24

Right, my passenger has decided Scotland is the way to go. So where's the best spot (to stay and see) ?

01-08-2005, 13:23	#1
bpm ------ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,055 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Combi Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts	Travelling to UK - What to do? Right, I'm heading over to the UK at the end of the month, getting jabba'ed and then have 4 days to spend before Trax. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to go and any touristy things to do? __________________ BPM This is a website , NOT a mobile phone. STP USNG TXT SPK

01-08-2005, 13:43	#4
bpm ------ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,055 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Combi Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts	I'm up for anything. Thinking that I just had my octy jabba'ed then some driving would be nice... I might head down south to the coast for a relaxing time.. I'm getting the ferry from Dublin on Monday morning (29th) and driving to Peterborogh to the local Holiday Inn and then onto Jabba on Tuesday morning. I reckon a small drive after thats finished to my next location (still deciding this) and then down south. So this could be an excuse for a meet of two before Trax. __________________ BPM This is a website , NOT a mobile phone. STP USNG TXT SPK

01-08-2005, 14:11	#8
bpm ------ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,055 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Combi Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts	Just thought of this. Any recommendations of a place near Northampton to get the car washed prior to trax? __________________ BPM This is a website , NOT a mobile phone. STP USNG TXT SPK

01-08-2005, 20:31	#10
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,877 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 46 Thanked 86 Times in 76 Posts	Northampton-wise - be careful about speeding there, loads of mobiles about and some on bridges too. Someone local will probably be able to tell you which ones are currently active Quite a trip for a remap, I'm sure you'll enjoy the result though __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

01-08-2005, 21:22	#11
matchmaker Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Stirling Posts: 2,792 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Thanks: 24 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts	Having just returned from a terrific holiday in Ireland (all over - covered over 2000 miles ) I'd say WATCH OUT FOR SPEED CAMERAS!! I didn't see one during the whole 10 days in the ROI. There are hundreds of the bloody things over here __________________ Alan "Darth" - Black Magic Octavia VRS with Forge DV, BMC CDA induction kit, Milltek cat, Supersprint exhaust, Xenons, ESP, cruise, parking sensors and Kumho 225/45/17 tyres Been to Star sufficient bhp & ample lb/ft All time low - 7.8 mpg

01-08-2005, 13:35	#2
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Jabba are in a barn in the middle of nowhere so there's not much worth staying round there for. Cambridge isnt too far away so you oculd go there with the Japanese toursist and take some photos of a bridge. IMO that part of the country is pretty flat and boring with not a lot to do. "Bicester village" designer outlet village is in Bicester, Oxfordshire and is worth a trip if you've not been to one of those before. Its close to Oxford and Silverstone. You can also jump on the train and be in London in under an hour so you could do the London Eye etc. The Cotswolds are nice, close to Silverstone and there are loads of touristy things to do. Stratforn on Avon is a tourist Mecca thanks to some bloke called Sharespeare. Warwick castle isnt' too far from there either. What sort of thing were you hoping to do? Shopping, National Trust places...?

01-08-2005, 13:39	#3
PaulC Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton UK Posts: 1,168 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	where are you stopping firstly town wise?

01-08-2005, 13:46	#5
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	The south coast and all roads leading to it will be seriousy busy during most of August. You could always try a trip to South Wales, nice beaches and great roads.

01-08-2005, 13:58	#7
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	If you're after the August bank holiday (29th) you should find thigs a lot quieter.

01-08-2005, 22:37	#12
bpm ------ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,055 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Combi Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts	Speed Cameras ? What are they ? Seriously though, thats why I got Cruise control. Thanks Mike - it must of taken you a few minutes to write that one! Some of it sounds interesting, I might take some of it in so. Anyone else? I'm not afraid of travelling. __________________ BPM This is a website , NOT a mobile phone. STP USNG TXT SPK

02-08-2005, 11:07	#17
pixi Naughty Pix! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Writing in these boxes is soooo last year! Posts: 6,311 Members Car: 06 Fabia vrs Thanks: 106 Thanked 93 Times in 51 Posts	London is a must, not sure about how easy it would be to park overnight as we always go by train and dont forget the congestion charge. Brighton is excellent aswell, really trendy but still originally English in other parts too if you know what I'm getting at. Bournmouth is OK, Bath is lovely and great for shopping within nice surroundings. Have a good trip __________________

02-08-2005, 19:46	#20
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 15,256 Members Car: 4x4 turbo estate Thanks: 17 Thanked 144 Times in 125 Posts	how about coming a day earlier and coming on a RR day in't south then you'll know what you had pre jabba come on you know you want to!! __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

02-08-2005, 21:23	#21
bpm ------ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,055 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Combi Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts	I've already got the RR done.... 190bhp with 206lbs torque always running on Tescos finest! But thanks for the offer. When and where is it on....I might be tempted to join you! Just on another note.....Does Northern Irish sterling work in the UK mainland? __________________ BPM This is a website , NOT a mobile phone. STP USNG TXT SPK Last edited by bpm; 02-08-2005 at 22:00.

08-08-2005, 20:24	#25
bpm ------ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,055 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Combi Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts	Right, my passenger has decided Scotland is the way to go. So where's the best spot (to stay and see) ? __________________ BPM This is a website , NOT a mobile phone. STP USNG TXT SPK

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode