Visit to the UK

[KiwiAlan]

Hi

Your advice is sought.

In July, we will travel to the UK from New Zealand to see family and friends. We have a month in the UK, and there are a few non-negotiables, but there is some freedom to set activities to include.

During the trip, we have 10 days in London, 4 in the Cotswolds, 4 in Ipswich and 4 in Manchester.

So far, I've pencilled in the following:
 - Didcot Railway Centre
 - Gloucester Warwickshire Steam Railway
 - Pendon Museum
 - National Railway Museum at York
 - A well-known retailer in Sheffield
 - Spitfire Factory, Biggin Hill

Can you suggest anything that would be an enjoyable experience for me to take the beloved to without cashing in too many 'brownie points'?

Thanks

KiwiAlan

[Chris Morris]

That all sounds very good. The Glos & Warks is very nice, if you check you might find a day when the narrow gauge railway is operating as well. If you are in the Cotswolds you might find time to call into Cheltenham Model Centre. Its very near Cheltenham centre and about 10 minutes walk from a John Lewis shop. The Severn Valley Railway isn't far from the Cotswolds. Its a shame you aren't spending a few days in Yorkshire as you could visit the North York Moors railway and The Model Centre. Rails is very much worth a visit, all 3 (or is that now 4) shops.

You might find you can get to an exhibition - see https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/event/y2025/m6

[Newportnobby]

You're coming during part of school holidays in the UK so expect things to be both crowded and expensive in the latter half of July.
The Cotswolds are glorious but busy, especially tourist attractions such as Bourton on the Water, Broadway, Moreton in the Marsh etc (plenty of YouTube clips to whet your appetite)

Are you hiring a car to get about in? If so @Bealman can maybe comment on potential issues/pitfalls

[crewearpley40]

Yorkshire

Kwvr
A little wonder round Bronte country always goes down a treat with the ladies
Scarborough


A hire car is useful as mick points out !

[martyn]

When in Ipswich Duxford museum is possible by car and the North Norfolk and mid Norfolk railway by car or public transport.

On a smaller scale, there are the mid Suffolk light railway, the Colne Valley railway,   East Anglia railway museum,  and the transport museum at Carleton Colville (Lowestoft), and Bressingham museum (railways and extensive garden).

The Chatham model rail show is 19-20 July.

Martyn

[Bealman]

You're coming during part of school holidays in the UK so expect things to be both crowded and expensive in the latter half of July.
The Cotswolds are glorious but busy, especially tourist attractions such as Bourton on the Water, Broadway, Moreton in the Marsh etc (plenty of YouTube clips to whet your appetite)

Are you hiring a car to get about in? If so @Bealman can maybe comment on potential issues/pitfalls

Simple. In a strange environment, don't even think about hiring an electric car.

[Newportnobby]

Yorkshire

Kwvr
A little wonder round Bronte country always goes down a treat with the ladies
Scarborough


A hire car is useful as mick points out !

No mention of Yorkshire in the itinerary

[martyn]

Also in Ipswich are Orwell models, Coastal dcc, and Scograil, all in the same shop near Derby Road railway station.

Martyn

[GrahamB]

I would suggest "my" railway (I'm a volunteer there), the Kent & East Sussex Railway. Train from Charing Cross, Waterloo East or London Bridge, depending where your London hotel is, No 12 bus to Tenterden where you could leave your wife shopping while you visit us. If you want to keep her spending in check, take our steam or heritage DMMU to Bodiam, visit the castle and/or enjoy lunch in the pub. The return journey by steam would take you up one of the steepest standard gauge gradients in the country and the loco will really work to get back to Tenterden. Return the same way and the bus runs quite late so you could enjoy a meal in Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald.

Oh, the bus also passes Headcorn airfield. If you're lucky you may see a Spitfire actually flying. They fly a couple of two seater variants along with a Harvard and the odd Tiger Moth.

[crewearpley40]

Yorkshire

Kwvr
A little wonder round Bronte country always goes down a treat with the ladies
Scarborough


A hire car is useful as mick points out !

No mention of Yorkshire in the itinerary

Only an hour or so from Manchester. There's always the
East Lancashire Railway at bury

[chrism]

No mention of Yorkshire in the itinerary

In which county are York and Sheffield, then?

[KiwiAlan]

Also in Ipswich are Orwell models, Coastal dcc, and Scograil, all in the same shop near Derby Road railway station.

Martyn

It sounds like a good place to pop into.

[KiwiAlan]

You're coming during part of school holidays in the UK so expect things to be both crowded and expensive in the latter half of July.
The Cotswolds are glorious but busy, especially tourist attractions such as Bourton on the Water, Broadway, Moreton in the Marsh etc (plenty of YouTube clips to whet your appetite)

Are you hiring a car to get about in? If so @Bealman can maybe comment on potential issues/pitfalls

I grew up in the neighbourhood and so am well used to the "summer people". It's a shame that the model shop in Bourton-on-the-water is now closed.

[crewearpley40]

No mention of Yorkshire in the itinerary

In which county are York and Sheffield, then?

One did mention a well known retailer in Sheffield and it's a nice ride on the train through the picturesque Hope Valley

[KiwiAlan]

Yorkshire

Kwvr
A little wonder round Bronte country always goes down a treat with the ladies
Scarborough


A hire car is useful as mick points out !

I think taking the beloved to North Yorkshire might be a stretch.