Da Mooses Planning an Adventure to U.K.

[joe cassidy]

You've seen more of the British Isles and Ireland than most Brits, me included 

[Bealman]

Bit better than my last visit ("Bealman's Unexpected UK Adventure" - on the forum somewhere.... can't remember where) - I spent 7 nights in a care home!! 

[Moose2013]

I spent 7 nights in a care home!! 

[Bealman]

Yep, Hotel California.... You can check out any time that you like, but you can never leave! 

[crewearpley40]

Thanks for the comprehensive list moose. Sounds like plenty of interesting ideas to think about

[Bealman]

Uk adventure:

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=22698.msg236255#msg236255

[Moose2013]

Uk adventure...

Thank you for sharing the link. Just went through it.  Brought back memories of some of places da Mooses visited as well. Gave Moose some ideas too...
 

[crewearpley40]

Dear Mr and Mrs moose. Plenty of walking places ... Lake District, Yorkshire dales, peak district   Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Dorset . Why not surf the net for tourist boards etc. Depends on how much time one has on your visit. Chris.

[dannyboy]

"Ireland (southern Region)".

That's like saying describing Canada as a northern region of the US (which I imagine the US would probably like!)

To be fair, the island of Ireland is divided into Northern and Southern.

[Steven B]

To be fair the Republic of Ireland has a south and north just like any other country (and a west coast and east coast).

Isn't the northern most part of Eire more north than the UK province of Northern Ireland?

Perhaps da Moose simply prefers the idea of going to Cork to Donegal?

Steven.

[dannyboy]

Isn't the northern most part of Eire more north than the UK province of Northern Ireland?

From Wikipedia -
Northernmost point: Banba's Crown (the tip of Malin Head), Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland (Latitude: 55° 23′ 4″ N)

[Train Waiting]

Thank you very much for those helpful lists of places, Mr Moose.  And also for your general criteria.

Incidentally, I found your split of already visited places into 'Again' and 'Not Again' for another visit to be interesting.

Where you visit on your next trip depends on how much time at your disposal and your preferred methods of transportation.  And, obviously, some visits might require you to, at least, pass through certain places on your 'Not Again' list. 

In order not make this post too long, I'll restrict myself to the north of Great Britain at present*.  I can help with further south later if you wish.  And, importantly, I know everywhere I'll mention well.

Lets start at the top!

Shetland Islands - often simply called Shetland.  A lot of islands and few people.  Fishing and oil-related industries.  Lerwick is the major centre.  In many ways, more Norse than Scots.  Travelling around is interesting with a combination of car, ferry and aircraft likely to be used.

Reached by sailing from Aberdeen or by flying from several airports but please check the flights carefully before visiting.  The sea crossing can be rough at times.  And the 'over the lighthouse' approach to Sumburgh Airport involves flying towards a hillside and a sharp banking turn to port at the last minute!  Some pilots advise the passengers that this is the approach they will use.  The alternative approach, over the sea, is less exciting.

In my view (and this is a strictly personal opinion), unless you have a clear reason for going, Shetland is probably a lot of effort for limited return.  But, if you have a reason - you will likely love it.

Steam trains in Scotland are fairly limited - Fort William-Mallaig, Aviemore and Bo'ness are the main places for regular steam.  As these areas feature on your 'Not Again' list, I'll say no more.

Falkirk is an historic and industrial town but, with one exception, it might not have much of interest.  Although canals are not included in you general criteria, it is the meeting place of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals and there is much of canal-related interest in the area, including the 'Falkirk Wheel' boat lift.

Edinburgh is a good centre and has Scotland's best model shop - Harburn Hobbies, as mentioned often on my Poppingham layout thread.

North Berwick is an attractive and prosperous seaside town, with its own (electrified!) branch line from Drem, but the trains run through to Edinburgh.  Fairly close by, but really requiring an automobile to visit, is Glenkinchie Distillery.  As an aside, Johnnie Walker, owner of Glenkinchie, now has its 'Visitor Experience' on Princes Street, Edinburgh.  I haven't been so cannot comment.  Great for access by public transport, though!

Not on your list, but well worth a visit, is the historic border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed - usually shortened to 'Berwick' in conversation.  Easily reached by train from Edinburgh, along a wonderfully scenic railway.  Please sit on the left-hand side of the train going south.  The town, the Tweed, the bridges (including the Royal Border Bridge) and the swans are all wonderful. 







Easily reached by train from Berwick-upon-Tweed, and not on your list as far as I could see, is Durham.  A glorious cathedral city located within a meander loop of the river Wear.  A castle beside the Norman cathedral.  This cathedral is one on Britain's finest - perhaps the finest.  The railway curves round the city, partly on a splendid viaduct.

Travelling south from Edinburgh by train in the other direction is Carlisle, an interesting border city located near the Solway.  From Carlisle, train trips to Dumfries and over the Settle-Carlisle line are tempting.  But I'll be contrary and go round the scenic Cumbrian coast, skirting the Lake District.  Best to sit on the right-hand side going south.  Workington is a post-industrial town but only represents a short section of the journey.

If you get off at Ravenglass - the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park - there are Roman remains to be seen.  Ravenglass was an important Roman port.  Also at Ravenglass is the superb Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, which is a minimum gauge (15") line taking you about six miles inland to the foot (in relative terms!) of England's highest mountain.  Almost all the trains are steam-hauled and there are excellent cafes at each end of the line.






The main line station building is now 'The Ratty Arms', the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway's own pub!  There are other nice country pubs located a short walk from Dalegarth and 'The Green' stations.  Finally, at Ravenglass is Muncaster Castle.

Heading south from Ravenglass, the journey to Carnforth (or, most likely, Lancaster) is scenic, especially from the right-hand side of the train.  This journey goes through Barrow-in-Furness, which is an important industrial centre where boats are built.  If you go this way, I suggest you head for Lancaster which is an interesting historic city in its own right, with lots of options for further travel.

* Diverting away from Great Britain for a moment.  Kilkenny in Ireland is a lovely town and well worth a visit.  You mentioned the 'Arran Islands'.  I expect you mean the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway.  The island of Arran is off the Ayrshire coast in south-west Scotland.

Glad to help further if you wish.

With all best wishes.

John

[crewearpley40]

A trip on settle carlisle too maybe. https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/

[Bealman]

Awesome, as always, John. 

[The Q]

You appear to have missed the East of England, I can tell you about Norfolk.
Watery places.. We got Watery places, 130 miles ish of navigable waterways called the Norfolk Broads, the land of 2 of  the Swallows and Amazon books if you remember them ("Coot club" and "the Big Six") it's not officially a national park but is allowed to advertise itself as one..
a hire day boat from Potter Heigham to visit the quieter places such as Hickling Broad and Horsey mere is advised.. get an electric one .. no diesel thumping away.

Norwich.. Two cathedrals, a castle, and Elm Street. No not that nightmare, but a historic one used in many Films. and https://www.greateasternmodels.co.uk/
Norwich market, founded before 1100, along side  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwich_Guildhall

Wroxham and Hoveton two adjoining villages either side of a river.
In Hoveton:
Wroxham Minature  worlds https://wroxhamminiatureworlds.co.uk/
The Bure Valley Railway https://www.bvrw.co.uk/ , they have a model railway shop at the far end, and Alysham itself is an old town and worth a wander around.
The Barton House Railway, in Wroxham, https://www.facebook.com/BHRailway/
and since you are in Wroxham how about hiring a day motorboat to go visit this..

https://youtu.be/L28qe_h48zQ ( the race might not be on but the scenery is beautiful)

https://youtu.be/JZmA78lCyw0 at 3 minutes in it's actually hovering over the  Bure valley railway and Minature worlds.
There are plenty of pubs on the river If you come for a visit I can advise..

Take the public railway  from Hoveton to Sheringham, and visit,
the North Norfolk Railway https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
and in the main street https://smithsmodelrailways.co.uk/


other railways in Norfolk,
https://whitwellstation.com/
https://www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/
Not a railway But. http://www.strumpshawsteammuseum.co.uk/

There are model railway shows on occasionally, once we've got the dates of your visit we can look up when and where.
If you do come to Norfolk , I can arrange for you to Visit Broadland Model railway club http://broadlandmodelrailwayclub.co.uk/

and this might help https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/

Walks St Benets Abbey on the broads,
Along the Coast at Waxham to Horsey, seals on the beach at the coast, wildlife on the broads. 
up Beeston bump Near Cromer.