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
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
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
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 !
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
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 06:43:42 AMYou'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. :no:
Quote from: crewearpley40 on February 09, 2025, 08:10:11 AMYorkshire
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
Also in Ipswich are Orwell models, Coastal dcc, and Scograil, all in the same shop near Derby Road railway station.
Martyn
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.
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 08:56:18 AMQuote from: crewearpley40 on February 09, 2025, 08:10:11 AMYorkshire
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
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 08:56:18 AMNo mention of Yorkshire in the itinerary
In which county are York and Sheffield, then????
Quote from: martyn on February 09, 2025, 08:59:55 AMAlso 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.
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 06:43:42 AMYou'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.
Quote from: chrism on February 09, 2025, 09:17:04 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 08:56:18 AMNo 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
Quote from: crewearpley40 on February 09, 2025, 08:10:11 AMYorkshire
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.
Quote from: martyn on February 09, 2025, 08:46:42 AMWhen 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
There are so many opportunities! I remember going to Bressingham many years ago, when I was a small nipper.
Quote from: Bealman on February 09, 2025, 08:52:23 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 06:43:42 AMYou'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. :no:
Sound advice. I'll pick up a car in Didcot and take it up to Manchester, that way I can wander a bit. Won't need a car in London and will try and travel by train where possible.
Excellent. If you want the details, have a look at my UK 2023 adventure. :thumbsup:
While in Manchester I'd suggest visits to the Museum of Science and Industry in Castlefields and The Lowry (art gallery) in Salford Quays.
Quote from: chrism on February 09, 2025, 09:17:04 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 08:56:18 AMNo mention of Yorkshire in the itinerary
In which county are York and Sheffield, then????
A fair point. I guess Alan must be travelling to those from Manchester in which case, as
@crewearpley40 said, the NYMR would be good if time allows
While you are in London, may I recommend a trip downriver to Crossness Pumping Station?
https://crossness.org.uk/
It's absolutely wonderful. It's only open for a few days a month so you need to check the website before you go.
Cheers,
Chris
In York let your better half loose in the Minster, Jorvik, Fairfax House, the Castle Museum, and the Shambles, while you spend all day at the Railway museum.
Meet up afterwards at Betty's Tea Rooms, well worth queuing up outside for, and will definitely make up for you spending all day looking at trains :D
Oh, and when oop north in Manchester, buy your lunchtime pasties or pies from anybody other than Gregg's. Still plenty of local bakeries to choose from, Greenhalgh's comes to mind.
Regards,
John P
On one of my trips I made it to Duxford, Bletchley Park, Churchill War rooms and HMS Sheffield.
My big mistake was paying for each individually, if I had become a member for a year could have done them all for 1/2 the price.
Of course if you are at York, close by you can do the NYMR and Shildon. (close by Aus/NZ standards)
Quote from: Graham ?link=msg=854821 date=1739137810On one of my trips I made it to Duxford, Bletchley Park, Churchill War rooms and HMS Sheffield.
My big mistake was paying for each individually, if I had become a member for a year could have done them all for 1/2 the price.
Of course if you are at York, close by you can do the NYMR and Shildon. (close by Aus/NZ standards)
Graham
@Graham did you mean HMS belfast ?
I did mean Belfast, obviously got Yorkshire on the brain with NRM etc.
:laugh: :laugh:
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 10:35:23 AMQuote from: chrism on February 09, 2025, 09:17:04 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 08:56:18 AMNo mention of Yorkshire in the itinerary
In which county are York and Sheffield, then????
A fair point. I guess Alan must be travelling to those from Manchester in which case, as @crewearpley40 said, the NYMR would be good if time allows
East Lancashire Railway
KWVR
Alan
Good luck in what you choose to visit, enjoy the trip and safe flight !
Quote from: KiwiAlan on February 09, 2025, 09:28:56 AMQuote from: Bealman on February 09, 2025, 08:52:23 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 06:43:42 AMYou'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. :no:
Sound advice. I'll pick up a car in Didcot and take it up to Manchester, that way I can wander a bit. Won't need a car in London and will try and travel by train where possible.
Driving up the M5/M6 from the Cotswolds up to Manchester - now there's a day you won't enjoy. I recommend that you do not try this journey on a Friday afternoon or summer Saturday. These motorways can be hard slow going due to the density of traffic.
Amen to that. I was stuck there for two hours, not moving at all. And I mean NOT moving AT all.
In London visit the London Transport Museum as it's of interest to everyone and has free music performances some days. A ticket can also link you to a 'discovery' trip into old parts of london's history - mine went down the disused tram tunnel in Kingsway. The museum is in Covent Garden which is now full of eateries and shops suited to non-train enthusiasts.
From Ipswich you might visit the old docks area where railway lines were in use into the '60's - now a marina area. Take a train to Norwich a beautiful city centre, riverside and castle and from there either continue to Sheringham by train for the NNR Or return via Lowestoft and the East Suffolk line which would take you across 3 swing bridges! Bringing you alongside the Broads and thru Suffolk's remoter countryside. Likely you'll ride in comfort in the Stadler 754/755 FLIRT sets.
Quote from: KiwiAlan on February 09, 2025, 09:22:34 AMI 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.
Oh no! We went there off-season on one of our UK trips. I did my best at the model shop and bought some Metcalfe kits. Evidently not enough to keep the doors open :(
You probably don't want to visit Bath, but just in case your missus is a Jane Austen fan, stock up on your books from The Titfield Thunderbolt Bookshop.
Even if you don't visit Bath, order your books online and get them delivered to a place you are staying. Bring them home in your luggage and save on the hostage, sorry, postage.
Lots of other booksellers as well.
Enjoy,
(Jealous) Mark
I note that KiwiAlan is intending to visit Didcot Railway Centre, and further down his list of "must dos", is the Pendon Museum at Long Wittenham. Whenever I've visited the Great Western Society at Didcot, I've often paired that with a visit to Pendon Museum - if you go by car, it's only about four or five miles from Didcot. I still think that it's probably the finest railway and landscape modelling that I'll ever see. (A visit there often results in me looking rather wistfully over my stored collection of EM gauge stock!)
agree, on a visit from Aus a few years ago we went to Pendon first then Didcot, both very easily doable in a day. And both very worthwile.
Quote from: Cols on March 14, 2025, 05:55:35 PMI note that KiwiAlan is intending to visit Didcot Railway Centre, and further down his list of "must dos", is the Pendon Museum at Long Wittenham. Whenever I've visited the Great Western Society at Didcot, I've often paired that with a visit to Pendon Museum - if you go by car, it's only about four or five miles from Didcot. I still think that it's probably the finest railway and landscape modelling that I'll ever see. (A visit there often results in me looking rather wistfully over my stored collection of EM gauge stock!)
I have memories of long days at Pendon, pressing buttons and watching trains crossing the viaduct, while my father would be making trees, or at least I think that's what he was making. I would have been about 8 at the time.
I'm told that when we lived in Brignorth in the 1970's that my father would take me into the SVR yard and we would clamber across the various locomotives. My mother was not amused by me arriving home covered in coal dust.
Visited Didcot many times when living in the Cotswolds, but due to age probably didn't appreciate it fully. Will compensate this trip.
I was very fortunate at a child to have had a train obsessed father.
Nothing to do with trains, but if you are planning to hire a car, can I suggest being very careful and taking comprehensive photos of the vehicle both inside and out before you take it out of the depot. Including places like underneath the dashboard.
We have hired a car a few times while in the UK, always from big companies, and they nearly always seem to rip us off at least slightly.
Last time the company tried to charge us 250 pounds for damage we didn't do even though we had paid extra to lower our excess. That was after we got home, and despite their representative at Heathrow clearing the car as ok. They did eventually back down, but we won't use that company again.
Maybe we have been unlucky, but we have never had similar problems with firms in Australia or NZ.
PS I know the same things can happen in other countries too! Would suggest same advice wherever you are. I haven't named the firm deliberately as others may well behave similarly.
Agree with above. Had some problems a couple of years ago. Full details here:
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=63223.0
(Outcome in post #402)
If you are going to be in Didcot, not far away in Swindon is the GWR museum, "Steam", housed in part of the old Swindon works. Right next door is a big outlet shopping centre for anyone not interested in railways.
And The Gluepot. Probably the best pub in that area of Swindon :beers:
Quote from: tunneroner61 on February 09, 2025, 10:02:49 AMWhile in Manchester I'd suggest visits to the Museum of Science and Industry in Castlefields and The Lowry (art gallery) in Salford Quays.
The railway parts are currently closed for renovation but should be reopened by late July. It would be worth checking before making plans.
There is still an interesting 1940s/1950s computer exhibition as well if thermionic valves are your thing!
Anyone visiting Norfolk could go to.
https://www.radarmuseum.co.uk/ if you are on lucky I'll show you round on a Friday.
You could also go to https://www.bvrw.co.uk/
Which is only a couple of miles away.
Plus there is of course the Norfolk Broads To visit.
Quote from: The Q on April 08, 2025, 02:06:40 PMAnyone visiting Norfolk could go to.
https://www.radarmuseum.co.uk/ if you are on lucky I'll show you round on a Friday.
You could also go to https://www.bvrw.co.uk/
Which is only a couple of miles away.
Plus there is of course the Norfolk Broads To visit.
So many places to go, so little time! I may need to cash in some brownie points with SWMBO.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention
Alan
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 09, 2025, 08:56:18 AMQuote from: crewearpley40 on February 09, 2025, 08:10:11 AMYorkshire
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
Was not a "well known retailer in Sheffield" mentioned in the initial post in itinerary - or has the home of cutlery been moved to a new location?
See reply #19 :)
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 09, 2025, 05:01:44 AMSee reply #19 :)
Indeed - me got there after commenting and before reading anything else....
Did also subsequently note the suggestion of taking a trip over the Pennines between Lancs and Yorks while staying in Manchester and reminding
@KiwiAlan that he ensure all his paperwork is in order for border control.... :D
Yeah. Look out for the border signs in this clip ;)