Deuce 1 #1 June 17, 2004 I'll be in the UK before and after the Herc Boogie. Before, I'll have the wife and kids, and need to rent a car. I did this in Australia a very long time ago, and could drive on that side of the road pretty good and only screwed it up at 4 way stops . Car rental places to use/avoid? Places to stay and things to not miss in London? Current plan is a few days in London, up to Scotland, back to London via Wales. After the Herc Boogie I'll be skydiving a few days back in Britain before heading home. So, locals, what to see and what to avoid? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #2 June 17, 2004 I was kinda local. Car rental: if you wanna rent a cool small car, try www.easycar.com: they should have Smarts and Merc A class cars, but with wife and kids, the Smart will be on the small side.. a little.. lol. Other wise, all the major players are based at Heathrow. Whats kind of stuff do you guys like? Karen and I enjoyed the London Tower as far as touristy stuff. Cant go wront with the major museums either: if you are into modern art, the Tate Modern is one cool space. For places to stay, how much are you willing to spend? lolRemster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #3 June 17, 2004 Lots of questions! Car rental... I don't think you'll go too far wrong with anyone you find at the airport. Easy Rent-a-car are generally pretty cheap - even more so if you book well in advance. Things to see in London... that entirely depends on your interests and those of your travelling companions! Places to stay - not sure, haven't had to stay in a hotel in London for years. If you do a search for cheap hotels + London on google, you may get a bargain but in mid-summer I imagine everything will be pretty expensive. On your way up to Scotland please stop at Oxford and have a look round - it is a truly beautiful city/University and it would be a crime to miss it! On your way back from Wales to London you could easily drive past Stonehenge without going too far out of your way. Coincidentally (!) that brings you to within a few miles of Netheravon and there will be lots of friendly faces there (me included!) who you will have already met at the Herc Boogie. If you want to plan your route to bypass a few DZs, you could check out this map on the BPA website. hth! PM me if I can be of any help before you get here or once you're here. Or there will be loads of Brits to help you decide on fun stuff to do at the Herc Boogie! Vicki Edited: for several stoopid typos! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #4 June 17, 2004 I'll be with the family in Britain before the Herc boogie. I'll be there solo a few days after. As for hotels, I was hoping for some Non-Ramada local pensione-type places. I know that is probably pretty impossible in London, but for the rest of the trip. Tower of London, check. That's something my 7 year olds will dig. Museums probably not a big hit with them, depending. Oxford, check. My Mrs. mentioned that as a stopover. Teeny car, BZZZZT. Not one, but three female travel companions. I'll probably need a Unimog. Netheravon? ANybody going to be jumping after the Herc Boogie? I'm in the UK for five days after Sweden, sans family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #5 June 17, 2004 QuoteThat's something my 7 year olds will dig. Museums probably not a big hit with them, depending. Both the Science Museum and Natural History museum (next door to one another and free to get into) are great for kids - the entrance to the Nat Hist Museum has big dinosaur skeletons and all kinds of cool stuff that kids will enjoy. The Science Museum has a special childrens gallery with science related stuff for kids to mess around with. It also has a flight gallery full of various historic aircraft which I dare you not to enjoy... QuoteOxford, check. My Mrs. mentioned that as a stopover. It's beautiful - you can do the whole city in a day if you don't mind walking a bit. QuoteNetheravon? ANybody going to be jumping after the Herc Boogie? I'm in the UK for five days after Sweden, sans family. Nethers is only really busy at the weekends - I get back from Sweden early morning on Sunday 1st August,and I daresay I'll be at Nethers that day... Places that are open during the week include Headcorn, Langar, Hibaldstow, Sibson and Hinton. Headcorn, Sibson and Hinton are probably closest to London. Shout if you need any more info! Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #6 June 17, 2004 Read up on roundabouts - they'd be the hardest change. Oh, and no right (or left for that matter) turn on red lights, but I'm sure you knew that. When I have to stay in London I use this hotel: http://www.bonnington.com/ It's like £50 a night if you book on line and its not a peak week or something. It's a very nice hotel, something like a 3 or 4 star, but not palacial or anything. There's parking in an underground car park next door but be warned, it is RIGHT in the centre of london so getting there may be a nightmare. Just north of the very city centre about 500yds from tube station in Zone 1 (holbourn). (tube tickets are zoned - all the cool stuff and city centre is in zone 1 - the outer rings things tend to tail off and become more residential... and the ticket price goes up). It's also less than a mile from Lincoln's Inn (http://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/) which is where I was called to the bar. This is a cool place to visit with loads of very old architecture where all the barristers hang out and just round the corner from the Royal Courts of Justice, again a nice cool, very very old building. You can easily find hotels boasting more stars and facilities etc, but I've never been able to find one as nice as the Bonnington for as little as £50 a night... not in London. Remember the congestion charge if you're driving in London. You'll prob be able to buy it from the rental people - its a kinda permit for being allowed to drive in the centre of london. There are cameras up which take your registration plate and send you a fine if you don't have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #7 June 17, 2004 QuoteTeeny car, BZZZZT. Not one, but three female travel companions. I'll probably need a Unimog. They're called People Carrier (aka minivans), and they'll be expensive. The A Class is pretty roomy, but 3 women.. YIKES! lol If your ladies like shopping, and you dont mind tagging along in a different setting, try the shops at the Candem Locks. It gets very busy on the weekends. Atke a stroll on the Tames, the London Eye (that big ferris wheel)... lots to do....Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #8 June 17, 2004 Agree about Easy for car rental. Another American friend of ours rented from them while she was over here and as I remember found them pretty cheap and hassle-free. Good for you for taking in Scotland and Wales - there are some beautiful places to see and given the time of year you might even get lucky with the weather! Haven't made it on there myself yet, but people say the Millenium Eye is a must-do while you're in London. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #9 June 17, 2004 and if you're stopping in oxford then go punting on the river (imagine those gondoliers in Venice but down a country river bank as opposed to a city). traditionally oxford type thing to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #10 June 17, 2004 QuoteHaven't made it on there myself yet, but people say the Millenium Eye is a must-do while you're in London. Agreed - that's a must. Adam and I did the London Eye this last winter and it was well worth it. Definitely book in advance though (you only need to book a day or two ahead usually) otherwise, especially in summer, you could end up queuing for hours! Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #11 June 17, 2004 Quote Read up on roundabouts - they'd be the hardest change. I LOVE roundabouts! In the Pre-Kid Era we rented a Fiat Punto in Rome. And when in Rome, drive like the Romans do! I'm mostly concerned about looking left for oncoming traffic and getting hit by a bus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #12 June 17, 2004 Do not rent a Renault Cleo 4 door. Trust me. It will probably not make it up the hill just past Stonehenge. Se Stonehenge. It's quite a powerfull place. Don't let your kids bug the Coldstream Guards too much. They've been standing still for a long time, who knows when they might snap? Take the girls to one of the Ice Cream Trucks and get them a "Flakey Cone" (or something like that.) See the Tower of London. They got some neat rocks there. Oggle Big Ben like all the other tourists. Ride a Double Decker. The best ones are in Liverpool. If you're going up North at all see Liverpool, and furthur north yet Edinburgh. It's one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I have fond memories of my 7 trips to England as a kid and an adult.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kerr 0 #13 June 17, 2004 QuoteTake the girls to one of the Ice Cream Trucks and get them a "Flakey Cone" (or something like that.) That'll be a "'99" What you really need to do is wait till you're in Scotland and get deep fried Mars bars (in batter) and Irn-Bru. -- Kerr Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #14 June 17, 2004 Quotedeep fried Mars bars Some people still dont believe me... I have to show them the picture ... lolRemster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #15 June 18, 2004 QuoteQuote Read up on roundabouts - they'd be the hardest change. I LOVE roundabouts! In the Pre-Kid Era we rented a Fiat Punto in Rome. And when in Rome, drive like the Romans do! I'm mostly concerned about looking left for oncoming traffic and getting hit by a bus. :) I like roundabouts. Do you have them in the US? I haven't seen them when I was there, but I didn't get around all that much.... They're much better than those silly 4-way stop intersections. How crap are they?-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #16 June 18, 2004 No I have never seen a roundabout in the US. My take on them was that they were like a vehicular version of a cage match. Like I said, my first one was in Rome, in a Punto, and it was great fun. The Romans taught me how to drive, gesture with both hands and honk with my knee while commanding my wife to operate the shift. Magnificent fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damion75 0 #17 June 18, 2004 Quote So, locals, what to see and what to avoid? I can't believe that nobody has warned you not to go out on the moors at night, and don't stray from the path!! Don't miss out on Stonehenge (although your kids might not see the point so go after the Herc Boogie) If you can, when heading up to or down from Scotland, stop for a peer in the Lake District (Cumbria) and have tea in Keswick or Windermere. Its gorgeous up there. *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #18 June 18, 2004 Cumbria? Is that the "Cumbria am bith" (or something phoenetically similar) place, or some such? I bought a really nice Welsh rugby jersey on a stopover at Gibraltar, once. This gigantic drunken Welsh housewife challenged me to a fistfight for being a Yank and daring to wear such a thing. At dinner on a Cunard cruise ship! At the Surgeon's table no less. God, I love those people! Can't wait to be seriously outnumbered by them in a pub! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #19 June 18, 2004 "Some people still dont believe me... I have to show them the picture ... lol" No sooner said than done Rem. I have never sampled this variety of confectionery, therefore, user assumes all responsibility!-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #20 June 18, 2004 QuoteNo I have never seen a roundabout in the US. We have a couple of them up here right in the town I live..They are not real common but they really are all over the place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #21 June 18, 2004 Roundabouts are pretty easy once you get the hang of them, but terrifying for the uninitiated. Give way to everything on/from your right, and you might just get out of one alive.. Another big change in driving over here, apart from the obvious crazy wrong side of the road stuff, is overtaking on the inside (left side) is generally frowned upon. Our right hand turns are similar to your left hand turns, in terms of keeping your head on a swivel, for potential hazards. There's no sneak thru similar to your left hand turns at intersections. We could definitely learn from you guys on that one! Ooooh, and there's a fair chance you will have to deal with an extra pedal and a manual transmision. http://www.eastmead.com/driving_uk.htm is an online inroduction to driving on our misty isle. Its got better pictures than I have words for negotiating roundabouts.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caz 0 #22 June 18, 2004 As far as hotels go, I work for a hotel group so if you need pointers about where to stay please feel free to PM me, I can probably get you some cheaper rates than you would usually get if we have hotels in the area as well. ~~~ London Skydivers ~~~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #23 June 18, 2004 Hi Deuce, Do you REALLY need the car while you're in London . If you're following MR2Mk1G's advice on hotels you're almost certainly better off on public transport. Driving in London is a nightmare and not for the inexperienced / furriner. Average traffic speed is now less than it was in 1850. Yeah... Horses were faster. Now for some light reading.... http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/ With particular attention to: http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/drivers.shtml AND FOR GOD'S SAKE LEARN AND UNDERSTAND: http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/17.shtml Mike. Edited to add: Familiarise yourself with: http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs_index.shtml The general rule is that signs giving orders are circular, signs giving warnings are triangular and signs giving information are rectangular. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #24 June 19, 2004 Yeah, after engaging my brain, what we'll do is hire (wait, you guys have got me doing it ) I mean, rent, a car when we leave London and head north to the land of NacMac. Thanks all, for all the help. Beats the heck out of Fromer's! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BASE813 0 #25 June 19, 2004 deep fried mars bars................ that is so so wrong!!! dirty northern monkeys!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
