Hi. I will finally go there during the half of september, arriving on 19th and departing on oct 1st. I have some question, many really,but let's start with the ones I have right now on my mind. 1. Is it possible, based in London, to visit 100 miles ahead (more or less) places by car during the day? Eg. Bath + Sontehenge + North Wessex Downs or is it too much? 2. Where to travel by steam train. I choose the train from Pickering to Whitby but perhaps there are others better? David you suggested something the last time I aske, but can't remember. 3. If you should choose some, 3-4, places to visit away from London which ones you would choose? I thought on york, Edhinmburg, Stratford, Oxford, Bath, Stonehenge, The Costwolds (Bibury?). What place I can't miss? 4. I could see many flea and antiques markets. I'll stay in London 4 complete days plus the arriving and departing days. Which market do you suggest? It is all by now. I'm a little bit confused. Juan
Hi Juan, Glad you are still coming over! It is possible to do that sort of distance in a day but whether it would be worth it as part of a holiday is another matter? (driving in and out of London??? Very tiring ) If you go to Bath from London better to stay for a night/Travelodge/Holiday Inn? There is so much to see and do in London anyway, 4 days will fly by I used to know the markets but am out of touch, I'm sure someone else will know? Best wishes, pb
Check out these: http://www.londonfamilies.co.uk/Going_out_pages/steam_trains.htm I would recommend the Bluebell railway. Flea markets in London? Long gone - all replace with car boot sales. All expensive 'antique' markets now, though Camden Passage is interesting: http://www.camdenpassageislington.co.uk/ Old Covent Garden market is interesting, and has the London Transport museum located there - very good. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d189048-Reviews-London_Transport_Museum-London_England.html If you want a taste of Dickensian London, walk along Fleet Street and down Middle Temple Lane. That will take you into the Temple, and the Inns of Court, a haven of peace around Fountain Court will be found there. Entrance to Middle Temple Lane: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.513728,-0.1115427,3a,75y,181.69h,88.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sikSpbkA83W2t1xAvYa_zLg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en Across the river in Southwark, H.M.S. Belfast is a must! http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast Close by is the Borough Market behind Southwark Cathedral http://www.stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/ There are also other historic ships in St Katherines Dock close by the Tower of London, and the Cutty Sark is not far away in Greenwich. http://www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark That's filled your available time. I would not suggest you travel too far to see other towns beautiful as many are - it just takes too long.
I doubt there's anything better (maybe I'm a bit biased!) but there will certainly be railways nearer London, Juan, if that's where you're going to be based during your stay here. Whitby / Grosmont / Pickering is about 200 miles north of London so you'd probably need to stay in the area overnight, possibly two nights. I was there with Trevor (shagratork) just last week and we had a great day out. Depending on which day you choose to visit, I'm sure either or both of us would be happy to show you around the railway. I'm seeing him tomorrow and I'll mention it to him...
You would need good reason to be interested in Stonehenge. They have roped off all the stones so all you get is a view from a distance and a visitor centre souvenir shop. I saw it when you could walk among and touch the stones. Even then it's a bit tame unless it's a subject that interests you. With only a few days I suspect you will find better uses of time.
Derek, i think you should hire yourself out as a tour organiser! You have a knack for connecting the little known gems and bringing them closer together The London transport museum is such a gem, Where else can you find grown men queueing up to have a go at driving a tube train? Great fun!!! I haven't visited any of the London museums for a few years but always liked to wander around the V & A and study the ironwork treasures and have tea in a William Morris room... Is the Tate Modern still free to wander around i wonder? Juan, if you are spending a specific day at a railway it is best to find out if they are fully open? Some close or partially close around this time of year? Some only offer certain 'Steam days' so best to double check? I am excited for you! pb
Cheers PB, over 30yrs of driving in and around London delivering and carrying passengers does improve the knowledge! Tate Modern is free entry. Think it would be more interesting to visit were it still a power station.
There is only a limited amount of Tate Modern that is free. The special exhibitions are pay on entry.
It is because it is something I saw in pictures since I was a child, like the Eiffel tower in Paris. Good advice, thank you.
Ah!, Do you have the legendary 'knowledge' then, Derek? Yes, I get what you're saying about Bankside power station, alas i do like some of the Art there but also the lines of the building itself, just glad it was saved? whoops, sorry goin off the topic pb
No, not the Black Cab knowledge, but spent a long time on two and four wheels delivering, and driving buses and Green Line coaches. Never been inside the Tate Modern, just that their website states free entry. I wouldn't bother with Stonehenge either, Avebury is more interesting - and it has Pubs!
North York Moors Railway is operating fully until October 30th but patchy thereafter. Here's the timetable anyway:- http://www.nymr.co.uk/timetables-and-fares/timetable/
Yes! you couldn't get a more British stone circle, half a village in it an roads going through it! pb
I just love the North York Moors Railway. I will never forget the magical day when we were on Grosmont station when Sir Nigel Gresly steamed in. ::Neil::
Sir Nigel Gresley won't be steaming anywhere for the foreseeable future - this was he last Wednesday at the National Railway Museum, York:- His boiler's out the back and his wheels are currently being re-tyred in Somerset (I think it was). The rest is [strike]scattered[/strike] neatly stacked around the workshop with many new parts and his tender is resting quietly in the far corner:- This is one of Gresley's corridor tenders which allowed crews to be changed without stopping during runs up the East Coast Mail Line between London and Edinburgh. The corridor can be seen through the connecting door and on the far side. You'd have to be pretty slim to get through from the first coach to the cab...
The great man at Grosmont Aug 2006. I was on the platform so really too close to get a good side on shot. Also he was running tender first so a good head on shot was difficult. Impressive beast. ::Neil::
Lovely pics, Neil - someone's had the tin of polish out! The whole railway is very photogenic, particularly the Grosmont end of the line. I think I feel another visit coming on soon. I'm lucky to live up here with both the York and (especially) Shildon parts of the National Railway Museum within easy reach. The big meet-up with all six remaining A4 Pacifics together earlier in the year was a lifetime experience for me...
Travelling from London to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is too big a journey for one day. However, travelling by rail to York and staying for a night or two is a possibility. York, as well as being a wonderful place to visit with the fantastic York Minster, has the National Railway Museum. From there it is not far to the the North Yorkshire Moors railway. For anyone who has never been to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, here is a very small sample of what to expect. I was there with Davis_S on 9th August. We then went to the picturesque fishing port of Whitby and had fish and chips is the UK's award-winning fish and chip restaurant. It was a wonderful day.
My favourite loco. Used to rush out of school and cycle up to Wood Green Station to watch which engine headed up the Northbound Elizabethan out of Kings Cross. Usually an A4, though sometimes an A1 or V2. Still got my Ian Allan combined book with underlined cops. Then came the blue Deltics, and the interest waned.
Ok. North York Moore Railway seems to be a good idea... Nice pics, thank you. I could read that from Pickering to Whitby is about 1,5 hourse. Could it be? Does it stop at any station? Grosmont is the best place? Neil, I'd like at least to take a coffe toghether. I'll stay in London for about 9 days so I guess we can meet somewhere during my holidays. Most probably I'll meet David and I hope I can meet somebody else!!
Hello Juan If you do decide to travel to York and spend one or two days in North Yorkshire then I am sure that David and I could meet you and take you to all the places of interest, including the National Railway Museum, the City of York, the Minster and and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway - and even fish and chips in Whitby! But I also understand that your time in the UK is limited.
Juan. I am only about 25 miles North of London. Depending on traffic perhaps a half hour drive. Actually pretty easy by train as well. A 20 minute ride from St Pacras to Harpenden where I can meet visitors easily. Done that many times to bring people here for an hour or so. If you are driving then I am about 100m from junction 9 of the M1 so an easy a quick diversion. Be good to meet you at last. ::Neil::
I guess you are right and we will do so, Trevor. Train to York and will stay there two nights, from 20th to 22th. It will be great to meet you and David!
Juan, Do you love boats too ? take the very to Hoek van Holland and we meet there ;-)) Neil, one hour to visit and see your collection, yeah right. I think your collection needs days more then hours to look at.
