Tim Suddard
Tim Suddard Publisher
7/17/15 2:50 p.m.

I know, this is a tough one, but duty calls and one of our friends at Coker Tire invited us to the Beaulieu Swap Meet and Goodwood Revival the first week of September. As a sacrifice, Margie and I volunteered for this, so as to not inconvenience anyone else in the company. Our first world problem is we don't know England well enough to decide what to do and where to go between the two weekends. We have been to the Cotswolds and loved it, but are thinking about heading southwest along the coast or maybe up to Scotland. Any thoughts and ideas? I can sneak in a bit more car stuff, but had better keep this even handed, if I don't want to get left over there. Thanks for any and all help.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
7/17/15 3:12 p.m.

Nowt wrong with getting left over there for a car guy. Interesting cars are much cheaper over there .

Some random brain dumping:

You're at Beaulieu already, so I'm sure you'll take in the museum there. I went there, gosh, over ten years ago and really liked it.

South Coast over to Cornwall is nice, Wales, is, well, nice for Wales and has great driving roads but with a PITA police presence. When I was living over there, most of my motorcycling friends gave North Wales a big berth because of the rather humourless policing out there and I don't think it has got any better. I can check with my friends in the UK.

You're at the Southern end of the country, and Scotland is a loooooong way away. I know it doesn't look like that on the map, but you'll lose at least a day each driving up there and back. If you only have a week, that would be too much for my liking unless you do something like flying from Gatwick to Edinburgh.

Car stuff, well, there's this: http://www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/

If you don't want to do the big city stuff, I'd be tempted to do a roundtrip taking in Cornwall, Wales, stop at the Heritage Motor Centre and maybe if time allows, make it up to the Lake District and then back south. That should take in most of the beautiful parts of the country on the Western side without going up to Scotland and is just about doable in a week. For a more relaxed trip, I'd pick either Cornwall or Wales. If you do head for Cornwall, make the detour to Bath. Great old place.

Personally I like East Anglia and went up there whenever I needed a break, usually staying at this place. However that's more for relaxation and not if you want to go sightseeing.

Another option would be to just stay South of London and do a tour starting in Kent (Canterbury is probably the best place to start) and just amble westwards. While crowded, I really like Southern England and Cornwall once you get out of the London commuter belt which these days kinda extends quite far. Either way it's beautiful and once you get past Southend it also gets a bit less crowded.

When planning the trip, keep in mind that while the UK is pretty small, it's pretty crowded and driving places takes a long time even if you can take the motorways (Cornwall, for example, doesn't have any motorways, the motorway ends in Exeter). From my old home in Ashford, Kent, about 30 minutes and 20 miles west of Canterbury, I could just about do either Manchester/Bolton or Swansea in Wales as a day trip if I left home at 6am-ish and didn't mind getting back well after 9pm.

Edit: Forgot to mention, if you have any specific questions or need specific recommendations you don't want to put in this thread, feel free to PM me.

Edit 2: Average speed cameras have become much more prevalent over there since I left. They used to use them a lot in roadworks, now they're all over the place. In fact, sometimes I get the impression the whole country is one big speed camera, so be careful out there.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
7/17/15 3:29 p.m.

Also, if your headed for Cornwall or Wales, make a detour and go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddar_Gorge

oldeskewltoy
oldeskewltoy UltraDork
7/17/15 4:00 p.m.

Did you ask Margie?

BradLTL
BradLTL Dork
7/17/15 4:28 p.m.

I have some friends over in Milton Keyes and London, I'll shoot them a message and see if they have any good suggestions.

Bumboclaat
Bumboclaat Dork
7/17/15 4:52 p.m.

Recreate parts of Oz and James Drink to Britain.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
7/17/15 4:55 p.m.

That looks like the aftermath of a typical camping trip to Wales or Cornwall...

Bumboclaat
Bumboclaat Dork
7/17/15 4:59 p.m.

I think the Suddards need a Rolls to pull their Shasta.

stu67tiger
stu67tiger Reader
7/17/15 7:36 p.m.

You should contact:

www.TheOpenRoad.co.uk

You'll need an appropriate ride...

Stu

Tim Suddard
Tim Suddard Publisher
7/18/15 7:44 a.m.

Thanks guys, we will start going through this information.

Actually, Jaguar loaned us a car for the trip. Nice!

As for a Rolls to tow the Shasta... stay tuned, as we may be closing in on a cheap, beater 66 short wheel-based Shadow.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
7/18/15 11:28 a.m.

Also, if you don't mind staying in an old pile, once you figured out your route, have a look if there is a place to stay that's listed here: http://www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/

Basically, the National Trust (think of it a bit as the UK version of the NPS) is renting out some of the properties they own in very cool locations. Looks like they do have a minimum stay on a lot of the places, though.

Great, now I'm tempted to take my wife to this place: http://www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/holiday-cottage/the-lighthouse-keepers-cottage-lynton-devon/

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
7/18/15 11:32 a.m.

Speaking of old piles, this one isn't that far from Goodwood: http://www.arundelcastle.org/

One of my favourite castles to visit, very photogenic as well and not that far from Goodwood as well: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle/

If you make it to Wales, visit this - very easy to get to if you take the M4/M48 into Wales: http://www.castlewales.com/tintern.html

HappyAndy
HappyAndy UberDork
7/19/15 9:46 p.m.

Screw the speed cameras, Hop a ferry over to the Isle of Man, then rapidly burn some expensive petrol with out the fear of Her Majesties government income generating devices spoiling the party.

Jim Pettengill
Jim Pettengill HalfDork
7/19/15 10:36 p.m.

^This. No speed limits outside of towns on the IOM, plus you can drive the full TT mountain circuit (current bike record 132 mph average!). Plus, it's a great place, be sure to ride the Victorian Steam train from Port Erin to Douglas.

If you ever make it to Scotland, be sure to check out the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame on the top floor of the national museum in Edinburgh - nice tributes to Sir Jackie Stewart, Jimmy Clark, Colin MacRae, and others. The last time I was there they had Jackie's world championship winning Tyrell-Ford on display on the main floor, just inside the entrance.

alfadriver
alfadriver UltimaDork
7/20/15 8:36 a.m.

I'd also suggest trying to find time to visit the existing cottage industry auto makers that are still there.

The one that I have worked at for a little while was Aston Martin- they moved the actual HQ a few times, and are now officially in Gaydon. But, the Aston Martin Works Ltd is STILL in Newport Pagnell. It's a small set of buildings were the old V8 cars were built, including all of the engine machining. But there currently, they will rebuild any Aston Martin or Lagonda. Very worth a stop for CM.

I was never aware of a Jaguar place that did the same thing, but being who they are, I would not be surprised to see them.

Perhaps find the companies that still make major parts for British cars, and visit them, too.

Those small stops may put together a nice little driving tour.

In my short work time there, driving the B and C roads quickly is really fun, and does not require one to exceed the limits much.

edit- a little googlefoo-

ASTON MARTIN WORKS LTD Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 9AN, ENGLAND Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 610 620

That was the same place I worked at back in '96-98.

pinchvalve
pinchvalve MegaDork
7/20/15 9:38 a.m.

Know nothing about the area, but if I had some spare time I'd go see Bletchley Park

alfadriver
alfadriver UltimaDork
7/20/15 12:05 p.m.
pinchvalve wrote: Know nothing about the area, but if I had some spare time I'd go see Bletchley Park

Which is REALLY close to Newport Pagnell.

I went to Bletchley once, but that weekend it was closed.

edit- another reason to check this area out- this is where most of the F1 teams have their HQ's. It's very close to Silverstone.

dj
dj Reader
7/21/15 12:58 a.m.

Take a boat to Holland. Mushrooms. Peyote. Gonzo journalism is back!

Tim Suddard
Tim Suddard Publisher
7/21/15 8:08 a.m.

dj, I am sure my wife will appreciate the whores too!

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