"Solo Travel in England" Topic

All,
I was supposed to go to Oxford from Anaheim, CA for the culminating session of three years of meetings for my job. I got a new job and was told I was no longer welcome to the meeting, but to keep the ticket. OK! My son is meeting me after a week on my own. $508 USD to change the ticket, so I thought I'd hang out in Britain alone until he got there. SO, what to do? Where to go? I paint 28mm and played warhammer once upon a time. I've been to the south alot, but have not done the north. Where would be a good base to stay? I have a rental car. Any tips and suggestions kindly appreciated.
Oh, and I teach high school history for a living, so I'm broke. Any cheap tips greatly welcome.

Do you walk? Walking is free, and very rewarding for us history buffs. The rental car gives you access to the countryside, and the freedom to find nice B&Bs. Get some Ordinance Survey maps, a day pack and good walking shoes. Wow, pick a spot and go there. I would have recommended the South Downs Way, but maybe you have "done" the South? Great ancient sites in the West Country, or maybe Peaks District? My very favorite city is York. It is full of history, very pleasant to visit, and is big enough to offer variety, but small enough to walk across. A bit far to the North, though.

If you want to save money stay away from London go in for day trips and above all don't drive there.

Pick your area of interest ans head off to a region. If you like castles then Wales and neighbouring counties. If you like Roman, particularly Hadrian's Wall, head for the north. Naval head for the south coast Portsmouth Southampton etc.

Historical cities York, Lincoln, Norwich, Nottingham, etc all in the "Midlands" area ( yes I know Yorkshire is not Midlands) and you have not even looked at Scotland.

Durham with its castle and cathedral is a charming place and has an excellent free entry oriental museum in one of the colleges.

You could also go to the Shakespere pub untouched by anything but a damp cloth for at least 100 years. There is also a wargaming club in Durham. Oh and you could row on the river. Not far from the Roman Wall and Newcastle either it is a friendly place too. The North is a lot cheaper than the South as well.

Well it depends on how much driving you want to do, and what you're interests are (!).

I'd check out the English Heritage website as a guide to what's where : english-heritage.org.uk

They have a map with all the sites marked on it – they look after everything from Stonehenge, through barrows, hill forts, roman sites, castles, all the way up to 18th century stately homes (not so many of them – that's really the domain of The National Trust : nationaltrust.org.uk/main )

One of my favourite days is parking up at The sanctury (near Avebury, walking along the ridgeway, droppin down into Avebury itself (pub stop ? Tea room visit ?), and then back via the approach stones and then up to the sanctury via The Hedgehogs (a barrow site). The check out West Kennet Long barrow and Silbury Hill. This is ~1million times better than going to stonehenge.

Or hadrians wall is fantastic to walk along, great major sites like Vindolanda.

Or…scenery, steam trains and castles – north wales.

Or…

Oh, and I teach high school history for a living, so I'm broke

You won't want to drive very far then with petrol at nearly £1.40 GBP a litre (or $8.50/US gallon).

Walking? Have you not seen An American Werewolf in London? If you decide to walk, NEVER stray from the path!

But for all that, I'd recommend Derbyshire as a good place to go if you want some good walking. You have the Peak District which is just ace and it's only a couple of hours by train from London.

And if (if !) it rains you can visit Castleton with its caves and…err…castle.

Speedwell Cavern is fun.

You've been to Southern England but not the North? Interested in history? Don't want to spend a lot of money?

Only one answer – go North young man!

Look for a nice B&B in Yorkshire or thereabouts. Visit York, Fountains Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey, Bamburgh Castle, and of course The Wall!

Great advice! Great website (EH).
Thanks

Don't know why I stopped at 18th century though – EH look after some interesting stuff up through the 20th century.