Metropol

the girlfriend has got her first weekend off in ages and for something different we've decided to drive somewhere random, stay in a travel lodge (or somewhere equally shocking), do a bit of shopping and sight seeing. we did london last year so we want somewhere different this time.

not really into 'clubbing' anymore, but bars of any busy-ness good.

my question is, which part of the country would you recommend we go to for a couple of days?

we'll be leaving friday night about 7pm, we'll be driving from west norfolk - we don't really want to drive any more than about 4 hours.

i've been recommended york by a friend at work, he goes up there quite often and really enjoys visiting the various historical attractions. i'd definately like to visit york minster and castle howard.

any suggestions?

Why, Wiltshire, of course.

Do the shops in Swindon on Saturday and check out the beautiful countryside on Sunday.

Why not?

Nick Harvey wrote:Why, Wiltshire, of course.

Do the shops in Swindon on Saturday and check out the beautiful countryside on Sunday.

I went to Swindon for the first time in my life three weeks ago to visit the Wyvern Theatre. On the Saturday night the city centre seemed entirely lawless, with boy racers screeching around in the road like there was a Grand Prix on, gangs of chavs climbing up posts and pulling signs down, and smashed glass all over the pavements. We also saw a woman holding a baby getting beaten to a pulp by her drunken partner, called 999 and it took the police over 10 minutes to arrive - in a f***ing city centre for Christ's sake.

I thought I'd seen it all in parts of Liverpool and Manchester that I've visited, but Swindon was in a league of its own.

Although it may exceed the 4 hour driving limit, I think you and Mrs Lobster would enjoy Edinburgh. I've seldom heard anyone say they didn't.

Thank you for your suggestions everyone, because i haven't been able to read the forum until earlier today we decided to go to york, however, stonehenge, longleat, salisbury and scotland has been penciled in for later in the year.

we'll probably fly to scotland from norwich since the airport is less than an hours drive from our house (and fairly inexpensive) i have actually never been further north than manchester so it's all new to me up there.

definately want to see stonehenge and longleat, a friend of mine went there recently with his partner and they really enjoyed it, although a monkey tore the rubble rain strips from the roof of his car and i always thought that was a bit of a myth.

i'll take my camera and i'll post any nice piccies i get when i return on sunday

Dr Lobster* wrote:i've been recommended york by a friend at work, he goes up there quite often and really enjoys visiting the various historical attractions. i'd definately like to visit york minster and castle howard.

York is alright providing you missing the various markets (which is of what the old dears come up/down for) as you literally can't move and and they put their prices up. Haven't set foot in t'Minster since they started charging for admission. Skinflint I know.

Whitby is nice though. Though not in this weather!

nodnirG kraM wrote:

all new Phil wrote:Why not?

Door was locked.

From the inside or outside?

had a really nice weekend, we really liked york as a city, some of the old buildings (especially in the 'shambles' area) are just lovely.

here are a few pictures i took:









the one above is the view of the city from the very top of the tower at york minster, 230 odd steps - my feet were hammered at the end of it. was well worth it though.

it was inexpensive, we spent about £20 between us including access to the crypt (which is crap btw, it's been completely redone in a modern way with random old bits badly lit stuck on walls etc)

Should have gone to Durham if you wanted to look round a Cathedral, free entry. It's a world heritage site.

Durham is a very compact City ideal for a short stay. It's near enough Newcastle if you want to go there as well (15 mins on the train)

And the view coming into Durham on the train over the viaduct is one of the most spectacular and impressive sights there is.