1

Welcome to TT.

American tourists are not an homogeneous blob. I am sure there is a substantial differentiation of interest that would mean some would think a visit to the Windmill Club is a must while others would think that schlepping around to notable Princess Di sites or up to the the York train museum would be top of their list.

A good guide book would provide a pretty comprehensive list that they could pick and choose from based on their undisclosed interests. I remain a big fan of LP's guide. Or hit the web and do some searching.

Oh yeah, and Stonehenge would only be an option IMO if you were going to be doing a bunch of stuff around Bath/Salisbury/Bristol and had already been to Avebury. I don't think its presentation and access makes for a worthwhile experience relative to the effort required.So you can see why some people might be reluctant to make a recommendation without knowing tastes.

2

Agree with #1 - we had some US visitors on their first trip to UK a couple of years ago, took them to York (just an hour's drive from our house) but despite meeting other US tourists all over the city they just weren't into history and didn't enjoy it - to the point of a public disagreement with some other Americans who were saying why they liked the place! So it would be worth finding their interests - then perhaps we could help a bit more.

Just a couple of thoughts for something a bit off the wall: if they are into genealogy, visiting places their ancestors lived; places on the Nottinghamshire / Yorkshire border associated with the Pilgrim Fathers (not a lot to see at present - get in before it is "discovered"!) and of course, Boston; Washington Co Durham. Otherwise I'll wait to hear from you about what may get their interests

3

Take them to York to see Dwight D Eisenhower http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-20241018

4

Remember that some attractions willl only be open on weekends in winter, and that daylight hours will be ven shorter than now.

There's a National History Museum at St Fagan's in Wales, but perhaps you mean Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London?

Definitely agree that you need to ask more about their interests, family links etc - with more ideas about their interests, we can help more.

5

How long will your friend be there? Is this the first trip to England?

My own favorites, based on three trips to England, in no particular order, some not suitable for December:

the Tower of London
just walking around, south side of the Thames in London, walk across the Millenium Bridge
the Eye
the Tate Modern museum, for a few laughs, if it's still free
tube rides

Windsor Castle, the Long Walk, Windsor Great Park
The Fox & Castle pub, Old Windsor, teach your friend pub etiquette
Runnymede, walk up the hill to the Kennedy Memorial
get on the Thames Path and walk a few miles towards Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley

Bodiam Castle
a trip to the Lake District, walk up Helvellyn
If you have the time, and money, train to Edinburgh
the New Forest
Canterbury
Stonehenge
Bath

6

Where in England are you based?

7

I'm an American tourist, one of my favorite parts of my visit to England was having tea at the Georgian Restaurant in Harrods. I bet that would be even prettier around Christmas time.
Also, maybe take them to a show in London's theater district? I really enjoyed that, too.

If you're interested, for the next few days, I'll be writing about my favorite parts of my trip on my travel blog, theblondebackpacker.com

Thanks

8

Usher, there's snow on Helvellyn - on most of the higher tops, in fact - already, with more forecast. Very lovely, but the OP and his/her guests would need to have the right gear.

Agree that Stonehenge isn't worth it. And also agree it really depends on what the American visitors' interests are before we can give sensible advice; also, where you are based and how long they are here for - it'd be daft to suggest a whole load of stuff in the north of England or Scotland if they are going to be here for 5 days and be based in Cornwall, for example.

9

Thanks for the replies all.

My friend will be here for just under two weeks. We're in the Midlands but willing to go pretty much anyway in England. Don't be put off suggesting things without knowing interests as all suggestions are very much appreciated and useful, and I can then run them past my friend. Again, thank you very much.

10

Walking in the Peak District

English Heritage overseas visitors pass http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/overseas-visitor-pass/ and/or National Trust one http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/overseas-visitors/ , but check what is open and when to make sure it's worth it

Take a boat trip - and more - on the Anderton Lift http://www.andertonboatlift.co.uk/VisitorsArea/AboutUs/aboutthelift.html

Christmas markets in Manchester or Birmingham, or anywhere really http://www.christmasmarkets.com/UK.html

York. Yorkshire Dales, Bolton Abbey, Haworth to walk up to the alleged inspiration for Wuthering Heights, Top Withens http://wuthering-heights.co.uk/locations/top-withens.htm, and then go on a steam train on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway http://www.kwvr.co.uk/ .

Edinburgh, via the Northumberland Coast, or the Lake District. Highlands of Scotland, for great walking - bit short days and possibly bad weather, so need the right equipment - or distillery visits.

The museum mile in London http://www.museum-mile.org.uk/

11

I am an Australian and the things I have liked seeing in England are -

loved seeing Buckingham palace and the guards arrive for the changing of the guard - didn't enjoy the actual changing - took too long and was boring.
loved Harrods - both for shopping and seeing the food market.
loved walking around the river area near London Tower (probably lots of other areas similar but that is where I was)
love seeing Tower Bridge - even better from the river.
Greenwich is a nice place to visit, Cutty Sark is interesting
loved seeing Big Ben and Westminister Abbey - one day I will go to St. Paul's, guessing it is just as interesting.
loved seeing a musical - we saw The Lion King
I enjoyed visiting Bath and seeing the Roman Baths.
Stonehenge - imo if you are in the area a definite must see, not necessarily though a must go, pay and walk around. Driving past or taking photos through the fence is just as interesting as walking around, especially if the day is cold and windy.
loved York - great town to walk around, the train museum is a must for train fanatics, Castle Museum is a great look into the past. Mother Shipton's Cave (?) was a lovely place, seeing the petrified items was interesting.
Edinburgh - naturally the Castle and Royal Mile - we also went to Leith to see The Royal Yacht Britannia, our lunch there was nice.
I also liked Eileen Doonan Castle and Culzean Castle in Scotland.
Cotswolds - Bourton on Water is nice, can't remember the place where we had lunch but it was really nice as well.
Cornwall - loved the fishing villages, for us the highlight of the area was eating at Rick Steins.

a few suggestions from a tourist.

12

When I visited some folks in Stoke-on-Trent, they took me to a workingman's club one evening. Played bingo, drank many pints of bitters, and generally had a grand time. It was such a non-touristy thing to do, it stood out from all the other routine tourist stuff.

13

Don't be put off suggesting things without knowing interests as all suggestions are very much appreciated and useful, and I can then run them past my friend. In which case, run a guide book past them or search TT for previous answers to exactly the same inane question.

14

I agree with Mark. It is really useless second guessing. if you had said Manchester and interested in history I could have pulled a few gems out for you. But nah if you cannot be bothered to list your particular interests and budget then I can not be fussed to guess and write a guide book.