Studying abroad in the UK & looking for worthwhile places to go!
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Jul 22, 2012 2:23 PM Last Post By: Tryfan
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Studying abroad in the UK & looking for worthwhile places to go!
Hey everyone,I'm currently in England for the summer doing some study abroad work. I have long weekends, from all of Friday to all of Monday, to go anywhere I want. I have yet to use these weekends except for London and local sightseeing but not yet for a long trip and only have 2 left! One of them will be spent in France, but I have a weekend to spare which I'd like to use wisely, the 27th-30th specifically.
On to the specifics:
I am currently eyeing
- Scotland
- Ireland
- Isle of Man...? Idk much about this place.
- Anyplace on the mainland other than France.
I am going to likely take a flight to save the most time. As far as places to stay, I'd prefer somewhere quiet since I have an epilepsy problem that rears its head when I have a lack of sleep... TMI, but it's quite necessary for me. It follows from this that I am not into massive tourist traps and college hangouts. It gets way too loud and dorm-like, and that really ruins it for me personally :/. Nice pubs are cool, but the extremes of pubbing and clubbing culture are not my thing. Do I sound boring yet?
I'm also a math student, so fond of this and other sciences, but extremely fond of the arts. Visual, performed, musical, all of it! I've been to the National Gallery and Victoria & Albert Museum in London and absolutely loved it, and to the Royal Shakespeare Co. and Rose theater. I also want to see a live orchestra performance... Something akin to London's philharmonic which I really enjoyed. I'm also up for any places that have lovely natural places to hike, walk, and cycle. So these places, and gardens, are good too. Historical ruins and architecture are also fascinating for me.
I'll also be traveling alone, and as a female, I'd like to go somewhere reasonably safe. I make a lot of trips alone so I have common sense down. Please and thank you for any advice or suggestions :)
PS Any places in England that are a must see are good too! I've visited Oxford's Science, Natural History, and Ashmolean, and plan to take tours of the libraries and colleges. I still need to see the gardens as well. But anything else, please let me know!
Edited by: ran13
1
get yourself a return ticket to Chester, two hours direct from Euston. Lovely historic city and lots of wonderful countryside around. Same for Shrewsbury, which doesn't currently have a direct service so takes a bit longer.Shropshire/Welsh borders; castles, scenery, historic towns and cities, uncrowded walking, and as I type fantastic weather!
if that weekend is next weekend think about your travel and stay well clear of central London and especially Surrey, which is locked off for the cycle racing. This will also make it a bastard to get to Heathrow as the tube will be very crowded too. In short - go north and don't fly.
2
You should be able to get a ticket to see one of the Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall - they continue into September.I'd suggest Newcastle upon Tyne - about 3 hours by rail from London Kings Cross. Lots of options once you get there - science & Roman history museums, art gallery in centre of city; beaches, Priory, market etc at Tynemouth; efficient light rail system, called Metro, with ferry between North and South Shields. Easy to go west towards Hadrian's Wall; north towards Alnwick castle etc; good bike routes along coast etc.
Shropshire / Welsh borders have lots ot see and do and are under-visited.
3
Thank you for the suggestions!To neverwinter
I can't believe I overlooked the Royal Albert Hall Proms. Do you have any experience going there on the same day to get one of the 1400 promming spots? Tomorrow's show starts at 7:30 PM and Tuesday's at 7 PM and I should be done by 6 PM. The areas you suggested look really great as well.
To Copepod
Shrewsbury looks cool! The first things I saw on LP's web page for it were Tudors and Charles Darwin. Very exciting :)
Can anyone recommend about Scotland or Ireland?
4
Anyplace on the mainland other than FranceEastern Europe.
Sometimes (not always) a slightly dear flight. Once there though - cheap as chips.
Amazing and such varied cultures - too.
5
Look in to the Castles of North Wales. Particularly Conwy and Caernarfon; they can be done as a (long) day trip from Chester if you like.Edited by: Tryfan
