England
Best and worst sights, experiences and destinations:
Worst: Lime Tree Hotel
Why: Ok maybe not the worst but they could have been friendlier. We were trying to book online tickets to the London Eye. We needed to use the internet for about 10 minutes. They informed us that it was 5 pounds to use the computer - period. We ended up going to an internet cafe for a lot less. The breakfast left you wanting and the towels were terrible. On the positive - it is a great location. We love the Victoria area. We will probably try another recommendation next time. While the proprietors were nice they certainly didn't extend themselves.
Nancy in Bellingham, WA USA 06/29/2008
Best: Dartmoor
Why: We have always seen the "sights" but in Dartmoor we had a chance to walk the land, smell the air and get to know a few ponies. We had many themes to our trip, one of which was neo-lithic sights. Wandering the moors allows you to come upon the work of ancient people while also recalling Holmes and "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (set on the moors.) The roads are very narrow, the driving an adventure and the people delightful. It was the highlight of our wonderful trip
Patti Brugman in Pasadena, CA USA 06/29/2008
Best: Knowing how much time to spend at sights
Why: I've yet to find another book that aids one in this manner. We only had 11 days and your book helped us plan the trip out.
Lyn Morris in Houston, TX USA 06/09/2008
Best: Cotswolds
Why: Directions to the towns were easy to follow and complete, and the details on some of the stops were excellent. More towns should be included, though. They're all lovely.
Worst: Blenheim Palace
Why: This place is not worth the drive or the 16.50 GBP entry tariff. You see very little of the palace other than the biggest public rooms, and a large part of what you get is a Disneyesque retelling of its history.
Tom Iarossi in San Diego, CA USA 06/04/2008
Best: Alan Price of Celtic Horizons
Why: He picked us up at Heathrow at 8:00 am and drove us to Bath, stopping Stonehenge, Salisbury, and one or two other small towns with the gardens and cottages we had told him we wanted to see. His knowledge of the area and ability to share that with us made our trip to Bath as enjoyable as it could be. We arrived in Bath in time to check in to our hotel and go to dinner...a full day of enjoyment. After 3 1/2 days on our own (including time in Broadway, Alan picked us to take us to London, again taking us to see many sites including Avebury (where we ate well at the Red Lion as recommended) and White Horse. Using Alan's services freed us to see many things that would have required buses or tours (not our favorite at all) or renting a car (the two days in the Cotswolds were enough, thank you) and getting dropped off right at our hotel door in Kensington. He is everything and more than you stated.
David Krein in Schaumburg, IL USA 05/25/2008
Best: Westminster Abbey
Why: Spend the extra few pounds to take the verger tour. We had the good fortune to get Benjamin, who made the tour extremely interesting. In addition, his humor was great! So many others that did not pay extra for a verger-led tour were trying to sneak into our small 10-person tour. Ben and the Abbey were one of the highlights of our April 2008 trip!
Deb Nilson in West Suffield, CT USA 05/22/2008
Best: Westminster Abbey
Why: As soon as you walk in the door, you are amazed by the architecture, scupltures, stained glass and soaring ceilings. The history of the Abbey is very interesting. The great english kings, writers, scientist buried there are amazing.
Worst: Bath - Costume/Fashion Museum
Why: This venue bills itself as a Fashion Museum now. The exhibit is horrible and not worth the money. We went on the guide book recommendation that it was a "Must See". Save your Money for something else.
Craig in Tallahassee, FL USA 05/22/2008
Best: York
Why: This town was fantastic. We walked on the walls that surround the town. The York Minster is an incredible place with a wealth of history. Then there are the shops in the middle. We can't wait to go back.
Sherry in Spokane, WA USA 03/08/2008
Best: Best - Mad Max Tour in Bath
Why: The driver provided us with an entertaining and informative experience of the areas around Stonehenge. Touring with a small group made it a very friendly environment. Visiting the small towns after Stonehenge was the highlight of our trip to England.
Worst: Worst - Big Bus tour in London
Why: We took the blue line to see more of London. What a mistake. It took us an hour and a half just to go from Victoria Station and around Hyde Park. There was very little interesting information that was passed along. Don't waste your valuable time and money on this tour.
John in Minneapolis, MN USA 12/03/2007
Best: Bath was a delight.
Why: In particular Lacock Village, 30 min drive from Bath, a British Heritage Billage, was having their annual Village Fair with viking wars, punch & judy show, market stalls, toffee apples. Great fun!
Worst: Ceremony of the Keys
Why: Disappointing in its brief and shallow presentation, the 'Last Post' was hopelessly out of tune and the whole thing was a non event after planning and writing from New Zealand months in advance. Just do the Tower and forget the Keys!
June Williams in Auckland, New Zealand 11/08/2007
Best: Westminster Abbey - Verger's Tour
Why: It's definitely worth the 5GBP to take a verger's tour...our verger, Benjamin, was so knowledgable and amusing; we feel as though we had a painless history lesson, and also got to see parts of the Abbey not open to most visitors.
Worst: Bath - Number 1 Royal Crescent
Why: Only four rooms, plus the basement, are available to visit, and they are behind velvet ropes. It took us all of 15 minutes to see all there was to see here; definitely not worth the $10 per person charge. Do yourself a favor and just buy the $4 guidebook; you will see as much in its pages as you would on the tour.
Terri Naughton in Quilcene, WA USA 11/02/2007
Best: The Roman Baths
Why: Aside from the baths themselves, which were just amazing to experience, the exhibition that accompanies the baths is very well-presented, with great architectural renderings and easy-to-digest information. They also have an excellent gift shop with many fun products that are easy to bring home, like bath salts.
Worst: The Museum of Costume/Fashion, Bath
Why: It just wasn't what we were expecting, and it seems oddly placed in the assembly rooms. The exhibits seemed rather limited in what they had on display, in both quantity and breadth of items.
Amy Kozusko in Pittsburgh, PA USA 10/29/2007
Best: Windsor Castle
Why: Best organized, easy to reach, pleasant town experience, and a beautiful walk through the open parts of the castle. I started with the free 30-min tour, then easily visited the rest without crowds. The route thru the castle is well layed-out and keeps people moving and seeing all.
Worst: Weekend Train Travel/Half-term Crowds
Why: Work on the rail lines is disrupting train travel on weekends. I suggest not taking train trips on Saturdays or Sundays until the work is finished. Alternate travel is arranged, but adds time to your trip. The half-term crowds are created when schools are let out for a week late in October. This isn't prominently announced before it actually happens. There were great mobs of children in the "tourist attractions" such as the castles.
Swan in Napa, CA USA 10/29/2007
Best: Stonehenge/Lacock/Castle Combe
Why: We rented a car for one day to drive to Stonehenge - we found a great web site to reserve a time to visit the Inner Circle. Great way to see Stonehenge. From there we drove first to Lacock and then to Castle Combe before returning to Bath. Both of these towns are very small, historic and beautiful. I am not sure if they represent most small towns in England, but they are great memories for us and in our mind is what the English countryside is like. Stone Circle Access: helen.norman@english-heritage.org.uk
Al and Mary Hermansen
Allan Hermansen in Delano, MN USA 10/25/2007
Best: Imperial War Museum-(Churchill War Cabinets)
Why: All the history and the interactive exhibits. I actually spent over 4 hours there and I still felt rushed!! I would go there again!!! Even though it went up a pound as well. It was the best experience and I wished that I had gotten my father something from there as he loves WWII movies! Maybe next time! I am still mad at myself for not getting the dvd and the ration cookbooks while I was there!!!
Worst: River Cruise- Stratford-upon-Avon
Why: I did the 30 minute one and it was worthless. You actually could not see anything. You didn't see anything different from the boat than from the shore. If I had known that I would have saved my money, plus the fare went up as well to 4.5 pounds. It was a waste I would have rather taken a row boat out instead or done the canal boat resturant cruise. & I have taken a canal cruise in England for 9 days and loved it. As well as one on the Thames in London & Seine in Paris. This was a joke. Do not advise! The one from the Holiday Inn dock might have been better than the one from the park.
Leslie Hickman in Tulsa, OK USA 10/19/2007
Best: Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, South Coast
Why: Chalk cliffs that can be seen for miles. Not very congested and lots of hiking trails.
Worst: 1. Lands End. 2. Jane Austen Centre Bath
Why: 1. Too tacky. Nothing to see or do.
2. Tourist rip off. $12 per person for a 15 minute lecture, a quick pass through the house, and a basement of 18th century costumes.
Bill Ith in Olympia, WA USA 10/03/2007
Worst: Stonehenge
Why: It's just a pile of rocks. Boring. Definitely not worth a special trip.
Chris Johnson in Marion, IA USA 09/21/2007
Best: Bath
Why: Roman Baths, side trips to Cotswolds and Stonehedge
Worst: City Bus Tour, Bath
Why: Narration through headphones was scratchy and frequently unintelligible.
James Jackman in Troy, NY USA 09/19/2007
Best: Stonehenge
Why: The sight was incredible. Even though it was packed, once you started on the walking tour the crowds thinned out and it was a relaxing and awe-inspiring atmosphere.
Worst: Wilts and Dorset Service 3 Bus to Stonehenge
Why: We were packed on the bus for the 1:00 pm departure but it didn't leave until about 1:15 or 1:20 leaving us to swelter in the August heat.
We tried to catch the 2:30pm bus back to town but it was too full. They are only allowed by law to have 8 people standing. The conductor was less than polite evicting people from the bus with no apologies or concessions offered. We had to wait another whole hour for the next bus.
Alison Carter in Arkadelphia, AR USA 08/21/2007
Best: Whitby and Staithes, NE England over Scarbough
Why: Whitby was a good example of NE working class holiday beach. Magpie "Fish and Chips" Restaurant recommended by Brit TV Chef Rick Stein. Staithes is small, neat fishing village. Park in car park on top of harbor and walk down narrow streets to village.
K. Heslop in Incline Village, NV USA 08/07/2007
Best: Stonehenge
Why: Words and photos can't capture the feeling there.
Kevann Lamkin in Azusa, USA 06/15/2007
Best: Hadrian's Wall
Why: It was a place wonderfully full of atmosphere and history and we learned so much, we appreciated the advice that was in the guidebook about this area. Very helpful.
Danielle Mussche in Hannon, ON Canada 06/08/2007
Best: Keswick, Lake District
Why: You are correct, it is the jewel of the Lake District. Howe Keld Lakeland Hotel, Room 16, perfect to watch the mountain change colors at night/morning. The Honister Pass car hike was beautiful, plus a tad scary!
Mary in Orlando, FL USA 05/14/2007
Best: York
Why: Of my first-time destinations (Edinburgh, Hadrian's Wall, York, Greenwich, Windor - I've been to London four times previously) the section on York was VERY helpful. Thoroughly enjoyed the town (very tourist friendly) but especially the Natl Railway Museum, Castle Museum, and the town wall.
Don Zwicker in Renton, WA USA 11/06/2006
Best: Mad Max and Scarper tours from Bath
Why: These reasonably priced tours to Wells/Glastonbury and the Southern Cotswolds, respectively, were conducted in a friendly, informative, non-rushed manner. The drivers on both tours were great guys who enjoy their work and took care to see that we got what we wanted from the tours.
Shana Woodfield in Calistoga, CA USA 11/05/2006
Best: Elgin Villa in Bath
Why: First Class service, accomendations. Great family atmossphere. Host/Owner Anna, very well organized, considerate, friendly, and welcomming of all guests.
Just a few walking blocks of all the inter-city attractions, shops, and restaurants.
Great experience staying at the Elgin Villa.
Dave Tully in Pewaukee, WI USA 07/12/2006
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