So, like the title of the tread implies, I'm planning a trip to the UK. Hopefully, I'll have enough cash to sleep in some non-hostel hotels but I'll see.
I'd like to get some suggestions for some places to go that wouldn't be in the category of "tourist traps". I'm not a big fan of tourist guides because underneath it all it's just kickbacks and bribed positive reviews. I'm interested in seeing London, but I would also love to see my ancestral home, Dublin (I am well aware that Ireland isn't technically part of the UK).
Any help is welcome. Thanks all!
There's a great little town in the south of England called Poole, it's in Dorchester county. They've got the most amazing lake there with little boats you can hire and go paddling around the lake in. Also an amazing pottery and glass blowing place. Plus, there's a great pub on the lake called "The Friendly Dolphin" or something like that. Awesome barmaids. Awesome beer. Don't know if that is of interest to you or not, but I had a great time there.
Don't come to the UK, it's rubbish.
That is, unless you enjoy being shouted at by chavs, watching teenage girls pushing their prams down the street and getting stabbed for looking at someone the wrong way.
Oh, and Poole is retirementville, it's the UK's answer to Florida :P
Yeah, so come to Florida instead! We have guns, so it's more exciting than silly old knives!
And Tony Moretti is there to deal out two-fisted justice!
I went to the UK once, having lived in the UK except for twice on those things called holidays. It it a bit dangerous, for instance once while in London a man partially stole my eyesight he claimed to be a magician but I knew otherwise in the end I had to get glasses which is a bit of an inconvenience. I hope to one day find this eyesight or get a light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation machine to find it for me.
If I were me which I am I'd go to Legoland because there's lots of lego there, I went there 10 years ago and while looking at some amazing lego water thing it almost got me wet so I ran out of the way and accidentally ran into some stupid old woman, who decided to say "oh he hasn't even said sorry" I didn't know ho to react being spoken about in the third person so I ran for dear life. On second thoughts don't go there she could still be there, that's why I intend never to go back, just in case.
I don't think I have a second choice, you could just go to London take a stopwatch and see how long it takes you to get shot or stabbed. That sounds like fun. Or go to Madame Tussauds because I havn't heard of people going there before, I just hope they keep the people that you've never heard of there.
Well, the really interesting things in the UK seem to draw the tourists -I know, crazy! But the good thing about the UK is that the weather is so notoriously unpredictable for half the year that it tends to keep the tourists away. As long as you don't go from June-August you will avoid the crowds in most of the country. Except London, that place is crazy, but then I'm a small town fellow. But as I said the weather is unpredictable: I've gone to England in March and April and had relatively good weather (in April we did a bicycle trip and didn't commit suicide, so it couldn't have been that bad ;) ) If you must go during tourist season I would recommend staying off the beaten path -buy a bicycle and a good lock or rent a moped, stick to the one lane hedge-lined roads and see where you end up.
Go to some places away from London. Go to Bath, It's probably the nicest town in England. If you have a full driving license, you can go to silverstone and race around the track in nice cars for about £150. Go to cardiff, they make doctor who there and it is really nice. Just avoid people called berian williams.
Quote from: Pumaman on Fri 23/02/2007 20:06:57
Don't come to the UK, it's rubbish.
That is, unless you enjoy being shouted at by chavs, watching teenage girls pushing their prams down the street and getting stabbed for looking at someone the wrong way.
Oh, and Poole is retirementville, it's the UK's answer to Florida :P
Ah, national pride. It's an amazing thing. ;D
Brighton is a lot of fun... very artsy, by the sea, lots of cool unusual shops and weird places to check out, good food (some really good Sushi places too, if you like Sushi...)
Also visit the museums in London, they are amazing. Natural History museum, Science Museum etc...
Try seeing a show at the West End... I recommend Avenue Q. It's Sesame Street but with sex and racism and homosexuality!
If you're in Brighton, check out some of the local gigs and maybe try the Komedia if you like stand-up. There are a lot of pubs in Brighton, and some are even themed... there's a vampire themed pub somewhere in Hove where the toilets flush with blood-coloured water and stuff like that...
One of the big attractions for Brighton are the Laines... lots of narrow cobbled streets with cool shops and stalls to check out. Also, if you're there, check out Snoopers Paradise... it's a massive shop full of antiques, and you can find old games and consoles there, old books, cool old clothes, etc...
Cornwall is very beautiful and has some amazing coastlines and cliffs, art stores, an art museum (The Tate), and some nice fish restaurants. Last summer we rented a cottage down there, went down to the beach and picked Mussels from the rocks and cooked them, caught crabs... we bought live lobsters and the freshest fish, caught that morning, from the seaside shops.
Since I live in Brighton, I can tell you now that you won't get stabbed - people here are very friendly. Just don't go on West Street or London Road, and you'll be fine.
Come to Devizes!
Devizes is a small quaint town with very little to do, the nightlife is dead (in more than one sense) with young pubescent teenagers running a mock wielding samurai swords at lest twice monthly.
If your lucky you may even catch one of our many Indie rock nights (woo!) and experience the pure talent that Devizes has to offer.
Seriously, i would imagine the tourist attractions are the last place that the dirt england has to offer would choose to cultivate. You're probably safe there. Unless there's a JJB Sports near, or Tesco ... or brothel.
Oh my god I can't beleive someone is trying to big up Devizes!
Thanks for the tips everyone, though I don't knwo the exact date I will be heading to the vicinity of London. I'll probably check out Cardiff of Doctor Who notoriety, maybe I'll score one of those awesome bowler hats, and most definitely have more than enough beer.
@ Klytos - yeah, I don't mind getting a little drunk, maybe fighting a couple of hooligans. It's all good.
@Pumaman - you're obviously hiding something - The secret of your delicious Steak and Kidney pies wil be mine!
@Grundislav - Florida? I mean that's like the armpit of tourist traps. The whole damn state.
@Obi - See thats exciting, nothing says "I've been there!" like partial blindness.
@Baron - These bicycles you speak of sound like some form of phsyical exertion. I'm not a fan of that.
@layabout - I would like to see a little of the countryside but you know, there's alot of grass and trees over here in canada so I doubt I'm missing much.
@yutzster - your town sounds like the bees knees. Artsy stuff is fine, plus it's what you europeans are famous for.
@Chicky - I'm all for some underground indie music. Love it.
@The Ivy - Yeah, Not all Irish people have the red hair and the leprechaun DNA. Some of us are just regular folks.
Quote from: SmootH on Thu 01/03/2007 01:08:27
Yeah, Not all Irish people have the red hair and the leprechaun DNA. Some of us are just regular folks.
You do realize that the fact that leprechauns are notorious liars negates your statement, don't you?
Quote from: Pumaman on Fri 23/02/2007 20:06:57
Don't come to the UK, it's rubbish.
I knew I wasn't alone in this thought. And I've only lived here a year to figure that one out :P
Go to Norway instead!
Quote from: SmootH on Thu 01/03/2007 01:08:27
Yeah, Not all Irish people have the red hair and the leprechaun DNA. Some of us are just regular folks.
Hunting leprechauns is now against the law here.
Time was, you could bag a few leprechauns from your bedroom window if the wind was right. And your air rifle was freshly juiced.
*sigh*
Don't come to Norway! Norway is boring... Boooooring!
I'm actually probably going as an exchange student to Bournemouth next school year! :)
Quote from: Mods on Sat 24/02/2007 21:11:47
Oh my god I can't beleive someone is trying to big up Devizes!
Hah, have you ever been mark?
Dont lie Victor!!
Norway is the best!
Go to Sogndal and explore the mountains and get on a boat and enjoy the view!
It is the best!
Peder.
Norway is COLD and boring... Seriously. Don't listen to Peder as he is obviously high on LSD.
High on PORRIDGE perhaps. Seriously, Norway rocks.
If I ever went to Britain, I'd buy a bowler cap. Then I'd have fun everywhere at all times :D