h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Not necessarily.

While I wouldn't advise against going to Oxford, there's nothing wrong with going somewhere the majority haven't heard of, if it's worth it.

In a way this thread can help our chums make their mind up using insider knowledge, not just the 'usualUK sights' which their friends will have heard of. Durham (just my example but I make no apologies for loving it)is a place not many have heard of but is no less worth a visit for that. As Bill Bryson said about it: 'go now, take my car...'.

Jules

Another place that rarely gets visited but has bags full of historical stuff is Nottingham. Of course there's the cheesy Robin Hood bit, but there's a lot more besides.

RF

hey
i (an american) just got back from london. the first and BEST thing to do is get over the jet lagg... but then go to the london eye! great views of the river... also if you like antiques then go to some of the pawn shops on Portobello Road and Camden Passage. i also strongly suggest (though the people who live in london may have a different opinion) to take the tubes as transportation. cuz everything else is expensive!.... you probably know all this stuff already though...
cheers
ford

Right well firstly, much as though I love my home town dont come to Plymouth as it is pretty plain. However much of the westcountry is lovely, west Dorset being one of my fave places in the whole world.

York is a fantastic city and well worth a visit if you have time.

Similarly North Wales is fantastic and I really do like spendind time there.

If you get a chance check out the national game and go and see a live football match. There should be lots of friendlies in London pretty much every night.

Will give this thread some thought and come back later.

As I expected. My key interests are history and ethnology. My friend has a desire to see Oxford and I should expect to see the typical sights, i.e. Tower of London, Trafalgar Square. Aside from that, I will consider all the suggestions so far.

Also: no nation is innocent of certain crimes. For the Dutch, you may want to look into their treatment of the Indonesians.

football...hmmm...perhaps a good idea if the boy and i can convince the ladies...anyone know of a friendly in london on august 19th, 20th, or 21st?

Oh Ladies love football! Its an entirely different thing over here!!

If you are interested in ethnology, definitely go to Oxford.

http://www.bethcargill.co.uk/deathandrenewal.shtml#allofhumanlife

and

http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/

Ben

I love walking from Monument along Fleet Street to Chancery Lane, the architecture is amazing. The old Friends Provident Building, the buildings in Chancery Lane, the original Irsh Pub, all sorts of stuff. Be prepared to duck towards the river from Fleet Street and you will find all sorts of strange buildings and streets, including a street called 'Kings Wardrobe'!

That walk also takes you past St Pauls Cathedral, the city boundaries and lots more.

I think Plymouth is worth a visit, it has lovely cobbled streets with a great burger seller and ice cream and its where the oldest pubs are, and it used to have a creperie. The harbour is great and you can walk out to theedges of the bay. The sea front is all built up and unusual but it has great views. The new aquarium is very good.

Theres a great Greek restaurant and fish restaurant in the Barbican, thats the cobbled street bit. Where Plymuth Gin is still made and there is a restaurant and museum attached.

Theres a pub which sells very strong real ales, in half pints only, quarter pints for the very strong ones.

You can walk or taxi to Devonport and go across the river to Mount Edgecombe which is well worth a visit.

Crown Fort is where we hoped to defend against invasion if we ever had to.

Not forgetting Plymouth is where the Fireworks competition is held.

There really is loads and loads to see there, I may pop down for the firework comp myself next year. Its time I trawled all the old bars and haunts again.

riotact - if you're prepared to spend money, take the kids to Legoland at Windsor. Windsor castle is also well prepared for kids - most "interesting places" have a kids' guide or a quiz sheet or a rally for them to do. Even the tiniest museums.

Motdoc - can't improve on any suggestions made here. Well I could, but

a) there's enough there already to keep you busy, and
b) it would help to know what you are interested in.

And both of you: read Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Small Island"

Most of the Americans I know that have read Bill Bryson find him very irritating. He writes very much for the British market.

B

Perhaps it's stating the obvious, but I'm going to say it anyway - only go on the London Eye if it's a clear day.

My own suggested must-dos:
1. The Natural History Museum. Count on this taking a whole day on its own, and don't expect to see it all. Seriously - do NOT plan on doing anything else the day you do this place.
2. The Science Museum. Not quite as good, or as big, but wackier. Take the kids to the basement first.
3. The Tower of London/Tower Bridge
4. The Tates - Britain and Modern, depending on taste, or both.
5. Harrods. You simply must come away from London with a green bag from the top people's shop.

Outside the capital, in increasing orders of distance and difficulty of reaching:

1. Oxford. See other recommendations above.
2. Stratford-upon-avon. Birthplace of Shakespeare. The single largest tourist draw outside London. Try to take in a play.
3. The Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire. World heritage site and cradle of the Industrial Revolution, LOADS of museums in a small area.
4. Stonehenge: another world heritage site, mindbogglingly ancient and evocative.
5. Nottingham: the oldest pub in England, Nottingham Castle, Sherwood Forest, the Robin Hood experience.
6. Liverpool: birthplace of the Beatles and European city of culture 2008. Has its own Tate Gallery, a Beatles museum open 8 days a week and loads of other stuff.
7. The Lake District - inspiration of poets, painters and writers. See Wordsworth's house, and walk the hills he walked.
8. Edinburgh. Castle, Princes Street, lots of Scots culture. Might be easier to reach than the Lakes 'cos it's on the main line.

Should give you some ideas...

H.

>> 4. Stonehenge: another world heritage site, mindbogglingly ancient and evocative.

If you go to Stonehenge, also go to Avebury. http://www.avebury-stones.co.uk/

It is about 40 minutes away from Stonehenge by car, and has a good pub. It is also mindblowing and numinescent after the tourist-ridden disappointment of Stonehenge. Also you can touch the stones, though the sheep are a bit harder to catch.

If you still have any room, go to the Polly Tea Rooms in Marlborough. Another good drive, but worth it.

Ben

Well Kaz hearing you speak of my hometown like that makes me feel a bit ashamed of my portrail of it .

Perhaps I have a bit of "Familiarity breeds contempt."

Hmmm...maybe Scunthorpe's quite a nice place too.

B

I miss Plymouth though, I moved from there 8 years ago now. I will really be coming down next year for the firework competition though. Don't forget to watch the skies on the 11 and 12 August! If in Plymouth that is!

You always get blase about where you live, except I havn't managed to get blase about LOndon yet, still got so much to discover!

OH! and last time that i went to london i saw streakers... either bring a camera or look at the ground.... i did the latter
cheers
ford