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One week trip to England, Where to go? Gear to take?
- Thread starter riderfanreturns
- Start date
Roundabouts. Now those will be a new experience for you 
If you grow fond of them you could always visit the "Magic Roundabout" in Hemel Hempstead
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_ (Hemel_Hempstead)
If you grow fond of them you could always visit the "Magic Roundabout" in Hemel Hempsteadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_ (Hemel_Hempstead)
Bo Persson
Forum Enthusiast
Your link doesn't bring anything.
Bo
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Bo Persson
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You can do it because you believe you can do it. So do it!
Bo
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Bo Persson
[email protected]
You can do it because you believe you can do it. So do it!
riderfanreturns
Leading Member
I sure wish there was a delete function. Anyway here is what I meant to post:
Thanks again for your thoughts.
...
You're assuming I could do better than postcard snapshots if I had the extra time! I'm just an amateur who doesn't spend nearly enough time working at my hobby - however I'm not having any trouble spending money on it!
I agree 100%. I definitely want to balance photography with trying to simply enjoy the people, history, scenary etc. and come away having had a somewhat relaxing vacation (lets face it, with only 6 days its going to have to be a bit hectic if we want to get a nicely varied experience).
No worries here as my wife will force me to put the camera down if I get too carried away! As you point out, this isn't necessarily a bad thing!
My Canon S50 will be on my belt the whole trip. (Fairly good camera in good light, but it sucks in poor light.) It will come in handy when the DSLR is tucked away in the backpack or perhaps left behind at the hotel.
Not harsh at all. I appreciate constructive advice and largely share your viewpoint. My original thinking was to just bring my 350D/XT with 17-85IS and use my small toploader bag (just fits). Spare battery, memory and polarizer fit in front pouch. I can carry this for hours without it bothering me. I'm now thinking I might also bring my 50 F1.8 as a low light lens (and backup if the 17-85 were to break down). I'll have a small backpack along to carry misc. stuff (coats, water bottle etc. so this lens can go in there in a small lowepro lens case). The 70-200 would be nice but it will weigh me down and result in me fussing about switching lenses more often. I may change my mind, but if I flew out tomorrow it wouldn't be with me.
I only took my S50 on both trips to Mexico (how many great pics can you take at a resort anyway?). I see this trip as one part photography two parts relaxation. I've never taken a trip to just do photography. I love having my wife along on trips and she’s more of a snapshot photographer so the time she'll permit me to get serious with my shots is usually limited. I feel I have to take my DSLR along on this trip as it takes fantastic pictures and there are just too many historic buildings andbeautiful countryside etc. to only use my S50!
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Colin K. Work
Veteran Member
Thanks for taking comments in the spirit they were intended - and it does sound like you are being realistic on what you hope to achieve.
I was trying to think what I would do with 6 days in England - very hard! Esp. in October when the weather can be very unpredictable. Sadly, nowhere is greyer than England on a grey day. Also, you haven't said what your real interests are.
I would certainly advise being flexible in your plans and incorporate fair weather/bad weather alternatives, so that if you wake up to rain, you won't be disappointed - touring the English countryside in bad weather can be a depressing experience - much better to explore the London museums and galleries.
Cheers,
Colin
--
Colin K. Work
[email protected]
http://www.ckwphoto.com
I was trying to think what I would do with 6 days in England - very hard! Esp. in October when the weather can be very unpredictable. Sadly, nowhere is greyer than England on a grey day. Also, you haven't said what your real interests are.
I would certainly advise being flexible in your plans and incorporate fair weather/bad weather alternatives, so that if you wake up to rain, you won't be disappointed - touring the English countryside in bad weather can be a depressing experience - much better to explore the London museums and galleries.
Cheers,
Colin
--
Colin K. Work
[email protected]
http://www.ckwphoto.com
riderfanreturns
Leading Member
Yikes, definitely not for a rookie left side driver!!
serachewhi
Forum Enthusiast
Wales is a wonderful place, with fabulous scenery.
Given the OP's thread title though, I assume he/she is just sticking to England and thus won't be visiting other regions of the UK.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/serachewhi/
Given the OP's thread title though, I assume he/she is just sticking to England and thus won't be visiting other regions of the UK.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/serachewhi/
riderfanreturns
Leading Member
I was thinking 2 or 3 days in the countryside visiting:
-castles (Warwick and Kenilworth if possible and perhaps Leeds)
-somewhere with older english homes (thatched roofs) and countryside (Cotswold area?)
-Bath for the Roman influenced period
-Oxford?
-Stonehedge – or maybe not given the time available
-perhaps lunch and a pint at an old english pub somewhere outside London
-other - open to suggestions (still need to follow up on all the ideas provided by others in this thread!)
London:
-Tower of London
-British Museum and/or Imperial War Museum
-at least a walk by Buckingham Palace if not a visit
-London Eye - maybe, especially if we are near it and the lineups aren't bad
-a church or two
-Camden market (need to read up on this)
-Harrods – time permitting
-parks around Buckingham Palace
-pubs with lots of character and/or history (I’m not talking about late night just early evening or late afternoon type atmosphere)
-castles (Warwick and Kenilworth if possible and perhaps Leeds)
-somewhere with older english homes (thatched roofs) and countryside (Cotswold area?)
-Bath for the Roman influenced period
-Oxford?
-Stonehedge – or maybe not given the time available
-perhaps lunch and a pint at an old english pub somewhere outside London
-other - open to suggestions (still need to follow up on all the ideas provided by others in this thread!)
London:
-Tower of London
-British Museum and/or Imperial War Museum
-at least a walk by Buckingham Palace if not a visit
-London Eye - maybe, especially if we are near it and the lineups aren't bad
-a church or two
-Camden market (need to read up on this)
-Harrods – time permitting
-parks around Buckingham Palace
-pubs with lots of character and/or history (I’m not talking about late night just early evening or late afternoon type atmosphere)
riderfanreturns
Leading Member
Some have mentioned it can be rainy or very overcast. Is it very cold at this time of year? We'll need to decide what clothes will be needed. Are sweaters needed or is it still fairly warm (i.e. just light coats)?
Joe Photo Lover
Veteran Member
to give you an idea what you might want to see is frequently my approach whenever I visit a new large city. This also gives you a chance to relax and recover some of your energy from the trip to London.
For London itself, some of my do not miss suggestions are:
The Tower of London
(include seeing the display of the crown jewels inside and the Beefeater Guards)
The Tower Bridge
(you can tour inside as well)
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
Leicester Square
(while you are there you can buy discounted theater tickets for the same night)
Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus
The London Eye
National Art Gallery (so many fascinating & historical paintings even though we normally aren't art aficionados.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Parliament and the House of Commons
London Bus Photo Ops
Harrods Department Store
Most of these have been photographed so often that it will be a challenge to present something new but what good is a trip to a famous location without your own private cliché shot collection?
For London itself, some of my do not miss suggestions are:
The Tower of London
(include seeing the display of the crown jewels inside and the Beefeater Guards)
The Tower Bridge
(you can tour inside as well)
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
Leicester Square
(while you are there you can buy discounted theater tickets for the same night)
Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus
The London Eye
National Art Gallery (so many fascinating & historical paintings even though we normally aren't art aficionados.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Parliament and the House of Commons
London Bus Photo Ops
Harrods Department Store
Most of these have been photographed so often that it will be a challenge to present something new but what good is a trip to a famous location without your own private cliché shot collection?
October is autumn (fall). It can be quite mild, or cold. British weather is like that! You'll definitely need something warm and a waterproof jacket or coat. I'd also recommend good walking shoes because sightseeing can get hard on the feet.
london is a temperate climate with the North generally 3-4 celsius cooler. Expect temperatures of around 8-12 celsuis in Octoboer but it could be quite a lot cooler. It all depends where you are coming from as a contrast. I would definately bring a waterproof but I always get hot and bothered in London. Wear layers would be my tip.
Interesting thread with lots of good suggestions.
If you want to see some of the countryside then rent a car. Public transport away from the cities isn't great.
Stay in a B&B you'll save money compared with a hotel. London hotels tend to be staffed by anything other than English people in my experience.
Bring waterproofs. October can be wet and windy.
For some nice stately homes, gardens, woodlands etc. look at the National Trust web site. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
I can recommend Leeds Castle in Kent, and Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey. Both are within easy reach of London.
You can get a photograph of your car (sent by post) by driving at 60mph past one of the many yellow boxes by the side of the road. (Only kidding..)
Ian.
--
A few images at http://www.g0afh.com
If you want to see some of the countryside then rent a car. Public transport away from the cities isn't great.
Stay in a B&B you'll save money compared with a hotel. London hotels tend to be staffed by anything other than English people in my experience.
Bring waterproofs. October can be wet and windy.
For some nice stately homes, gardens, woodlands etc. look at the National Trust web site. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
I can recommend Leeds Castle in Kent, and Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey. Both are within easy reach of London.
You can get a photograph of your car (sent by post) by driving at 60mph past one of the many yellow boxes by the side of the road. (Only kidding..)
Ian.
--
A few images at http://www.g0afh.com
Heechee
Leading Member
I've been to London a couple of times. I'd say you should spend a couple of days touring the sites at the center, but then you've seen them. I'm not a big fan, and in the future I'm not planning on going there if I can avoid it.
If you want to get good photos, guided tours are a no-no. You will be at places at wrong times, and you will not have enough time to get good photos before the guide says you should move along. IMHO the best photos typically get taken when conditions are somewhat challenging, like dusk. I'd definitely carry a tripod if I wanted to get good photos. If you're not that demanding, high ISO and an image stabilized lens should suffice.
I'm been to Warwick, and I spent a couple of nights at B&B. It was much-much better value than the same at London. I used to be a fan of castles, but after visiting Warwick castle (which is a great castle) it's no longer the case, as I'm totally against torturing people.
If you want to get good photos, guided tours are a no-no. You will be at places at wrong times, and you will not have enough time to get good photos before the guide says you should move along. IMHO the best photos typically get taken when conditions are somewhat challenging, like dusk. I'd definitely carry a tripod if I wanted to get good photos. If you're not that demanding, high ISO and an image stabilized lens should suffice.
I'm been to Warwick, and I spent a couple of nights at B&B. It was much-much better value than the same at London. I used to be a fan of castles, but after visiting Warwick castle (which is a great castle) it's no longer the case, as I'm totally against torturing people.
You're quite right. I grew up in Scotland, but I haven't been back in donkeys years and I forgot about the significant change in climate as you go north.
Clothing? For a short trip and travelling light, I'd go for a good fleece with some weatherproofing and plenty of pockets, and a fold up waterproof jacket that folds up small (outdoor gear, not chain store) . That's a versatile combo and gives you the benefit of layers. A light backpack is good too. This can carry a compact camera, rain gear, maps, snacks and a whole lot of other useful things and leaves your hands free. Works for me!
Colin K. Work
Veteran Member
Your main problem is time, so the challenge would be to minimise time wasted travelling - our motorways and rail, though reasonably efficient, aren't often noted for their views.
Here is my suggestion for a train based day out which covers a few aspects of England and meets some of your objectives. Trains are reasonably frequent, but you'll want to check times before hand to avoid hanging around stations. The one hour journeys give you a chance to rest between locations! As this is a circular tour, you can leave out any stop, or head straight back to London at any time. This is a pretty long day, assuming an early start and spending a couple of hours at each stop ... not nearly enough to do them justice, but certainly long enough to make it worthwhile!
You can plan train journeys using
http://nationalrail.co.uk/index.html
London Waterloo to Winchester (1 hr on train) - Winchester cathedral,
The Great Hall, and overall a rather pretty town - lots of non-highstreet shops in the lanes, and places to eat/drink - very much an English town not excessively spoiled by malls & carparks (they exist, but not as "in your face" as many towns these days). ..
Winchester - Portsmouth (1 hr on train) - Historic dockyards (HMS Victory, HMS Warrior etc., naval museums etc), the new Spinnaker Tower offers great views of traffic in the harbour (and Isle of Wight on a clear day). The old part of town has some great pubs for lunch!
Portsmouth - Arundel (1 hr on train) - great castle, and a lovely little
town
Arundel - Brighton (50 min on train) - the quintessential seaside town. Brighton is a weird mix of the totally naff and ultra trendy. The pier and the pavillion are both over the top each in their own way. The Lanes have some truly bizarre and interesting shops, and pubs and restaurants abound.
Brighton - London (50 minutes)
Colin
--
Colin K. Work
[email protected]
http://www.ckwphoto.com
Here is my suggestion for a train based day out which covers a few aspects of England and meets some of your objectives. Trains are reasonably frequent, but you'll want to check times before hand to avoid hanging around stations. The one hour journeys give you a chance to rest between locations! As this is a circular tour, you can leave out any stop, or head straight back to London at any time. This is a pretty long day, assuming an early start and spending a couple of hours at each stop ... not nearly enough to do them justice, but certainly long enough to make it worthwhile!
You can plan train journeys using
http://nationalrail.co.uk/index.html
London Waterloo to Winchester (1 hr on train) - Winchester cathedral,
The Great Hall, and overall a rather pretty town - lots of non-highstreet shops in the lanes, and places to eat/drink - very much an English town not excessively spoiled by malls & carparks (they exist, but not as "in your face" as many towns these days). ..
Winchester - Portsmouth (1 hr on train) - Historic dockyards (HMS Victory, HMS Warrior etc., naval museums etc), the new Spinnaker Tower offers great views of traffic in the harbour (and Isle of Wight on a clear day). The old part of town has some great pubs for lunch!
Portsmouth - Arundel (1 hr on train) - great castle, and a lovely little
town
Arundel - Brighton (50 min on train) - the quintessential seaside town. Brighton is a weird mix of the totally naff and ultra trendy. The pier and the pavillion are both over the top each in their own way. The Lanes have some truly bizarre and interesting shops, and pubs and restaurants abound.
Brighton - London (50 minutes)
Warwick & Kenilworth are reasonably close and not too far from the Cotswolds - but to use your time efficiently, you would probably need a car - especially for poking around the Cotswolds
Bath is lovely, but more a Georgian town than a Roman experience, though the Roman baths themselves are nice.
IMHO overrated - some nice buildings, but crowded and not very friendly. As Oct. is the start of the academic year, expect it to be very busy!
Again, overated. Frankly unless you are there in special light (dawn/dusk) it is hard to sense the "magic". The expericence is too often just a crowd of people tramping round some rocks.
My itinerary gives plenty of opportunity for that!!
Very good - while there, check out the availability of some of the evening walking tours (eg. the Jack the Ripper tour) - these are very well done, atmospheric, and you'll learn a lot
Our museums are really very good (and many are free!) The Natural History museum is also worth a visit (perhaps if it rains)
Book your "flight" online in advance and crowds won't be an issue.
Cheers,
Colin
--
Colin K. Work
[email protected]
http://www.ckwphoto.com
Bo Persson
Forum Enthusiast
As coming from Sweden I must say I find London and the South very warm compared to the south of Sweden.
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Bo Persson
[email protected]
You can do it because you believe you can do it. So do it!
--
Bo Persson
[email protected]
You can do it because you believe you can do it. So do it!
yokochanie
Well-known member
Day one, rent a car and leave London early and head for Canterbury, stopping on the way at the village of Chilham. Cars aren't allowed in but it's a great village used over and over again as a film location. It features 15th century houses, wooden beams, thatched roofs and the entire village is beautiful. Allow 1 hour. Then 6 miles on to Canterbury. Allow 3 hours. Then 18 miles on to Dover castle, the key to England. Stunning massive castle, in use from the Roman times till WW2. Allow 2 hours.
If time permits, 10 miles along the coast at Deal there is Walmer Castle. Built in the shape of a rose, used by Wellington and the Queen Mother it features a castle, period trappings and extensive gardens. If a little more time try Deal casle, again like a rose, but left as it was when last used in the 15th century.
Drive home via Sandwich which is a village featuring many 14th and 15 th century buildings.
Another day out. Stonehenge and Avesbury stone circle. The former is to famous for me to tell you about, the latter is simply stunning. This is the largest stone circle in Europe, and around it is a defensive ditch, sometimes 30-40 feet deep. The entire thing go around a village so you can imagine the massive scale of this. It was built around 4000-2000 years ago and must have been a massive effort on the population of the country. Nr by is the famous West Kenneth long barrow and many other scatted sites. Allow 1 hour at stonehenge, 1 hour to get to Avesbury and then the balance of the day there.
In general, draw a list of 1st and 2nd targets. Pick which on the day depending on the weather. If it's sunny go to an outdoor place, if wet, head for the museums. A whole day at the British Museum will not be wasted. It doesn't matter if you don't see them all. Always have some in reseve and never have a timetable that doesn't allow you to change targets. You might be going to the most beautiful site in the world, but if you past by something that you spot that takes your interest then if you don't stop to look you have really missed out. Be flexiable. Remember it's best to see everything at one place then bits of five places.
Get the Lonely Planet guide book and the Rough Guide book to England and London. Also contact the local tourist boards of all the countries that you are interested in. Use the net to get information. Above all study pictures. There's nothing like seeing where you are going to go, it really is worth an awful lot more then me or anyone telling you about a place.
The rail service is good but basic. There isn't the connections at stations or the information that you might find in countries like France and Japan. The bus service is good but slow, and again they like the train people assume you know where you are going. A car is ther best way to explor in England. Try to avoid London traffic, so leave early in the morning and have breaksfast when you arrive. (You'll get the best light that way for photography so it's a good idea in more ways then one).
And lastly, plan on the idea of one big day out and then the next day somewhere easy like a museum, it's not an assault course, it's not a race.
If time permits, 10 miles along the coast at Deal there is Walmer Castle. Built in the shape of a rose, used by Wellington and the Queen Mother it features a castle, period trappings and extensive gardens. If a little more time try Deal casle, again like a rose, but left as it was when last used in the 15th century.
Drive home via Sandwich which is a village featuring many 14th and 15 th century buildings.
Another day out. Stonehenge and Avesbury stone circle. The former is to famous for me to tell you about, the latter is simply stunning. This is the largest stone circle in Europe, and around it is a defensive ditch, sometimes 30-40 feet deep. The entire thing go around a village so you can imagine the massive scale of this. It was built around 4000-2000 years ago and must have been a massive effort on the population of the country. Nr by is the famous West Kenneth long barrow and many other scatted sites. Allow 1 hour at stonehenge, 1 hour to get to Avesbury and then the balance of the day there.
In general, draw a list of 1st and 2nd targets. Pick which on the day depending on the weather. If it's sunny go to an outdoor place, if wet, head for the museums. A whole day at the British Museum will not be wasted. It doesn't matter if you don't see them all. Always have some in reseve and never have a timetable that doesn't allow you to change targets. You might be going to the most beautiful site in the world, but if you past by something that you spot that takes your interest then if you don't stop to look you have really missed out. Be flexiable. Remember it's best to see everything at one place then bits of five places.
Get the Lonely Planet guide book and the Rough Guide book to England and London. Also contact the local tourist boards of all the countries that you are interested in. Use the net to get information. Above all study pictures. There's nothing like seeing where you are going to go, it really is worth an awful lot more then me or anyone telling you about a place.
The rail service is good but basic. There isn't the connections at stations or the information that you might find in countries like France and Japan. The bus service is good but slow, and again they like the train people assume you know where you are going. A car is ther best way to explor in England. Try to avoid London traffic, so leave early in the morning and have breaksfast when you arrive. (You'll get the best light that way for photography so it's a good idea in more ways then one).
And lastly, plan on the idea of one big day out and then the next day somewhere easy like a museum, it's not an assault course, it's not a race.
Vibrio
Veteran Member
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It's spelt Lens or Lenses for more than one
It's spelt Lens or Lenses for more than one
Vibrio
Veteran Member
can fly in the morning, come back at night
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It's spelt Lens or Lenses for more than one
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It's spelt Lens or Lenses for more than one
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