BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey

Subject: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 09:50 AM

I'm missing one link for my long planned trip to Girvan, Scotland. I'm staying a couple of days in Glastonbury and will be leaving there the morning of May 3rd. I have to be in Girvan on the afternoon/early evening of May 4th. Anybody have a suggestions for some charming place on the way between those two places where I could spend the night and then a pleasant morning sightseeing before heading on to Girvan? I'm going by train so it has to be on a train line. I was thinking of stopping somewhere in Cumbria since they are tourist starved at the moment. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Peg
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 09:54 AM

Oxford is my favorite city so far; very cool. It might not be TOO crowded with tourists in May...definitely on the train.

You might like Salisbury as well. Smaller, very charming, very scenic, nice shops, close to Stonehenge, too...but you might not have time to get the bus there...

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 10:08 AM

Maryrrf, I look forward to seeing you at Girvan, I will be one of the MCs there, among other things. I'll wear my Mudcat t-shirt, so come and say hello.
Reposted this here, as I found this after I had posted to other thread.
love, john.

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Les from Hull
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 10:13 AM

I imagine that you'll be travelling via Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow. Perhaps if you let us know what you consider 'charming' we would have a better idea. All those places have charm but they're big cities. They all have excellent museums, galleries, theatre etc.

You could travel by Salisbury or Oxford, though (Peg's suggestion) and then on to London and up through Glasgow.

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 10:33 AM

Not easy I'm afraid, Mary. Les's suggestion of going via Oxford to London may be the easiest, as all major transport routes go from the big metrolops. I think they stil do an overnight 'sleeper' to Scotland which could be an alternative to finding an additional hotel. Worth checking out anyway.

If you can get to Bristol however I know there is a regular service to the North West (coz I've dun it). From Bristol get a train to Manchester, Preston or Lancaster and then change for the Lakes.

The Lakes are not that well served by rail but you can get to a few places. An intersting route is up the West Coast of the Lakes. Get the train for Barrow-in-Furness from Preston or Lancaster and then change to the local service up through some very pretty and unspoilt (apart from Sellafield!) places. Ulverston, Ravenglass, Maryport, Workington, St Bees Head - all worth a visit. Not sure of the journey on over the Solway to Scotland though - I guess it would be via Carlise.

If you fancy going via Manchester and stopping over there let me know and I will see if I can arrange to show the the high spots (or low spots if preferred!)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: GUEST,Rana
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 10:51 AM

In my opinion, a visit to Avebury is much more impressive than Stonehenge. The ancient hill fortress at Salisbury (Sarum? - my minds gone!) is also good.

(though wouldn't both of these be a detour to the proposed journey)

Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: sheila
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 11:01 AM

GNER are doing a special fare, through 3May, of only FIVE pounds, anywhere they go from London!
The sleeper trains seem to be pretty much back, but check the Scotrail website for the current timetables, they've been changing quite a bit.

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 11:16 AM

Wow, so many suggestions in less than an hour! I have tried to plan things out so I don't spend any time in big cities - I prefer a smaller place where I can just stroll around a bit. I was planning to stop by Birmingham but my friend there said he'd come see me in Glastonbury instead. I will be going to Oxford on the way back up to London - friends are taking me and showing me around. I'll figure something out. Dave, thanks for the offer to show me around Manchester, but if it's going to be a big city my best bet is probably Glasgow. John, I look forward to seeing you in Girvan. Let's see, how should I describe myself - a young looking middle aged redhead!

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: bill\sables
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 11:25 AM

You could always get to Pembroke South Wales and get the ferry to Rosslaire Ireland, Train up to Larne Northern Ireland and cross back to Stranrar Scotland with an overnight stop off in Dublin to hear some good Irish music

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 11:27 AM

Giving Birmingham a miss is a good idea if you don't like cities! Your Oxford plan sounds a good one to me.

Let's see, how should I describe myself - a young looking middle aged redhead!

Are you sure I can't talk you into going via Manchester?? *BG*

I could describe myself as a Robert Redford lookalike. But I guess Danny DeVito would be more like it..:-)

Enjoy yourself anyway - as if you need telling!

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 11:39 AM

I could have described myself as looking like Reba McKyntire (spelling???)- lot's of people have told me that. I don't mind looking like her but if anybody said I sang like her I'd be mortified. I HATE the way she puts on that phony exaggerated southern drawl.

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 12:16 PM

Young looking middle-aged redhead, eh? So there are two of us on Mudcat. Enjoy your trip to Girvan, Mary.

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Nynia
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 02:01 PM

Hi Mary, There are very few trains to Girvan, most services begin in Glasgow although there is a link from Kilmarnock to Ayr which takes you onto the same line.

I think that firstly you really need to check the rail timetable very closely. I would seriously consider staying in Glasgow overnight. The reason for this is that with the foot and mouth restrictions which are in place right now, the distance you propose travelling, and your limited time available, you may find this a better option. Also I would advise you to keep up to date on whether the festival is (nearer the time) actually on or not. Foot and Mouth has jumped another 25/30 miles West today into Wigtownshire. If this goes on I can't see the festival surviving, this is a big agricultural area.

I would normally say stay in Dumfries or Ayr but all things considered you'll find more things open in Glasgow and it'll be an easier journey down to Girvan. Hopefully I'll get to meet you in the Queens it's a great little festival and you'll love it if it's on


All the best,

Nynia.

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 02:49 PM

I like Bill's plan! Girvan is very close to Stranraer, and you'd easily get to the train route to Pembroke/Fishguard from Glastonbury. UK Ferry information

Failing that, the best plan might be to find which train routes are possible to Girvan, and let us know- then we can suggest where to stop off.

Good luck!

Noreen

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Nynia
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 03:25 PM

If you stay in Dublin, fly to Prestwick (Ayr). The train to Belfast/Larne, then ferry to Stranraer then, train to Girvan is a full days journey and you said you want time to do some sightseeing. Take it from someone who's done both journeys several times.

I really don't think these friendly Mudcatters, well intentioned though they, are realise a) the distances involved and b) the time it takes to travel due to the lack of public transport in rural areas.


Nynia.

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 03:47 PM

I will get back on the net and find more information. Most of the connections did seem to go through Glasgow. You can't really see all the towns the route passes through, though. Oh I really hope they don't cancel the festival. None of it takes place in the countryside, it's all right in the town, so I hope it will still be on!

Subject: RE: BS: Suggestions for England/Scotland Journey
From: GUEST,the aul yin
Date: 09 Apr 01 - 05:40 PM

Maryrrf, for info on Girvan Fest. you can try www.folkmusic.net