ext_7741 ([identity profile] blythely.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] labellementeuse 2009-05-25 07:11 pm (UTC)

Okay, my thoughts for you on the suggestions you've had:

1. Rocks in a field:
I would privilege Avebury (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avebury) over Stonehenge. It's just as easy to get to, much less touristy, and you actually get to wander around the stones. Stonehenge is tiny, crowded, and there's a motorway next door. Avoid, unless you know an archaeologist who could get you in properly.

2. Bath:
If you have the opportunity to go to Bath, do - it's only 15 minutes from Brizzle on the train so maybe do that from Bristol. That also applies to Avebury - easier to get to from Bristol or Bath than London (though both are fine daytrips). In Bath, the Roman Baths are lovely (do not fall for the tacky Jane Austen themed walks though). Google smth like Avebury Lacock Bath daytrip and see if you can get one of the reasonably priced minivan tours. Lacock is a lovely heritage village that will give you a fix of Olde Worlde Cotswold charm without having to, you know, stay in the country. Bath has great shops, and the Sally Lunn teashop.

3. Oxford:
You're going at the height of tourist season so there'll be busloads of daytrippers and all the college porters will be supergrumpy. Oxford's really only fun if you know someone who lives there or is at a college. There's a coach called the Oxford Tube that leaves London every 20 minutes or smth and costs a tenner return (I think) however the train is more civilised (twice the cost though - but ASK ME about trains, and soon, important money-saving advice) If you must go, see Christ Church college (it is lovely and grand), climb up one of the towery things for the view, wander round the Radcliffe Camera, and if you can blag a lift or a cab go out to The Old Trout for a country pub lunch (peacocks on the lawn, 500-year old pub). Don't do any of the tacky Oxford Experience lolsomely awful crap. The museum of scientific instruments of whatev its called is geeky fun. Blackwells for music - seconded.

4. London

a. Theatre/Music: I personally don't like musical theatre that much and feel like it's a bit of a crazy thing to do in another city if you've limited time, especially in summer (overcrowded uncomfortable Edwardian theatres with no proper climate control, ick). However Circe likes musicals so if that's your bag, let me know and we'll brainstorm what would be cool for you and point you to the cheap ticket options. I absolutely love the National Theatre on the Southbank; they have all sorts of theatre with big names (and no songs ...) and directors, and you can get tix for a tenner. Musically, depends what you'd like to go see - I have lots of suggestions for classical etc, there are also tons and tons of good gigs in London in the summer but it depends if you're by yourself or with someone. Koko and Scala are both groovy small venues. A lovely way to hear some music is to go to the free / almost-free concerts at the big churches - St Martin in the Fields being the obvious one.



Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting