Off topic but still ... Camping in England

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Tjærand
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On-topic: A small contigent of Norweejun G owners are planning a covert invasion of the British Isles this summer (we didn't have G's in 1030). Currently it counts one (1) G320 with a family of 5 in it but hopefully more will come.
Off-topic: We're carrying a military style tent about 5 metric meters across and will use that as our main accomodation. However, we might (or definatley shall, according to the passengers) need more solid shelters in case of bad weather or in case of mutiny. Is there a low budget chain of hotels, B&B's or likewise in the south of England that has a website? I've tried to google it but it's not very easy to find. Since we have a 463 we could also settle for a cheap place to stay for 2 weeks with London and other places in south England within 2 hours drive.

Any suggestions will be most welcome.

Thanks

Tjærand, Norway.

prwales
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

Why the south east? The North of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland much nicer, better scenery, less crowded roads. As for cheap places to stay I'd guess even 4* Hotels will seem cheap compared to Norwegian prices and the beer will be the best bargain of all? :lol:

Russ280
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

Agree with Prwales on the South East. You’ll struggle to find campsites that allow tents which are not “normal” size. Incredibly cramped pitch sizes, busy and expensive for campsites.

Re. budget chains. Travel Lodge, Ibis, Premier Inn. Or maybe Youth Hostels? Losts of B and B’s but with a family of 5 these can actually be very expensive.

Tjærand
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

Thanks for the input. I have never travelled around England before, only the occational London trip so all tips and tricks are welcome.
Maybe we should focus more on the mid and north and visit the south east on day trips ...

peter perfect
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

I agree, london and surrounding areas are ok for a couple of day to see the sites, but wales etc would be much nicer for camping trips, but it depends what you are looking for, hussle and bussle or scenery, let us know dates and a few of us can meet up with you for some camping and green laning !

If you looking far a day in london there are good ticket deals which get you into the aquarium, london eye etc. This can be easily reached by train from say ? the Cotwolds/Oxfordshire, nice area to stay and to get easy train access to london for the day. i am sure if you give us a schedule some of the guys will be willing to meet up with you and guide you in the right direction.

Russ280 can show you round wales !
Howard green round oxfordshire
Mark round Camden LOL
PR Wales, ermm he might be busy !

Andy Jones
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

In the past I have used the English Tourist board, which has been re-branded 'Enjoy England' for reasons known only to some marketing peeps.

http://www.enjoyengland.com

Most tourist towns in places like Cornwall and Devon which are in the south and are great for holidays have a tourist information centre. You can go in and they will try to find the best accommodation at your destination. That's a good way to tour but you won't get on the best camping sites because they'll be booked well in advance.

If you are coming to London you're best leaving the transport behind, London is not much fun to drive/park in, although your GPS should work fine.

prwales
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

Where are you getting the Ferry to, Newcastle? And when, this is important if you want to go to Scotland to avoid the "Midges", if you are getting the ferry to Newcastle, I would head North to Scotland, call in and spend time in Edinburgh, head up towards the Great Glen to Inverness before turning west to Skye, then make a judgement on the Weather, if its good head for Ullapool, if not turn south, Oban, Fort William, south again, Loch Lomond, Greenoch, Dunoon ferry, Ayr then down to Stranraer for the ferry to Larne. There will be better advice from our Irish contingent but the Devils Causeway and on to Donegal via Derry City would be my route not forgetting to load up with beer before crossing into the Republic. Then south along the West through Galway avoiding "stab city" if you can and on to Kilarney . Use this as a base to explore the Ring of Kerry and then head for Cork, great city worth splashing out on a Hotel for a couple of nights. Ferry to Swansea, if the weather is good the are no finer beaches than those of the Gower, which I will be happy to show you, plenty of camp sites. Then you can either travel north to Snowdonia or East to England. If the later I would take time to visit Bath and go south again and see Stonehenge and the great Iron Age hill forts such as Maiden Castle. Salisbury is worth a visit before heading north to Oxford as Ian has suggested and spending some time in Oxford, again a beatiful city and a handy base if you feel you must go to London. Take time to visit Norwich and again further north the great Viking city of York, the City of Durham is tiny but worth an afternoon, I am guessing about Newcastle as you ferry port but if it is I would avoid the night life, remember what befell your Crown Prince some years back. There are plenty of other routes many equally as good but I really would chase the good weather as over the last few years its been a rare event :idea:

David J. Pearson
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

If Newcastle is your entry point (oh er missus !!), and mountains, lakes and spectacular scenery are what you're looking for, all crammed into a relatively small corner of England, then the Lake District is less than 2 hours away. I'll give you a few pointers if you like if that's the case.
David

Tjærand
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

Newcastle would have been perfect but the ferry is unfortunately not sailing anymore from Norway. Only option is Denmark - Harwich or to drive to Netherlands / France and cross there. Anyhows, it should not take me too long to drive up north?

Thanks for the route suggestions!

prwales
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

from Harwich you could make Norwich your 1st stop, your right about the Ferry to Newcastle its the flights that have been resumed.

peter perfect
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

David J. Pearson wrote:
If Newcastle is your entry point (oh er missus !!), and mountains, lakes and spectacular scenery are what you're looking for, all crammed into a relatively small corner of England, then the Lake District is less than 2 hours away. I'll give you a few pointers if you like if that's the case.
David

and if you do, you must eat some of Davids pies that his company makes!, christ they are what pies are all about, QUALITY :D :D :D

David J. Pearson
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

Cheque's in the post Ian :D

fredecosse
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

I supose you could then drive to Scotland, food is fantastic there .. :D :D

Russ280
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

If you are intending to arrive during our summer school holiday period certain “tourist” areas will be an absolute nightmare. For example before kids we spent a lot of time in Devon (the south west) it’s absolutely beautiful. However the first and last time we visited during school holidays was rubbish. Half a day queuing to get to a beach or even a supermarket wasn’t my idea of time well spent.

With respect to travel times. To give you an idea Harwich to Chester (north west England on the Welsh border) is around 5hrs. I mention Chester as it’s quite a good staging point to either head north to the Lake District (can be congested in summer also) and on to Scotland or in to North / Mid Wales. It’s a walled medieval city (where incidentally there is still a local law in force allowing any Welsh person to be shot with a crossbow if found within the city walls after sunset) it’s worth a visit anyway.
If you use the directions tab in http://www.multimap.com/directions/?countryCode_2=GB&lat=55.35413&lon=-2...
This is pretty accurate for travel times. Distances in the UK aren’t such an issue it’s more about time.

If you plan to travel by train in to London (that’s what we do, it’s too much hassle attempting to drive in) it pays to book well in advance. Paying on the day can get stupidly expensive. Try http://www.virgintrains.co.uk. It’s around 2hrs from Chester and you can get 1st class from about £30 return if booked in advance compared to £2-300 if booked on the day.

I guess it depends on what you want, countryside/scenery/tranquillity or culture/busy.

Russ

David J. Pearson
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

fredecosse wrote:
I supose you could then drive to Scotland, food is fantastic there .. :D :D

Second that!!

marcus
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Re: Off topic but still ... Camping in England

Oh er Fred
Those Scottish Specialities
Deep fried Peetza ( since I would not wish to insult any Itialian bred folks)
followed by deep fried Mars Bars
Cheers
M