I'm planning a week of travelling for about 18 people. I'm putting together a trip that includes Cambridge as our main hub but am struggling between two itineraries and need some good advice on which I should choose. I've chosen Cambridge because a good friend will be showing us the area and I chose Norwich which I know personally. However, the Cotswolds and Stratford upon Avon also sound stunning, which is why I kindly ask: What say you?
Option 1
7-day trip with hotels in Cambridge and Norwich
Day 1: Cambridge
Day 2: Area around Cambridge (tour given by a friend)
Day 3: Oxford and Stratford upon Avon
Day 4: Lavendam and other Suffolk villages
Day 5: Ely, Norwich
Day 6: Norwich
Day 7: Blickling, Cromer, Wells and back to Norwich
Day 8: Return to London and fly back.
Option 2
7-day trip with hotels in Cambridge and Oxford
Day 1: Cambridge
Day 2: Area around Cambridge (tour given by a friend)
I'd vote for the Cotswolds. They show England at its best: rolling hills, lovely country pubs and teahouses, honey-coloured stone houses. Absolutely gorgeous!
Stratford is a tourist trap, but still worth a visit: Shakespeare's House and the gardens behind, the canal and river, the church with the brasses - all are worth visiting. If you have the time and money, you might be able to fit in a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre.
Norwich is great, but given the choice between the wilds of East Anglia and the lush countryside of the South Midlands, I know which I'd go for.
definitely the 2nd one. norwich is a dump (no offence meant). and everything north of cambridge is not exactly worth visiting given the rest of what the UK has to offer. Ely cathedral perhaps. south, you have audley end house and finchingfield village which are quite nice.
any reason to base around cambridge? i lived there for about 6 years and still visit often. its not a very pleasant place any more. packed with tourists and its grown too fast. not the place it once was sadly.
cotswolds is a good idea if you don't want to journey too many hours from the london airports.
Actually, I'm a huge fan of Norwich with its delightful city center and parks but I realize the area around it may not be as amazing as other parts, hence my questions.
Thanks for your input. Appreciate your tips about the places you mentioned. They'd fit in nicely on the way to Lavendam.
Agree with DB- option 2. But ... one day ... for the Cotswolds? What are wour plans for that day? The main roads crossing the Costwolds are pretty un-inspiring if you just drive through. Broadway (a bit too touristy nowadays), the Slaughters, Stow? Or a garden, like Hidcote?
Also the logistics of trip one are a bit frantic - rushing back and forth.
So, trip two it is! Cotswolds - I used to love Bourton on the water, although it may have changed in the last 55 years . Was in Bradford on Avon a couple of years ago and that seemed well worth it. There was an eccentric edge that I liked - not just the starchy picture postcard that I expected.
Thanks for your feedback. What would you recommend in the Cotswolds? I've done some research and it seems doing a walk should be included. The towns so so pretty.
Definitely Option 2 - my initial reaction when I read the itineraries was “sure glad I’m not going!” - but am aware “this” is how many people are used to travelling.
I’ve lived in Cambridge for 14 years, Ely for 2, never made it to many of those places. A part of Ely that is often overlooked in the rush to see only the cathedral is the riverside. Pleasant walk from the school/cathedral, no more than 10min. If you manage even 3/5 in 7 days including transfers I suppose it is admirable.
Wimpole Hall is another stately home though Audley End has a cool labyrinth. Depending on your timings perhaps check if either has a special day scheduled.
Although lots of the places are lovely, on a cold dark winter's day, most will seem a bit grim without much to offer (which could be considered part of their charm).
Cambridge is lovely but I'm not sure I'd chose Oxford on the same itinerary as there's probably too much of the sameness for the casual visitor.
Trip 2 is more doable but in all honesty you might need 2 trips to fit in everything you want to
If you go to the Cotswolds then you need to consider Bath, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Stow on the Wold, Morton in Marsh, Chipping Norton as well as all the others already mentioned. It is a lot to fit in in such a short time, especially if you plan to get out of the bus and have a wander round. I was in Stratford upon Avon in August, not as a tourist but was really disappointed, it seemed a bit dirty and grey. I had no sense that I was in a historical town.
Just depends on the group really, age, and interests, and budget. I could write a book or two about the Cotswolds, but have no time right now . Frank Z- Bourton-on-the Water has not changed much at all- apart from all the shops and Cafés are now for tourists, with prices to match.
I actually prefer Rutland myself- which I know like my back pocket. All the charm of the Cotswolds, same honey coloured villages with Collyweston and thatched rooves, rolling hills, great Castles, Rutand Water, etc, but without the tourists, and the towns still have butchers and candle makers, etc- unlike the Cotswolds which have been totally taken over by Souvenir shops and twee tea-shops. Oakham, Uppingham, etc- and just over the border- amazing stone Stamford and Burleigh House - the magnificent Castle of William Cecil, advisor to Queen Elizabeth the First- and its amazing deer Park. Home of 'Chariots of Fire' and so many films recently- with cream tea at the famous George Inn.
We're going the first week of May. I realize it's a lot of traveling but that's how our group does it. What's more important is that we don't use too many hotels which is why I have chosen two destinations and do day trips from them.
I'm beginning to think that I might just postpone Oxford and Cotswolds for another trip so that we can spend more quality time there. I know Cotswolds is special and should be done with long walks to get a real feel of it.
Perhaps in two years time, I'll organise a trip that only includes:
There may/most likely be more than one stack of old bricks going by the same name - this is the one I know
Anglesey Abbey is a country house, formerly a priory, in the village of Lode, 5 1⁄2 miles (8.9 km) northeast of Cambridge, England. The house and its grounds are owned by the National Trust and are open to the public as part of the Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill property,[1] although some parts remain the private home of the Fairhaven family.
YES - btw Rutland and Stamford (Lincs) are only 1 hour from Cambridge- makes a great triangle with Ely with its magnificent Cathedral and 'lantern' tower. May is THE month to go to England for sure. Enjoy. Tom off to East Leics/Rutland for 2 weeks- and yes, May is much nicer for sure.