Greetings From Judy in Southern California, USA

Hello everyone.  I am brand new to this website and so far love it.  A friend and I are planning a cruise out of Southampton this coming October but will be visiting England for a few days before and after the cruise.  We're trying to figure out a specific region in which to visit -- considering the Southeast (Kent, for instance), but am open to any and all suggestions for a whirlwind trip!

Looking forward to searching this site for the most beautiful places to visit and interesting things to do.

Thanks to all who respond.

 Judy 

Welcome to Poe Judy;  from Southampton there's always London if you wanted to see the usual sights around Westminster and the West End north of it.

But, for other things, just up the M3 you'd soon be in Winchester and it's lovely cathedral. Carry on then up the A34 and just past Newbury onto the M4 and head west into Wiltshire. Passed Swindon on your right will be the Cotswolds and all its lovely villages. Bath isn't much furhter along and heading south out of Bath into Somerset in the Cheddar Gorge area. Then heading southeast you could aim for Dorset, a lovely county, especially the coast line, and from there, east into Hampshire and back to Southampton.

Or if you really want Kent, up the M3 to the M25 and turn right/east through Surrey, and when you hit the junction with the A21, you're well into Kent by now. But, if you went south down the A21, then left at Flimwell onto the A268,then a road left after Newenden, it'll take you to Rye in East Sussex; a lovely ancient town on the border with Kent.  Really depends what things you'd like to see over here.  What ship will you be on, as I do like going down to Hythe on Southapton Water taking pics of the liners leaving; usually late afternoon. 

Hello Paul, and thank you for your great input.  I've already made some reservations at the Cotswolds (Lamb Inn) and then heading down to stay for the rest of the time at a farmhouse just outside of Canterbury.  I've even rented a car to plow around in.  Will probably stay in or around London for the few days I'll be in town prior to the cruise. 

I'm taking the Celebrty Cruise ship Eclipse to the Canary Islands and The Azores.  You must live nearby Southampton?  I understand there are two ports at Southampton from which ships depart.  Do you know which one Celebrity usually leaves from?

Looking forward to more of your suggestions -- it sounds like you do quite a lot of traveling.

Take care.

Judy

Hi Judy---I live about 40 miles north of Southampton. Celebrity Eclispe uses City Terminal---Southamton is a large port. She departs at the very end of Sept on a cruise that could be yours; 2 weeks later to the Med again to include Florida, and end of October back around the Meditteranean area again; France, Portugal, and Azores her typical ports of call.

Arrives at Southampton 5-50AM and departs at 4-30 PM on each of her cruises. On her 13th Oct trip, in port with her is sister Celebrity Constellation and P&O Cruises Aurora and Arcadia. Cunard's 3 Queens seem to be comming and going before/after Eclipse's visits.

Hi Judy and welcome to POE from Anna and Ron. Seems like you are enjoying this site and forum already?

Paul has a wealth of knowledge about everything, so you are in good hands there!

Hello to all my new UK friends! Thank you for responding Paul, Ron, Anna and Dave. 

Paul, I will be on the Oct. 13 Eclipse departure.  Thank you for clarifying the terminal.  Now to find it once there .  

Dave, I absolutely love the Lake District!  Have been there in previous UK trips in the 1980s -- and remember a lovely, albeit cold, boat ride on Lake Windermere.  There's just so many things to see and visit in England that it's hard to pick one or two places for a short visit.  So much history and the very old buildings.  Amazing how wonderful it is!

I will be getting on the other forums and interacting with you all.  I'm a happy gal, and looking forward to getting to know many of you.

 Thank you again for everything -- I will be picking your brains!!

Judy

Judy, you'll find City Terminal info here; berth 101 for Celebrity Eclipse. If driving down the M3, its signposted Southampton/Docks and a straight road into S'Hampton and when you can't go no further south, turn right which then follows the docks and Gates 8 or 10 for City Terminal parking. Looks like you're haing 3 holidays rolled into one which I'm sure you'll enjoy.

 http://www.abparking.co.uk/directions/city_cruise_terminal

Thank you so much Paul and Vince -- very useful information indeed.  I don't know what either of you do for a living, but certainly Tour Guide would be something I would guess!  At least for the POE site.  Everyone has been very welcoming and helpful. 

Just made reservations at the Doubletree Hotel Westminster in London for the three days prior to sailing.  Don't know anything about the area (safety, that is), but hopefully it will be close to the British Museum and other notable sites in London.  I'll be checking this site for specifics.

 Thanks again to all for your help and wishes.  Looking forward to interacting with you much more in the days and months ahead.

Judy