Ellie From Wisconsin

HI,

I love this web site! I have always wanted to travel to England. I am planning a trip next year in July with a friend. We mostly want to do a road trip involving Englands great castles, but so much more. We plan on renting a car rather than trains or bus. Some are discouraging this plan, but what I really want to do is meet the people of England and I think this would be the best way. This will be my" trip of a life time" all in 2 weeks time, so I if I am crazy to try driving (other side of the car) please feel free to advise. I also would rather avoid crouds, so if there is something of the beaten path I don't mind the drive. I also have no idea what can be had for foods. Some say there is a lot of fish. We plan on starting in Dover and driving about 100 miles a day, and ending in Scotland for the highland games around the 26th of July, 2011. I am not a city girl so we are bypassing London. Unless we are confident of where and what we are doing.

I am middle aged, live in a small village on lake Michigan. I love history, my children and my dogs.I have been married 20 years and haven't decided if he is a keeper or not. Gemini, can't live with or without them.

Ellie

Hi Ellie, a very warm welcome to the POE family, glad you love the web site.  I am so jealous that you are planning a trip to England, wish it was me!! I am sure you will have a fabulous time. 

Can't advise you about the driving as we drive on the same side of the road in South Africa as they do in England, so it was no different for me, except the roads seem to be much narrower in England!

I expect you will find that there is no problem as far as food is concerned. There is always the McDonalds or KFC if you get home sick, lol.

Have you checked out the "English Castles" Tour on this site?  You will get lots of information and maps etc.,  Whatever you do, have lots of fun and take lots of photos (which of course we will want to see!) and let us know all about it.

Hi from me Ellie. There are lots of info on this site in past posts regarding travel in the UK.

You are best traveling by car as the roads are easy once you have got the hang of them.

traveling from Dover to Scotland? there are two ways realy, up the east side of England or up the west side. The east tends to be flat until you reach yorkshire with many pretty places of interest. My advice if you have the time and stamina would be travel west from dover to Somerset, then North, taking in the Cotswolds, through Oxford heading north through Stratford on Avon (Shakespear) keeping Wales on your left visit Chester and then maybe Liverpool (but avoide LP if you are not 'streetwise' lol), up the M6 through Lancashire and the Lake District to Carlise and the Scotish border. Or from the Lake District, if you wish it is worth heading east to visit York, then head north to Edinburgh. Lots of castles on route but plan them before you leave. view them on this site. Good luck and enjoy our land. (No problems with food, you can get what you want, when you want and most areas have B&B's where you'll made made welcome and meet the locals).

I wouldn't drive in England again if you paid me, but then I don't like driving period. 

I liked the train myself, but it's all a matter of what pleases you, and what you feel comfortable with.

You will definitely see more by car, being able to stop and start as you please. Just always be mindful that you are on the other side of the road, and that the English drive like madmen.

Enjoy your trip, and be sure to visit back with us, sharing you pictures and your travel experiences. 

Welcome to POE from Anna and Ron, Ellie. It's a great website and forum, so join in whenever you can...

As for driving here, umm, err, well, just remember we have roundabouts! Lol