Tips for a trip to England?

[Alas]

Hello.

I am planning to take a trip to England with my mother as a birthdaypresent.

She's got a big desire to visit Monkeyworld as seen on tv. Go figure! But it's her wish and I think it could be ok, so why not. And I get to see some of England and practice driving on the "wrong side" of the road in a car before I do so on a bike one day.

Anyway, I thought of flying from Norway to Stanstead and renting a car there. As the clever ones among you now have realised I will be driving a car during the stay, this due to the fact that I don't see in a million years how on earth I would got get my mother on a bike, even if I wanted to.

We will probably be renting a car with some sort of navigation system. So we don't get lost.

One of the things I seek are tips for places to see around the Dorchester, Bournemouth?

We plan on arriving thursday afternoon and driving a bit before we sleep over, then get to the Dorchester-Bournemouth area on friday, visiting Monkeyworld on saturday, getting close to Stanstead on sunday and leaving on monday. Does anyone have recommendations for places to stay? Doesn't need to be a fivestar hotel or anything, but b&b's or something?

Are there any web-sites where I can check out diffirent roads, routeplanner is the best way to describe it?

And as I have never been driving in England, is there anyting I need to remember, except driving on the left?

Anything you can think of that could come in handy would be great?

And are there any holidays in September that I should be aware of and avoid?

Thanks a lot in advance!!

[mr slipster]

Hello.

I am planning to take a trip to England with my mother as a birthday present.

She's got a big desire to visit Monkey world as seen on tv. Go figure! But it's her wish and I think it could be ok, so why not. And I get to see some of England and practice driving on the "wrong side" of the road in a car before I do so on a bike one day.

Anyway, I thought of flying from Norway to Stanstead and renting a car there. As the clever ones among you now have realised I will be driving a car during the stay, this due to the fact that I don't see in a million years how on earth I would got get my mother on a bike, even if I wanted to.

We will probably be renting a car with some sort of navigation system. So we don't get lost.

One of the things I seek are tips for places to see around the Dorchester, Bournemouth? Have a look here http://www.bournemouth.co.uk/

We plan on arriving thursday afternoon and driving a bit before we sleep over, then get to the Dorchester-Bournemouth area on friday, visiting Monkeyworld on saturday, getting close to Stanstead on sunday and leaving on monday. Does anyone have recommendations for places to stay? Doesn't need to be a fivestar hotel or anything, but b&b's or something? This site might help http://www.booking.com/city/gb/bournemouth.html?aid=303948;label=bournemouth-FdeNetNdLtFfsSWlS2hFbwS737631201;ws=&gclid=CJTpttjLjowCFQlJEAodQzyJ5g

Are there any web-sites where I can check out diffirent roads, routeplanner is the best way to describe it?

And as I have never been driving in England, is there anyting I need to remember, except driving on the left?

Anything you can think of that could come in handy would be great?

And are there any holidays in September that I should be aware of and avoid? The weather ;)

Thanks a lot in advance!!

Never been to Bournemouth before so don't no any hotels or B&B in the area, but the sites i suggested might help.

[dizzyblonde]

try Michelin routeplanner online. I've found it helpful for my planned trip to S.France. It even tells you where speed camera's are, a must in this country.

[Tiger 55]

And as I have never been driving in England, is there anyting I need to remember, except driving on the left?
In the unlkely event you get stopped by the police, driving or in the street, remember to be polite and respectful. Englih policmen are entitled to be addressed at all times as 'Mr Plod' by members of the public, so just make sure you use this official title and you'll be fine.

Enjoy the trip, guess you're saving Scotland for the bike... :)

[Kinvig]

What is Monkeyworld?

I imagine a place where chimps are our overlords & masters?

Cool or what?

Ape shall not kill ape,
Get your goddammed stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape,
etc.


I *knew* I shouldn't have had that second cappuccino.

[fizzwheel]

One of the things I seek are tips for places to see around the Dorchester, Bournemouth?

Ah my part of the World. All of these worth a visit IMHO

The Cerne Giant - http://www.catnip.co.uk/cerne/
Sherborne - http://www.sherbornetown.co.uk/static/about/about.asp
Durdle Door - http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/durdle.htm
Lulworth Cove - http://www.lulworthonline.co.uk/
Portland Bill / Chesil Beach / Weymouth - http://www.chesilbeach.org/

HTH

[MiniMatt]

Not sure if roundabouts are the same in Norway, they seem to fox a lot of visitors. For the record in the UK, right of way goes to those already on the roundabout.
Speed signs are in MPH rather than KPH (again, not sure if you're metric up there in the snowy wilderness).

As for destinations, Weymouth isn't that far along the coast and is worth a day pottering around, looks all quaint and fishing villagey (popular with the old folks), there's an old fort there which is worth a look round and an overpriced sea life centre with some cool turtles.
Brownsea Island is right on the doorstep and is a typically pretty National Trust walkabout.
And I'm sure the Isle of Wight has some touristy places popular with the oldies.

[Ed]

Bring some warm clothes and a coat. It's cold and wet here this week.

[Alpinestarhero]

Visit brighton; its east of bournmouth along the coast with very good shops and loadsa other stuff

Matt

[ASM-Forever]

If you do stay in a B&B in Bournemouth dont stay in one any where near the Asda(maybe Tesco) with the Underground parking near the main road. Turns out not only is that the red light district...allright for some but its also the worst place i have ever attempted to stay the night.

For those that like their vice, the woman we heckled as they jostled for position on the street corners could of done with a 'major service', or failing that being written off as uneconomical for repair. :)

The lesson is dont book indescriminately....alot of the places are toss...we relocated to a hotel.

[neio79]

If you want to see a good example of an English Castle its worth while goingto Warwick Castle.

[mattSV]

If you want to see a good example of an English Castle its worth while goingto Warwick Castle.

Which is nowhere near Monkeyworld or Bournemouth :D

[chazzyb]

Take a wander through some of the lanes in the 'Jurassic' coast area - west of Dorchester. Bridport is in the middle of it. Find Eggardon Hill, go up and look south west. The view is truly stunning. Go to Lyme Regis, buy fish and chips, walk down the Cob and eat them.

[Ed]

Hey Alas, if you've ever read any novels by Thomas Hardy then you will be roughly in the area where they were written. In my opinion, he was one of the greatest of English authors. 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' is one of the best novels ever written in English - except of course for 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot, and if you ventured as far as Warwick (see above -fantastic castle) - then you'll be in Eliot country. Middlemarch - oh it's terrific.

[Alas]

Thanks for the tips so far. I've been quite busy the last week, but I've looked into the links given.

What Monkeyworld is? It's a primate rescue center. The save primates from around the world. Like I said, not my favourite thing but hey.

And yes I'm saving Scotland for the bike....

The MPH thing should go just fine, since we will be renting an english car. But, in english cars is it like the cars in the rest of europe, that you operate the throttle and brake with ones right foot and the clutch with the left?

And do you yield to the left? Or for cars coming from the left that is?

I will probably keep asking some questions when some more decisions are to be made.

And of course, are there any bike-shops worth visiting? Maybe I could pick up some new gloves or something....

Thanks again. I really apreciate this guys and girls.

[fizzwheel]

No, you'll need to give way to traffic coming from your right. Remember we drive on the left over here so everything is going to be back to front. TBH Bournemouth can be a bit crazy at times, so keep your eyes peeled for traffic coming from all directions, Just take it steady and you'll be fine.

Yep, Throttle and Brake is going to work the same way as your car does.

As for Bike shops have a google for Crescent-Suzuki, they are based in Bournemouth I think and probably the most well known team / shop in the area.

HTH

[Alas]

Good to hear about the brakes and clutch, Crescent-Suzuki will be googled :D

But, I have to give way to those coming from my right? On the other side of the road? I thought I would have to give way to those coming from the left?

I Norway we have to give way to those coming in from my right. Oh well, I believe you ;)

[muffles]

Bring some warm clothes and a coat. It's cold and wet here this year.


:smt045

[Captain Nemo]

monkey world??

thats a setup yeah??

[Alas]

monkey world??

thats a setup yeah??

Huh? I don't follow. It is a very real place....

http://www.monkeyworld.org/

:D