Tips for a trip to England?

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!!

Originally Posted by Alas

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/bourn...FQlJEAodQzyJ5g

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.

Originally Posted by Alas

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...

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]

Originally Posted by Alas

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

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.

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

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

Matt

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.