Britain/United Kingdom/England/Travel to UK in November

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Expert: - 7/4/2008


Question
I have never been to the UK. I will be in Basingstoke for business, but want to take an extra week to see historical sites. I love the Tudor period. Debating if it is easier to stay in London all week or visit castles. Concerned about the weather or if the castles would be open this time of year. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi - thanks for your question.

Don't worry about the weather - November is usually a lovely month, occasional rain, but a lot of sun - not very warm, though!

You don't say how you intend to travel around, so let me know and I'll advise further. Although we have excellent and cheap rail services, most castles tend to be a little further out, so a car may be advised. (Do remember, though, that if you're travelling around by car, our petrol is $12 / gallon, and increasing!)

In the meantime, many of our properties are in the care of 2 organisations, the National Trust
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/
(if you type Tudor in their search box, you'll get a list of Tudor related themes)
and English Heritage
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
(again, type Tudor in the search box for a list of opportunities!)

If you're staying in London, take a look at
http://www.britainexpress.com/London/tudor-london.htm
http://www.britannia.com/history/londonhistory/tudlon.html and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tudor_London

Most of the places mentioned still exist and can be easily visited in a week.

Let me have a little more detail of your thoughts, please and I'll be happy to help further.


Alun Hill MCIJ
Editor: http://IsLondonExpensive.com

Britain/United Kingdom/England

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Alun Hill MCIJ

Expertise

As a full time, UK based, travel journalist, I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places. Visitors for both business and pleasure are welcome to ask questions. I almost always travel by public transport, so questions on rail, air and coach / bus travel are also very welcome. I also regularly write about and use the "Eurostar" rail service between London and Continental Europe - which uses a tunnel under the English Channel - so I am able to help with any questions there, too.

Experience

I'm a full time, UK based, travel journalist. I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places for my readers. I have been writing about, filming and reporting from UK tourism destinations for over 12 years. I cover both "business" and "pleasure" trips for my readers.

Organizations
I am a member of the "Chartered Institute of Journalists" (the world's oldest professional body for journalists), the "British Association of Journalists" and "The International Travel Writers Alliance". I hold a full UK Press Card, issued by the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard, London.

Publications
National and local press in UK. Local and National TV in the UK and Europe (Germany, Hungary), reporting on travel and tourism in the UK.

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