Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Unflip

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

1 2

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Holidays

Travel to England; Scotland

31 replies

JoAnne427 · 05/02/2002 19:41

Hello - we are discussing a possible trip in summer or fall to England and Scotland. Only about 8 days total, so may end up only going to England, not sure yet. Have never been, so really have no idea where to go.

Any advice on where to stay with an 18 mo. old? And places to visit - or even websites I can get info. from?

Thanks!

OP posts:

Report

JJ · 16/02/2002 09:53

JoAnne427, forgetful me hasn't emailed them asking them to email you my email address so that you can email me. It's probably just easier to give the address here: [email protected]
Talk to you soon.

robinw · 15/02/2002 07:36

message withdrawn

robinw · 15/02/2002 07:35

message withdrawn

JoAnne427 · 14/02/2002 20:15

I'm flexible! I've just learned (in the last 20 minutes) that I am definitely being laid off on feb. 28th - so the cheaper the holiday the better! (didn't love my job anyway - which you can tell if you see how much I have been posting here lately!)

And you will get to see Autumn in New England - you could also have your sis come by and fill you in on my place, so you know what to expect...

Forward the info - e:mail, etc. and we'll talk...

OP posts:

JJ · 14/02/2002 19:36

Joanne, when are you going? One of my sons and I are planning on visiting my sister in New Haven in Sept or Oct for a week. My husband and other son will be in Chicago visiting friends. So our house will be free and I'd love a real place to stay when visiting her...

We live in Islington. It's in North London and we're in the south part of that (does that make sense?).

If you'd like, I can ask the official mumsnetters to give you my email address.

Marina · 14/02/2002 18:03

Joanne, it is the same organisation, and their website is
National Childbirth Trust
You pay a small extra fee to join, only about £20.00 per annum, and from what SueDonim has said it sounds a very good way to enjoy a budget holiday without hauling travel cots, potties around etc.
Now here's another cheap idea! Apparently last year a Dutch student completed a round the world trip and asked people to offer overnight accommodation via his website. He travelled completely free but stayed with some intriguing hosts. Maybe not!

JoAnne427 · 14/02/2002 16:33

Hello - just did a search and came up with National Childbirth Trust - is that the NCT you refer to? Couldn't find anything about house swap, though. Anyone know of a website for that?

Gracias!

OP posts:

JoAnne427 · 14/02/2002 16:23

I am ALL for a house swap! New Haven is a great city (and coastal - beaches close by) right between NYC and Boston (a little closer to NYC) and only 1 hour from Newport, RI. Great restaurants, free concerts in the summer, etc. The house I just bought is in Hamden, just a few miles outside of New Haven - but walking distance to bike trail, golf course, etc.

It's small - but cute - only 2 bedrooms - big back yard - waiting 'til spring to see what is in the garden before I plan on digging up anything. Needs lots of aesthetic work to make it mine.

could be a good way to go...I am going to check out the register you all are referring to...and get the cost for the apartments in Edinburgh and see if you think they are high priced...

Happy valetine's day everyone!

OP posts:

Rosy · 14/02/2002 15:22

Hi JoAnne. Ocean Apartments seem to be in Leith, which is outside the very city centre - but then you probably view distances differently from us old worlders! As Sue says, the Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare of the Old Town, linking the castle and Holyrood Palace. And as for Royal Scot Mews, I can't find out anything about it. Is it some sort of accommodation? What kind of price do you envisage paying for your accomodation? All the apartments I saw in the Tourist Board website seemed really expensive to me. There are agencies through which people let their flats during the festival, but I've not been able to find out any numbers or websites as yet. I'll hopefully have some info for you after the weekend. Bye for now.

SueDonim · 14/02/2002 13:09

I didn't see The Swap - but I understand your comment now, Marina, lol! We live in an ordinary modern house, although we are in an attractive area of Scotland. Tidiness isn't my forte but all we did was stick stuff into cupboards or stack it up carefully to give an impression of tidiness.

The house we went to was very ordinary, too, just a family home. Our DD liked having different toys to play with although after nearly 18mths she still hankers after a bright pink, plastic toy dressing-table, like the one in her bedroom there!

I don't think it's a disadvantage if you're not in a touristy area, either. Lots of people like to swap houses in order to visit relatives, as it keeps the cost down, so don't immediately think no one would want to come to where you live.

And it's a brilliant idea for Joanne to do a houseswap!

Marina · 14/02/2002 10:51

SueDonim, I was being a bit silly - I don't think the NCT house-swap register is really full of stereo-flogging, daughter-molesting maniacs, it was just the mag arrived the day after episode 2 of The Swap. I would be interested to hear more about your house-swap, though. Do you have to have a big, tidy house in an attractive part of the UK? We fail on all three counts...
JoAnne, sorry, we've hijacked your thread a bit but this could be relevant. I think the NCT welcomes overseas members and then maybe you could get a townhouse in Edinburgh in exchange for your place in New Haven? For NOTHING...
I am going to also plug the Lake District and the Borders. Both en route between south of England and Scotland, both very beautiful. JoAnne, you need to make your trip longer if you can...

sis · 14/02/2002 10:40

JoAnne427, hope you have a great trip - if you come in May instead of August, it would be great to meet you at the London meet-up. I think there was talk of a Scotland meet-up too so you may want to check out that thread to see if your dates coincide.

BTW, don't forget the waterproofs!

pamina · 14/02/2002 08:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SueDonim · 14/02/2002 00:57

The High St/Royal Mile is where its at, in Edinburgh! It's the oldest part, tall thin buildings, narrow cobbled streets, shops, restaurants, the castle. But nowhere else is very far away so it would be a good base.

Marina, we did an NCT houseswap a couple of years ago, to the Lake District. It was fine and we had no problems.

robinw · 13/02/2002 22:47

message withdrawn

Marina · 13/02/2002 19:39

Yes, I must say the ad in my newly delivered copy of New Generation, inviting me to join the NCT House Swap register, did not seem very appealing. But, let's face it, how many NCT members look like Jonathan Cake?
Hope your cold is feeling better, ChanelNo5!

ChanelNo5 · 13/02/2002 17:36

P.S Anyone else been put off the idea of doing a house swap after watching 'The Swap' on Sun/Mon night?

ChanelNo5 · 13/02/2002 17:32

Warwickshire's (Shakespeare county) great for history. Think men in doublet and hose (but that's enough of my dh's private life!) I'm feeling a bit of an old relic too at the moment!

JoAnne427 · 13/02/2002 15:49

Me again.

SueDonim - was just on the website - thanks for the tip...

Can anyone offer info on the following:

Ocean Apartments
High Street (Royal Mile)
Royal Scot Mews

Or any others...aparments sound like a good idea...have never done that before...

Thanks!

OP posts:

Rosy · 13/02/2002 15:44

Check out thescotsman.com for some panoramas of Princes St, castle etc.

JoAnne427 · 13/02/2002 15:26

Rosy - I am in Connecticut - so will probably fly out of Newark or JFK - and I think I am going to pursue Edinburgh in August - it will depend on flights and what is the best deal.

RobinW and Ailsa - definitely interested in history - I am not so much looking for a bask in the sun with a margarita (sounds good though!) as I am adventures/day escapades, etc. Very interested in architecture - and New Haven (where I live now) is wonderful for that, but it only goes back so far!

And if Northumberland isn't too far - maybe we could do a beach trip while there.

I just got off the phone with DP - he is getting excited now that it means he can rationalize buying the kelty hiking backpack for dd...

Fingers crossed! going to check cost now and see if it is in the budget!

Thanks for all of your assistance...

OP posts:

Rosy · 13/02/2002 14:51

Glad you're still there JoAnne. Do I remember correctly that you're in New Jersey? I think there are cheap flights between Newark & Glasgow (which is about 40 miles from Edinburgh). London's a great city, but huge. I say this as an exile from the SE of England now living in Edinburgh though, so maybe I'm biased. I echo everything Harrysmum says about how wonderful the city is. Everything's pretty much within walking distance of the centre, and for anything further afield, there are good bus services. The festival fringe this year runs from 5-25th August, when things get pretty booked up, but it's good fun to be in town at that time, and obviously there's lots to do, even free things. If you decide to come here, I'd be happy to give you loads more info.

Planning other people's holidays is almost as good as going on holiday yourself!

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Ailsa · 12/02/2002 23:21

some web addresses that may or may not be of any use.

www.royal-worcester.co.uk

www.worcs.com

www.elgar.org

www.northumberland.gov.uk/vg/

Ailsa · 12/02/2002 23:05

Worcester is good for history - English Civil War (The Commandery), Cathedral, Sir Edward Elgar, Royal Worcester Porcelain.

Northumberland is good if you like castles and good beaches, not too far from Edinburgh.

robinw · 12/02/2002 22:29

message withdrawn

Unflip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.