With the term coming to an end (my last final is tomorrow!), a few girls from my program and I have been throwing around the idea of a road trip! I know the notion of a road trip sounds very… American, but I can certainly see the appeal of a British road trip so I’m more than on board (and clearly spreading myself way too thin with the million other things I need to get done by July 3rd).
We initially considered doing a Stonehenge/Bath/Cardiff road trip with Cardiff being the final destination before heading back. Despite the fact that Wales is super close (relatively speaking; it’s about two hours driving), I still haven’t made the journey out there. I’ve heard good things about Cardiff: laden with history and a unique culture while having a vibrant, young feel. If I’m in the business of ticking boxes of newly- visited countries, certainly this is as good as any? Plus, I tend to feel that Wales is neglected. I mean, why is the Union Jack a composite of England’s flag and Scotland’s flag? Does Wales not count? (I’m not going to even mention Northern Ireland… poor neglected countries.)
While I was daydreaming about said road trip, another idea popped into my head… what about heading north into the heart of England? For having lived here for nine months, my journeys around England itself have been limited (sadly). Stratford, Warwick, Oxford and the Cotswolds are all pretty close to one another and could make for a great two-day adventure. Four places is too much, so Oxford would probably get knocked off the list, but Stratford is a quick stopover before heading to Warwick Castle and then ultimately to the Cotswolds to spend the night! If you’re not familiar with Warwick Castle, it’s probably the most bad ass of the castles that I’ve seen, in the sense that it’s really well-preserved. The trip would have an entirely different feel, I presume, but would still be an awesome road trip!
Any thoughts? Has anyone been to any of those cities?
We’re planning on (tentatively) going Sunday – Monday or Monday – Tuesday so any insight would be stellar!
Lots of love,
I think Stonehenge is possible THE most overrated tourist place in the world. You go. You walk around the stones (a long way away, mind you, you can’t get close). That’s it. Half an hour, maximum. You can see just as much from the car window on the way past.
I went to uni in Warwick so know that part of the world very well. Stratford’s been really heavily touristified, sadly. Unless you were going to see the RSC – who are amazing – it’s probably not worth it. His house is another disappointment.
BUT! Just in case you thought this was going to be a post of doom and gloom about how rubbish everywhere is, Bath is LOVELY! I hear from my student cousin that Cardiff is a really fun city with excellent nightlife. And the Cotswolds are beautiful. So if you could work out a way to combine those three….that’s what I’d recommend!
Hey Lyndsey!
Thanks for the input! I’d heard mixed things about Stonehenge, but it seemed kind of like a must-see tourist attraction while I’m here. I think I might be leaning towards Warwick & the Cotswolds though. Warwick Castle just looks so amazing! :)
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