Hopefully you have had a chance to read my last 2 posts, Part 1 and 2, and you already know that our Next Big Girl’s Trip will be in June to Ireland/Northern Ireland for 5 nights, London for 2 nights, the rest of England for 2 nights on our way to Scotland, Scotland for 6 nights, and then 1 last night in Dublin before we fly home to Chicago!!! That’s a total of 17 days/16 nights!!! This post will focus on the Wales and England portion of our trip!!
Day 9– Let’s head to the English Countryside!!!
We are rented a 9-passenger van!!! I know, we might be just a little crazy on this one. But, we have driven on the wrong side of the ride around Scotland before and my mother and sister have agreed to be the drivers. My sister has driven something bigger before at least. So we are picking up our rental at Gatwick Airport on the outskirts of London to the south. So at least we will be avoiding most of the traffic congestion of the city. Again, we are planning a scheduled airport van transfer, but that may change.
Because there were originally going to be 8 of us in the UK, we wouldn’t fit into a minivan again. Our option was rent 2 smaller cars for around $800 total or a 9-passenger van for $1400 or more. So, after weeks of looking for the best deal I can across the Hertz UK rental site online. There was an option for van rental next to the tab for car rental. Most of these vans were equipment transport vans, moving vans, or small windowless vans for businesses. But way at the bottom of the page was a 9-passenger van for much cheaper than even listed under the car rental. I am not sure why, but Hey! I’ll take it!! Total cost for the 8 day rental, with the drop off in Aberdeen, Scotland was only $522!!! A $900 savings!!! Now, I do understand that our petrol costs will be a little greater, but we are all looking forward to spending the time in one vehicle together for the week. Logistically, having two separate cars is a hassle (speaking from experience).
We are heading straight to Bodiam Castle (it has a mote!!!!) on our way to Beachy Head on the southern coast for the best views of the White Cliffs of Dover. Then, it off to Stonehenge and Avebury with a possible stop at Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey is filmed. I’m so excited about Stonehenge and Avebury!!!
Have I mentioned that I’m OBSESSED with the book series Outlander, which is now also a hit show on Starz? Outlander is a time-travel romance series by Diana Gabaldon about a WWII nurse who falls thru time (via a circle of standing stones) and ends up in the 1700’s Scotland. Hence, on the way around Ireland and the UK we are hoping to make some stops to see the hundreds of stone circles dotted throughout these 4 countries. Maybe we will be lucky and fall thru time ourselves…. It Will be around the Summer Solstice.
We are hoping to visit Bath in the afternoon if there is time and drive thru the beautiful area known as the Cotswold’s after that. We are staying the night at The New Inn in Gloucester. It looks so cool online with great reviews. It actually a 500 year old Tudor-style coaching inn right in the center of the city!!
Day 10– Wales and York
There is so much to see and do in Wales, we could easily spend a week there, but on this trip we will barely have a few hours!!! I really want to stop at the mossy, fairy-like Puzzlewood forest before we head to the northern coast of Wales to see some of the most fantastic castles!! The entire coast of Wales is beautiful!!!!
There are at least four castles we would like to at least get a peak at before we head to York, England for night 10. We have at least 5 hours worth of driving without any additional stops, which we have a list of!
York is a 13th Century, completely walled city in the north of England founded by the ancient Romans. We are hoping to get there in time for a stroll around the wall and walk along the banks of the River Ouse. We are staying at the Hilton York right in the heart of the city and steps away from the best pubs and restaurants! I am looking forward to some great food and fun!!!
Day 11– Off to Scotland!!!
Stay Tunes for Part 4
