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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
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  #1  
Old 15 Feb 2011
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Southern England - on a budget
Hello,


First trip to England this June, with about two weeks there. Not an adventure trip and possibly not even involving a motorcycle...

Inclined to head south from London, to Cornwall. Prefer walking, bicycling, canals etc rather then cities, art galleries and museums. Looking for suggestions on budget accommodation anywhere between Oxford and Cornwall.

Or suggest something completely different if you think this isn't the best way to spend first trip there?

It will be second half of June, which will avoid the school vacation if I've planned it properly.

cheers
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  #2  
Old 15 Feb 2011
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Backpackers.
Hi, check backpackers.co.uk - info@backpackers.co.uk - the definitvie guide to independent backpacking hostels in the UK for alternative, convenient accomodation to youth hostels. Some tend to be scruffy or trendy depending upon visitor while main centres are busy so need to be booked. Ciao, Lindsay.
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Old 15 Feb 2011
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Backpackers / Youth Hostels
Agree with Linzi, your best bet would be backpackers, youth hostels or even campsites. Be aware that with campsites there are plenty who will only let you stay for a complete weekend rather than just one night, especially around public holidays and / or near tourist areas. This site has always helped me plan excursions around the UK, recommended!

Also, have you thought about heading over to Wales? Much better scenery, probably less tourists as well.
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Old 15 Feb 2011
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Hi Colin,
What type of cycling do you want to do? If you like green lanes I would suggest finding the Ridgeway where it passes close to Oxford, cycle to Avebury and down to the Kennet and Avon canal, this will take you to Bath and Bristol. From there take a train to Exeter and cycle across Dartmoor and down to Plymouth. Get the train to Penzance and cycle on to Land's end.
Although the cities mentioned have places of interest in them they are only places to get the train if you are not interested. Some of this is quite arduous and will require the use of a tent some nights but is some of the best off road cycle touring you will find.
In Oxford use the backpackers, not the YHA, it is a lot cheaper and more relaxed. If you are on couch surfers I know there is one about 2 miles from Lands End who is also a member of the HUBB.

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  #5  
Old 15 Feb 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by muppix View Post
Agree with Linzi, your best bet would be backpackers, youth hostels or even campsites. Be aware that with campsites there are plenty who will only let you stay for a complete weekend rather than just one night, especially around public holidays and / or near tourist areas. This site has always helped me plan excursions around the UK, recommended!

Also, have you thought about heading over to Wales? Much better scenery, probably less tourists as well.
agree with everything here except the problem encountered with only staying one night. I've camped all round the south west practically every year and never encountered this problem.


A few of my faves-

Stockbridge- pretty town if you are passing through, Danebury Ring a few miles away, impressive iron age fort- walk up a hill and onto the fort embankments

North devon/cornwall coastline- very dramatic- Hartland Quay/Point- amazing, can imagine the ghosts of shipwrecks there
Boscastle further down the coast- lovely old fishing town/village

Exmoor national park- tors (exposed hills), moorland and woodland
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  #6  
Old 16 Feb 2011
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This may interest you or some bikers.
The old A30 is still in existence, but ungraded now it has been supplanted by a dual carriageway from Exeter to Cornwall. It actually makes for a nice ride and passes through many little towns and villages. From Launceston town take the road out to the north coast and follow it down. This is all good stuff for an Enfield, would be a bit adventurous for me on a pedal bike.

The old A30 can be found at Ide and goes to Tedburn st Mary, Crockerwell, Whidden down, Sticklepath and on to Bridestow via Okehampton finishing up at Lifton.

As an aside, does anyone know the route of the old A11 from t he N circular to Newmarket. Many of the old A roads got swallowed up when they built the motorways in the UK. By and large this did not happen in France.
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Old 16 Feb 2011
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North Circular to Snetterton
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
As an aside, does anyone know the route of the old A11 from t he N circular to Newmarket. Many of the old A roads got swallowed up when they built the motorways in the UK. By and large this did not happen in France.
I used to live close to the 'old A11', and the Epping New Road through the forest. We used to drink heaven-knows how many pints, and race after closing time up and down between the Wake Arms roundabout and the Robin Hood roundabout until we got bored. That was in the 60s.

To be a little safer, I started racing properly and would take my bike to Snetterton quite a bit, all the way up the 'old A11'.

Some years ago I found myself in that area and tried to find that old road, and had to give up.

I studied some old maps, had another go, and eventually managed to follow it from Epping Forest to Newmarket. In one of those villages around Stansted Airport, what was the A11 is now a minor road and you have to give way to other traffic at some junctions. That was tricky, with the old road layout still stuck in your head!

As I remember, bits of it had disappeared close to Newmarket, ditto Thetford.

It's very sad, but probably more of the old A11 still exists than does the old 'Norwich Straight' at Snetterton!

That's enough nostalgia for one day........
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