Visiting The UK

[Tha1ChiefRocka]

This is not going to happen for awhile, but, after I get my first real job, I'd like to take myself a vacation. I've only been out of the country once, and I went to Italy, Austria, and Germany, but this time I'd like to go to the UK and maybe Ireland if I have enough money/time. Once again this won't be happening for awhile,maybe one or two years from now, but it doesn't hurt to start planning. If any of the members from the Former British Empire could give me some helpful tips for travel, or lodging ideas, I would be thankful. As it stands now, I'm a 23 year old bachelor (24 by the time of this trip) and I'll most likely be traveling alone, because the rest of my friends will either be unemployed or still in school.

Thanks (or "Cheers", I guess )

[Hayden]

Bring an umbrella and up your coffee budget.

Only been to the UK once (London), but really dug it. As an American you'll probably consider it an easily walkable city, especially in better weather. I found what most people said was far away was actually quite close. Being said, if it's 2am and you need a bus, just take note they don't accept cash (at any time of day I should add).

(the rest I'll leave to the UK members who know a lot more)

[Jimmy Dread]

A lot depends on what you want to get out of your trip to Blighty I guess...

Sightseeing? London obvs, but a trip to the Lake District, the fishing villages of Cornwall, the vibrancy of Brighton, donkey ride at Blackpool, a bottle of Newcastle Brown on the Tyne, take in a Premier League football ('soccer') match or even a game of cricket at Lord's depending on when you visit, record shopping in Portobello, Notting Hill, Camden and Soho (if you need a guide I'll happily show you the best shops) or Bristol if you prefer, a stately home (Blenheim Palace - Churchill's old gaff - or Hampton Court worth a trek), Windsor Castle and see if Queenie's in, have a pint of real ale at a West Country pub on the village green and pretend you're in The Kinks, travel to Stonehenge and stand miles away from a load of tall stones (and then go home and wonder what all the fuss was about), see a gig at the Brixton Academy, go punting down the Thames at Henley, visit Nick Drake's grave in Tanworth-in-Arden and leave a guitar pick behind. You could even venture into Cymru and learn a new language, or Scotland and get wankered on Buckfast (which comes from Devon). Norn Iron has Giant's Causeway which is a load of rocks, and probably more flags being flown from roundabouts than you've ever seen (and that's in full knowledge that you're from The States, where I know you guys love your flags).

In terms of lodgings and travel, trains are stupidly expensive so would suggest if you're on a budget use National Express coaches. Hostels probably not a bad idea - an average hotel would set you back £120 a night in London, but if you're outside the smoke then there's bargains all over the place if you look on booking.com and such. London buses might not accept cash but others outside London do. The cheapest national chain is probably Travelodge, but they're very basic so don't expect The Savoy. If you know when you're going book them up way in advance and it might work out pretty economically savvy.

Avoid visiting in January and February (weather and people are miserable) and I'd wait to see how Brexit unravels - you could be walking into a civil war, and if not everything might have tumbled down in price that $1 might get you £10 or something mad. Although I doubt it, 'cos us Brits will probably just shrug our shoulders and learn to get on with whatever happens.

Oh, and we don't all have horrendous teeth. Fuck knows where that misrepresentation of our national dental hygiene came from.
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[Tha1ChiefRocka]

[CA Dreamin]

You're only 23? For whatever reason, you struck me as someone a little older. Late 20s or early 30s.

Hostels are a good option if you're on a budget and planning to spend most of your time out exploring anyway. I know that crappy movie gave hostels a negative reputation but I've never had a bad experience staying at one. But there are shoddy hostels out there. Do your research before booking one. You might really enjoy Scotland. Probably less expensive than London, a little more laid back, and close proximity to The Highlands for that bucolic experience you're after.

As for rideshares, Uber was not allowed in London for a little while but it is now. But I'm sure there are domestic rideshare options, and taxis are still plentiful.

Anyway enjoy your trip whenever/wherever you go.

[Tha1ChiefRocka]

[Hayden]

[gussteivi]

What's wrong with good 'ol fashioned Airbnb?

[HigherThanTheSun]

How long are you planning to stay for and how far away from London are you prepared to venture?
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[Acktland]

Hey man. If you're after countryside I'd recommend Cornwall; the scenery is stunning and decent surfing (I'm told - definitely not a surfer dude myself), also for scones.... research cream and jam etiquette before arriving! Then across the Severn Bridge into Wales (Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast). Liverpool for the music scene and a bit further north into the Lake District which is beautiful (although loads of tourists (irony)) - Wordsworth, etc.
West Coast of Scotland is wild and there must be a distillery thereabouts.... Edinburgh in the east (fringe festival on now), then south into Newcastle for a bottle of dog (Newcastle Brown) as mentioned previously. Yorkshire Moors are further south - Whitby on the coast (where Dracula entered England in the book - they have a couple of themed festivals each year) - for fish n chips (and dodging Seagulls). York, Leeds, Nottingham, Cambridge, (Slough... maybe not) into London for a blast around the tourist sites and brewery tours (the Travelodge just down the road from Kings Cross station is about £80 / night (small room, no frills or food/drink). The exchange is about $1.20 to the £ and getting stronger

Dublin - some cracking bars in Temple Bar (when I went, the taxi driver took me to all the places the English shot Irish free tour). Or maybe the west coast where it seems every president descendants hailed from!

No idea if that has helped at all but there is loads to see - all down to interests, time and money