Tips for Travelling in the UK
Things I have learned:Apologies for an extended absence - I've been staying in a 13th Century cottage in Devon and such houses rarely come with internet access.
We've been travelling in the UK for nearly four weeks and here's a quick summary of things I wish I knew when I arrived:
Get a local sim and insert it into your smart phone. This will allow you access to google maps without incurring roaming charges, invaluable when in a new country. I had avoided this, thinking my phone was locked. Turned out it wasn't. You can tell by inserting a micro sim into your phone and seeing what it does! Cost of aforesaid sim: 5 pounds. Until I figured this out I spend $86.00 in calls and dataBe careful with tripadvisor holiday lets (www.holidaylettings.co.uk). We've had a very mixed experience with this site. However, I do recommend listings that are attached to reputable outfits - such as Helpful Holidays. The reason: the cancellation fees are massive (the total cost of the booking if less than 4 weeks notice) and communication with owners is very mixed. If you use a third party agency, responses to emails and phone calls is much faster.Research your destination in advance. This gives you a good idea on what you want to see - important in a place like London, where there is just so much to do.If you are going to a rural destination, invest in an Ordnance Survey map. There are heaps of little attractions in the country - ruined castles, roman roads, stone circles - that are marked on these maps. Most are free.Get out of the car. The UK was developed for people on feet (there are hundreds of little public access footpaths and bridleways).Buy National Trust membership. We purchased New Zealand Historical Places membership before we left which gives a family of four access to National Trust properties - 100s of castles, stately homes, gardens and other places across the UK. Cost: $69.00Plan for bad weather. England is green because it is wet! And when its sunny, get outdoors.
Dartmoor
We've been travelling in the UK for nearly four weeks and here's a quick summary of things I wish I knew when I arrived:
Get a local sim and insert it into your smart phone. This will allow you access to google maps without incurring roaming charges, invaluable when in a new country. I had avoided this, thinking my phone was locked. Turned out it wasn't. You can tell by inserting a micro sim into your phone and seeing what it does! Cost of aforesaid sim: 5 pounds. Until I figured this out I spend $86.00 in calls and dataBe careful with tripadvisor holiday lets (www.holidaylettings.co.uk). We've had a very mixed experience with this site. However, I do recommend listings that are attached to reputable outfits - such as Helpful Holidays. The reason: the cancellation fees are massive (the total cost of the booking if less than 4 weeks notice) and communication with owners is very mixed. If you use a third party agency, responses to emails and phone calls is much faster.Research your destination in advance. This gives you a good idea on what you want to see - important in a place like London, where there is just so much to do.If you are going to a rural destination, invest in an Ordnance Survey map. There are heaps of little attractions in the country - ruined castles, roman roads, stone circles - that are marked on these maps. Most are free.Get out of the car. The UK was developed for people on feet (there are hundreds of little public access footpaths and bridleways).Buy National Trust membership. We purchased New Zealand Historical Places membership before we left which gives a family of four access to National Trust properties - 100s of castles, stately homes, gardens and other places across the UK. Cost: $69.00Plan for bad weather. England is green because it is wet! And when its sunny, get outdoors.
Dartmoor
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