I'm thinking about taking the plunge and going to the UK for a week or ten days sometime in 2009. Where to go and what to see aren't really the issues right now. When to go is the question. I've heard to avoid summer and was thinking mid to end of September would be good. But I'd like to hear what other people have to suggest.
We did a family trip to the Lake District in mid-September and it was perfect timing -- still good weather and not crowded at all. YMMV.
A small car coated in rubber is a really good idea for the narrow roads... get the rental car insurance.
The most traditionally beautiful time is late May or early June. Late September is one of my favourite times, but you'd be taking more of a risk with the weather.
A lot depends on what you like to do: towns, countryside, big cities, or wild places? Also, how much is this a photographic trip: some things only happen in the summer, others go on holiday. September is the changeover month.
Well, let's see, there's the Lake District, the Northumbrian coast, Suffolk, the north Norfolk coast, Somerset, Cornwall, North Wales, the Gower, the Yorkshire Dales, Glencoe, the Western Isles...Originally Posted by wfwhitaker
The only problem is, in ten days, you will have to limit yourself to one venue if you really want to get the most out of it. There is just so much to shoot.
As to timing, we usually hold our UKLFPG workshops (free) in May and early September.
Of course, then you have to consider how you are going to get your film into and out of the country without getting it X-rayed. If I were you, I would organise to get film delivered from one of our excellent LF specialists here in the UK and then leave it with one of our excellent labs to mail back to you, once processed.
But, whatever else you do, join us on the UKLFPG forums www.lf-photo.org.uk/forum and try to liaise with some of our members who know the areas you are thinking of visiting.
As for Frank's thoughts on cars, I drive a Volvo V70 all over the place, you just have to remember that we don't drive on the right side of the road, we drive on the correct side of the road ;-)
Seriously though, if you can find a rental company that does the Citroën Berlingo, it really is a great small car with four seats and plenty of room to stow gear in the back.
Go anytime except August... everyone's on holiday and some of the galleries and businesses will close for a brief time...
Other than rain, the weather is seldom harsh. Tends to rain a good deal in April & May (and into June), fall months of Sept & Oct are lovely, July is crowded with other tourists.
In my trips to the UK I've joined either the National Trust or English Heritage group (both if you can afford) to allow access to many, many sites of historical significance.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
These sites also have events on their premises and the schedules might help you to decide on the timing of the trip.
It's hard to get to some areas without a car.. although I use the train often, the schedules don't always fit my needs. Once the differences are mastered, driving in England is a blast. An automatic transmission makes the adjustment much easier, although more expensive. Do take out the full-coverage insurance and expect the rental car company to thoroughly inspect the car upon your return.
Here's a link to a video dedicated to UK driving...
http://homepage.mac.com/darrylgbaird...eTheater4.html
You're going to be taking a gamble regardless of timing. English weather is notoriously....dull.
I think we got about 2 weeks of "summer" and it was spread over a day here and there. I'd recommend before summer as opposed to after. So maybe June if you can. Weather usually holds up pretty well unless you manage to pick a week of rain. Problem with going into September and October is the lack of sunlight as the days get shorter.
I agree that August is a bugger. It's the month of my birthday and everybody takes that time to go on holiday or go out places. You'll find all major attractions busy and the roads slightly more crowded.
Whenever you come over, don't sleep in late thinking you got a good few hours to see the sights. The best light is in the morning as you know, England is no exception.
I'm not sure what to suggest, but I'd say earlier rather than later, to make the most of English daylight (which is almost always....dull).
http://homepage.mac.com/darrylgbaird...eTheater4.html pretty much sums it up, it is a lot like Luke Skywalker flying one of those fighters through the notches and grooves of the bad guy's spaceship.
We took our then 3-year old and my wife's 80-something parents (on their "last" big trip) and rented a mini-van to tour the Lake District. While the main roads are fine, the narrow Beatrice Potter country lanes were quite narrow with a mini-van.
Now try to imagine having your Mother-in-Law in the backseat the whole time....
And now you can understand my family's dynamic and how I get the leeway to do the other stuff I do. lol
Now itt all make sense!
Dull? I know you remember the 2007 summer floods in SW England... you and I were within a few miles of each other... we luckily didn't get stranded on a high spot like all those other drivers.
here's what Stonehenge looks like in the rain...
The whole place is... heavenly.
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