HP sites (visiting)

[cubfanbudwoman]

SSS wrote:
> > As a few of you know, I will be--finally!--taking the trip I've 
> > dreamt of most of my life (probably at least since I discovered 
> > Agatha Christie's little village paths in her Miss Marple 
> > stories, anyway) and heading to England in April, with my family 
> > in tow.
> > 
> > We've got our itinerary pretty much set and are planning to see a 
> > couple of HP-related sites, namely Leadenhall Market and 
> > Gloucester Cathedral.  Have any of you also visited these 
> > places?  If you have, would you share any thoughts you might have 
> > about them?  Any tips or suggestions? <snip>
 
Carol responds:
> 
> Congratulations and enjoy your trip!

SSSusan:
Thank you!  So long as everyone stays healthy ::knock, knock:: I'm 
sure we will.


Carol:
> Based on my own experiences with Westminster Cathedral, I'd 
> recommend visiting Gloucester on a Saturday or weekday. Otherwise, 
> you'll find religious services in progress and access to parts of 
> the cathedral blocked off. 

SSSusan:
Actually, heh, I'm a bit of a detail freak, so I've already checked 
times the Cathedral is open and, specifically, when tours of the 
tower there are available.  And, weird as it may seem, since we're 
Episcopalians, we're actually hoping we might be able to be there for 
a service (Evensong most likely). :)
 


Carol:
> Oh, and if you tour the Tower of London, don't believe anything the
> guide says about Richard III and the supposed murder of his nephews.
> It's all from the highly improbable version of events given by Sir
> Thomas More (who admits himself that he's heard many other versions
> and doesn't know which, if any, is true).

SSSusan:
LOL.  Don't believe 'em, huh?  Thanks for that!  I'll be extra 
attentive now, to hear what anyone says about it!  (Oh, and we are 
going to the Tower -- first day, first thing, already have our 
ticket.)  


Carol:
> I went to London in the summer of 1995, the notoriously hot and dry
> summer that JKR depicts in OoP. (Being from Tucson, I was quite
> comfortable.) I brought my umbrella and used it only once. If you're
> traveling in February or March, your experience will probably be
> rather different!

SSSusan:
We'll be in the London area & somewhat North at the start of the 
trip, then an overnight trip to Paris, then to the SW of England for 
several days (nod to Mr. Bannister!).  This will be early April, so 
we shall see about the weather!


Carol: 
> Oh. The London Underground is really easy to get around on. I 
> managed alone, and I'd never been on a subway in my life. The lines 
> are all color coded, so you just find the line that takes you where 
> you want to go. Here's a map (Dumbledore's scar in living color!):
> 
> http://www.afn.org/~alplatt/tube.html

SSSusan:
Hee, I've got underground maps at the ready, but I hadn't thought to 
re-label "Dumbledore's Knee."  ;)  I'm thrilled to get more 
confirmation that it's an easy system to use!


Carol: 
> The bus system, in contrast, is a nightmare (IMO) because London is
> emphatically not laid out on a grid.

SSSusan:
Not planning much/any bus travel at all; more just a quick hop-on, 
hop-off of one of the double deckers so my kiddos can say they've 
experienced that tradition.

 
> Carol, who would love to return to England, this time for a year and
> with lots of money

SSSusan:
Yeah, lots of money would be grand.  Knowing we won't have that, 
we're hoping for "just enough!" 

Thanks for the input, Carol.  Anybody else been to Leadenhall or 
Gloucester or have additional advice? :)

Siriusly Snapey Susan