fadedsun Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Ok guys, I’m looking to fly over to the UK in late March and spend two weeks there and in France. This will be my first time traveling abroad. Any places I should visit? I will be renting a motorcycle and tossing my bags on it. Will need to meet up with some people and see some vehicles. I’m a former USMC, current US army guy. Buuut I’ve got some questions for you guys if you don’t mind. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 (edited) Portsmouth, obvious for anything Naval, and Marine. Also the nearest port to get to Normandy. Falaise Gap, if only to see who small the crossing is.. This is a useful site. http://www.warmuseums.nl/ Edited November 4, 2017 by Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1950 Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Welcome. Start with Questions early, have you any specific interests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulob1 Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) SO get on your bike and hit the road to Bovington, even though I think its a tad boring, you can spend a day there if you really try, on the way back you visit the Naval Air museum at Yeovilton, good half day visit, perhaps take a lunch and make it a full day...then portsmouth, see notes below, and finally go to the Imperial war museum, in London, its really good at the moment. Spend a few days in london seeing the sights...then hit the road and head for the IMW other half at Duxford. easly a full day here... then its a nice ride across country to RAF Cosford, it is a fasinating place and I COULD SPEND AT least 2 days here, and well worth the trip just to see the TSR 2 and the BAC 188... If you do Portsmouth historic dockyard you will see the warrior, the Victory and the Mary rose, what is left of her, plus plenty of history and visit the workshops, all very interesting but not really more than a days visit pushing it and reading everything you can see... Can I add a word of warning, please be very careful if you have never driven a bike on the right side of the road, the LEFT before. On a bike you have no references and you will try to ride on the wrong side of the road the right all too easily when your not thinking for a split second and then its too late... Sign posts are placed differently in the UK, basic rights aof way are different and we have round abouts, you do not have right of way when turning right on red lights as you do when turning left on some red lights in the US. Drivers will not see you so do give them time to see you, always drive with your headlight on main beam, it may annoy people but at least they see you...you can filter through traffic but be very very careful, car drivers simply dont expect bikers and so consequently change lanes without a thought... you know you have to wear a helmet but I truly recommend full leathers. Beyond these museums thee are loads of other things to see and do all depends on your interests and the time you have... might even join you at some of the locations... Edited November 9, 2017 by paulob1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 (edited) I'd suggest Bovington, Duxford, Churchill War Rooms and Dover Castle. Plenty of naval history in Portsmouth, as has been said, and there's the D-day museum over in Gosport. Bovington - the worlds largest collection of tanks, and the only place you can see many of them. Duxford - a ww1/ww2 airfield, Monty's tank and command caravan, loads of vehicles and probably the best collection of military aircraft in the world. Also the home of the american air museum. More than can be done in 1 day. If you stop over there's also Madingley cemetery to pay respects, and the Shuttleworth collection (vintage vehicles and the early days of flight) Churchill war rooms - Churchills command bunker. Tie it in with the toursity bits in London, as it's right in the heart near Downing street, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben etc. Also try for HMS Belfast - a ww2 battleship (Town class cruiser, next to tower bridge), The Tower of London, etc. Dover Castle - a medievel castle, and also home to the maritime command bunkers where the Dunkirk evacuation was planned/commanded and an underground hospital. Of the lot, the one I'd not miss out on would be the Churchill war rooms - seeing the map on which almost the whole of the ww2 allied effort was run from, covered in millions of tiny pin holes in patterns for the fronts and shipping/supply columns, is utterly fascinating. Also Churchill's toilet (actually the hotline to the US). It's not a full day though, so you can plan other things. Edited November 11, 2017 by Lauren Child added Shuttleworth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super6 Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Unfortunately the D Day museum in Southsea, Portsmouth is closed for refurbishment, reopening in the spring of 2018. See here http://www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Ah, I hadnt realised - thanks for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fadedsun Posted December 26, 2017 Author Share Posted December 26, 2017 Pushed it back to may. Apparently it’s still cold in March. Being from the south don’t do the cold! Making sure all my military commitments are taken care of first. I will have to visit the d day museum. Taking notes gents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) If you come in May you will swap cold for wet! In recent years April which is supposed to be the rainy month in the UK has been dry and warm, wheras May when the vehicle show season starts is often wet - at the first sight of a green military vehicle it seems the heavens want to open! Obviously I'm speaking as a vehicle owner in South East England - wheras people up north have seasons that differ from where I am, and sometimes they have all four seasons in one day. We had snow for a day in London which is shocking! Edited January 2, 2018 by LarryH57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) The rain gets above freezing in June and July, almost tepid in August! As stated Snowflake in London! Panic in the streets! Transport Chaos! Panic buying of food!. Oh sorry that was just Christmas. Better towards end of May though, you could even get to Jersey for the May 9th Liberation Day! Try Fort Nelson, Explosion and the RN Submarine musuem. You can do those in a busy day as they are all in Portsmouth and Southsea. You GOT to see the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior they are things if you miss you'l spend the rest of your life regretting! Oh and the submarine museum, that has the reamins of what some dammed Irish American by the name of Holland produced, paid for the by Sinn Fein to attack the Royal Navy! However when he got a bit free with Sinn Fein's cash they had a falling out. So Holland up sticks and sold his submarine to the Royal Navy. Holland 1 was raised after it sunk whilst being towed to scrap and is now on display. You would NOT get me down in that thing! Chatham Historic Dockyard should also go on the consider list. Another odd little thought, US Marine and naval issue Zippo's! Very good for bribing Jack and the bootnecks. An old Royal Navy custom is to get the crews of US Warships as Tierd as a Newt (ie paraliticly drunk) then nick Zippos. Ah wondeful traditions! Edited January 2, 2018 by Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fadedsun Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 Sorry for the lack of replies mates, been busy with army work. Flying out on the 22nd. Hitting up Paris, London, and bovington. I have a lady friend who will be occupying most if not all of my time so I’ll be busy. Bollocks, guess I gotta come back another time ya wankers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Enjoy! Current weather is record breacking heat wave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fadedsun Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 I’m coming from 105 degree weather, this will be an improvement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fadedsun Posted August 1, 2018 Author Share Posted August 1, 2018 My trip was a success y’all. Went to IWM duxford, Paris, sandringham, burleigh House, poppies fish and chips down town, the London eye, and had a blast downtown and in Paris. I wasn’t able to make war and peace this year but I will do my best to make it next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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