Dates you rush to book. Looking for inspiration

gizacuppatea
gizacuppatea Forum Participant Posts: 131
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edited November 2018 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi

Does anyone have any ideas of things not to be missed around the uk in 2019? Any local events ? Sites that you always race to book the minute it allows you to ? I think 2019 will be our last year ever touring sadly , so i was just looking for any inspiration . Hoping to get to Edinburgh fringe , though i see its already fully booked. I guess i am looking for ideas like that . Specific festivals and events . I understand if no-one wants to share , as of course all the sites will book. But if you dont mind that would be great thanks. I first joined the caravan specifically to get on crystal palace site as i was running the London marathon , so i know about that one in April :-) 

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  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #2

    I would do the midsummer solstice somewhere? Stonehenge perhaps, but personally I would do it as far north in the UK as possible, at Dunnet Bay club site or Orkney/Shetland?

  • gizacuppatea
    gizacuppatea Forum Participant Posts: 131
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    edited November 2018 #3

    Thank you ! What a great idea! I appreciate it :-)

     

  • gizacuppatea
    gizacuppatea Forum Participant Posts: 131
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    edited November 2018 #5

    Stunning pic! Thanks Tinwheeler ! 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #6

    You’re welcome. 

    It was Kirkwall port waiting for the overnight ferry to Shetland. The far north and the islands are fabulous.👍🏻

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #7

    What about a bike race? Tour de Yorkshire takes place across county over four day’s late April, most of county is decked out in its best bib and tucker, it costs nothing to watch and there are lots of associated events going on, city venues and countryside venues. Or, in September Tour of Britain, at various locations across the country.  

    The real big cycling event in this country next year combines both lovely Yorkshire, and the superstars of World Bike Racing, the UCI World Championships, again in September.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2018 #8

    Solstice, Dunnet Bay! That's darn souf. Some years back I was in Svalbard at the solstice but you don't notice as the sun doesn't get anywhere near setting.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #9

    A taste of the Tour de Yorkshire, worth watching a couple of the videos

    https://letour.yorkshire.com/gallery/

     

  • Cherokee2015
    Cherokee2015 Forum Participant Posts: 392
    edited November 2018 #10

    Although Edinburgh is fully booked I can recommend Drummhor at Musselbrough.  There is a good bus route into Edinburgh but even better is the train service from Wallyford. A good alternative http://www.drummohr.org

  • Grumblewagon
    Grumblewagon Forum Participant Posts: 246
    edited November 2018 #11

    I never rush to book and I'm not even thinking about 2019 yet.  However , depending on the sort of thing you like,  you might like to think about ...

    1. the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering. 

    2. The Royal Highland show at Ingliston (Edinburgh)

    3. Many of the highland estates (including Balmoral) offer Landrover (or Quad bike) 'safaris' into the more remote parts  of the country.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited November 2018 #12

    Gizza,

       just  beware  --  should  you  head  northwards  surprised.  It  stays  light  till  late,  then  starts  again  very  early  !!

    I  had  a  trip  to  Shetland  back  in  late  1980s  &  had  a  great  time  BUT  I  was  regularly  woken  by  birds  feeding  their  young  and  then  tap  dancing  on  the  motorvan's  roof  at  2:15  in  the  morning.

     

    Bleary  eyes  of  Crewe  yell

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #13

    Well if it's your last year for touring why not try the suggestions for Shetland and visit the most northern parts of the UK? Try getting to Viking Unst and attempt the walk to see Muckle Flugga the most northerly UK outcrop before you get to the Faroes and Iceland? We nearly got there but on a lovely sunny day we were ill equipped for the squalls that came in, beautiful place to visit and better than John O'Groats! wink

  • Chrystal
    Chrystal Forum Participant Posts: 231
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    edited November 2018 #14

    Bed race at Knaresborough very entertaining, the site is quite nice too, within walking distance.

  • MrsKiteman
    MrsKiteman Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited November 2018 #15

    That looks a hoot, and up until now we didn't know about it.

    Is their a calendar/resource somewhere that has all the dates of quirky british things like this.

    I know of the bury black pudding throwing championship which is on at the beginning of september

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
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    edited November 2018 #16

    What about the 40s weekend at Sheringham (Norfolk) in September. The whole town embraces the theme, with tourists and locals alike all dressed up. Shops and pubs also participate. All based around the Steam railway. Great atmosphere.

    but be warned, like most worthwhile attractions, it is very busy!

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2018 #17

    I agree the Forties w/end at Sherringham is good there is also another very good forties w/end at Pickering in North York's and town gets very involved, 

    But as an thing it depends on your tastes and where based and how far you want to travel

  • gizacuppatea
    gizacuppatea Forum Participant Posts: 131
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    edited November 2018 #18

    Thanks so much everyone for your replies . I appreciate it . Thank you ! Some wonderful ideas there . So grateful x 

  • gizacuppatea
    gizacuppatea Forum Participant Posts: 131
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    edited November 2018 #19

    Just in case anyone is reading this also looking for ideas , we stayed at Abbey wood in oct for ‘month of the dead’ halloween type themed things . Absolutely fascinating talks on a wide range of subjects . We ended up in a talk with son of the great train robber mastermind Bruce Reynolds , sipping hot mulled wine in Highgate cemetry . Utterly fascinating talk on his life on the run with his father , how he worked as a police diver , fought in the Faulklands and then studied the art of making death masks as a keep sake for loved ones when they pass. They run a massive range of subjects in oct like how forensics are used in crime ....just a massive range of subjects . London month of the dead its called if anyone wants to google it for oct 2019 .  

  • ggregu
    ggregu Forum Participant Posts: 214
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    edited November 2018 #20

    What about an agricultural show? Great Yorkshire at Harrogate or Royal Cornwall at Camelford. Both are well worth a visit. Not sure of the dates for next year but Google will know. We're doing Great Yorks but not in the van sadly so just a day trip. There's loads to look at much more than just the animal classes though these are my favourite.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #21

    That sounds very interesting and different Gizza, we google a lot of events via TI websites.

  • gizacuppatea
    gizacuppatea Forum Participant Posts: 131
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    edited November 2018 #22

    Thanks again . The agricultural shows are a wonderful idea , but its not quite up our street , but still a fab idea! Never quite got over losing our dogs and horse , so being surrounded by them is hellishly painful still. But thanks for the mention , it is a great idea for tons of people :-)