Visiting the UK

Would anyone be interested in a thread or threads suggesting places to visit, either of general interest of particular interest to photographers?

Here's a starter for places in central southern England and the South West (further information available on the internet). Some of these places can get busy in the high holiday season. The easiest way to get around is by car, and we of course drive on the correct side of the road here.

Landscapes / Hiking: New Forest (where I live), Dartmoor (one of my favourite places), Exmoor. Coastal areas of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Do NOT go to Land's End (Cornwall), it's truly awful, try the Lizard peninsula instead, or Tintagel.

Historic buildings: the great cathedrals of the UK (www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/Cathedrals/Cathedrals1.htm). Many cathedrals do tours of the high places (Salisbury cathedral tower tour is not to be missed); book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Historic houses, and castles: Nationaltrust.org.uk. Also english heritage website. Corfe castle was made for photographers (especially fit ones who don't mind climbing hills at dawn , see Flikr etc). The UK National Trust has affiliate (for want of a better word) organisations abroad: www.into.org/places/ so if you are a member of one of these you should be able to get reduced or free access to National trust properties.

The Cotswold hills are very scenic, with "chocolate box" villages such as Castle Combe, Bourton on the water, many others.

Stonehenge...well yes, but if you're in the area go to Avebury.

Portsmouth historic naval dockyard if that's your kind of thing...HMS Victory and HMS Warrior.

This isn't a complete list and I haven't mentioned cities because I try to avoid them :-)

Hope this is useful.

I used to live in Woolstone, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire?) under the Uffington White Horse. The Horse is worth a visit if you like exercise and it is next to a circular old dirt "fort" prob. stone age. Avebury is not far from there and barrows can be seen on the way.

Our cottage ... lived there in 1953.

I grew up in Bath one of Britain's most beautiful cities. The centre gets pretty hectic in summer, but some of the crescents like Lansdowne crescent can be peacefully enjoyed. On my last visit the Circus was quiet too. A wander around the Georgian architecture in the northern part of the town is always interesting.

Brave the crowds and book a visit to the Roman baths, which are unique and the Gothic Abbey is worth seeing. The countryside around Bath is very pleasant, if you have a car explore the country lanes or hike up to Little Solsbury Hill ( of Peter Gabriel fame).

Bath Abbey

Swainswick

Bathampton

Lansdowne Cresent

The Circus

Last summer we went to Wells Cathedral, which is spectacular.

Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral

Another area that is of the beaten tourist trail, but interesting and full of history, is Portsmouth and the coast between Gosport and Southampton. Everybody knows about the Victory in Portsmouth, but the submarine museum in Gosport is great for kids large and small. You can visit a WW2 submarine.

Hill Head

Hill Head

Splendid captures NCV.