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...and in addition to my request about Phantom tickets, I have another 5 days to fill with our visitors. I have various things in mind - Blackpool on one day (I've described it to them as a poor-man's Las Vegas by the seaside - hope there's nobody on here from Blackpool to be offended by that, after all I'm taking them because I love it!!) London another day, maybe a stately home and gardens, the Wedgewood visitors centre (which is close by) but I must be forgetting loads of things which are specifically English, which they don't have in the good ol' US of A - a castle perhaps (that doesn't cost the earth so not Warwick, and isn't a million miles away from Stoke?)

Anybody got any inspired suggestions that won't break the bank but will show a snapshot of what England has to offer - my mind has gone completely blank apart from the above!! (I also don't know the guests, so it's not even like I know what they might enjoy seeing - I'm completely blind on this one - it's my DS's American girlfriend plus the aunt who's being sent over to chaperone her / them - scary indeed!)

The Lake District? Like around Lake Windemere
Or Whitby/North York Moors/York?
Bath (though that may be a little far)

Stratford is pretty, quintessentially English and always full of Americans doing the Shakespeare thing!

Ludlow isnt too far and is a lovely town with a great castle.

I had thought about the Lakes, if they're into walking etc (or is there anything else to do there?)

Oooo - York is lovely, isn't it - what is there to see there apart from the Jorvik centre (you can tell we're not much of English tourists, can't you!!) Whitby's perhaps a bit far as it would be a 3 hour drive, as is Bath a bit far to be feasible in a day. I wonder if there's anything about Titanic in Liverpool? That'd be a nice connection to both sides

oh, and Stratford too - now THAT'S a good idea. That's definitely not too far, and Ludlow has a castle - perfect!!! Now we're cooking on gas!!!

I feel like I'm being lazy, so I hope people don't mind me asking for suggestions - it's just that personal recommendations are so much better than looking at a tourist guide!

Don't know if there is anything specific on about the Titanic in Liverpool but the waterfront is lovely and you can always take a 'Ferry 'cross the Mersey' and yes, they do play the song! The commentary on the ferry is very interesting and informative about the history ...

Both cathedrals are lovely and well worth a visit too and the view from the top of the Anglican Cathedral is great on a clear day

The ferry across the Mersey sounds lovely too - although I wonder if someone from Florida would be familiar with the song? That said, she looks late 50s / early 60s on the photos I've seen, so maybe she'd also be interested in the Beatles stuff there?

I love Liverpool! There is lots of Beatles stuff (you can even take a tour on a yellow amphibious bus type thing - always wanted to do it but the kids won't let me), Albert Dock is lovely, the museum of Liverpool life is well worth a visit and the new shopping centre (Liverpool One) is nice too ... plus there's the accent to listen to!!! Also for some strange reason, the young ladies of Liverpool often seem to go out during the day with rollers in their hair. DD and I have never quite worked out if this is a fashion statement or just going out in your rollers! Can any Liverpudlians enlighten us?

York (or Chester) are also definitely worth a visit. Or how about visiting Fountains Abbey near Ripon ... that's fantastic! Or you could do Skipton Castle/Bolton Abbey in the same day ...

You see, I KNEW you lot wouldn't let me down!! Those ideas all sound brilliant Sapphire - and Skipton Castle don't charge the earth to get in either.

Sounds like we could definitely do a whole day in Liverpool. And of course Chester's on our doorstep - although apart from the shopping and the wall, is there anything else to see there?

There's definitely not as much in Chester as there is in York in terms of things to see/do ... it's a nice little city though and it's pleasant down by the river (more boat trips ... lol)!

Oh and the good thing about Skipton castle is that most of it is still roofed so it doesn't matter if it rains ... Skipton is a typically Yorkshire market town, boat trips on the canal and a steam railway. Have a cream tea at the little tea shop at Bolton Abbey ... does it get more English than that???

Cream tea at the Abbey sounds exactly what I was going for!

when family came over from Canada and Australia ...we took them on a tour of Buckingham Palace, much cheaper than London Eye ! worth a look, Americans would love it ! you can also organise to tour House of Lords for free , by just contacting your MP who sponsors you ?
We stayed on Lake Windermere too, right on the lake in a youth hostel, http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/ambleside which was great for families as they had family accommodation,which were adequate and breakfasts very English !! took a few boat/ferry trips to Beatrix Potters House, and didn't matter if you don't like walking/trekking !

This is where we usually refuel: http://www.boltonabbey.com/shopandeat/f ... ottage.htm

If it's nice you can sit in the garden and enjoy the view of the Abbey and the river below. Some lovely walks around the river too.

Things to do and see in York : The city walls, boat trip on the Ouse (they tell you the history of the city), or hire a little Red Boat to see it for yourself plus a lovely walk along the river with narrow boats and York rowing club then into Museum Gardens with the ruined Abbey and Yorkshire museum, York Dungeons, Yorvik centre, York Minster, The Shambles (cobbled street with overhanging Tudor houses) Street entertainers, Betty's tea rooms.... The list is endless but all pretty close together because though beautiful, York is actually pretty small. There are some very cheap train deals too with direct trains from Kings Cross.