I will be in the UK last week of September and first week of October. I am contemplating going to Bristol, Sep 29 & 30 for the Local Futures Summit.
The main venue is at St George's Bristol close to the University of Bristol. I am not sure as yet if I will be driving or taking the train from London. Any ideas of a place to stay nearby for one night?

https://planet-local-summit.localfutures.org/

 

I am not sure as yet if I will be driving .

If you do, Don't forget to drive on the left !

 

If you do, Don't forget to drive on the left !

I grew up and got my driver’s licence driving on the wrong side of the road (with the driver seat on the left)

Thanks for the reminder.

 

Whether you decide to drive or take the train might be decided for you by the Rail Union who are taking strike action, virtually closing down the whole rail network.

They are at least giving notice of strike days, so keep an eye out for your travel dates – any planned rail travel from the airport could also be affected.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-66623258

 

I got my driver's licence on a Morris 1100, stick shift, driver seat on the right.


Later, my dad got a Ford Cortina, automatic transmission, driver seat on the left.

 

Whether you decide to drive or take the train might be decided for you by the Rail Union who are taking strike action, virtually closing down the whole rail network.

They are at least giving notice of strike days, so keep an eye out for your travel dates – any planned rail travel from the airport could also be affected.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-66623258

Thanks for the heads up. I was planning to take the train out of Gatwick.

 

Without a rail service from Gatwick, you could really find yourself stuck – other than rail, there is only a limited coach service – if you arrive on a planned rail strike day, your only way of getting to London might be via an expensive pre-booked taxi ride.

 

I fondly remember driving a 50's Borgsward with a column shifted 4 speed transmission. Quite "the peoples" car before the VW Beetle invasion.

 

I got my driver's licence on a Morris 1100, stick shift, driver seat on the right.

Mine was the most basic British car you could get, The Ford Popular The car was Very basic. 4cyl side valve, It had a single vacuum-powered wiper, no heater, vinyl trim, gravity water cooling, (no pump) ! and very little chrome; even the bumpers were painted,

 

I will be in the UK last week of September and first week of October. I am contemplating going to Bristol, Sep 29 & 30 for the Local Futures Summit.
The main venue is at St George's Bristol close to the University of Bristol. I am not sure as yet if I will be driving or taking the train from London. Any ideas of a place to stay nearby for one night?

https://planet-local-summit.localfutures.org/

There’s only strikes on September 1st and 2nd.
Gatwick Express will take you to London Victoria, the train for Bristol will go from Paddington.
Buy your tickets well in advance or you will get ripped off.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/live-trains/departures/gtw-bri/

(I‘m no expert on places to stay, but I bet there are plenty of American holel chains)

 

There’s only strikes on September 1st and 2nd.
Gatwick Express will take you to London Victoria, the train for Bristol will go from Paddington.
Buy your tickets well in advance or you will get ripped off.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/live-trains/departures/gtw-bri/

(I‘m no expert on places to stay, but I bet there are plenty of American holel chains)

I will be arriving at Gatwick on Sunday, Sep 24, taking the train towards St Albans, and staying with the inlaws in Harpenden.

 

Although the unions have announced rail strikes for 1 & 2 Sept., with no end to the dispute in sight, further strike days are inevitable.

The link below shows the current and historic strike days (around 2-3 days a month) – you can use this link to check out your proposed rail travel days nearer the time.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/travel-information/industrial-action/

I used to live in St. Albans, it is a nice cathedral city with origins going back to Roman times – well worth a look around if you have the time.

 

Although the unions have announced rail strikes for 1 & 2 Sept., with no end to the dispute in sight, further strike days are inevitable.

The link below shows the current and historic strike days (around 2-3 days a month) – you can use this link to check out your proposed rail travel days nearer the time.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/travel-information/industrial-action/

I used to live in St. Albans, it is a nice cathedral city with origins going back to Roman times – well worth a look around if you have the time.

Thanks for the rail link. Yes, I've visited St Albans and was by happenstance to be there to view a climate change exhibit at the Cathedral.

 

Just to keep you updated - it looks like the rail strikes will affect your travel plans:-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66817630

 

Thanks for the update. I’ve got my train tickets booked.

 

Having booked your tickets does not mean that the trains will run.

During your stay in the UK, you might be finding out how the rail company’s refund policy operates.

 

I have tickets for Harpenden ->London -> Bristol on Sep 29, and return trip on Oct 1.
Am I good for those dates?

 

I have tickets for Harpenden ->London -> Bristol on Sep 29, and return trip on Oct 1.
Am I good for those dates?

You might be lucky. Overtime ban on 29th September. Strike on 30th.
No strike on 1st October, but all the trains might be in the wrong places.

By the way, make sure you take the right train. My wife has just come back from London on the train and they fined a Canadian tourist £60 for having a ticket for a train an hour later than she travelled (Same price ticket), and threatened to have them arrested by the transport police if they didn’t pay in cash on the spot.
May have had a lot to do with the fact that the said tourist was of Asian appearance. . .

 

You might be lucky. Overtime ban on 29th September. Strike on 30th.
No strike on 1st October, but all the trains might be in the wrong places.

By the way, make sure you take the right train. My wife has just come back from London on the train and they fined a Canadian tourist £60 for having a ticket for a train an hour later than she travelled (Same price ticket), and threatened to have them arrested by the transport police if they didn’t pay in cash on the spot.
May have had a lot to do with the fact that the said tourist was of Asian appearance. . .

Blimey! I'm in real trouble now!

 

Made it. Settled in at Harpenden. Trains were not a problem but next weekend appears to be problematic with the Conservative Party conference.