Using one city as "home" base

My teenage daughter and I are coming back to England in late March.  We are spending two nights in London (we have spent several weeks in London previously) and then were planning on taking the train to visit some cities such as Nottingham, Leeds, and York, staying several days in each.

We both hate to pack and unpack and lug our suitcases around as we move so I was thinking of staying in one place the entire time (say Nottingham) and then just making day trips by train to the other cities.  That way, we wouldn't have to lug the suitcases all over.  The added advantage is we might get a better deal on a 7-day stay at one B&B rather than staying two nights at three of them.

We've ridden the train before in England and found it to be enjoyable.   My thought is we could still see all the things we want to see because we wouldn't be that far by train from Nottingham.  I chose Nottingham because we wanted to check out the town on the University and it seemed like a nice place to stay.

Any thoughts on the idea of staying in Nottingham and day-tripping to Leeds and York (or other places in Nottinghamshire)?

the cost of all those rail tickets might be just as expensive as different B and B's.....but you could stay in Nottingham, rent a car one day and drive to Leeds (2 hr drive), see some sights, and then drive the 1/2 hr- 45  min to York, and then drive back to Notts.

Another thought- unless you are set on training the buses are sometimes cheaper- depends on the route.  I have done London to York for 25 pounds return....just some thoughts....

I would definitely back pack and go from city to city.  It would give you so much more flexibilty, and wouldn't leave you at the mercy of train timetables.

I agree that the cost of the train tickets would off set the saving from a block booking at a B&B.  Most wouldn't give that much of a discount anyway, in my experience.

Vicky

I chose Nottingham because we wanted to check out the town on the University and it seemed like a nice place to stay.

An opinion on Nottingham.
Not mine, as i've never been there...

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/best&worst/2007/bottom20/Best-Worst-Nottingham.html

Thanks, for the advice and info.  I chose Nottingham because of its university (my daughter may study to be an architect and its university was one of those ranked high for that). 

Based on what I've read here and on the Internet, we'll maybe do three days in Nottingham and a few days in Sheffield and a few days in York -- skipping Leeds  (Sheffield was picked for the same reason as Nottingham).

What I hope to accomplish is to give my 16-year-old daughter a look at what life in England is like in a University town away from London.  As I said before, we've already done the very small town visit, spending a week in Needham Market.

To be honest, I think your plan sounds fine.  I live in Sheffield, and train fares to Leeds, York, Nottingham and towns in a similar radius are pretty cheap.  And I came over as a student twice and loved being able to take daytrips while at uni and not having to lug my stuff around all the time.  And if the goal is more to experience life in England (inasmuch as you can do that in a week's time) rather than sightseeing, then staying in one or two places sounds sensible.

Based on what I've read here and on the Internet, we'll maybe do three days in Nottingham and a few days in Sheffield and a few days in York -- skipping Leeds  (Sheffield was picked for the same reason as Nottingham).

Dont skip Leeds... Leeds is a fab city! 

(As Carolyn's on holiday, i am standing in for her...) 

(As Carolyn's on holiday, i am standing in for her...) 

I was wondering what would happen to this thread without the Mrs Robinson PR machine! 

I was wondering what would happen to this thread without the Mrs Robinson PR machine! 

never fear, i am her self-appointed deputy!
(unless someone who actually lives in Leeds wants to step in!)

 

I stayed 7 nights in a B&B in Edinburgh and they did give us a discount, 6 nights for the price of 7.  When you spread it out over 7 nights it's not a HUGE discount, but hey, they didn't have to do it. 

I highly recommend the Foss Bank Guesthouse in York.  The location is good- less than 5 min walk to city centre, the food is good and the rooms are larger than the average guesthouse....plus they have a luxury bath in one room.  Our friends just stayed there, very reasonable rates as well.

I haven't been living in Leeds as long as Mrs.Robinson so I'm not as good a PR person, but I do know it is a great city.  Lots of great shopping downtown, great restaurants, very close to Haworth (Bronte sisters' home--there is a museum and quaint shops, etc.)  Not too far from York (20 minute train ride, I believe) and about an hour from Manchester.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions!

OK, I've put Leeds back on the internary.  What should we do while we're there?  We are planning a day trip to York but I have two days down for Leeds. We will be on foot or have to rely on public transportation if we need to get away from the city center.