Feedback on September London/Bristol trip
Hi - I’ve booked a trip to the UK in September from the 11th to the 21st, around tickets to see shows on the 16th(Bristol) and 18th(London). Just looking for feedback on my general structure. 40s gay male travelling alone. I’m an experienced solo traveller in North America and happily/easily get around on public transit and foot. Never been to the UK before but have been to Switzerland/Germany and Mexico.
What I’ve notionally planned to do is stay in London on the first three nights (flying into Heathrow from BC Canada; landing at 1pm so will take the first day (11th) to find myself and get past jet lag, I hope) then to Bristol by train for three nights, then back on the 17th to London for four more nights. Travel-wise is that reasonable, or silly?
I’d stay in Soho (?) for one stop in London but somewhere else for the other. Just for variety. I don’t have any must-see destinations aside from the shows I’m flying over for, which is usually how I travel: one event as an anchor and enough time to see what else is going on around. I like to take the subway to an interesting station and see what’s nearby, or go to a good bookstore and find a good meal nearby. I will always take a pub with enough light to read a book at the bar over a dance club. I like a niche museum. This is starting to read like a personals ad.
I’ve left it very late to book accommodations in part because it’s my least favourite step in travelling to a new city. I like small, boutique, few to no amenities. Centrally located/adjacent to subway. Don’t really mind noise on the street but Best place I ever stayed was in Philadelphia, where a small gay bar has six simple clean rooms upstairs and a separate door off an alley. Simple and easy. I feel too old to share a bathroom now though. I am looking now in earnest and prepared to pay what I have to pay.
Thanks. Advice welcome and very appreciated.