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Before the coronavirus, I was learning to drive in England (thanks, Metafilter for recommending that I switch instructors). When we came to a stop at a crosswalk, the first thing we had to do is "make it safe": to pull the manual brake up, protecting pedestrians ahead of us in case of a rear-end collision. My buddy back in the States, however, insists this is ridiculous and refuses to believe that braking like this saves lives. Is there any safety data out there that I could cite to uphold the UK braking style? [more inside]
posted by johngoren around England at 2:26 AM - 38 answers

My credit card comes with Primary collision damage waiver for rental cars up to $75,000. Great. What it doesn't come with is liability. I don't own a car anymore so I don't have regular car insurance. I only drive internationally - soon to be Northern Ireland AND Republic of Ireland. What's the best way to deal with liability coverage?
posted by rileyray3000 around Northern Ireland at 2:35 PM - 7 answers

How exactly does it work when you leave City A in the middle of a vacation to also visit City B, and then want to come back to the same lodging? Do you need to get two reservations at Hotel A-ville, or do you just eat the cost of days spent in City B? Does this work differently in VRBO, as opposed to a hotel (where coming back to a different room at the same rate is acceptable)? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt around London, England at 1:33 PM - 14 answers

For a big milestone birthday (60!) I'm going to the UK for the first time in May. For part of my trip I'll be alone. I was thinking I would take a train to Oxford, then rent a car in Oxford and drive to Bath, breaking my journey for the night. [more inside]
posted by primate moon around England at 5:14 PM - 8 answers

I'm planning to ride the Way of the Roses in the UK this summer to commemorate my 50th birthday (or, at least, I'm using that as an excuse). It occurs to me someone in this community may have done this, or something like it, so here I am. [more inside]
posted by uberchet around England at 2:38 PM - 3 answers

If there's one thing I like, it's a museum. So I am going to London in April! Please tell me what you think of what I plan to see, and please tell me about other museums or points of interest you like. I am interested in history and beautiful things generally, and have a special interest in the Napoleonic war era and Roman Britain. [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks around London, England at 9:42 AM - 28 answers

Hello everyone and especially UK members: I (girly swot from New England) plan on having a solo month-long holiday this summer in God’s own country. Help me choose a town for my base camp? [more inside]
posted by henry scobie around England at 3:50 PM - 7 answers

We're a U.S. couple in our early 40s, traveling to London for four days in early December (just the two of us, no kids). This is our first-ever trip there. What are the absolute must-sees/must-dos? We are open to just about anything, and cost is generally not an issue. Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell around London, England at 9:06 AM - 40 answers

if you’re staying at an Airbnb in the UK (with some cleaning services included), how much should we tip our hosts? [more inside]
posted by gtrwolf around London, England at 4:09 AM - 8 answers

I'm heading to London for a wedding in December and am likely to be tired and cranky for the first day after flying in on a red-eye flight. I'm looking for a nice hotel which is easily accessible from Victoria Station that has a large bathtub I can soak in because I miss having one at home. Preferably under £200/night. There's only me, and I don't mind if the room is small as long as there is a deep bath. Is this doable and does anyone have any recommendations? The places I'm finding so far only have them in super expensive suites.
posted by Kris10_b around London, England at 6:42 PM - 6 answers

Question from an American learning to drive in England about the right way to go over bumps in the road that you can straddle. [more inside]
posted by johngoren around England at 2:37 AM - 19 answers

My partner and I (M-F couple in our early 40s, no kids) are thinking about a short trip to London. Our chief interest is visiting craft cocktail bars. What parts of town should we considering staying in? Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell around London, England at 1:26 PM - 8 answers

Due to a poor mix of research, ambition, and logistics, my mom and I have train tickets between London and Oxenholme (and back) next Tuesday. I hoped to see the Lake District, but we'll only have about 3 hours between arrival and departure in Oxenholme. Any thoughts on how to best use our time out of London (vacationing from the US)? [more inside]
posted by itesser around London, England at 10:47 AM - 14 answers

Going to Durham for a couple of days. I know about the museum, the castle and the cathedral. What else is interesting locally? Wandering around is good; history, archaeology, books, art, gardens, quietish places to eat or have coffee. We will have a car so could go out of the city, but probably don't want to go too far.
posted by paduasoy around Durham, England at 1:28 AM - 8 answers

For a stay in London this winter for about five nights, with two grandparents and three families (call it 16 people total), what are the best options? I am curious about specific neighborhoods, and also types of lodging and ways to book it. Thanks so much! [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt around London, England at 11:34 AM - 2 answers

We're hoping to go on at least one Secret Society and/or Occult Walk while we're in London this October and want to know if they're worth the $$$ [more inside]
posted by gtrwolf around London, England at 2:10 PM - 10 answers

Later this week we're driving from Nottingham to Heathrow as we end an epic UK vacation. Hoping to get some ideas for an interesting stop on the route. We'd have maybe an hour or two to stop, but really want to do something (anything) so it's not just a day of pure travel in car and plane. Last year we did a quick stop in Winchester en route from Salisbury to LHR, and it was a perfect stop for a couple of hours, hoping to recreate that magic this time.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork around England at 10:22 AM - 12 answers

I'm going to be working from London for a week in September near Monument Station. Can you recommend some fun stuff to do after work or on the weekend? [more inside]
posted by marfa, texas around London, England at 9:37 AM - 8 answers

We arrive will be landing in London early morning and have about eight hours between when we land and can check-in at our airbnb. How do you recommend we kill this time? [more inside]
posted by liquorice around London, England at 2:13 AM - 17 answers

Might anyone recommend any particular alternatives to Uber in London? [more inside]
posted by gtrwolf around London, England at 10:30 PM - 12 answers