Warwick Castle/Stratford Upon Avon

bylromarha

frizz_head wrote:

bylromarha, thanks for the info. As a local, can you recommend any cheap hotels or B+Bs that would be ideally located for both places?

The Ragdoll shop sounds great, will have to pop in there.

Can't really recommend specific places to stay. however, if you're looking for cheap, neither warwick, nor Stratford are, therefore I'm guessing their B + Bs follow suit. Might be an idea to look in nearby coventry (Warwick castle 20min drive, Stratford 30 min on a good M40 day!) there are lots of Ibis/hoiday inn express/travelodges and a Campanile in Cov, though never having stayed there I don't know what they're like.

Leamington Spa might be a nice alternative to Cov...cheaper than Warwick, but pretty. Closer to Stratford and castle than Cov. Their tourist board is normally pretty helpful.

Sorry can't help with accomodation more! However, if you get a shortlist of places to stay, i may be able to advise as to location...better part of town = better accomodation? Who knows!

Just remembered, as well as Ragdoll, there's a teddy bear museum in Stratford too. You have to be a bit of an anorak to really enjoy it as there are lots of old teddies in glass cases, but there is also (well was, don't know if it's still there) the world's largest teddy bear there.

frizz_head

I have checked the Travelodge website, and the nearest one is called The Regent Hotel in Leamington Spa. The next nearest is Rugby Dunchurch. Out of the two, which one would you go for? There is no picture of the Leamington Spa one which puts me off straight away - but I could be wrong.

Thanks
Frizz.

bylromarha

Out of the 2, leamington is far closer to Warwick and stratford. It's also far from the M6 unlike the rugby one!

have checked the travelodge website and the leam hotel is on the parade. this is the main street in the town centre of leamington. V. nice area, though would be good to check if the hotel has parking as it's at a premium round there.

Re, no piccy I couldn't describe it to you as it's new on the parade so I don't have a clue, not having been to leam for a few months. I am going on 24th Feb though so if you pm me to remind me, I'll tell you if it looks swish or not! mind you to be in keeping with the rest of the parade, it would have to be. Royal Leamington Spa is a very nice place to be!

frizz_head

Thats enough for me, I'm going to book it. Recently stayed at the Uttoxeter one and it was lovely.

Thanks for all your help bylromarha.

Frizz.

bylromarha

My pleasure...let me know how it goes. If you need more info at any time before your trip, let me know.

byl

PS: If you like curry, you must visit "Balti boulevard" in Leam. 10+ curry houses in the same area all competing for business = cheap, tasty, huge curries to be had. Walk down the parade towards the pump rooms, keep going straight and then follow your nose!

Pegleg2001

The Regent Hotel was still part of a building site the last time I looked. It is part of a shopping centre development in Leamington and is not complete yet.

I would suggest the Leamington Hotel and Bistro for nice rooms and decent food:

http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/content/hotel-details-leisure.aspx?hotel=83719

frizz_head

I have actually put off booking anywhere just yet. I looked into The Regent Travelodge, and it is not due to open until 25th March, and will not have any parking. The Leamington Hotel looks nice Pegleg, but the attraction of the Travelodge is the £26 price tag. Thanks for all your advice - I shall keep looking.

Frizz