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the most special things to see

FireFire Posts: 19,096
in The potting shed

Ok, Hivemind,

my young cousin is visiting London for three months on a study semester from Boston. I would like to treat him to some of the most special things in the UK have to offer, along with taking him to Venice and Paris, while he is here.

So, if you think of pulling out all the stops, no holes barred specialness, what springs to mind? I'm not big into crowds and he's big into music. And I'm thinking of non-weather dependent, so, no walking trips etc, specific things I can book ahead. And nothing on the usual tourist trail that he can do as part of his time with UCL.

The more out of the box, and extravagant the better as a brainstorm.

Thanks


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  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited August 2018
    Jason has just arrived.

    He hates the cold (is from Jamaica) and was sitting in my living yesterday in a hat and two scarves, under two blankets and the heating cranked up and he was frozen. I was in a tee shirt and with bare feet, in the garden, feeling warm. So I think autumn very-outdoor activities would just be miserable for him.
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    If he's cold in London he's going to enjoy Winter in Boston.  :D
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    He's dreading it. But perhaps Boston is more set up for many feet of snow than London is.
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  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 5,291
    edited August 2018
    Oo - you are a generous cousin. You have set us a difficult challenge...

    I would suggest a visit to Wales to experience the mountain air, but that sounds like a no-go (unless he has brought thermals and artic expedition gear!) check these out though:

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/wales/places?page=4

    http://www.visitwales.com/holidays-breaks/family-holidays/things-to-do-in-south-wales-when-its-raining

    For something a bit warmer, we have a wonderful theatre, The Wales Millennium Centre, for music, shows, and the more unusual.

    https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/events



    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Wild brain storms include no constraints of expense at this stage - just accruing ideas. Thanks
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    The hot water springs in Bath? My American rellies could never get over how old it is. :) Go on a weekday if you want avoid the crowds. Then you could go for a hot air balloon ride over the city.

    A track day at one of the race circuits if he can drive (or would like to).

    Dinner in the Shard or up on the roof at One New Change (for the best view of St Paul's cathedral). I would suggest dinner at the top of the Gherkin but I don't think that restaurant is open to the public. 
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Thanks. My cousin is going to Bath on a uni trip. I like the racing, hot air balloon, aeroplane thread of thought. I've never been in a hot air balloon. Very weather dependent, I would have thought, esp in the autumn. But very worth thinking about if we look like we have a good run of weather coming. I could maybe hire a snow suit for Jason.  :D
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    Google is your friend!

    https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-top-50-visitor-attractions-7509660 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Yeah, Alan, Whipsnade Zoo is not really on my "trip of a lifetime" list.  Nice to see Wisley on the list.
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