My England Trip and Haul!!
Cheshire also known, archaically, as the County of Chester is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire’s county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow. The county is bordered by Merseyside and Greater Manchester to the north, Derbyshire to the east, Staffordshire and Shropshire to the south, and Flintshire and Wrexham in Wales to the west.
The Golden Triangle is an area of affluent, leafy towns and villages in Cheshire such as Knutsford and Mottram, St. Andrew. The three points of the triangle are Alderley Edge, Prestbury and Wilmslow. The area is noted for its expensive houses, pleasant countryside, celebrities and entrepreneurs.
This is where I had been to, Knutsford is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority area of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, in North West England. It is located about 16 miles (26 km) south-west of Manchester, 25 miles (40 km) east of Liverpool and 11 miles (18 km) northwest of Macclesfield. (Info from wikipedia).
Starting from the scratch, I would like to mention that we flew Emirates via Dubai and reached Manchester in about a total of 10 hours. Of course, there is duty-free shopping in Dubai, which you can indulge in. I did not have much time considering the sleeplessness and a little baby to attend to.
My first response when I reached England was, can a place be so silent and organised? I barely saw people around, just a few cars whizzing past outside a mostly calm Manchester airport unlike the Chennai International Airport. We took a cab to Knutsford, which would cost around 50 pounds if you try a Mercedes. Now, Knutsford is termed the most expensive city (almost a village they call it ) in north of England to buy a place in. Thankfully, the bed and breakfast would not cost you much. We stayed in a service apartment which was on the higher side (close to 600 pounds a week, yeah Knutsford is an expensive city and the apartment was too big for the three of us). It was a calm and cosy one with a fully-equipped kitchen.
Considering the soundproofing and warming, I could not stand the quiet for two days initially, but then started loving it. You can get a bed and breakfast with a full English breakfast at 6 pounds (only breakfast). Knutsford is also the city of the man behind Rolls-Royce.
Places we visited were Chester which was 40 minutes by train, which was nice comfortable though not a luxurious ride. They have a free bus service every one hour if I am not wrong, to the city and back to the station. Now, Chester is full of those pretty Tudor style cottages in black and white, which are to die for. Lots of shopping to do, mainly check out Superdrug, Tesco, Boots, and Debenhams if you want woolens.
You can also go for a boat ride, visit the cathedrals where the kings dined, see the zoo in around 30 pounds each and of course, don’t forget to eat the fish and chips.
Next weekend, we went to the Manchester city and then the train dropped us to Piccadilly. From there, you have free bus services from the station to and fro every 6 minutes to all hot spots in the city. In Manchester, you can visit the MOSI (museum) and the war museum.
You can take the tram for fun, check out the restaurants there. We tried some lasagne. Don’t forget to indulge in some wine and get back some single malt whisky too. For shopping, you can visit the Arndale Center, which is a mall and close to that is Superdrug and Boots. The important thing to remember here is that most shops, especially Superdrug would close at 5:30 or so, make it before that.
About Knutsford, there is Boots here for beauty, also King Street for fine dining, and parks like the Moor, and don’t miss out on the huge Tatton Park. Of course, the local pubs, White Bear being our favourite, which was may be much more than a 100 years old!! Get some drink and they will make you feel at home, trust me!
You can also go to Birmingham, which is not too far away and London is 300 miles or so from Knutsford, so it would take you around 3-and-half hours one way, book a bed and breakfast beforehand in London.
The Haul:
This is mainly Superdrug and Boots, maybe a little Sainsbury and Booths too. :yawn: Its untidy and a mess, no questions please!
Things to remember for shopping:
Loreal, Maybelline, Bourjois, and the like would cost you more than in India, so focus on their own brands. Shops close around 5:30, so make it before that.
What I Loved About The Visit:
The country is even more beautiful than I would have seen in my books. The Britons are an extremely helpful, courteous and loving lot. I have never ever met such helpful and warm people in my life, maybe after Chennaites, I must say. Travelling with a nine-month-old baby was fun entirely because of the helpful locals of Knutsford. I owe them for making this trip worth it! Now, what remains are some snaps and the warm memories of England, the hangover is still there. Their courtesy is addictive.
If you ever plan an international trip, England should top the list for the fantastic people, locales and places.
Disclaimer:
This is entirely about the places we could make to in such a short time. There is lots and lots more to do there. Chose a calm location to unwind and it will be worth it! Go equipped with an umbrella and overcoat, like the locals say, four seasons in a day, cheers!
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Elaborate Haul… :makeup: loved it..!! And I lurrrvveeee Londonnnnn… :happydance:
me too i love England and the English :dance:
This is awesome… 🙂 I think we should go to UK soon.. my best college buddy is there. Kuchh to kaam aayega :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin:
aapki jeb ke liye hanikarak ho sakta hai mac n debenhams n superdrug :snicker:
biwi India mein kam dangerous thodi hi hai… 🙁 🙁 Crime master Gogo hai, jab bhi malls mein jaati hai kuchh na kuchh lekar aati hai 😛
😆 😆 my hubby wud agree
khali haath ane ka toh sawaal hi nahi :nonono:
aapke case mey mac n esteelauder 😥
Neha, what flight were you traveling in and uski luggage limit kya thi? O:) O:)
:rotfl: emirates n 30 kg per person
we had just 40 in toto :stars:
OMG.is tht ur baby.soooooo cute she is :teddy: :teddy: :teddy:
and this for u :hunterwali: :hunterwali: for all d shopping u hv done. :spank: :spank:
:shame:
N ohh i forgot to mention how nice n peaceful the place sounds :smug: :smug: :smug:
:teddy:
Your baby is damn cute 🙂 :kissing: :kissing: :kissing:
hope you had a great time….and the last pic looks like you have raided London 😀 take rest 🙂
:rotfl: hihhihihiihi
what do i say now
yeah ramya n she is growing up so fast :methinks:
wowww Neha 🙂 really great yaa…. loved the piccys and ypu have described everything so well.. I could feel the things 🙂
and the haul – :jaiho:
and your kiddo – :teddy:
overall : :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:
😀 :happydance: wow u mean i have the making of a writer, a travel writer 😀
thnks my dad too said the same thing that the description on my emails was very real
may be its my love for the place
You should seriously try travelogues 🙂
😯 mere dil se mat khelo
im interested in that after beauty blogging :shy:
Awesome haul :woot: :woot: :woot: neha am coming to ur house to see the haaaaauuuuulllll :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: for ur baby :puchhi: :puchhi:
:teddy: :puchhi: aa jao
:woot: :woot: ..this is one of trips i would love to take
haul is Awe……..waitfor it……some, Awesome!!! :woot: :woot:
:rotfl: niks
yeah hope u visit soon too
its worth all the money n time
yes it is
it was very quite
u go for ur honeymoon ok :haanji:
i mean quiet
:rotfl: ehehhehehe see what a guess
npw toh u will go to uk only pakka u see O:)
hey bhagwaan pics ki labelling
:stars: swans are in tatton park in knutsford, must see
n mac at the airport
n tall bldg in manchester
clock in chester
n mosi in manchester
n debenhams in manchester
n superdrug also in picadilly manchester :rose:
awww :heart: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: for your sweety pie. great haul review :star: written so well.
forgot to ask why shut shop by 5.30. am so curious.
hahahah ye most ppl leave from office then too
yeah its like that i mean 6 or 7 pm is late for them either u have to be indoors then or at a pub
mostly ppl wud go n have a drink in a pub after office or 5 30
😀
oh.interesting, that’s nice to get off at a nice decent hour :shy:
gives them more family time. i like that.
this for you and your baby :rose:
:puchhi: thnks so much
Yes, I’ve heard that except for in the really large cities, things close down early!
:haanji:
Your daughter is adorable Neha!
And OMG!! What shopping! It all looks so amazing! I’m totally green :green:
:teddy: thnks a ton
u come over we will share
hehe will do. I like your DP.
thats ur baby choooo chweeeet :teddy: :teddy: :teddy:
awesome haul :))
😀 thnks vid :teeth
Ur angel looks super cutee… :teddy:
UK is the place I always wanted to visit. So scenic and clean and green.. Shd plan a trip sometime :methinks:
:puchhi: thnks
im sure u will go soon :handshake:
Neha, your haul :love: :love: :love: :love:
and your baby is realllly cute :puchhi: BTW, I completely agree with you about the Chennai Airport. I was :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: on seeing it….specially the moment you get outside the airport :yuck:
:rotfl: yeah they need to revamp for sure
Hey Neha, you didn’t go to TIE RACK, and no mention of theatre ?:) ?:) ….. :hunterwali:
loved the piccys … :thanks: for sharing , and I envy you, :smug: itna saara shopping…and yea, I agree , England is one wonderful place to be…..wish I could live there forever…:idk:
where is that?
i said na we dint make to all places in such a short time
read disclaimer… :))
i dint go to london
only manchester n other areas
Nehaaaaaa..look at last pic :stars: :stars: :stars: :stars:
And your daughter looks superrrrr cute :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: Whats her name ?
Shomili :shy:
And Happyyyy Karvachauth to all the ladiessss :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi:
Ritika :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: I no karvachauthing :victory2: :victory2: :victory2: :victory2: :victory2: :victory2: :victory2: :victory2:
Lovely pIctures Nehaaaaaaaa and your daughter is sooooooooo cute and adorable….I so love baby girlssssssssss :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: I just got a niece and I am over the moon now :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove:
Good morning jomol….. :jog: :jog: :jog: :jog: y aint u fasting? ?:)
Shivaniiiiiiiiiiiii….aaj muje bhook bahut lag rahi hai 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐 😐
aaiiinnnn….off all the days bas aaj hi bhook lagi :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting:
me fastinggg….me even put mehndi….myself!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
:happydance: me too
love her 😀
nehuuuuu…. :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: wat a haul :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: n ur lil angel is so cute :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy:
😀
Wowwwww… :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: superb write up Neha….. and loved the pics… your baby is adorable!! :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: and your haul!!!!!!!!!!!! :ghost2: :ghost2: :ghost2: :ghost2: :ghost2: :ghost2: :ghost2:
:thanks:
happy karva chauth all u beautiful ladies :toothygrin:
m fasting too kimi., Put mehendi.. All dressed up wit matching bangles and come to office :makeup:
he he he..me still have to get dressed up today….saturday is chutti for me!!! 😀 and Happpppppppppy karwachauth to youuu too Pia!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Neha I love your baby :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy:
:happydance: thnks chavvi
quite a work of my art aint it ? 😀
:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:
awesum haul neha.. :woot:
n ur baby is such a doll .. Poochis to her :rose:
:puchhi: here
:happydance:
Bet you are “grinning like a cheshire cat” after that lovely haul. England is top of my list must see places, hope to do that in a few years’ at least! Your daughter is really cute. Hope to see all the reviews soon.
😀 yeah reveiws coming up of nice stuff
nehaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: no doubt you were always talking about the extra luggage problem. :hunterwali: :hunterwali: :hunterwali: :hunterwali: :hunterwali:
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Ratiiiiiiiiiiiiii… 😀 😀 😀 Good morning!! 🙂
😀 ye toh sirf makeup n hair stuff hai mainly
i got boots too 😀
Hey neha Babes is soo cutieeeeeeeeeeeeeee :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: Loved ur Haul and England toh :inlove: :inlove:
awesome post n a darling baby, Neha!
Taxi transportation in UK reminds me…..we took a cab from London Gatwick to Heathrow while in transit, almost 1hr drive….n it cost a bomb :toothygrin: :toothygrin: :toothygrin: taxis can really make one bankrupt :waaa: :waaa: :waaa:
N agree abt the quietness too…..in Dec.it gets completely dark by 4pm and the pin-drop silence outside always scared me :tremble: :tremble:
:green: :green: for the haul btw
:teddy: :teddy: for cutie pie 🙂 now :spank: :spank: :spank: for u for shopping 😀
OMG how on earth did u manage to get so much within luggage limits??? m so J now 🙂 super haul yaar..pls review all of them 😀
:woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: Wooow! Must have been amazing! :methinks: So peaceful. :teddy:
And your baby girl is just precious! :love: :love: I feel like poking her cheeks to see if they jiggle. :dumb:
Her expression makes me giggle. It looks like she’s saying, “Mhmm…Okay. Your point?” :hihi: :hihi:
Oh,and before I forget:
:hunterwali: :hunterwali: :hunterwali: for the haul. :huh: But I forgive you because I would have done that as well. :preen: :preen: :preen:
such a nice description wid beautiful snaps neha :yes: :thumbsup: … u seemed to hav njoyed yr stay.. n sooo much stuff :woot: :woot: … puchiies to my doll.. :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi:
Wow Neha such a nice post and cute shomili.. nice to see her after a long time 🙂 cutie pie 🙂
Hey Neha.. Lovely pics.. England is all the more beautiful in ur pics… I want that baby pink dress in the display.. :waaa: :waaa: :waaa: ..
n ur daughter is so cuteee…. :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: … n u ur haul :jaiho: :jaiho: :jaiho: .. :stars: :stars: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: ..