The Bride wants to send me to the 2018 IOM TT

[Kiwifruit]

Been talking about going to the Isle of Man TT for a while now. The wife reckons I should just get on with it. Who am I to argue ??
So this is where I need your help. Ferries, accomodation, tickets, costs.....blah ,blah, blah. I'd like to take a bike if at all possible.
The Northwest 200 also holds some appeal as does the Classic TT. Which would you attend if you had to choose.
Does and dont's, any advice would be welcomed.
If funds allow we would be keen to see more of the UK and Scotland. Other interests for me are WW2 history and the wife is into gardens and garden shows, she would love to go to the Chelsea Flower Show as well as a Premier League soccer match.
Thanks in advance. 

[Mick_J]

Don't forget to make some time to sleep 

[VladTepes]

Can your wife talk some sense into mine ?! 

[Tony Nitrous]

We have been looking into the same. I go to the UK every 12 or 18 months.

I have mixed thoughts about the TT. Mates have been in the past, after a years planning, spent a small fortune and it was a wash out with crap weather. A risk you take. This can happen to any bike event but booking the TT is a bigger commitment than most.

Last time in the UK I did the MotoGP at Silverstone and Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb (Worlds oldest Motorsport venue)

Other options for me in the future are Mugello MotoGP (and see Italy) Macau (and see Hong Kong) , or some Irish road races (and spend time in Ireland) One of these I can slot into a UK trip much easier than the TT.

[Kiwifruit]

Don't forget to make some time to sleep 

We have to visit Somerset, wife has relo's there.

[KiwiCol]

Sounds like a grand trip Col, I'm sure the UK contingent will be able to sort stuff for you & you'll probably get to meet some of them too - which would be very nice as well, lucky bloke.

[gsxbarmy]

Wow - some list!!

First off all depends on dates as to what you can and can't do when in the UK, as things like Chelsea, TT, Classic etc all occur at different times of the year

IoM: I haven't been for a few years now, so will let others who have been of late reply, but essentially it all depends how you want to travel there. Realistically you'll need to book accommodation about one year in advance if doing the TT, not so sure about the Classic. If you have never been before then I'd choose the TT over the Classic. Regards travelling there, if you are taking a bike (or car) then again you'll need to book the ferry (IoM Steam Packet Co) about a year in advance. Alternately you could fly into the IoM (Manx Airlines) and hire a car at the airport.

Regards visiting gardens and the suchlike - there are plenty of those around the UK, the majority you don't need to book for. Personally I like the RHS garden at Wisley, well worth a visit. The only one you will need to book for is the Chelsea Flower Show you can book this through the RHS website https://www.rhs.org.uk - if you can't do Chelsea look at The Hampton Court flower show, many prefer this. If you are members of National Trust in NZ you may be able to use your cards in the U.K. - I know we can use ours in Australia so maybe that applies to NZ as well? Don't know.

WW2 History - plenty of choice, if you look at the Imperial War Museum website http://www.iwm.org.uk/ that will give details. Duxford is always worth a visit.

Regards touring - depends what you want to see and what funds allow. Often staying in local pubs with accommodation can be relatively cheap and much more fun than hotels - happy to give you details of sites you can review if that is what you want. Personally I always prefer the pub side as apart from better value they just have more character.

Hope that helps as a starter

[Tony Nitrous]

Took my Aussie wife to Cornwall (easily do-able from Somerset) a couple of times she liked it there.

Went to see where they filmed Doc Martin, did Lands End, Jamaica Inn, The Eden Project, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tintagel, St Ives, St Micheals Mount etc etc.

[Mick_J]

Don't forget to make some time to sleep 

We have to visit Somerset, wife has relo's there.

I'm in Somerset, where do her relations live?

[Kiwifruit]

Can your wife talk some sense into mine ?! 

Sorry Vlad, not that easy.
I had to make a few extra gold stars for me to stick on the good husband sticker sheet on the fridge. 

[Kiwifruit]

Don't forget to make some time to sleep 

We have to visit Somerset, wife has relo's there.

I'm in Somerset, where do her relations live?

Staple Grove

[Kiwifruit]

Thanks Gents.
Will start looking at some event dates and do some research on the net then see how we go.
Please keep the feedback coming.
Cheers Colin

[gsxbarmy]

If you want to get an idea of pubs to stay in whilst touring http://www.stayinapub.co.uk/

Always cross check them though with the feedback on TripAdvisor 

[Kiwifruit]

Will do. Thanks Dave.

[grog]

make sure you get that famous seat, near light pole, bikes go either side. think its sold out for the next hundred years, my dream spot. an esky of beer, my camera and just one arvo, a complete life i reckon. ill search for a name, piccy to post.