Where would you fly for a day trip within the UK?
#46
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,517
#48
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: London
Programs: Qantas; Virgin Australia; Le Club Accor; Marriott
Posts: 116
#49
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA PLT PRO, AGR, Strawberry (Nordic Choice), Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 4,147
I said today Id like to go back and spend the whole day: bring a picnic to eat in the park for lunch, wander around the grounds in the morning, see some art after lunch and finish up with tea and cake at the cafe (looked nice but had closed by the time we left the exhibition).
Definitely fantastic in the summer. The park would be less charming but probably fun for an energetic rainy walk in winter if you found somewhere nice to have tea or a more fortifying drink afterwards.
#50
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 365
Belfast for me too. On my last trip I took the Black Taxi Tours of the divided areas of the city. I thought I was politically clued up but there were some real interesting eye-openers on the tour. I took it at the end of the trip and just added on the drop off to BHD. Titanic Tour, a good lunch in one of the many good bars, ended by the Black Taxi tour. Wasn't there in winter so can't confirm/deny any Christmas market involvement.
https://www.nmni.com/Ulster-Folk-Museum/Home.aspx
It's possible, but not necessary, to book tickets in advance. Shortly before Christmas, there are carol services in the two churches that form part of the Fol Museum, for which tickets (bookable online) are necessary.
From BHD to either or both museums, take train or taxi or walk/run (around 4.5 miles). For train, walk straight out of terminal building, a small minibus/van is just outside to the left. It provides a courtesy shuttle to "the halt" (i.e. Sydenham railway station). BHD is a small airport so that courtesy shuttle doubles up as the car parking attendant and the security patrol i.e. don't be surprised if it doesn't look like a shuttle. Or walk out of airport main entrance, turn right and walk to Sydenham railway station, about 7 mins walk, crossing the busy A2 via the pedestrain bridge. Take any train in the direction of Bangor. Cultra (for both museums) is the second stop. Fare is 3.80. Buy ticket on train, noting that the the train conductor's ticket gadget works only on sections of the track on which there are no overhanging trees.
To walk/run, turn left out of BHD main entrance and proceed 4.5 miles. The first 2.5 miles (to Holywood) isn't great. At Holywood, shift onto North Down Coastal Path for the remaining 2 miles along the beach. Or take above train to Holywood (first stop) and walk/run from there.
#51
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,488
#52
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: BHD
Programs: BA Executive Club Silver
Posts: 572
BHD is within spitting distance of the Ulster Folk Museum, a wonderful collection of 17th-20th century rural and urban dwellings, complete with real-life basket weavers, loom operators and small-scale agricultural animals (pigs, chickens). The museum has a wonderful rural location overlooking Belfast Lough, and offers a great insight into the island's rural past (e.g. turf cutting), its Irish and Scottish roots, its deeply engrained religious history, early encounter with the industrial revolution and shift to modernity (e.g. early cinema, bicycle repair shop, rural physican's surgery). Nearby is the Ulster Transport Museum, for fans of vintage cars, trains and planes. For both:
https://www.nmni.com/Ulster-Folk-Museum/Home.aspx
It's possible, but not necessary, to book tickets in advance. Shortly before Christmas, there are carol services in the two churches that form part of the Fol Museum, for which tickets (bookable online) are necessary.
From BHD to either or both museums, take train or taxi or walk/run (around 4.5 miles). For train, walk straight out of terminal building, a small minibus/van is just outside to the left. It provides a courtesy shuttle to "the halt" (i.e. Sydenham railway station). BHD is a small airport so that courtesy shuttle doubles up as the car parking attendant and the security patrol i.e. don't be surprised if it doesn't look like a shuttle. Or walk out of airport main entrance, turn right and walk to Sydenham railway station, about 7 mins walk, crossing the busy A2 via the pedestrain bridge. Take any train in the direction of Bangor. Cultra (for both museums) is the second stop. Fare is 3.80. Buy ticket on train, noting that the the train conductor's ticket gadget works only on sections of the track on which there are no overhanging trees.
To walk/run, turn left out of BHD main entrance and proceed 4.5 miles. The first 2.5 miles (to Holywood) isn't great. At Holywood, shift onto North Down Coastal Path for the remaining 2 miles along the beach. Or take above train to Holywood (first stop) and walk/run from there.
https://www.nmni.com/Ulster-Folk-Museum/Home.aspx
It's possible, but not necessary, to book tickets in advance. Shortly before Christmas, there are carol services in the two churches that form part of the Fol Museum, for which tickets (bookable online) are necessary.
From BHD to either or both museums, take train or taxi or walk/run (around 4.5 miles). For train, walk straight out of terminal building, a small minibus/van is just outside to the left. It provides a courtesy shuttle to "the halt" (i.e. Sydenham railway station). BHD is a small airport so that courtesy shuttle doubles up as the car parking attendant and the security patrol i.e. don't be surprised if it doesn't look like a shuttle. Or walk out of airport main entrance, turn right and walk to Sydenham railway station, about 7 mins walk, crossing the busy A2 via the pedestrain bridge. Take any train in the direction of Bangor. Cultra (for both museums) is the second stop. Fare is 3.80. Buy ticket on train, noting that the the train conductor's ticket gadget works only on sections of the track on which there are no overhanging trees.
To walk/run, turn left out of BHD main entrance and proceed 4.5 miles. The first 2.5 miles (to Holywood) isn't great. At Holywood, shift onto North Down Coastal Path for the remaining 2 miles along the beach. Or take above train to Holywood (first stop) and walk/run from there.
#54
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Jersey
Programs: BAEC gold
Posts: 500
#58
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: British Airways GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond & Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,606
#60
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,517
Crystal tickets can be added to your BAEC account in the normal way, same as any OTA, add a booking in MMB and from there add your BAEC number. You can do seat select, you get your airport benefits. You won't get POUG offers, you can't upgrade with Avios, you may find it difficult to get a refund (no experience with Crystal who may well be fine, this is general OTA experience). You will get Avios appropriate for your status level and TPs. Crystal do incidentally offer discounted J tickets too.
One thing worth remembering is that these are cheap because the underlying BA ticket is cheap. For an extra tenner or so you can book direct. It's just a lot of fun having a really cheap flight, it sets off the silly grin reflex.
One thing worth remembering is that these are cheap because the underlying BA ticket is cheap. For an extra tenner or so you can book direct. It's just a lot of fun having a really cheap flight, it sets off the silly grin reflex.