Where to visit in UK next week

[David Cockey]

We're visiting the UK for the next week and a half, and will be based in Rutland. Any suggestions on hand tool related places to visit, particularly those between Rutland and Sussex?

Phil - we're the couple that gave the brass bottom smoothing plane a new home.

 

[TheTiddles]

David, just so you know, between Rutland and Sussex is about 1/3 of England!

Aidan

 

[bugbear]

We're visiting the UK for the next week and a half, and will be based in Rutland. Any suggestions on hand tool related places to visit, particularly those between Rutland and Sussex?

Phil - we're the couple that gave the brass bottom smoothing plane a new home.

DON'T bother with the Salaman collection in the museum of St Albans; the town is very nice, but the museum is small, and (hence) the displayed tool selection is most disappointing.

Most of our better tools shops are mainly selling tools from the North America (you know the names...), or at least tools that are also readily available in North America.

If you want "souvenir" tools, I would recommend concentrating on older Record, perhaps Preston, from old tool dealers.

Alice has a list:

http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/tooldealers.html

BugBear

 

[Argus]

.

If your interest is older tools, then Needham Market is not too far from Rutland.

There are some well established dealers there.


.

 

[Philly]

Welcome David!
Do hope you are happy with your plane? Have a great time in the UK.
Best regards
Philly

 

[wizer]

He's coming back for a refund Phil!

David, if you come to London, don't tell anyone your name!! :wink:

 

[AndyT]

The Tools and Trades History Society has a good list of hand-tool related museums:

http://www.taths.org.uk/interesting%20links.htm

Plenty there to fill up your itinerary!


Andy

 

[David Cockey]

David, just so you know, between Rutland and Sussex is about 1/3 of England!

Aidan

Our house in Michigan to Berea was over 400 miles each way. Driving down was a long morning.

 

[bugbear]

David, just so you know, between Rutland and Sussex is about 1/3 of England!

Aidan

Our house in Michigan to Berea was over 400 miles each way. Driving down was a long morning.

Not all our roads are as straight and clear as some of your roads...

BugBear

 

[David Cockey]

The responses are appreciated. My wife is English and I've made 20-some previous trips. Probably driven over 35,000 miles on the "wrong side". We'll be making a trip to Sussex to visit various relatives hence my interest in places to visit in that direction. Also, Needham Market looks like a good day trip.

My previous experience is new tools in the UK usually range from about equal cost to more expensive then the same in the US, depending on the exchange rate. Used tools can be a different story. For example Record 044 planes are not common in the US.