Stoneleigh 1st time asking for advice
HappyFather - 6/4/10 at 12:45 AM
Hello, all
On what is probably one of the last steps before ordering a kit for me to build, I'm planning to go to Stoneleigh. I'm coming from another
country, so I would like to ask you for some tips and advice, namely on the following aspects...
About getting there and back
Currently considering flights which arrive at London-Gatwick or London-Lutton. I would like to avoid renting a car and would rather take a train or
bus to Stoneleigh surroundings, where I would rent an hotel room. Which airport is the best to land at? Is it doable going by train/bus (which one?)
to the area?
On the show day, is it possible to walk or take a bus to the show? (walk considering staying at Kenilworth, Stoneleigh or, at most, Coventry)
Which of these towns is better to stay in, considering access to the show as main priority?
To return home I can also take a plane from Bristol or Liverpool. Does any sound as a better option that the previous two?
For train schedules and prices I found the site nationalrail.co.uk. Is there a similar one for bus schedules and prices?
(my problem with renting a car is my concern about driving a right hand car...)
About the show
If I focus on the Sevens kits first (that's what I'll be building) and the rest afterwards, is it possible to view it all in only one
day?
Are there ATMs inside? Or do ticket counter and food people take VISA?
OK... Will not bother you all with more questions. Thank you for reading and, hopefully, answering 
Best Regards,
HappyFather
skodaman - 6/4/10 at 12:48 AM
Bring an umbrella, lots of warm clothing and money and enjoy.
stevebubs - 6/4/10 at 12:57 AM
If you want to stay close to the show, I would suggest staying in Warwick, Leamington or Kenilworth.
If you're tied to Public transport, you may find this site useful
http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk
(On this site, Use "Stoneleigh Park" as a destination and that should get you to the gate..)
However, I would recommend hiring a car (unless there is a friendly locoster willing to pick you up)
Flying into Luton, Birmingham, East Midlands or Heathrow and hiring a car is probably the most cost-effective way to DIY.
[Edited on 6/4/10 by stevebubs]
stevebubs - 6/4/10 at 12:57 AM
PS Take cash with you. IIRC there are ATMs, but they'll probably charge you to withdraw money.
PPS Yes - if you arrive early, you should be able to see it all in one day.
Alternatively, bring a tent and camp over!
[Edited on 6/4/10 by stevebubs]
Steve Lovelock - 6/4/10 at 06:04 AM
It is an easy drive from Luton as it is motorway / dual carriage-way the whole journey. I think that getting there by public transport will be time
consuming. It will take about an hour from Luton so if you land early and leave late on you could possibly do it all in a day.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll have a great day as Stonliegh will a fantastic place to go with a pocket full of money and a wish list.
Danozeman - 6/4/10 at 06:26 AM
I stayed in a hotel for race retro called woodside which i booked through laterooms, thats about 5-10 mins from stoneleigh park in kenilworth.
Lovely place with swimming pool and sauna.
As already said take cash and sarnies. It will be £7.50 for burger and chips.
ReMan - 6/4/10 at 06:49 AM
Birmingham is the nearest International airport if that helps.
Dont rely on th on site ATMs they can get emptied on a good day, get cash at the airport
eddie99 - 6/4/10 at 06:51 AM
I'd also think that relying on public transport would be tedius. Probably best to rent a car. And Bring Cash. Leamington Spa is a good place to
stay in aswell....
Sorry i can't answer more of your questions...
Steve Hignett - 6/4/10 at 07:50 AM
Some good advice above.
Draw out cash at the airport.
Rethink hiring a car (maybe an automatic so you only have to concentrate on driving on the left).
You'll see it all in a day, but you'd be rushed - there is youth hostal style accomodation on site, just stay over then fly back the next
day would be my advice!
ashg - 6/4/10 at 08:09 AM
cant you get an easyjet flight to coventry airport?
jollygreengiant - 6/4/10 at 08:35 AM
Closest airports are (in order of how near)
Coventry (mostly thomas cook flights) 15/20km
Birmingham
Nottingham/East midlands
Luton
London Heathrow
London Docklands
Stansted
Manchester
Liverpool 250km(ish)
Their are other airports, but these are the major airports (with the exception of possibly coventry which is included because it is definately the
nearest). Birmingham would probably be the closest airport with good public transport links and definately the easiest road access to Stoneliegh (come
out of airport and join the A45 heading to Coventry. Stay on the A45 until (normally) you see sign posts to the Stoneligh Kit Car Show.
ReMan - 6/4/10 at 08:47 AM
Unfortunatly Coventry Airport has been shut for some time now, which is why I didnt mention it.
Shame as it's a 10 minute taxi to Stoneleigh!
ashg - 6/4/10 at 08:53 AM
oh didnt know that. lived there for several years before i moved back to kent
RK - 6/4/10 at 11:56 AM
The "driving on the wrong side of the road" is something you get used to pretty fast. I wouldn't worry about that. It was the narrow
streets that had us worried! The roundabouts make things very smooth.
Automatic is a waste of extra money. The standard was fine. Just don't think you can drink coffee whilst driving, which you probably can't
do in Portugal either without causing an accident.
HappyFather - 7/4/10 at 01:27 AM
Thank you all very much for all the replies!
I'll have to reconsider renting the car, it seems. And maybe take the discount Easyjet gives on Europcar, if my Avis company discount isn't
available abroad.
My problem with staying the 2 days is because we don't have holiday on Monday and it will be hard to get 2 days vacation from work at that
particular time...
When I have more definite plans and cost listings, I'll post back, at least to keep the info for future interested Stoneleigh goers
Once again, many thanks to all of you!
HappyFather
ReMan - 7/4/10 at 12:52 PM
I did'nt realise there was accomodation on site.
http://www.stoneleighpark.com/visitor/accommodation/
I'd offer to pick you up from Birmingham,but I dont' think
Mrs Reman will be happy with you sitting on her knee in the MK 
I'd get your travel a bit more definate then see if anyone in a tintop is able to collect, else as said don't worry too much about driving
on the correct siode of the road it's not hard
By the way, what is it that your particularly interested in car wise?
[Edited on 7/4/10 by ReMan]
HappyFather - 11/4/10 at 10:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ReMan
By the way, what is it that your particularly interested in car wise?
Sorry, only now came around and noticed your question...
When I got interested in kit cars in 2007 it was because of the Lancia Stratos replica (HF3000 by Hawk Cars). But as I don't have a boxed garage
neither that much money, I slowly shifted my interests and for the last year I've been considering a Seven style that I can build on my parking
space. Although it will seldom see a track (and it will be a kart track when it happens), I want a BEC so that I can lift the engine and for the added
thrill caused by the sound and 6-speed sequential box.
I'm currently considering 3 different kits (2 have a forum here, one doesn't), with several different topics on the equation to select the
one I'll order. Going to Stoneleigh will be nice to see the cars but also the people behind the email addresses and websites.
I hope to order it during June, start building in September, finish it an year later (not much more) and road legal for the summer 2012. Might get
some help from the wife during building as she likes cars too.
[Edited on 11/4/10 by HappyFather]
HappyFather - 11/4/10 at 11:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by HappyFather
When I have more definite plans and cost listings, I'll post back, at least to keep the info for future interested Stoneleigh goers
All reservations are done... Here are the plans, in case they help someone else. The wife decided she wanted to come too, which influenced the math,
the hotel selection (4* now) and the plane hours (we're leaving the kid with the grannies, it's different than if I was going alone).
Due to time of arrival for flights, getting to Luton on Saturday 12h30.
Considered train and bus from Luton to Kenilworth (or near). Besides long times, they costed around 30£/person each way, to a total of 120£. Europcar
(through EasyJet) would provide us a Clio for 115£ (2nd driver option only, we have a GPS on the phone) and www.viamichelin.com says it would be 21£
for the petrol, so 136£ albeit 16£ more expensive is way better.
Using www.booking.com we got a room on "Chesford Grange - QHotels". We're still considering walking or taking the car from there to
Stoneleigh Park (probably end up taking the car).
For the return we considered that due to the kid and arrival hours we should go to Liverpool take the plane back, on Monday. This added around 40£ to
the rental on the car plus 14£ for extra petrol and toll charge, the plane tickets are 10£ cheaper each, so added 34£ loss.
Lesson learned is that alone I could consider the train or bus, although it would be a pain. Two people definitely can take the car as it will cost as
much.
Avis had no available cars that weekend at Luton. Hertz was more expensive than Europcar (the car was cheaper but 2nd driver was a lot more expensive
and it was a Daewoo Matiz).
The sites that helped me find information:
http://www.flightmapping.com - To find out all companies that fly between Lisbon and UK
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ - Train schedules, prices and planner
http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk - Bus schedules, prices and planner (Thanks SteveBubs!)
I also went to each air company check prices, to the car rentals and used bookings for the hotel.
Have flights, hotel and car booked and confirmed, now is just wait 3 weeks to be around you all!
Please be patient if you see an Europcar rental Clio (or same range) with a couple inside driving around slowly and badly!
Once again, thank you all for the help given, tips, support, etc!
HappyFather
ReMan - 12/4/10 at 04:49 AM
Hmmm that seems like hard work, I take it there was nothing for Birmingham then?
Still at least the wife gets a weekend out of it in a nice hotel, lots of building points earned then!
See you there, enjoy
HappyFather - 12/4/10 at 06:44 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ReMan
Hmmm that seems like hard work, I take it there was nothing for Birmingham then?
From Lisbon, Birmingham was not an available destination, neither on Easyjet, BA, TAP nor Bmibaby.
Birmingham was only reachable from Oporto, which would mean a 3h train ride from Lisbon there and back.
quote:
Originally posted by ReMan
Still at least the wife gets a weekend out of it in a nice hotel, lots of building points earned then!
See you there, enjoy
Thank you! Only 3 weeks to go
HappyFather