We took the tour this fall; and it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. One thing to keep in mind is that the plant is not really near a bus route, so you will have to take a cab (unless you'll have the MINI at the time). Also, be sure to get the number of the cab company for the return trip, as there is nowhere to “hail” a cab from the factory.

We stayed in a B&B that was pretty decent. Email me if you want the info.

also you need to plan to visit the John Cooper Works garage

Have fun

If you want to pick up absolutely the best bicycle in the world for the MINI — it fits in the boot! — I highly recommend the Brompton (http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk). MUCH cheaper to buy there. Don't forget the VAT refund. Just buy one in the box and check it as a standard piece of baggage. If the box is missing, wrap it in four layers of bubblewrap (as mine was) and it'll be fine. The standard saddle is awful, but get a nice Brooks spring saddle at home and you're done. L3 with standard gearing is probably the best value model for Chicago.

I also like to bring back Hob Nobs — a type of biscuit that costs about five times as much here as there. If you can figure out the difference between the chocolate ones and the milk chocolate ones, good show. (The latter allegedly have milk, but I have my doubts.)

Last time I went I flew a four seat airplane along the southern coast and that was lots of fun. Didn't cost too much money, even with the instructor. (Legally I needed one, since I was flying a G-reg, but he just sat there. Well, he deciphered the radio chatter, but otherwise he was useless. :-)) E-mail if you want details. I think I went on the tour of H.M.S. Victory (Nelson's ship) in Southampton the same day, and that worked well. Flexibility is required for the flying bit because of fickle weather.

I had problems in January, 2002, when I rented the Cooper — that was eons ago in MINI time, wasn't it? — with the small washer fluid reservoir and the difficulty procuring precious washer fluid. They don't premix the stuff, so you can either pour really expensive concentrate (if you can find it) into the wee container or buy bottled water and do the same. (Bottled water is cheaper, I think.) The car rental company seems to “forget” to refill the thing. So bring a water bottle, I guess, in case there's an emergency. Given the frequent wet (and thus grimy) weather there, it's good to be prepared. One would think MINIs there would have 50 gallon washer drums. :-)

Re: Stonehenge, they be rocks. Peaked through the fence, took photo (with about 2X zoom I think), then hopped back in the Cooper. Tick box checked and saved a couple quid.

It might be worth a trek to the Lotus factory to see (drive?) another wonderful motorcar. I believe that's in Norwich, and it's another excuse to drive. Check http://www.lotuscars.co.uk for info and contacts. Never been. Please report back.

I'll stop now. :-) Have a great time! And if you break down in or near Fleet, I know someone who might help.

    BCNU, 
  Rob in Dago

Maybe there is something equally as “interesting” for UK buyers only that we couldn't even dream of looking for here in the US.

Enjoy. And “smile” for the photo radar! (Which means you'll be smiling most of the time…)

Enjoy!

Due to the WWW, you can get pretty much everything you want from England. You may want to look for site-specific things that are unique to the area, but unless you can stuff a pre-'67 1275s in your carry-on, that's all I can think of.

Watch youself in those little backroads with hedgerow sides – they're not really 2-lanes, more like 1-1/2 lanes ;-) Watch your speed – candid cameras.

   BCNU,
 Rob in Dago

P.S - Watch your passenger-side mirrors in London traffic - objects are closer than they appear.