Littlepear,

  I've been to London a couple of times in November. The lastest I left was 20th November. The downside is darkness sets early and it can be quite cool and rainy. However, there are fewer tourists, so sometimes you have places nearly to yourself. Most things in London are open year round, but be aware that some places outside London close in the low seasons, such as Hatfield House (just an example). Regardless, it is a personal preference when to visit the UK.

I cannot speak for Germany. I visited Germany once in March. It was snowy and cold, yet still beautiful.

I would not pass up the opportunity to miss either of these destinations, regardless of the time of year. Good luck with your planning. I hope your friend can schedule time off. Brave woman being in Afghanistan. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Best!

Wow, I live here but I can't add much to DOB'S list, amazing. All I will say is do try and get to Hever and Leeds castles on your visit, both are open in the low season and are about an hour from London. Leeds castle holds what many consider to be the finest firework display in Europe, being held this year on the 5th and 6th of November, regrettably the castle itself is closed on these days, but remains open on all others save for christmas day only. Dover castle and Churchill's war rooms are well worth a visit and of course Canterbury Cathedral and Deal castle if you are in this area, you should allow about two hours from London for visiting these venues. Dover is dominated by the port and has little to offer apart from this and the castle, Canterbury however is a wonderful place to visit and there are no shortage of tea rooms in the area surrounding the cathedral! Of the west country venues suggested by DOB I would recommend Bath, with its fantastic Georgian architecture, Stonehenge is good to see on the way to Salisbury (the cathedral has the highest spire in England) and Bath, but there isn't anything else in the area as it is on Salisbury Plain, which can get very bleak in the Winter.

Like DOB I am sure I will think of more when I give the subject some thought, in the meantime I hope this has been of some help.

P.S. There is now a high speed rail link between London and much of Kent so journey times could be even less than I have given, if rail travel to certain venues is applicable.

Neil Kemp said:

Of the west country venues suggested by DOB I would recommend Bath, with its fantastic Georgian architecture, Stonehenge is good to see on the way to Salisbury (the cathedral has the highest spire in England) and Bath, but there isn't anything else in the area as it is on Salisbury Plain, which can get very bleak in the Winter.

 

I much prefer Avebury, if you have lots of time. Stonehenge was roped off at one time, so you couldn't get close, but in Avebury yiou can walk round the stones. And the village which is in the middle of the circle.

If you head out of Paddington by train to the west, watch out for the Uffinton White Horse which is between Didcot and Swindon. You only get a quick look but it ius impressive.

Glastonbury…I've always found a bit meh! There are plenty of new-age shops and the abbey is worth a look. But the streets are narrow and difficult to drive around.

Just to add to my previous message, if you do venture west then Corfe castle and village (Dorset) are well worth a visit and are open in the low season. The castle itself is mostly in ruin having been destroyed by parliamentarians in the civil war, but is still worth seeing and is in a great location, with village tea rooms offering good hospitality.