Mallory Park in Leicestershire is well-known as a racing circuit. And a favourite experience for visitors is to attend one of the frequent track events where you’ll be taught by a professional racing driver how to handle a supercar around the 1.35-mile track....
When you're visiting London and if you're strolling down Westminster Bridge Road, watch out for the building you see above. The architecture is pretty lovely of course. But it also has a rather unusual history It's close to Waterloo, The Houses of Parliament, various...
I’ve written about some seriously creepy places over the years but this must be one of the spookiest. Built during the Second World War, and about 9 miles from the nearest land, these anti-aircraft fortifications were interconnected by walkways and probably...
If you’ve been to London, you might have noticed them. If you’re planning to go there, then watch out for them. These curious little structures, looking rather like a Victorian garden shed, are scattered throughout the city.There are only thirteen of them...
If you’re visiting London and have had your fill of the usual tourist attractions, then head to Kennington Road where you’ll find the site of a gory murder, the childhood home of Charlie Chaplin, a war museum, a one-time residence of Vincent van Gogh and...
Believe it or not, there are actually several good reasons to go to Middlesbrough. You may have the impression, as I did, that this is a pretty ugly old industrial town. Okay, it is. But there are still many things to see and do there. There are a handful of stately...
Clocks – marvellous things. Strangely, clocks and watches are still popular, despite the fact that we have digital readouts on our phones, laptops, car dashboards, cookers, microwaves and so on. True, clocks are more likely to be decor items these days and...
You can no longer stay there, but if you’re in the Brighton area and a fan of splendid architecture, then a detour to Saltdean is well worth the trip just to see the Ocean. It’s now fully restored and has a fascinating, of oh-too-familiar history. This...
There are two museums in England dedicated to the work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth. This one, the one in St Ives in Cornwall, is where Barbara lived and worked until her death. She and her husband, artist Ben Nicholson, had moved to St Ives at the outbreak of war in...
You know what Londoners are like. If you think that there are buildings in London that have official names such as the Gherkin then you’d be wrong – although just about everyone refers to it as such. There’s also no building that’s officially...
Right until Victorian times, Tintagel in Cornwall was a remote place with few – if any – visitors. The landscape was wild and inhospitable, the shoreline craggy and naturally fortified. In fact, the island – it’s only narrowly separated from...
There’s really no doubt about it – there are two particularly outstanding things that most people enjoy when they are visiting the UK. They are the history of the place – you can’t move without bumping into something or other that’s...
Many people visit London because it’s jam-packed with history. Visitors from newer countries love the fact that there are buildings, streets and stories that existed long before their own country did. But history from way back, although fascinating, is only part...
Name a World War Two aircraft. Go on. I know nothing about planes but I bet that most people will have had the same answer I did – ‘the spitfire’. Many were built at the Castle Bromwich Assembly, a factory that now makes something equally speedy...
A reader suggested that we create a map for fans of JRR Tolkien for when they are visiting England. So here we are. Many of the places where Tolkien lived, worked or stayed have been honoured with a ‘blue plaque’. These are permanent markers attached to...
When you visit Shambles Square in Manchester, especially the Old Wellington Inn and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar, you’ll be wrong if you feel that you’ve gone back in time. You haven’t. Well, you sort of have done. Oh how tricky, let me...
You might be visiting Hagley Hall in Worcester. It’s an astonishingly magnificent stately home. It’s totally gorgeous, historic, set in wonderful parkland and gives you a very special glimpse into the lives of the aristocracy in the days when luxury was a...
One of the joys of visiting England is finding and experiencing country pubs. The Mug Inn is an excellent example and also very unusual as it’s situated on consecrated ground. It started life in the 15th century as the local church’s ale house. You can see...
I wasn’t really sure that there were any of the old telephone boxes left in England but there are – about 8,000 of them apparently. Why, I’ve no idea. I don’t know about you but I honestly can’t remember the last time I use a public...
That’s how Chillingham Castle describes itself – it claims to be the most haunted castle in Britain. You’d think that most castles worthy of the name would have a good smattering of ghosts and ghouls so that’s quite a claim for Chillingham to...
The location scouts looking for fantastic places to make part of the Harry Potter films probably were delighted to find Leadenhall Market. It was featured quite a few times in the movie series – just take a look at the photographs and the video below and you can...
It’s a pretty spooky place. There have been fortifications on this site for hundreds of years. The present fort was in use until 1956 – and is now open to visitors. You can see from the map below that it’s located in the very tip of a spar of land...
Anne Lister was born in 1791 in Yorkshire. That’s many years before homosexuality became legal in Britain and at that time, the word ‘lesbian’ didn’t exist but nevertheless, Anne grew up to be a pioneer in the world of being true to her own...
It’s one of those things I’d never really thought about. Of course, we’ve all heard of gunpowder and explosives but it had never occurred to me to wonder where these products actually came from. Where were they made? Visit the Waltham Abbey Royal...
This Modernist building caused quite a stir when it was opened in 1935. It was the first building in the UK to be created using a welded steel frame and its architects were both fleeing from Hitler’s regime. They were German Erich Mendelsohn and Russian Serge...
All over the world, there are mysterious caves. And many of them are open to visitors these days. They are truly fascinating and have been used for many purposes. Some date back for thousands of years. The Chislehurst caves are also available to visit and have a...
It may well be that you’ve been to Charing Cross station in London and, like me, not really noticed the lavishly decorated monument that stands right outside. And if you’re English – we tend to be a bit blasé about the history that’s liberally...
Number two Willow Road is the central apartment in a row of three – built in the late thirties and designed by Ernő Goldfinger. Goldfinger was a well-known designer and architect – he was originally from Budapest but made his home in London for many years...
It’s funny but there are tourists who visit London and ask their hotel concierge or the local tourism office about how they can get tickets to tour 10 Downing Street. I really doubt that in their country you’d be able to book tickets to tour the...
Until it was closed in 1853, Cross Bones was an unconsecrated, unofficial graveyard. Many of the corpses that were buried there were those of babies due to the high infant mortality rate in earlier times, or those of women thought to be prostitutes. It was closed...
It’s something that was glossed over for many years. We know all about it now though, the fact that millions of animals served Britain and its Allies during the wars of the last century. It’s said that eight million horses died in the First World War...
Hartlepool in the north east of England is rarely on anyone’s list of places they absolutely must visit. Which is a shame because it’s only a few miles from one of the most wonderful areas on the planet (the North Yorkshire Moors, says this Yorkshire girl)...
At first glance, Bletchley Park looks simply to be a rather ornate English country house. It’s only about 50 miles from London – to the north – and was built in the late nineteenth century. It has elaborate features, as you can see in the photographs...
Many people travel to visit Ascott House and Gardens, a fabulous country estate in Buckinghamshire. And if it’s on your itinerary, make sure to allow time for a detour to Bridego Bridge. Yes, an ordinary country railway bridge in ordinary English countryside. It...
This is a genuine secret garden that was lost – well, unknown – for many years. It had been creatyed in Victorian times but had fallen into disrepair and become overgrown. But in the 1990s a door was found into the walled garden that was buried in the...
In December 2017, Prince Harry and American actor Meghan Markle announced their engagement. The scene for the to-be-historic photographs and interview was Frogmore House, a Grade 1 listed building in the possession of royalty for hundreds of years. Travel specialists...
Millions of passengers travel through St Pancras Station in London every year. With trains going to Europe (Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam… via the Channel Tunnel), connections going to various parts of the UK – with all that train activity going on people...
Seaside piers, bathing huts, bandstands, floral clocks in parks … they all sum up English days gone by to me. I’m thinking Edwardian or possibly before. Or even later – the years between the world wars.When England was booming on the world’s...
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is to be found in Westminster Abbey, London. Many countries have similar memorials – which honour the dead of the First and/or Second World War but this is the first of its type being installed in the abbey in 1920. Most people...
Chetham’s is the oldest operating public library in the English-speaking world. It was founded in 1653. If you think that was a long, long time ago then I have to also tell you that the building (the gorgeous building) dates from 1421. It originally housed...
Leeds is a splendid city. There are many things to see and to do within the city itself and going a little further afield to the outskirts takes the traveller to even more fabulous places. But today, we’re staying in the city centre itself. We start by shopping...
If I told you that the connection between a Swedish water tower and a café in Canvey Island, Essex, UK, was the Sydney Opera House then you’d probably think that I’d lost it at last. Fair enough. But read on. Canvey Island in Essex is not really the sort...
See the photograph above? Now that is one gorgeous place to swim, dine or enjoy a luxurious spa day. But here’s what Kings Meadow Pool, now known as the Thames Lido. But in 2009, here’s what the place looked like. And seeing what the place looks like now...
The Gateshead Millenium Bridge is an amazing sight when stationary but once it moves – to allow river traffic to pass under it – it’s quite astonishing. You can see how it does so in the time-lapse video below. In many places in the world moving...
Swimming is one of the most popular forms of exercise and these days, more and more people are enjoying the benefits of swimming outdoors. In England. Yes, although many people in other countries seem to think that Egland is always cold and always raining (it...
As the man in the video says ‘these are proper English chips – none of yer poncey French fries’. The super-stylish frontage – those wonderful tiles and that fabulous font! – could be the work of a modern architect but it is original to...
The sub-title for this article could be ‘Dine in the Olympic’ – except the word ‘Olympic’ could be crossed out and the word ‘Titanic’ substituted. But I’m getting ahead of myself… I’ll get back to that in a...
Built in 1934, this modernist building housing small but efficient (and wonderfully designed) apartments became popular with its inhabitants – and those inhabitants included artists, designers, writers, architects … and even spies. Today the building is...
Once you’ve visited the obvious tourist traps in London, the chances are that you’ll start to explore the less-familiar aspects of the city. And there are several reasons why you might end up in the Cleveland Street area. For example, Charles Dickens lived...
Yes, I know that I tend to extol the virtues of other tourist places in England in addition to London, but there are some features of the city that are quirky enough to be included on this website. One of them is to be found in the famous Trafalgar Square. It’s...
If the Crown pub in Kingsclere, Hampshire isn’t haunted then there’s something very wrong with the modern ghost. The Crown definitely deserves to be one of the most haunted pubs in England because of a WW2 massacre that took place there and was hushed up...
When you visit the market town of Bedale in North Yorkshire be sure to visit the building in the photograph above. Take a selfie of you and it and ask your friends if they can guess what in earth this tiny house’s original purpose was. It was built in the early...
Back in those days, no-one ever thought that this ordinary suburban semi-detached house on the outskirts of Liverpool would one day become a museum. Some would even call it a shrine. One of the strangest musical phenomena in living memory was that of The Beatles, a...
Well, here we have two very different musicians. One, in recent memory, lived in the twentieth century. The other in the eighteenth. But surprisingly, only a wall separated their living quarters. George Handel lived at 25 Brook Street in Mayfair. Two hundred years...
What you see above is probably the most famous pedestrian crossing in the world. Recorded in 1969, Abbey Road was an album by the Beatles and the cover featured the four band members walking across the road on the crossing. Use the map below to locate the crossing our...
In 1799, English poet William Wordsworth, moved into Dove Cottage – a former inn – near Ambleside in what is now the stunning Lake District National Park. The area is justifiably famous for its hills, mountains, waterfalls and lakes. A couple of years...
If you’re travelling up the Mi motorway from the south of England to Yorkshire or Scotland or all points north then watch out for a sign directing you to Chesterfield. This lovely Derbyshire market town is worth visiting for several reasons but a tourist...
If you speak British English, then you will refer to it as a ‘lift’. If you’re American, or were taught to speak English in the American way, then you’ll call it an ‘elevator’. But despite this difference, I’ll bet that we all...
In 1926, Agatha Christie was already well-known thanks to her novels. But in December that year she suddenly disappeared. Her car was found abandoned and for the next eleven days, a massive police search was undertaken. It was surmised that she had committed suicide...
St. Peter’s Church has an unusual connection. The clue is in the church’s location. Wikipedia describes Woolton as ‘an affluent suburb of Liverpool’ and this might suggest something to you. Liverpool is well-known for many things, one of which...
I’ve written before about the northern seaside town of Blackpool in the UK and how it’s reinventing itself. And it’s doing a good job of reinventing what is probably its most famous feature, Blackpool Tower. Blackpool never really had much going for...
I can’t even begin to describe to you that wonderful moment when I realised that Maggie Smith was going to play Miss Shepherd in Alan Bennett’s Lady in the Van. And a marvellous film it is too. For those who don’t know, it’s the (largely) true...
Paul Theakston was born into the brewing industry and worked at the namesake Theakston’s Brewery in Masham, Yorkshire. That is until business and managerial mayhem made him leave in the 1980s. But – and many a Yorkshireman would say the same – beer...
York is a truly amazing place. It’s packed with history, ancient architecture, museums, parks … there are fabulous places to eat, the local scenery is unbeatable and it’s even a great place to shop. Bizarrely, you can also – free of charge...
England abounds with eccentrics – people and buildings. And the Royal Pavillion at Brighton is so much a part of English culture that it’s only when I take a step back, and see it as a foreigner would, that I realise just how bizarre it is. Let’s...
Baywater is a lovely area of London with elegant terraces featuring delightful architecture. But next time you’re in London, it’s worth visiting Leinster Gardens because two of the houses there are not what they first appear to be. Numbers 23 and 24 are...
I was still at school when I found out about the Mouseman. The school, which was quite posh, needed new furniture for the teachers’ use during assembly. I recall that the headmistress was very proud because he had purchased the furniture from the Mouseman....
It’s not only me who finds this building (above, left) perfectly awful. In 2015, the building won the Carbuncle Cup – which is awarded annually to the ugliest building in the UK. And it’s not just ugly, it also has a serious solar glare problem....
If you’re in the UK and travelling on the north-to-south M1 motorway, then it’s worth a small detour to visit the tiny village of Linby. I’m afraid that I don’t know exactly when the village was initially founded but the church dates from the...
An astonishing place, the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK exists especially as the nation’s tribute to the men and women who have been killed, injured or afflicted by war and in the service of their country. It was conceived in 1988 and designed to be a...
How many hotels are there in London? I’m sure that Google would be able to tell me but the information would soon be out of date. There are faceless chain hotels, independent quirky hotels and then … there’s 40 Winks. It defies description –...
I imagine that in years to come, there will be an increase in American visitors to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle – thanks to the marriage of the UK’s Prince Harry to American actor Meghan Markle. Our two countries have a long history together...
I have just added this place to my bucket list and originally, it was simply because of the name. (Although the fact that it’s in the wonderful county of Yorkshire helps, of course. It’s in a great location – about ten miles away from York itself and...
Now that more and more visitors from other countries are realising that visiting Britain means more than just touring London, many other resorts are enjoying a new heyday. This means that some of the UK’s best – and most quirky – hotels are in the...
At the end of 2017, Airbnb published a list of destinations that were (and had been) trending. I was surprised to see the second on the list was the good old English seaside resort of Bournemouth. I lived near Bournemouth for several years – and worked there...
So, there you are exploring London and it’s time for lunch. (Or breakfast or dinner or a light snack). Of course, there are so many places you can go. But how about something a little different this time? Enjoy coffee in a crypt! In Central London, you’ll...
It bothers me so much that overseas visitors who travel to the UK see London as their main point of interest. There is so much to see and do in England (and Scotland and Wales) and although London certainly does have many attractions, the wise traveller will venture...
If you can imagine Hercule Poirot investigating a mysterious murder in the Art Deco interior of the Burgh Island Hotel, then it’s no surprise. For one of its illustrious guests in days gone by was Poirot’s creator, Agatha Christie, and several of her...
Love locks have a history that goes back to the First World War but the craze really started to take off in or around 2000. What is a love lock? A couple will purchase a padlock – normally of the common or garden variety – they scratch their initials on...
Whitby, a coastal town in North Yorkshire, is a splendid place to visit as it can be like taking a step back in time. It grew from a tiny fishing village and has so much to offer the traveller. It’s a wonderful place for a traditionally English seaside vacation...
England’s Peak District is a fabulous place to visit with a great deal to offer the tourist, especially those who appreciate natural beauty.A place I always enjoyed visiting was the Ladybower Reservoir. Why on earth would anyone want to visit a reservoir? Well,...
There are many great reasons to visit Leeds in Yorkshire. Art galleries, Victorian arcades, exceptional shopping, original architecture, sports facilities, museums, fabulous dining options and — plenty more. But increasingly visitors are heading to a warren of...
Dobcross is a small village in the north of England, nestling in the South Pennine hills. Picturesque and featuring fabulous surrounding countryside, it’s always well worth visiting. This is especially the case if you’re a visitor from overseas and want to...
I hope it doesn’t seem strange to you that one of the most popular foodie experiences in England is that of learning how to create Indian dishes. Because for many years now, Indian food has been the most popular cuisine in the UK. (Did you know that Queen...
Stay in Cambridge and you’ll see fabulous architecture, experience real history and enjoy the atmosphere of this ancient university city. You’ll see breathtaking views, enjoy traditional punting on the river and see rolling countryside with cattle freely...
If you’re in England, especially in the Midlands, then it’s the ideal opportunity to visit a desi pub. For these pubs are a combination of two British traditions – and two very popular local experiences. They came about because of two factors....
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for history buffs, aviation fans and those who are interested in the history of the Second World War. At time of writing, there are only eight of these iconic WW2 Spitfires TR9s still in existence and yes, you can experience a...
If I told you that you could enjoy accommodation in London at a budget price but with the advantages of a luxurious swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, wifi and even breakfast you’d probably think I was joking. But it’s true. You’ll be staying in a great...
Bourton-on-the-Water is a village in Southern England – under a hundred miles from central London. Although the place is merely a village, there are several good reasons to visit but the one that excites me the most is the Dragonfly Maze, created by artist (and...
Which is the most beautiful country in England? Of course, it depends on who you ask. I’m from Yorkshire so naturally, I’m going to tell you that it’s England’s finest county in every respect, but I admit to loving Cumbria too. If you’re...
I’ve always been fond of Liverpool. There’s so much going on there and these days, it’s a popular tourist destination. This is an excellent thing because in days gone by, visitors from other parts of the world tended to visit only London. They missed...
Travel down a narrow lane from the village of Bantham in South Devon and you’ll find yourself at Bantham Beach – popular with surfers and families. This secluded beach is the home of the Gastrobus – and the food, music and events it offers. The...
You’ve heard of glamping, but what about champing? Well, before we get into the whys and wherefore, let me ask you a question. Wouldn’t you like to stay in an historic, beautiful and tranquil building in the south of England? Your own private (large)...
This strange but totally fascinating place is a must when you’re visiting Oxford in England. There are so many things to see and do in the area and the Pitt Rivers Museum – which is hidden away – should definitely be on your list. The exhibits are...
Oxford is an amazing place – and only about 60 miles from London – so if you’re looking for accommodation in the area it’s unlikely that you’ll beat staying in one of the university buildings there. These bed and breakfast accommodations...
Just over 150 miles south west of London is Lyme Regis – a small coastal town with fascinating literary connections. People have been living there since ancient times and it’s a fascinating place to visit. One of its attractions is the number and variety...
Wouldn’t you, or someone you know, love to attend a chocolate masterclass and learn how to make the most delectable chocolate treats? At the risk of started the Third World War here I have to say that I think that the chocolate from the other side of the pond is...
It always surprises me that so many foreign guests to the UK visit only London. Bristol is an award-winning and vibrant city which is extremely well located. There is so much to see and do in the city and the surrounding area – fascinating history, extensive...
So, what exactly is zorbing? Well, let me tell you that I’ve started writing about half a dozen introductory sentences to explain it — and deleted them all. That’s because ‘rolling down a hill in a big plastic bubble’ just doesn’t...
Some years ago, if I was asked to describe Blackpool kindly, the best word I would be able to come up with would have been kitsch. Blackpool is a seaside town in the North of England that became a popular northern holiday-making destination in the mid-nineteenth...
