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...
Most tourists who come to Scotland will pay a visit to the nation’s capital city of Edinburgh but many of them won’t know that Edinburgh hasn’t always been the capital of Scotland. Drive north across the Forth Road Bridge and you will very quickly come to the Royal...
VIKINGS! That cry would have sent shivers of terror through the occupants of many a village about to be attacked by those medieval marauders who were famed for their ferocity in battle and their seagoing skills. Fortunate indeed would be the farmer, villager or maiden...
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)...
Amongst the many walking tours of Edinburgh available to visitors there is one which stands out from the rest. Gareth Davies has an advantage no other walking tour guide of the city has – a four-legged assistant! Edinburgh is a remarkably dog-friendly city and...
When i was a child we used to go to Cornwall (in the south-west of England) every year. It’s still one of my favourite places in the UK. Port Isaac is a picturesque fishing village which is typical of the area and has been used as the location for several films...
If you are on vacation in Scotland and are thinking of spending some time in Edinburgh taking in all the wonderful sights and sounds of this historic capital city then you will need somewhere to stay. You could, of course, book into one of Edinburgh’s many luxury...
Built in 1946 to replace another vessel of the same name which was sunk during WW2 the Paddle Steamer Waverley is the only seagoing, passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world and now operates passenger excursions around the British coast with the ability to carry...
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...
Lying at the head of Loch Awe, Scotland longest freshwater loch, you will find a most curious thing – a ‘hollow mountain’. Ben Cruachan, one of Scotland’s Munros (mountains over 3000 feet) is home to the only underground pumped storage hydroelectric power...
No, not Rabbie Burns, Rabbie’s Tours! Taking a tour of Scotland in one of Rabbie’s minibuses is an excellent way to see the country. Departing from either Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness Rabbie’s will get you up close and personal with what makes Scotland so appealing...
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...
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and the UK’s third largest (and once known as ‘the second city of the empire’), has many fine art galleries and museums but one of the most popular is undoubtedly Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which houses one of Europe’s...
Have you heard about Jetsetter? It’s a completely free-to-join online travel club that offers its members some incredible deals on hotel accommodation throughout the world. Every day, new deals are added to the site offering great prices on various fabulous...
If you are thinking of taking a vacation in Scotland and want to do it in style then you couldn’t do better than spending a few days travelling on the ultimate in luxury rail transport – the Belmond Royal Scotsman. Not to be confused with the Royal Scot or the...
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...
If you are vacationing in Scotland and are thinking of visiting Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh (and what tourist doesn’t?) you may wish to include in your itinerary a visit to some of Edinburgh’s museums. The city has some wonderful museums but if you are of a...
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...
In 1952, just after the death of her husband King George VI, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, better known today as ‘The Queen Mother’ bought a 450-year-old rundown castle in the far north of Scotland as a place to ‘get away from everything’. She oversaw the restoration of the...
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...
Probably best known as one of the two furthest apart points accessible by road on the British mainland, the village of John o’ Groats lies way, way up on the northeast corner of Scotland some 876 miles from its southern counterpart, Land’s End at the southwest corner...
Between Fort William and Inverness there lies a Great Glen. Running for 62 miles like a long, thin, diagonal sword-slash struck into the land it bisects the Scottish Highlands into the Grampian Mountains to the southeast and the Northwest Highlands to the northwest....
Yes, you can drive one of the world’s most luxurious and powerful cars (and to me, the most beautiful) at a prestigious British racing circuit. This is a great opportunity for any keen driver or motorsport enthusiast. Your adventure includes full briefing from...
Have you seen what hotel prices are like in Central London? London is on everyone’s wishlist as one of the places they must visit but accommodation prices can be prohibitively high. The answer is to look at home stay alternative like the one you see featured...
If you are spending any amount of time in central Scotland there is one tourist attraction and impressive feat of engineering you really must visit!Connecting two largely disused waterways the Falkirk Wheel, the largest ‘functional sculpture’ you are likely to see...
What would you like to drive at high speed? Would you choose a Porsche, a Lamborghini, an Aston Martin (my own choice), a Ferrari? All these and more are available for you to drive in scenic North Yorkshire. This also makes a great gift for the petrol-head in your...
Most tourists who visit Scotland will take the usual well-travelled routes to see Scotland’s ancient castles and historical sites, swing by Loch Ness hoping for a glimpse of ‘Nessie’ or take a driving tour following Scotland’s spectacular coastline with its...
If you’re visiting England, then consider visiting the fabulous Blenheim Palace. Not only that, but enjoy seeing the splendour of the palace and its grounds and then enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea – complete with champagne. See how the other...
Hereford is a rural cathedral city which is to the west of London – about one hundred and thirty miles from the centre – and located near the Welsh border. It’s an ancient city and a truly interesting place to visit but for couples, there’s an...
Originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland, Traquair House, located in the Scottish Borders Region not far from the border with England, is Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited house. For nearly a thousand years Traquair House has been home...
I’ve loved Cornwall since I was a child and the cottage you see here is a wonderful place to stay. See the photographs further down the page. The tiny and ancient town of Lostwithiel is well-located within the county and the perfect base for exploring. That is,...
Coming to Edinburgh? No vacation trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, would be complete without paying a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, Scotland’s most popular visitor attraction. Launched in 1953 Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia was a much-loved favourite of...
Here’s a vacation idea that is truly something different – yet inexpensive. Very few vistors from overseas venture far into the country of Wales when they are visiting the UK and this is such a shame because it’s a very attractive country. Wales,...
Yes, the photograph you see above once housed pigs! But don’t worry, they are long gone and just wait until you see how beautifully this farm building has been transformed into stylish and comfortable accommodation. It’s located in Wales in the grounds of...
Many visitors to Scotland look forward to savouring a ‘taste of the country’. Food and drink like atholl brose, cranachan, the fine malt whiskies of Islay or even Scotland’s ‘other national drink’ may be consumed and the historic castles of Dunrobin, Edinburgh and...
Most tourists who visit Scotland head for the highlands and islands for the spectacular scenery or maybe to the big cities of Glasgow or Edinburgh to soak up some of the culture but for those with a couple of days to spare or who are seeking something a bit different...
Staithes is one of the best coastal villages in the north of England. And we have found the perfect accommodation for you. This historic cottage – see the photographs below – was most likely once the home to a hard-working fishing family. Now it is...
‘’It’s by Shiel water the track is to the west, by Ailort and by Morar to the sea.’’ These lines are from a well-known traditional Scottish song ‘’The Road to the Isles’’ describing a weary travellers’ journey and the long road he must travel to reach his home...
It bothers me that so many visitors to the UK see only London. And this is why I love writing about places and experiences you can enjoy in England away from the capital. Certainly, there’s so much to see and do in London but the UK has so much more to offer....
What a fantastic treat for a family of four. Stay in a genuine – and very stylish – treehouse in the stunning Snowdonia National Park in Wales. Not only will you be staying in your own private dwelling-in-the-trees, you access your temporary home via a...
Thinking of visiting Scotland but don’t really know where to start? Or maybe you’ve already done the castle trail, the whisky trail, and the city experience and now you want to see more of the real, wild Scotland. So what’s the best way to see Scotland’s amazing...
If you have always wanted to visit Scotland but have a limited budget then you will be pleased to know that there is a very affordable alternative to expensive hotels. The Scottish Youth Hostels Association, along with its affiliates, runs a network of self-catering...
Just north of Edinburgh the East Neuk of Fife is renowned for its splendid golf courses and for the town of St Andrews which is home to one of the oldest golf courses in the world and of course the R&A, the ruling authority on golf for most of the world, is also...
I’m on something of a mission to help foreign visitors to England to realise that there are some great places to visit other than London. One of them is Southampton in Hampshire. It’s only eighty miles from the centre of London and takes less than two...
Many Americans have asked me this question. The ‘tipping culture’ in the USA is widespread and well-understood but few people from the US understand the British way of showing your appreciation – especially in pubs. It’s likely that just about...
Are you planning to visit London? If so, then you can spend a splendid day seeing the sights from a Thames riverboat – you’ll see all the iconic City of London landmarks. Then, to have a truly splendid end to an exciting day, enjoy a meal at one of Marco...
Edinburgh is justly popular as a travel destination. It is a sophisticated city with a huge amount of history and there’s so much for the tourist to see and do. But did you know about its hidden side? The area was first inhabited over 10,000 years ago and was...
So many people visit the UK and only see London. London is a great city but there’s so much more to see in the British Isles. Today, I’m recommending that you take a trip north – to the ancient city of York. The city was founded by the Romans and...
