Windsor Castle

Photo by Buddhacat1 on Flickr

We’re lucky to have Windsor Castle. Not only did it survive two sieges, but in 1649 it survived a bill for its demolition too – by just one vote!

Tower of London

Photo by xiquinhosilva on Flickr

Despite being built to withstand serious onslaught by enemy troops and siege machinery, the only time the Tower of London was ever breached was actually by a riotous band of peasants during the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Photo by yoJoebosolo on Flickr

One of Bristol’s most beautiful spots would have been the scene of a tragedy if it wasn’t for Victorian ladies’ fashion. In 1886, Sarah Ann Henley threw herself from the bridge after an argument with a lover, but her billowing crinoline petticoats helped to slow her fall and cushioned her landing. She landed in the mud, and though injured, she survived and lived until 1948.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle was the scene of Scotland’s first recorded attempt at flight. It was way back in 1507, and the hopeful aviator was Italian alchemist John Damian. Unfortunately, the feathered wings Damian had built for the purpose proved ineffective: he crashed ignominiously into a dunghill and broke his leg.

The Lake District National Park

Photo by asands on Flickr

The Lake District is a place of many superlatives. It’s the largest National Park in England, taking up about 1% of Britain’s landmass. It’s also home to England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike), its deepest lake (Wastewater) and its wettest inhabited place (Seathwaite).

• Awesome Easter (23 March -14 April)
• Wicked Whitsun (25 May – 2 June)
• Stormin’ Summer (20 July – 1 September)

Henry VIII and his royal executioner rapping!
© Laura Porter

There are five Horrible Histories camps around the castle grounds where you can meet the Terrible Tudors and enjoy the rapping from Henry VIII and his royal executioner, or go to a Vile Victorians classroom and earn a school report. The Stormin’ Normans are up on the Mound but worth the climb up as a fight breaks out and then you can try on some chain mail armour.

Vicious Vikings – everyone had a go at rowing the ship
© Laura Porter

The Vicious Vikings had a fire to keep us warm and rowing and singing helped too. Ironically, Warwick Castle was first built in 914AD to protect the area from vicious Danish Viking marauders!

Measly Middle Ages doctor and his pet ferret
© Laura Porter

At the Measly Middle Ages we played rat skittles and learned that the protective ditch at Warwick Castle was never filled with water. Instead, during the Middle Ages, it was twice as deep and filled with the contents of the Castle’s toilets!

Warwick Warriors fighting in the Central Courtyard
© Laura Porter

There’s always lots going on at Warwick Castle including the daily Flight of the Eagles Show, firing the trebuchet and the Warwick Warriors battling in the Central Courtyard. Plus you can visit the State Rooms or climb up the towers and ramparts for excellent views. Young girls love The Princess Tower and Merlin: The Dragon Tower is fun too. Over 10s can buy tickets for the scary Castle Dungeons where the Witches of Warwick are ready to frighten you. I’ve been to Warwick Castle a few times and last went while exploring Birmingham and The Midlands.

Warwick Castle in the snow – hopefully you’ll get warmer weather when you visit
© Laura Porter

After visiting on the first day of ‘Awesome Easter’ when it was sub-zero and snowing I liked the fact the ticket prices at Warwick Castle have been frozen at 2012 rates: on the gate prices are adults £30.60 and children from £25.80 but there are lots of ways to get them cheaper. Book online 7 days in advance and you receive a 25% discount, or 48 hours in advance still saves 10%. There’s no additional charge to visit the Horrible Histories camps and each has games or activities for all.

Warwick Castle is a really easy day trip from London as the train from London Marylebone to Warwick is around 1.5 hours and it’s then just a ten minute walk to the Castle.

Laura Porter writes the About.com London Travel site and also Laura’s London for Anglotopia.net. She has lived in the London area all her life and can’t imagine ever wanting to live elsewhere. She fits in further freelance writing while sustaining an afternoon tea addiction to rival the Queen’s. Laura is @AboutLondon on twitter and @AboutLondon Laura on Facebook. You can find out more about her at about.me/LauraPorter and see Laura’s other articles on the Visit Britain Super Blog.

Photo by John191cr on Flickr

The famous phrase ‘shipshape and Bristol fashion’ comes from here (obviously) and refers to Bristol’s reputation for building extra-strong ships to cope with a peculiarity of the tides in its harbour. Incidentally, Blackbeard is said to have later settled in nearby Bath after receiving a full pardon. Take one of Bristol’s pirate tours if you’d like to learn more.

Photo by by John191cr on Flickr

Bristol definitely gives you the best of many worlds, and as it’s built across a series of hills, they’re quite literally on many different levels. At the top there’s Clifton Village, where you’ll find Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s great suspension bridge across the plunging Avon Gorge, so get your camera ready: it’s one of Bristol’s most photogenic spots.

Photo by yoJoebosolo on Flickr

(For a more modern, and equally spectacular feat of engineering, head just out of Bristol to the Severn Crossings).

Photo by CarolynEaton on Flickr

Clifton is just the place for a wander. Take in the elegant Victorian, Georgian and Regency buildings, stop into a cosy café or two, and enjoy the gentle pace of life at the top of the city.

Bar Chocolat by heatheronhertravels on Flickr

Further down you have Montpelier, well known as a bohemian hub full of colourful murals, music venues, and plenty of creative bustle – not to mention some great views over the city itself. Head to Picton Street for organic and vegetarian food, or down to Stokes Croft for some great, laid-back eateries and later on, buzzing clubs and gig venues.

by John191cr on Flickr

Famous as the birthplace of trip-hop in the 90s, with seminal acts Massive Attack and Portishead among the best known, Bristol still has a rich music offering, with everything from drum and bass to house,  hardcore, psychedelic rock and metal on offer in the clubs.

Scooters outside the Arnolfini – photo by mike warren on Flickr

Down in the city centre you’ll find a rich seam of galleries and museums, including Bristol’s popular centre of contemporary arts, the Arnolfini and the science museum: At Bristol. Don’t miss the Cube, Bristol’s local-artist-run cinema which as well as films hosts music events, air guitar competitions, and all kinds of art-community-centred events.

At Bristol – by Pikakoko on Flickr

The harbour is a great place to walk and take in the sights, or just stop by a pub and unwind with a cool drink beside the water. If you fancy something different, stop by another of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s engineering feats, the SS Great Britain.

SS Great Britain – photo by ciamabue

No talk of Bristol would be complete without mentioning Banksy, the Bristol-born street artist who is today a global phenomenon. Keep your eyes peeled for his originals around Bristol!

A popular Banksy – photo by kcakduman on Flickr

Liz Walsh from Top Dog Days has put together a few of her favourite ways to enjoy the views of London on a budget.

The One New Change roof terrace

The Monument

The Monument was built in the heart of London to commemorate the 1666 Great Fire of London. Its height matches the distance from its base to the place where the fire started, on Pudding Mill Lane, and it offers a fantastic view of the city at a budget price.

Climb the 311 steps to the top of the Monument and take in this lofty view of London’s historic sights. On a good day, you can see as far as Crystal Palace.

With tickets priced at just £3 an adult & £1.50 a child, it’s a great budget option for the family.

Learn more about the Monument here

Parliament Hill

Take in the London skyline for free from the top of Parliament Hill. You’ll find it in the south east corner of Hampstead Heath, and it stands at 98 metres (322 ft) in height, offering excellent views of London including St Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf & the City of London.

Parliament Hill has also become known as a great spot to fly a kite where you can generally count on a good breeze.  Bring along your own kite & join in the fun or just sit back and enjoy the views. The choice is yours.

Your closest tube for Parliament Hill is Kentish Town.

Learn more about Parliament Hill here

London Cable Cars

The Emirates Air Line opened in 2012 and offers you a new mode of transport over the River Thames.  It runs between Greenwich and the historic London Docks reaching a maximum height of 90 metres.

Take in views of the Olympic Stadium, Canary Wharf and the City of London as well as the O2 arena, all at a budget price.

This 1.1km journey across the Thames takes approximately 10 minutes each way with tickets priced at £4.30 an adult or £2.20 a child for a single journey.  Further discounts are available for those travelling with a Travel or Oyster card.

Learn more about London Cable Cars here

Greenwich Park

Take in the London skyline from Greenwich Park. It’s the oldest enclosed Royal Park, and dates back to 1427.  Follow the meandering path to the Greenwich Royal Observatory and take in the views across the River Thames including St Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf & The O2.

Learn more about Greenwich Park here

One New Change

Treat yourself to a fantastic view of one of London’s most famous cathedrals. While climbing to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral itself will cost you, you can climb to the roof terrace of the One New Change Shopping Centre directly opposite for free, and feast your eyes upon Wren’s masterpiece for a tidy zero pounds. In case you were wondering, its name is also its address: 1, New Change, just off Cheapside.

Learn more about One New Change here

We’ll see you then @VisitBritain on Twitter and Love UK on Facebook for fun facts and the chance to win some great prizes.

In the meantime, enjoy these beautiful images from the London Transport Museum’s new exhibition, Poster Art 150, featuring 150 classic posters from the London Underground from 1908 to the present day.

Borough Market – an evening with cheese and hot cider

6-14 December

Tuck into delicious cheeses while you sup wine, beer or hot spiced cider in festive fashion at the aromatic barrows of Borough Market. It takes place on 14 December and is wonderfully Christmassy, tucked beneath Victorian arches alongside the towering spire of Southwark Cathedral and the banks of the Thames.

Find out more here

Borough Market

Winchester Christmas Markets

Thu 22 November – Sun 23 December

Lit with the glow of Christmas lights and surrounded by the medieval elegance of Winchester’s historic buildings —its towering gothic cathedral foremost among them — Winchester Christmas Market brings you a sumptuous tableau of shopping and Christmas atmosphere. Songs and entertainment, festive food, open-air ice skating and the sparkle of illuminated goods stalls await, not to mention gifts of all kinds to keep your friends and family happy.

Find out more here

Winchester Christmas Market by David Spender

Highland Christmas Market: Edinburgh

29 November 2012 – 6 January 2013

Pick up traditional Scottish produce, enjoy a hot cup of mulled wine and browse for Christmas gifts in Edinburgh’s traditional Highland Christmas market. It’s nestled in Princes Street Gardens, sandwiched between Edinburgh’s shopping high street and some of the city’s top attractions – the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Memorial, so you’ll be very much in the heart of things as you shop for Christmas treats.

Find out more here

Edinburgh Christmas Market by f_shields

Famous Christmas window displays

Fortnum & Mason is London’s famous luxury food seller, home to some truly mouth-watering delicacies, food-filled hampers and all kinds of other delicious delights. At Christmas its window displays are a thing of beauty. Atmospheric portals into carefully crafted other-worlds, you’ll see everything from enchanted forests to scenes from fairy tales with flamboyantly dressed figures and plenty of playful details. It definitely brings the sense of Christmas magic to life, and for many, stopping by the windows for a good look is a central part of Christmas in London.

London’s Selfridges is another top spot for Christmassy window displays. Among London’s longest established department stores, it’s a Christmas shopper’s dream come true. Stroll in, find every type of gift you could imagine, and then leave with all your shopping done for the year. Or, just stay outside and enjoy its lavish Christmas window displays which often involve moving figures, fantastic lighting and all kinds of enthralling festive scenes.

Fortnum & Mason by mcfarlandmo

Christmas trees and carols in Trafalgar Square

London’s main Christmas tree stands in Trafalgar Square, and has a charming history. It’s presented as a gift each year by the Norwegian city of Oslo in return for British support during the Second World War, and has appeared in the square every year since 1947. It’s absolutely enormous, and is something of a Christmas focal point just next to London’s shopping centres. On the first Thursday in December there’s a grand tree lighting ceremony which is extremely popular.

This is the place to come to hear traditional Christmas carols, which are often sung by choirs gathered around the tree itself. For even more music, pop across the road to St Martin-in-the-Fields — one of London’s premier concert venues. It holds a great range of Christmas concerts, from carol-singing to classical performances.

Norwegian Christmas Tree, Trafalgar Square by Peter G Trimming

National Trust Christmas events

The National Trust’s grand country mansions, historic stately homes and brooding medieval ruins leap into life around Christmas time. Many hold activity workshops, carol services and fun days for kids, and nearly all of them are fantastically decorated with atmospheric Christmas displays, exhibitions and guided tours. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal holds a Christmas theatre on 20 December and Christmas evenings on 15 and 22 festive music, and its very own Christmas market to get you in the Christmas mood.

Find out more here

Fountains Abbey by deargdoom57

The film has an incredible cast of British actors with Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham, Ralph Fiennes as Magwitch, Jeremy Irvine as Pip, Jason Flemyng as Joe, Holliday Grainger as Estella, Robbie Coltrane as MrJaggers and David Walliams as Pumblechook.

It also showcases some stunning English film locations and, as I’ve been lucky enough to see the film already, I’m inspired to visit these locations soon.

Englefield House
© Flicktone

Englefield House in Berkshire is used as Miss Havisham’s ‘Satis House’. It’s one of the largest country house estates still owned and lived in by the hereditary lord of the manor and is also not far from Kate Middleton’s home town of Bucklebury.

Englefield House and gardens are regularly used as a film location and the estate can be seen in X-Men and The King’s Speech, as well as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, Poirot, Inspector Morse and Jeeves and Wooster. The gardens can be visited from April to October.

Chatham Historic Dockyard
© Calotype46

Chatham Historic Dockyard is open to visitors from March to December. In Great Expectations it is used as the setting for the Liverpool docks where Herbert’s business is located.

Wrotham Park
© PNEvans

Wrotham Park is a Grade II listed Palladian mansion in Barnet, Hertfordshire and was used in the film when Estella dances in the pivotal ballroom scene. The emotionally charged scene that follows, between Pip and Estella, is filmed by the cedar tree in front of the estate. It has also been used as a location for Gosford Park, Peter’s Friends and the BBC’s Sense and Sensibility. The building opens to the public during the annual Open House weekend in September.

Swakeleys House
© joelmeadows1

A Grade I listed 17th century Jacobean mansion, Swakeleys House in west London was featured as the protagonist Pip’s Mayfair apartment. It also generally opens to the public during the annual Open House weekend in September.

Shellness, Isle of Sheppey
© brianfuller6385

The Kent coastline rightly features in Great Expectations and Shellness beach is covered in millions of shells. In the film it’s used as a location near the forge where Joe and Pip can talk and where Pip explains to Biddy that although he wishes he could love her he simply can’t. Be aware, a section of Shellness beach is now a naturist beach.

Laura Porter writes the About.com London Travel site and also Laura’s London for Anglotopia.net. She has lived in the London area all her life and can’t imagine ever wanting to live elsewhere. She fits in further freelance writing while sustaining an afternoon tea addiction to rival the Queen’s. Laura is @AboutLondon on twitter and @AboutLondon Laura on Facebook. You can find out more about her at about.me/LauraPorter and see Laura’s other articles on the Visit Britain Super Blog.

Photo by Mark Kent

From Euston station in the heart of London you can board a pendolino train from Virgin and be in the gorgeous Lake District, Cumbria…. within 3.5 hours. Not long to be transplanted into paradise. Experience the mountains of England, see the lakes like Windermere above or visit history like Dove Cottage (below), the home that William Wordsworth wrote much of his greatest work in. Once in the Lake district you will always want to stay longer no matter how short the visit, but for sure it is better than never seeing for yourself at all

Photo by Dougie

Of course the West Coast Railway Line doesn’t just stop at the lakes. Manchester and Liverpool for instance are only a couple hours from London. Historical, symbolical and architecturally astounding. Cities born from the industrial revolution, thriving proudly in a wonderful diversity of culture and modernisation. Then there is old England, the Capital of good ole Lancashire, Lancaster. retaining much of its Georgian architecture you can step back in time. A castle and cathedral dominates over the place and gems like the ancient Lancaster Priory (below).

Photo by Richard West

One of the best sunsets in Britain comes from close by too. There is something special about watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay, no matter what time of the year.

Photo by Paul Steele

Photo by 70023venus2009

Oxenholme, The Lake District Railway Station (above), less than 3 and half hours from London Euston, sits by Kendal, gateway to the Lakes. It has the honour of also being the only village you can stop at on the West Coast main Line. From here you can get to Windermere and beyond into nature and history.

Of course the train journey does not have to stop there! If you carry on this line can get you up to Carlisle and to Glasgow, Scotland. A very fine place indeed to visit. History of industry, Atlantic trade amongst many things with landmarks galore. The squinty bridge spanning the River Clyde (below), the Mitchell Library, one of the largest in europe with nearly 1.3 million volumes, in fact I could go on and on about so many of the landmarks, hidden treasures and wonderful events in Glasgow, take a look here for more.

Photo by Robbie 

Next time you Visit Britain and/or want to escape London for a little break then take a look up North and West. This is only a small flavour of what you can see and do. Let the train take you somewhere special, somewhere unique, somewhere beautiful and somewhere historic in its own right. Even when on the train northbound you can view the pastures and rolling hills through to the midlands and beyond. Comfort and speed.

For more on the Virgin West Coast Main Line service look here. If you are planning well ahead and don’t mind travelling off peak there are some real bargain fares to be had. Unbelievably cheap bargains actually.

If You would like to see more of Paul Steele’s ramblings both in Britain and around the world you can follow him on Twitter @paul_steele, his Blog BaldHiker, Huffington Post and more VisitBritain posts

About this Episode:

In this episode of Travels in Britain, we explore the stunning Georgian City of Bath, steeped in history and culture. Join us as we explore Bath Abbey, take a walk on the Bizarre Bath Tour, enjoy the Roman Baths, take a cruise on the River Avon, visit the Jane Austen Centre and much more.

Useful Links:

Bath Abbey
Abbey Rise Bed and Breakfast
Roman Baths
Bizarre Bath
Pulteney River Cruises
Jane Austen Centre
Royal Crescent Museum

Map of Itinerary for This Video:

View Larger Map

Suffolk Villages: Lavenham

The Swan at Lavenham
© Laura Porter

Suffolk has many picturesque villages but Lavenham has got to be top of the list as it is said to be the finest medieval village in England. Lavenham’s prosperity came in the 1500s with the wool trade and many of the half-timbered houses have survived. The Swan Hotel was once three of these houses and is now a hotel of just 45 rooms but two restaurants, plus a bar and lounge as Lavenham is the food and drink capital of Suffolk. This small village also has Wheeler’s, a Marco Pierre White restaurant in the Market Square, where you can also find Lavenham Guildhall, another heritage building from 1529, now a visitor attraction run by the National Trust.

More ideas from Visit Suffolk: Suffolk Villages.

Moyse’s Hall, Bury St Edmunds
© Laura Porter

Market Towns: Bury St Edmunds

There are many market towns in the region so shopping is never an issue here. I went to Bury St Edmunds which is a wonderful mix of medieval and Georgian buildings side by side.

I went to Moyse’s Hall Museum where you can discover more about the local history, or you could visit St Edmundsbury Cathedral where both the Cathedral and the Abbey Gardens are worth seeing.

More ideas from Visit Suffolk: Suffolk Market Towns.

Historical Sites: Sutton Hoo

Having fun at Sutton Hoo
© Laura Porter

You can walk around the ancient burial mounds of an Anglo-Saxon king at Sutton Hoo that were only discovered in 1939. We explored outside and then enjoyed the Exhibition Hall which has lots of displays and plenty of children’s activities too.

On my next visit to Suffolk I’d like to see the 12th century Framlington Castle that was once the refuge of Mary Tudor before she became Queen in 1553.

Outdoors: Jimmy’s Farm

Feeding the piglets at Jimmy’s Farm
© Laura Porter

Visitors can enjoy the farm shops and restaurant at Jimmy’s Farm with no admission fee but we wanted to see the animals – and get to feed them – so went on the Natural Trail. Jimmy Doherty started the farm with no experience but a lot of enthusiasm. His exploits have been made into a TV series which has brought him support from those who admire his entrepreneurial skills. There are over 600 rare breed pigs on the farm but on the Nature Trail we met many other animals, as well as trying den building in the woodland and checking for eggs, which was something my daughter loved doing when we visited the Isles of Scilly.

Heritage: Museum of East Anglian Life

Museum of East Anglian Life
© Laura Porter

At the Museum of East Anglian Life there are lots of buildings to explore plus plenty of outdoor things too as the region is known for its agricultural heritage. We saw farming equipment, farm animals, plus period room sets to show us domestic life in days gone by. The 18th century Abbot’s Hall is now open and has lots of displays about the area and plenty for kids to do.

Art Lovers: Constable Country

Constable Country
© Keven Law

At a less muddy time of year I want to go back to Dedham Vale and Stour Valley to Constable Country to literally walk into a classic painting as the landscape captured in John Constable’s The Hay Wain, from 1821, still looks the same today. Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury is the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough and the museum has recently been restored. Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich has the biggest collection of Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable paintings outside of London.

Quirky: Southwold Pier

Southwold Pier
© Graham Horn and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Next time I visit Suffolk I also want to see Southwold Pier. As well as cafes and shops, there are two arcades including the Under the Pier Show which looks like good fun. The cheeky Water Clock will keep us giggling as there are boys who drop their trousers to have a wee! Yep, I’ll start planning that next trip to Suffolk now.

Thanks

I’d like to thank Best Loved Hotels for arranging my stay at The Swan at Lavenham, carrentals.co.uk for arranging the car hire and Visit Suffolk & VisitBritain for suggesting attractions and for arranging for admission to each location.

Laura Porter writes the About.com London Travel site and also Laura’s London for Anglotopia.net. She has lived in the London area all her life and can’t imagine ever wanting to live elsewhere. She fits in further freelance writing while sustaining an afternoon tea addiction to rival the Queen’s. Laura is @AboutLondon on twitter and @AboutLondon Laura on Facebook. You can find out more about her at about.me/LauraPorter and see Laura’s other articles on the Visit Britain Super Blog.