Some of my fave UK spots
We live in uncertain times with restrictions on many areas of our lives. Slowly, those restrictions will ease but it is highly unlikely that we will have a quick return to what we previously knew as “normality”.
One of the areas sure to be affected is that of travel. A number of factors will likely see international travel severely curtailed for some time. With that in mind, this blog is aimed towards readers who are UK based and who may be looking at UK options when the time comes.
The UK really does have some wonderful locations for holidays and weekend breaks. I shall make it clear that I am not an expert, I am merely sharing some images and information based on my limited experience and preferences. If it helps anyone, that’s wonderful - if not, please just enjoy the photos and stay safe!
I’ll also recommend the following books for anyone looking at the UK as a future holiday option, for either long or short breaks…
Scotland The Best 100 Places: Extraordinary Places and Where Best to Walk, Eat and Sleep
Village Walks in Britain (AA Guides)
If you were looking for spots in the north of Scotland, my own book may give some ideas - Scotland and the North Coast 500
Now, it’s a little unclear to me as to the appropriateness of visiting rural areas, so if you fancied a city break…
Secret London - An Unusual Guide ('Secret' guides)
OK, enough of that - let’s get on with some photos and a little babble from me.
Castle Combe in Wiltshire lies about 5 miles north of Chippenham and is a handy base for Bath and the Cotswolds. A very pretty little village, Castle Combe has been used as a filming location for movies and TV programs - Poirot is one example.
The Castle Inn in Castle Combe provides hotel accommodation - plus good bar food and beers! Within walking distance there is a country house hotel for those wishing something more upmarket - but I loved this place.
The City of Bath has a lot to offer on a city break - canal walks, Pulteney Bridge, the Cathedral and, of course, the Roman Baths - although they do get incredibly busy, so watch your timing.
Pulteney Bridge in Bath - the bridge was used in the film, Les Miserables. But you’d be anything but miserables if you spent a few days in this wonderful city. Oh my god, that was a bad line - I’m actually embarrassed by it. Sorry, I went all Alan Partridge there.
Back on the 3rd April my Facebook post included a number of images from this remarkable wee village - Avebury. I don’t have the imagination to do a fresh write up, so here’s a copy/paste job from that post…
“The small village of Avebury in Wiltshire is perhaps less well known than its nearby cousin, Stonehenge, but is - in my mind - infinitely more appealing.
Surrounded by a Neolithic stone circle, ditch and embankment, Avebury also boasts a country church, thatched cottages and a pretty decent pub, as well as a relatively new museum and cafe. You can walk right up to the stones.
It really is a wonderful spot, easily one of my fave places in England.
Once this current situation has passed, international travel may remain subdued for some time. For any potential tour of the UK, I'd throw Avebury into the suggestion pot.”
To be fair, most of you probably never read that post, so I could have winged it without the explanation. And it was so damned good anyway, a re-write would have been a step backwards. Now I’m getting annoyed at myself. Both the initial explanation and the subsequent justifications of why the explanation were not needed and have taken up time I can ill afford. Sigh. OK, lesson learned, on with the pics.
If you like walking, the Peak District is a wonderful spot. This image is taken from the top of Winnats Pass looking towards the peak of Mam Tor. I walked up there and I’m a fat sod, so it’s manageable for most. In fact, I’ve been up Mam Tor three times now.
I could have worded that better, in retrospect.
The view from Stanage Edge, also in the Peak District. An easy walk, but some rock-hopping near the top so be careful.
OK, gonna chuck in a food photo - kinda pleased with this one, snapped and edited on an iphone. I treated myself and stayed at Fischer’s, Baslow Hall. It’s a great place, near Aysgarth Falls, from Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, fame. I’m struggling to recall what the above canapes were - the middle one was a beetroot macaroon with horseradish cream, I think the one on the right was cheese - possible Comte cheese - and the one on the left…aiyooooh…I’m going for hummus. Whatever it was, it was all damned good.
Fischer’s is also near the Wensleydale Cheese Factory, Grommit. You can see how the cheese is made, plus there’s a shop, cafe and restaurant - worth a visit if you are in the area.
I mentioned the Aysgarth Falls, so here they are! This is where Robin Hood and Little John had their fight in the Prince of Thieves movie. I might go back there and recreate the scene with my brother, as long as he agrees to getting a crack on the head and a good soaking.
Moving North - York. Just a lovely city to explore, walking the walls, the Minster and Betty’s tearoom. And it’s on a main train line, so transport is a winner. I love York.
I also love Whitby - close to York, fish and chips, the Abbey and just a very pretty place to visit. Villages like Robin Hood’s Bay very close as well.
This is Neidpath Castle, just outside the town of Peebles in the Scottish borders - this castle is only about a 15 minute walk from where I was brought up. My brother lives in Peebles, if he can find a bench and the police don’t spot him. The River Tweed flows through the town and a walk along the river banks brings you to this castle. Peebles is only half an hour or so south of Edinburgh.
I mentioned the River Tweed, so here it is - looking down river towards the town. It’s down there somewhere, in the darkness. Oddly, that’s how people from Edinburgh sometimes refer to Peebles.
I mentioned Edinburgh a couple of times, so here it is. Well, a part of it, not all of it, obviously. This is Victoria Street, which connects the Royal Mile with the Grassmarket and was reportedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter novels. Lots of quirky shops, you get the idea.
Orkney - a bit tougher to get to, but well worth the effort. For more pics and info, please read my Orkney Blog
OK, with these photos and the book suggestions above, hopefully that gives some idea of possible UK break destinations. If not, I wholeheartedly apologise and I shall work harder on the next blog.
In the meantime, hope you are all staying strong, staying safe and being kind to each other!
Bye for now
Fatman xxx