5 Places to Enjoy A Budget Vacation in the UK

Travel Tips, United Kingdom - Ross French - July 17, 2018

They say if you want to enjoy a good vacation, you should make a rough draft, and then double the budget and halve the time. Heartbreaking, is it not? Nevertheless, the idea of a budget vacation is always attractive, especially when you are just starting out in life. And while you may not think of Britain as an inexpensive tourist destination, we are here to burst that myth for you. Let’s talk about five great places in the United Kingdom and help you find a cheap break to go on for you next vacation.

1. York

This charming city in northern England is everything you would imagine of an English town. Filled with medieval castles built around an intersection of two rivers, York used to be England’s passage to Scotland. You can stay at decent bed and breakfast places around the King’s College for mere £20 a night. Food is cheap too, and we suggest you try the local specialties like chips and steak at Cafe No.8 Bistro.

2. Bath

Located less than a hundred miles from London, this city oozes culture. It is a World Heritage Site, and that is obvious when you take the city tour (Bath has two for one city tours, great for your budget trip). The city is dotted with museums and theatres. Lodging is cheap as this is a university town, and you can get a dorm room for as little as £30 a night. If you are travelling in a group, getting a farmhouse B&B is just as cheap per person. There are also many eateries in Bath where you can eat for under £10 a meal.

3. Belfast

If you do not live in the UK, visiting Belfast is a must for an Irish experience. This city has excellent places to shop cheap, delicious cuisine and its own unique place in history. Have coffee and enjoy modern architecture for breakfast at City Hall or go to the medieval Belfast Castle. There are plenty of great fast food options and healthier options around the city where you can eat for £5-8 a meal.

4. Dorset

This south-west coastal English town is a hidden gem. It has been named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the government, and for good reason. The cliffs of Dorset along the English Channel are full of fossils and are reputedly as old as dinosaurs. Dorset offers the perfect getaway for nature lovers, and you can book four-star hotels offering as low a tariff as £20/night some parts of the year.

5. Liverpool

The only real city on our list, Liverpool is a must-see if you are a Beatles (or football) fan. And for all the city’s culture and beautiful architecture, it is still cheap to stay at (unlike London). You can find cottages for £80 a night that house as many as seven. Also, Liverpool’s pubs are the cheapest, so, if you are a party person, your vacation just got a lot of fun.

These places are definitely magical, and with the right planning, you can have the best British experience at a fraction of the expected cost. Time to pack your bags and start making your bookings then!

Quick tip: You can save some additional money on communication services by buying an international prepaid SIM card.

SPEND A QUIET, RELAXING VACATION IN ROBIN HOOD’S BAY

England - Ross French - November 10, 2017

Located on the coast of North Yorkshire, the small fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay is a perfect place if you want to spend your vacation away from the hustle and bustle of touristy locations. The village is situated in a cleft between two cliffs, giving the place a striking look. The cliffs tower over a cluster of former fishing cottages, which go on till the edge of the sea. The beautiful location creates a beautiful place which is a perfect getaway for anyone in search of breathtaking scenery and unusual architecture. The raw and elemental coastline of Yorkshire will surely take your breath away, as you spend your leisurely days at this pristine location. Here are some of the things that you can do during your stay in Robin Hood’s Bay besides enjoying the raw nature and untouched beauty, to turn your holiday into a memorable experience.

Enjoy a leisurely day at Robin Hood’s Bay Beach

The Robin Hood’s Bay Beach is not your everyday beach decorated with deckchairs and beach umbrellas. Instead, the beach here is much more untouched, pristine and unadulterated. Accessible during the low tide, the beach here is full of seashells and beach rock pools. You can enjoy a relaxing day walking on the beach, collecting some seashells, have ice cream from the beacon farm and chase crabs. It is truly a different kind of beach experience, and you will surely fall in love with this beach.

Explore the archaeological remains of Alum Works

This industrial archaeological remains located on the Yorkshire Coast was the spot used for producing liquor from 1650-1860, which was then used in dyeing and tanning leather. You can take part in various hands-on activities and exhibitions at the site to explore the local geology and the wildlife. You can also visit the nearby Coastal Centre in Ravenscar village, where you can find out more about the 11 miles of beautiful coastline, which is taken care of and protected by the National Trust.

Visit Farsyde Riding Centre

The Farsyde Riding Centre is the perfect place for anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery of the countryside while riding on a horse. Riders of any skill set can come here and enjoy this spectacular experience. If you are a capable rider, you can enjoy a ride along the beach, moors and the scenic former railway to Scarborough. Novice riders can enjoy a ride on more modest paths along this former railpath which climbs gradually towards Ravenscar while enjoying some breathtaking views of the bay.

Go whale watching

Whale watching is one of the biggest kept secrets of the coast of Yorkshire. The North Sea, just off Whitby, holds a rich variety of beautiful marine life just under its surface. And during the late summer and autumn months, huge groups of herring migrate to these waters. This huge shoals of herring, in turn, attracts a lot of sharks, birds, seals, white-beaked and bottle-nosed dolphins, Minke, humpback, sei and fin whales. You will get the opportunity of spotting all of these beautiful creatures and much more if you go on a whale watching tour while you are in Robin Hood’s Bay.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN LONDON

England, United Kingdom - Ross French - September 16, 2017

Situated in the Thames Valley of South-East England, the bustling city of London is home to over 8 million people. Apart from being the capital of UK, London had been an important educational, business and cultural center for hundreds of years. The history of London dates back to Bronze Age, however, the city started thriving after the Romans withdrew in the 5th century. With its age old history, heavy dosage of literature, medieval architectures and a strong sense of culture, taking a trip to London is an absolute must when you are traveling to the UK. Apart from indulging in the various tourist attractions in London or sightseeing in London, people also flock over to this city during the winter holidays to take part in the extravagant Christmas or New Year celebrations in London. Here’s a list of the top 10 among the hundreds of must-do activities in London.

1. London Tower Bridge

Visiting the iconic London Bridge, the picture of which has been etched in our minds since our childhood, is an intricate part of sightseeing in London. The bridge is also an important reminder of London’s expansion during the era of Industrial Revolution.

2. Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament is an extravagant and well-known structure by itself. However, the world famous clock named Big Ben is truly another one of the most iconic tourist attractions in London known across the globe. Taking a tour just to see this gigantic clock towering over the city is one of the must do activities in London.

3. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is perhaps the most famous palace in the whole world. Most of your sightseeing in London will consist of these type of iconic buildings and monuments which you have known by your heart. The official residence of Queen Elizabeth, the Buckingham Palace is another one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, offering tours of its staterooms and gardens.

4. Kensington Palace

Located near the Buckingham Palace, the Kensington Palace is another one of the tourist attractions in London, and it is open to public year-round. This stylish royal palace was the home of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and a visit to the refurbished Palace is one of the must do activities in London.

5. Royal Parks of London

Once reserved as private hunting grounds for the Royal Family, these beautiful lands full of greenery and lakes are open for everyone to enjoy. Many of the eight Royal Parks are located in the Central London close to the Royal Palaces and monuments. Spending a relaxing day in one of them is one of the must do activities in London.

6. The London Eye

Riding the London Eye is another one of the must do activities in London. This 500 feet tall Ferris wheel is the most popular paid-for tourist attractions in London. The views of the whole city that you can get from the top is truly an incredible vista.

7. The London Dungeon

If you had enough of the beautiful, royal side of London, then visit the London Dungeon to learn about the 2000 years of London’s gruesome history. Torture was quite popular during the old ages, especially in Old England. A trip to “the world’s most chillingly famous horror attraction” is surely one of the must do activities in London.

8. Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre is an integral part of London’s history and culture and is closely associated with William Shakespeare. A trip to this tourist attraction in London is a must for every Shakespeare lover.

9. St Paul’s Cathedral

Visiting the St Paul’s Cathedral to see its world famous dome must be a part of your sightseeing in London. You will get to see some of the most beautiful stone carvings and mosaics. Climb the Whispering Gallery or the Stone Gallery or the Golden Gallery to enjoy some breathtaking views of the city of London.

10. Trafalgar Square

Visiting the Trafalgar Square is one of the must do activities in London if you want to get a feel of what this great city really about. Considered as the center of London, it is a great place to people watch, see some famous monuments and just hang out for some time.

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