What once made up the water machine that serviced the Industrial Revolution has since been well repurposed as a breathtaking country-long network for all to enjoy.
If you’re interested in the concept of a canal boat holiday then here are some of the best canal routes in the UK along with some tips to make the best of a canal boat holiday.
Monmouthshire and Brecon canal
By Wiccasha – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4239129
The route stretches 36 miles and runs between Brecon and Pontymoile, a peaceful route with 6 locks.
It goes through the Brecon Beacons National Park and isn’t connected to the rest of the British waterways and is one of the quietest, most tranquil canals. Take man’s best friend on the dog-friendly hire fleets, with electric narrowboats and static houseboats great for short breaks and/or long weekends. Small villages and ancient trees can be seen scattered alongside traditional infrastructure including a long and eerie tunnel, lifting bridges, and the wonder of a 25-mile lock-free pound. If you appreciate being active take a walk over the surrounding hills, while the River Usk, which runs parallel to the canal. Maybe even go one step further and enjoy some wild swimming. Get a taste for some locally produced provisions and Brecon Brewing’s beers from Crickhowell.
The Warwickshire Ring
By Roger Kidd, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14424570
The route stretches 104 miles and stretches along the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham with 121 locks!
The Warwickshire Ring is one of the most rewarding canal routes available. You can aim to do this circuit in a week of hardcore boating, allow longer in order to really take in the variety available. Enjoy the incredible peace of the Oxford narrow canal, consider a side trip from Hawkesbury Junction and its early industrial heritage into Coventry or go into pre-canal times through the pageants and jousting held at Warwick’s medieval castle. Don’t forget to experience Birmingham’s so-called ‘wet streets’ by boat to discover a fantasy metropolis that feels like a mix of Venice and Gotham City. Connecting Britain’s urban and rural landscapes is the canal system’s great living legacy, so moor up in Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham to soak up the bright lights and buzz of the city.
The Kennet and Avon Canal
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A 87 mile long route that stretches from Bristol to Reading that’s perfect for experiencing as a family, passing 105 locks in total.
This route was originally built as a link between two of the UK’s greatest cities; Bristol and London. The Kennet and Avon was always a slow rural canal. With peaceful waters and quiet towpaths which mean it’s perfect for family cruising, even more so if you add bicycles for some charming side trips to Avebury or to find the eight White Horses cut into Wiltshire’s chalk downs. With a gorgeous stretch where you can appreciate a landscape of woods, meadows, and market towns between Caen Hill’s flight of 29 locks and Hungerford. Bare witness to the massive boilers and steam engines of Crofton Pumping Station that once used to keep the canal’s summit in water as they are still regularly fired up. Pubs with waterside beer gardens are a Kennet and Avon gem and the historic Barge Inn in particularly renowned for its great food and live music.
This is a charming artsy bash that takes place in Suffolk’s Henman Park, its just as known for its theatre, literary talks and family friendly fun as it is for its line up of musicians.
This year you have numerous well known artists such as Lewis Capaldi, First Aid Kit, Bastille, and one called Snow Patrol Reworked.
By Dani Lurie from London, United Kingdom – The Obelisk Arena, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60731292
Reading and Leeds Festival
This festival takes place on August 26-29.
Taking place on a bank holiday weekend and just after GCSE results day, it’s probably best visited by teenagers that hope to let off steam after a lot of studying.
This year’s headliners are Stormzy, Post Malone and Liam Gallagher.
There are plenty of reasons to go; one being blue vodka slushies. Leeds Festival is always a reliably no-nonsense affair, you can forget the artisan food stalls, here you get burgers and chips, one type of lager and an absolutely enormous amount of music. A festival with its priorities in the right place, albeit with a shedload of tipsy teenagers shoved in there too.
By https://www.flickr.com/photos/foolstopzanet/ (Iam Wilson) and User:Tom dl – https://www.flickr.com/photos/foolstopzanet/227142696/sizes/o/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6709288
End of the Road
This festival takes place on September 2-5.
Taking place in the charming location of Larmer Tree Gardens with loads of guitars on the line up and fitting summer vibes that serve to round off another musical summer. Also a festival that can be credited for being one of the first places to push for a gender balanced line up.
This year you can expect to see various acts ranging from Pixies, King Krule, Big Thief, Bright Eyes, Little Simz, Perfume Genius and an abundance more.
With a range of bands that are truly fun, this season-closer in Dorset is a guaranteed fun loving festival, well timed to make the most of those final days of summer. In addition it’s said that the festival have been excelling themselves with their line-up front for 15 years now.
By Raph_PH – EOTR010918-9, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=88115191
Wilderness
This festival takes place on August 5-8.
This festival provides a wonderful means to make the most of your summer. Not only having great music it also has a beautiful swimming lake. It hosts Letters Live, the cult performance strand where unannounced actors like Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch can be found reading out fascinating epistles by distinguished figures. With the addition of glorious banquets from top chefs it really is the full package.
This year’s acts are yet to be announced but last year they were blessed with the likes of Loyle Carner, Foals and Supergrass. With the addition of professional chefs Richard Corrigan, Skye Gyngell and Fergus Henderson serving up true delights.
It’s consistently considered one of the UK’s best festivals, but even if you just went for the beautiful scenery, it would be one to remember.
By Pauline Eccles, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13006061
Mighty Hoopla
This festival takes place on September 4th.
Held in Brockwell Park this one-dayer that brings together the biggest acts in pop and performances from the best names on London’s LGBTQ+ music scene.
Alike so many festivals this year Mighty Hoopla are too currently keeping their line up to themselves, but previous years have seen the likes of Anastacia.
With this festival, you have the added benefit of knowing that it was itself established by the creative minds behind queer troupe Sink the Pink, no less. So take it upon yourself to check out what they call the UK’s best pop festival.
Thanks to Mighty Hoopla
Isle of Wight festival
This festival takes place on September 16-19.
Such is the name this family-friendly festival takes place on the Isle of Wight, one of UK’s favourite off-mainland destinations. It provides four days of family fun.
This year you can expect to see incredible acts such as Razorlight, All Saints, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Kaiser
By Roland Godefroy – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12192396FESTIVAL POP DE L ILE DE WIGHT . AOUT 1970 .
Get there by boat and indulge in a few days of true escapism.
Britain has a lot to offer, from red telephone boxes, double-decker buses and endless cups of tea. That being said the British pub is an experience you just have to make the most of. Whether you have a pint of ale, opt for a spirit or decide on a cider it makes no difference its all about the atmosphere.
There are so many options that it can be overwhelming. This list is just a snippet but it is a great place to start. These are the pubs saturated in history, culture and those most demanding of a visit.
The Eagle and Child, Oxford
By Ozeye – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11157890
“The Inklings” were a group of writers in the 1930s and 1940s who used to meet here on the regular. Among them the greater of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and C S Lewis, creator of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The Dog and Duck, Soho
By Ewan Munro from London, UK – Dog and Duck, Soho, W1Uploaded by Oxyman, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22398705OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
An adorable little English pub that was favourited by George Orwell. The famous author is said to have downed celebratory absinthe in this very pub when Animal Farm was selected for the American Book of the Month Club.
The Star Tavern, Belgravia
By Ewan Munro from London, UK – Star Tavern, Belgravia, SW1Uploaded by Oxyman, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22395740
This fascinating pub has seen its fair share of famous guests in the past century. However, it really is the infamous ones that this pub is most known. The Great Train Robbers hatched their plan to attack the Mail service in 1963 in the grand upstairs room.
The French House, Soho
By Ewan Munro from London, UK – French House, Soho, W1, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63440156
In WW2, The French House was actually used as a meeting place for the French Resistance, including General de Gaulle. That being said, the first known landlord was actually German, Herr Schmidt, who found himself deported after the outbreak of the First World War.
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
By Ewan Munro from London, UK – Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden, WC2Uploaded by Oxyman, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22384387
This pub can be found in the iconic capital city of London and was often visited by the famous British author Charles Dickens. The lane just outside the pub was well-known for bare-knuckle street fighting. Not only that but the upstairs room is named after another famous guest, 17th-century poet John Dryden.
Please note possible changes due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Peak District
This can be seen as the Lake Districts younger cousin, that being said it still has much to offer like Bakewell (yes the home of the Bakewell tart), miles of hills and the home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire: Chatsworth. If the weathers on your side you can explore the national park in a long walk or cycle, stopping for some delicious food and real ale at Beeley.
By RHaworth – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=546932OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Winchester
Always having the beauty but sometimes lacking in the character Winchester now has much to offer in the way of personality. Its become a very popular area for those around Hampshire somewhat suddenly. There’s fantastic food to be had alongside various craft brews. You can wonder around Jane Austen’s house in Chawton and take a tour around the UK’s oldest vineyard in Hambledon.
By Bellminsterboy – This file was derived from:Winchester Cathedral-November 2020-35.jpgGreat Minster Street, Winchester – geograph.org.uk – 1316306.jpg1351065-Great Hall, Winchester Castle (2).jpg180509-0928 23C3414 (42076135012).jpg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95830268
North Norfolk
It’s saturated with an eerie beauty that can be seen in its vast skies and waterways. At Blakeney Point, you can bare witness to seals and from there follow the traditional route that will have you enjoying delicious crab and grabbing some goodies from the farm shop. Theres a lovely pier to be enjoyed and the North Norfolk Railway that goes between Sheringham and Holt. For accommodation you can stay at The Chequers Inn in Thornham, a building that’s been there since 1499 and offers a gastropub with luxury rooms.
By Roy Turner, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5013384
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is the poster-boy for the great English countryside. Its completely saturated in vibrant greenery. With various counties ranging from Oxfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. If you’re overwhelmed with the choice then stick to Gloucestershire where there are wonderful stone cottages and rockstars in retirement. During your stay get involved in various activities like clay pigeon shooting, leaf-peeping at Westonbirt Arboretum.
By Saffron Blaze – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18256670
Bristol
An urban, trendy option for a weekend break. This is the west countries foodie capital so anyone with a passion for eating should consider visiting. Be sure to visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge with the wonderfully restored lido and Stokes Croft’s street art. Theres plenty of impressive street art around the city for you to admire. Also make sure you get to try the Exhibition cider in the Coronation Tap while you enjoy the lively atmosphere.
By Arpingstone – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3420922
Oxford
Home to a well-renowned university, there’s much culture to be experienced and admired in Oxford. Theres literally history in every brick but not only this it’s also a young and thriving cultural hub. Theres plenty of great places to eat and drink such as Raoul’s Bar. Enjoy a day of shopping at the Covered Market or instead opt for a pint of Wychwood Hobgoblin at The White Horse on Broad Street, a filming location for Inspector Gadget. Then make yourself comfortable in a charming B&B or in the Artist Residence, a stylish pub with rooms just outside the city.
By SirMetal – Own work by the original uploader (Original text: I created this work entirely by myself.), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6724513
The Yorkshire Dales.
It’s probably the UK’s most famous national park, and for good reason – the Dales has staggering good looks and drama in spades. A weekend gives you plenty of time to roam the vast Bolton Abbey Estate near Skipton and be wowed by the Ribblehead viaduct and the natural amphitheatre of Malham Cove (see if you can spot the pair of resident falcons). The Dales are heaven if you live to stuff yourself silly – it’s well worth touring the Wensleydale Creamery, home of the famous cheese, and nosing around Theakston’s brewery. Speaking of pints, The Black Bull near Sedbergh is in a class of its own, with a fantastic, modern kitchen.
By Michael Bryan – originally posted to Flickr as Here comes the sun…, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8367658
I’ve lived in south London for 15 years and the neighbourhood restaurant that stands out is Silk Road in Camberwell. I’m a massive fan of their Xinjiang style of Chinese cooking and they do many unusual things that you don’t normally see in Chinese restaurants in this country. I associate kebabs with Turkish or Greek food, but here they do lamb skewers which they cover in delicious Asian spices and chargrill really quickly. Their dumplings are on point as well. In fact, everything is packed full of flavour, but nicely balanced. The restaurant is very minimalistic, drinks are BYO and the food is very affordable – spend £20 and you’re full.
Chosen by James Lowe, chef and co-founder, Lyle’s and Flor
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian
Inver is on a beautiful part of the west coast of Scotland, a couple of hours’ drive from Glasgow. It’s not over the top like some destination restaurants; there’s no desire to create theatrics. The dinner is fantastic, and it’s worth staying so you can have breakfast and its more casual lunch. We went for new year and stayed in a bothy by the water. For dinner, we had seaweed ice-cream with caviar, which was stunning, and an amazing langoustine dish with carrot. Pam Brunton and Rob Latimer run the place: she’s in the kitchen, he runs front of house. I’ve got a lot of admiration for them, because running a restaurant in a remote area is really difficult and they’ve made it work.
I quite like fine dining, but I think what everybody really wants is an awesome Sunday roast and so often it’s disappointing. The Dawnay Arms is incredible. If I haven’t any got any plans for Sunday, I will be there. I’ve gone four weekends in a row before. I like to sit in the front bar because I can take my dog; first we go for a walk by the river, then call into the pub and have a roast. The Smiths run it: Martel is in the kitchen and Kerry runs the front of house. Obviously, we’re blessed up here with good produce, but they use all the best stuff. They don’t charge enough for what they do. I kind of wish I owned it myself – but then I wouldn’t want to eat there, so I suppose it’s best.
Black Radish, Wimbledon Photograph: Sophia Evans/The Observer
Chosen by Phil Howard, chef and co-owner, Elystan Street
Whatever I eat, I want it to be good. A burger, a curry, truffle langoustine – I just like delicious food. It’s so often disappointing; inventive-sounding menus that make you think it’s going to be more ego-driven, cheffy rubbish. Here it’s delicious. The chef-owner, Toby Cartwright, is young but full of passion. His cooking is creative, underpinned with understanding, seasonality and, in the most part, classical flavours. It’s a very straightforward space with pleasant decor, and it’s a very happy place to be. And it’s just so nice to be in that kind of environment.
Not far from where I live, near the St Kew highway, is a farm shop with a cafe. My wife Emma and I go there as much as we can, and every time, to our amazement, there’s a table available. It’s probably only a matter of time before more people find out about it and it becomes impossible to find a seat. It’s so welcoming – the chef will always look up and give you a wave – and the food is so consistent, even if it’s just a bacon sandwich or a full English. The ethos is to showcase everything Cornish and it uses proper sourdough bread, nice butter, great bacon. Whether avocado with poached eggs on toast or a ham sandwich, the food is brilliant every single time. I can’t believe this is just up the road. It’s fantastic.
Woodruff, Kentish raspberry, basil and English chia seed at Native, London SE1
It’s a big space, all wood inside, run by a bunch of young people. Ivan Tisdall-Downes is an up-and-coming chef who’s really interested in foraging, and his business partner, Imogen Davis, trained hawks, so they have a nice story. I’d say Ivan’s style is modern British. I had a dish with roasted bone marrow and white chocolate that I thought sounded wack, but when I started eating it, I realised it really worked; and he made a nice beef tartare with pickled snails. Great food, great cocktails, great staff, a bit of loud music – it was really relaxing.
Chosen by Gary Usher, chef-owner, Sticky Walnut and Hispi
This restaurant on the Llŷn Peninsula is so underrated. The guy who runs it, Si Toft, is a one-man band – it’s just him in the kitchen, working around the clock – and he’s a phenomenal chef. His menus are just beautiful. I don’t understand why he’s never had any kind of national acclaim. His food takes influences from everywhere, though he does highlight Welsh ingredients. He’s big on fish, because of where he is, and he has things like laverbread on the menu. The lamb tongue dish is amazing – he does it as a terrine, and deep-fried as well. He has a leek and potato Welsh cake with smoked fish and hollandaise as a starter, and that’s so good. It is genuinely the kind of place you’d want in your area.
A Pakistani friend of mine told me this was the most authentic food you can get outside Pakistan. If you go in the evening, you must book. It’s a casual restaurant, but so busy, with big tables of people sharing. A large naan arrives on a hook and would serve four or six. The chaapli kebab is the best I’ve had. The owner insisted we have the lamb charsi karahi, and it was the star dish. He and most of the people working there are Pashtun, and the food is similar to Afghan. You can really taste it in the pilau – it’s very fragrant, with raisins and strips of carrot. The Pashtun have nomadic tribal heritage, and eating on communal tables, in rainy Hounslow, I could imagine myself in the mountains, breaking bread – it is that kind of food.
Chosen by Zoe Adjonyoh, chef-owner, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen
My wife Sara and I went to Lina Stores for a rare midweek evening out during the summer and we loved it. The pasta, which is made fresh on site every day, is the best I’ve eaten in London for many years. We loved the ravioli with minted courgette, parmesan cream and salted ricotta. And the ricotta and herb gnudi with sage and brown butter, which transported Sara back to her Italian grandmother’s cooking in New York. This place has flair, modesty and a focus on nuanced flavours and excellent service. It’s not so much for leisurely dining, but for a great meal served quickly before you head out somewhere, it’s ideal.
Chosen by Sarit Packer, chef and co-owner, Honey & Co
We love this quirky place in Abergavenny, an art gallery cafe inside an old chapel that does really delicious food. We’ve spent whole afternoons there escaping the crowds at the Abergavenny food festival. Chef Rosie Sykes helped set it up, which is a great sign. One dish that stood out for me was smoked anchovies and egg mayonnaise on toasted rye bread, served with a beautiful green leaf salad, which they get from a special grower who doesn’t supply to London. I know, because I’ve been trying to steal them. It’s honest food, not fancy at all, in a buzzy, bohemian setting.
Sambal Shiok Restaurant, Holloway Road, London Photograph: Karen Robinson/The Observer
This Malaysian restaurant on the Holloway Road is unassuming but with an amazing energy. It’s always packed. There are no bells or whistles, but you can feel the love the chef-owner, Mandy Yin, puts into everything. She’s famous for her laksa, a spicy, creamy, very comforting soup with noodles, but she also makes delicious curries and amazing fried chicken. The flavour combinations are incredibly vibrant. It’s not a place for a quiet conversation, but the buzz is terrific and I love the food.
This is a neighbourhood Thai restaurant that’s cheap and fun and refreshing, and the food is just pure tasty. It’s run by a mother and son. I went a couple of months ago with a big group and we ordered the whole blackboard menu. My favourite dishes were the clam with garlic, chilli and basil, which was simple and classic; the jungle curry crab, which was really dirty and hard to eat (you have to suck on the crab); and boat noodle soup which had that really good medicinal taste from dried roots that’s hard to find in London. The interior is bare. They have some very sensual fruit posters from the 80s on the wall, and photos of customers from years and years ago eating in the restaurant. There’s not much other decoration, but I think that makes the food stand out. I’m moving quite close to Singburi, so it’s going to be my local. I can’t wait.
Chocolate, scotch bonnet, fermented passion fruit at The Walled Garden, Manchester. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer
Chosen by Mary-Ellen McTague, chef and co-founder, The Creameries
Eddie Shepherd is a vegetarian chef who runs an underground restaurant from his home in Whalley Range, cooking for eight people per night. (It’s open Friday to Monday, three weekends per month.) He makes multi-course menus that are really technical, with a touch of molecular gastronomy, but fun and delicious as well. He uses his home to really good effect; at one point you’re instructed to go into the living room and one of your courses – tofu, dandelion, pickled apple – is hanging from the ceiling in a bauble. He does this amazing thing with mushrooms, which are dried, rehydrated in stock, set into a block with an enzyme, then cooked, smoked and finally marinated again – they have a flavour closer to charcuterie. He uses a lot of techniques, but my big takeaway is just that it’s really enjoyable and delicious and fun.
Chosen by Tom Kitchin, chef-owner, the Kitchin, the Scran & Scallie and the Bonnie Badger
Although it’s been around since 2009, I don’t quite know how much longer L’Escargot Bleu will be slipping under the radar, but it’s one of my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh. Founded by Fred Berkmiller, a Frenchman who has lived and worked in Scotland for many years, the restaurant symbolises everything that’s great about the “Auld Alliance”. When you enter, it’s as if you’ve walked into a bistro in the backstreets of Paris, and all of the food is cooked with classic French techniques using Scottish ingredients. They serve a fantastic cassoulet with Scottish meat, as well as a perfect paté de campagne.
Chosen by Jeremy Chan, head chef and co-owner, Ikoyi
Tá Tá Eatery at Tayēr/Elementary, London EC1 Photograph: Bernard Zeija
Tá Tá Eatery is Zijun Meng and his partner Ana Gonçalves. If you took the food out of the context, which is very casual, and put it in a fine dining setting, it would stand out above everything else. Meng uses British produce with his Chinese heritage and some of Ana’s Portuguese flavour profiles in beautiful, intricate plates. I really like the way he’ll serve you pork that’s been aged 100 days, and you’re eating something he’s thought about 100 days earlier. It’s the same deep thinking you’d get in the best restaurants but he’s doing it in a cocktail bar, at a four-seater counter. They do the bar food and also a tasting menu. It’s him and a small induction hob, making these beautiful plates of food in a hectic space. It’s a bit rowdy, and it’s fun. But it’s almost showing you how hard London is as a city for entrepreneurial creative chefs like them to survive.
This amazing cheesemonger might seem a bit out of place for Narberth but it sells it all; people travel from miles around. And it has a cafe with communal seating – everyone sits along these two big tables and a counter. It does nice simple things – great meatballs! – with Welsh and Spanish ingredients and it serves the wine it imports, which you can also buy in the deli along with Spanish items and local stuff. Just really nice people.
Perilla’s saddle of hare with aged cep dauphinoise and blood sauce Photograph: Sophia Evans/The Observer
There’s some amazing cooking going on in this warm, buzzy dining room. Ben Marks is a very talented chef and plates up the most beautiful dishes. The influences are more on the European side, but it’s quite an eclectic mix. Last time I went I had a canape-sized mouthful of yesterday’s bread soaked in a moules mariniere sauce – the best bit right there – and battered hake fried in beef fat with chip-shop curry sauce. It has a neighbourhood vibe, but is also a great place for an occasion: big windows that wrap around; beautiful plants everywhere. There’s a small bar area too, which is where I ate, looking through to Ben plating up.
This is my local, and has everything I enjoy about a pub: it’s friendly, warm and not too flashy. It’s familiar, and perfect on a rainy day. On top of that, it has great drinks and superb food. The dining room is cosy, with the most delicious menu – I always love the way it reads. Quite classic, but modern – it might have provencal beef shin. The blackboard menu has about four sharing dishes on it and they go much further than it says, which makes it great value. It’s gentle food for families and friends, served in big Le Creuset dishes, with a generous spirit.
Chosen by Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef, Northcote
The Inn at Whitewell, near Clitheroe, Lancs Photograph: PR
We go to this pub in the Ribble Valley a lot, a beautiful part of the world. The thing I like about it is that I don’t have to think too hard. The food is consistent, humble but always delicious. It’s pub classics, very British food: fish pies, hotpots, amazing meat or fish platters, good braising dishes. The menu doesn’t change that often but the special boards change all the time. There are roaring log fires. It’s a relaxed environment, so my young son enjoys going there too, and everybody who comes through is lovely – walkers, people who have been on a shoot, and dogs are welcome. The big draw is that you can have a walk round the Whitewell, then go and have something good to eat and a nice glass of wine.
On a day off, I like to go for lunch to this riverside cafe. I sit outside, relax and eat really tasty vegan and vegetarian food. The food has all sorts of influences – a bit of Moroccan, through to Chinese, biryanis, flame-grilled pizzas – but the main stars are the vegetables. It’s not doing it justice calling it a cafe, but that’s what it is. You can take away, and there’s a shop associated with it. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is nice and the quality is great. My staff were always telling me how amazing it was, and it took me a while to get there. Now I can see why they love it.
Experience something new and unique by opting to stay in one of these unconventional accomodations this summer.
Wee Retreat, Norfolk, England
Don’t be put off by the thought of sleeping in an old loo, as this is most certainally not any old loo. It actually has some of the best coastal views in the country and is placed right on the seafront. Not only this there is little more than a few steps separating you from the beach. Its been well decoured with two bright bedrooms, two bathrooms a kitchen and a lounge making it a perfect spot for a little trip away.
Red Kite Conker, Powys, Wales
This is a truly fascinating place to stay and something to marvel at on arrival. It sits on an 80 acre conservation estate in a Welsh Valley. Its been named ‘Red Kite Conker’ due to the resident birds that are often found just above. It puts a great emphasis on eco-concious living, it has countryside views and a scandi style theme with additional composting loo and wood fired pizza oven.
If you have found yourself fascinated by the story of the Titanic and its tragic end then this may very much appeal to you. A chance to experience the Titanic more closely with no chance of hitting an iceberg. The boat turned apartment has been created to mimic the famous Titanic ship and can sleep up to nine people.
The Corn Bin, East Sussex, England
This is a wonderful converted former grain store in rural Sedlescombe. Much like a tardis the modest looking property is home to a big master bedroom with a king bed, huge lounge and dining room for additional guests and two properties. Enjoy the countryside all around by taking a step outside or peering out of the windows of the property.
Boris the Military Pod, Isle of Skye
Despite its cold uninviting appearance this has been converted to be home to great and unique getaways. In complete contrast to the exterior appearance the inside has been decorated with a blue and white colour scheme and skylight. It can accommodate two with a shower, kitchen and lounge. With that in mind it’s a great option for a curious couple looking for an extra-ordinary date night.
Prison cell, Kent, England
Here we have a prison cell that you may actually wish to get yourself in, be that likely the only one. It’s within the seaside town of Margate and is somewhat of a luxury prison cell. Despite its cell like appearance its never actually been used to house prisoners so you can sleep easy knowing you aren’t really staying in the same bed as any criminals.
Not only considered to be one of the best zoos in England it’s actually on the list of the best zoos in the entire world. It’s one of the UK’s largest zoos, covering about 125 acres of land and being home to around 400 species of animals. It truly is a full day out for anyone.
By Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51302906
Bristol Zoo, Bristol
This zoo is far smaller covering only 12 acres. Despite this, though there are around 7000 animals and 450 species so there’s still plenty to see. While you’re visiting be sure to check out the red pandas, gorillas, and Asiatic lions.
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Marwell Zoo, Hampshire
Here you can see 270 endangered and exotic species as its home to over a thousand animals. The large zoo, which covers around 140 acres, is home to African wildlife displays and many fascinating animals. There’s also a café, gift shop, and adventure playgrounds to keep you occupied for the entire day.
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Longleat Safari & Adventure Park, Wilshire
This isn’t only a zoo but a whole safari adventure, you have the whole experience of getting up close to the animals and can even feed some of them. While you do need a car for this zoo it is a great option for a rainy day and is far less tiring than exploring a large zoo on foot.
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Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire
A small and endearing zoo with lower admission prices that take this into consideration. In addition to this the zoo is also home to an award winning conservation charity with over 500 animals which you can also support.
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Howletts Wildlife Park, Kent
Home to many elephants it’s perfect for those with an admiration for the species. Here you can find an Amur tiger and anteaters, support a conservation charity and join treetop adventures.
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Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford
There are so many animals here to enjoy, from fascinating bats to magnificent giraffes. Not only this, the zoo is also home to the stars of the Park Life TV program so you when visiting you get to see over 260 species. In addition to all these animals, there’s also a breathtaking manor house here.
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Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Devon
If your looking for a zoo while enjoying a family holiday along the coast this is one to consider. It is small but still has a lot to offer and makes for a charming excursion while on holiday.
If you want an exciting holiday packed with adventure then be sure to check out this list!
1. Sea kayaking, Highlands of Scotland
Difficulty rating- 4/10 Ages- 16+ preferably with an adult. This kayaking experience is most suited to those with lesser experience as it aims to blend the sport with gentle hiking. In addition to the amazing 4 days on the water, wandering the bays and islands, you are also able to admire various wildlife such as sea eagles and porpoises. If all this wasn’t enough to interest you then maybe the guided walk from the village of Gairloch, that’s also included, will.
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2. River swimming, Oxfordshire
Difficulty rating- 7.5/10 Ages- 16+ The beautifully calm and tranquil water makes open air swimming look very tempting. However this isn’t just your standard sea swimming, this itinerary from SwimTrek is instead in sheltered water. It goes along the riverbank from Buscot Lock, by Lechlade, to Buckland Marsh, by Faringdon, tracing along England’s most famous waterway. We advise having a basic understanding of open-water swimming and a capability of completing the daily distance of 6km. However help and guidance is made available by a safety team throughout.
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3. Kite-buggying, East Sussex
Difficulty rating- 5/10 Ages– 7+ Using both the skills of kite-flying and go-karting, kite-buggying is a thrilling way to spend your time at the beach, you’ll be zipping across the sand at up to 50mph in a low three-wheeler. With vast, open beach, Camber Sands is an amazing place to try this extreme and exciting sport. Get lessons at the Kitesurf Centre from qualified instructors, they’ll teach you everything from how to fly the kite to using it to power you along in the buggy, with courses varying in length to choose from.
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4. Coasteering, Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim
Difficulty rating- 6/10 ages- 7+ with an adult With this you can explore the shoreline by leaping, scrambling and swimming – and even take part in optional cliff jumping. Causeway Coasteering offers guided sessions along the Causeway coast and accompanying beautiful water. Geared up in wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets, you’ll challengingly make your way through hidden coves and islands, with a guide drawing your attention to interesting objects and providing helpful tips.
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5. Learn navigation, Foolow, Peak District
Difficulty rating- 2/10 ages- 18+ Whether you find yourself stranded in fog or losing your way in the fells your worries regarding walking will be aided with this navigation course that covers the essentials and should provide you with some added confidence. Run by expert mountain leaders and rock climbing instructors, this day long course takes place in the gorgeous Peak District village, Foolow, which has a facinating limestone landscape and spring orchids. It teaches map reading, compass navigation, route planning and walking on a bearing. After mastering the basics, there is also the additional option of moving onto a more advanced course and challenging yourself further.
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6. Rock climbing taster day, Snowdonia
Difficulty rating- 5/10 ages- 10+ Have you ever tried rock climbing up vertical walls? well here’s your opportunity. Gaia Adventures offers great climbing experience days for those who are beginners to the sport, with everything ranging from rope skills to belaying (assisting others) and abseiling safely down the rock face. With them you’re guided by an expert instructor, in up to groups of 6, challenging your brain and body, as you climb smaller mountains and cliffs, such as Tryfan, and slate quarries on the flanks of Elidir Fawr, with the incredible view overlooking Snowdon. After their expertise has been passed on to you hopefully you’ll be able to climb without supervision at an indoor climbing wall following the course.
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7. Orienteering, nationwide
Difficulty rating- 5/10 ages- any You’ll be well equipped with a map, compass and electronic dibber and be forced to navigate through the wilderness as fast as you possibly can. Orienteering simply refers to racing over a course and is increasingly popular and clubs across the UK hold recreational and competitive events where you can further challenge your orienting abilities.
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8. Paragliding, Surrey
Difficulty rating- 4/10 ages- any but under 18’s must provide parental consent This is most certainly an activity for those of you who consider yourself thrill seekers. You’ll have the experience of a lifetime gliding 500ft above the Surrey countryside while hanging from a material canopy. while it may sound very daring in reality no experience or skills are required if you book a tandem flight with the Green Dragons, in Woldingham, they’ve been operating for a staggering 44 years and so know how its done. With a qualified instructor, the hardest part as a passenger is managing your nerves as you swoop through the air, riding the wind and watching the landscape of the North Downs unfold beneath your very own feet.
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9. Foraging courses, various locations
Difficulty rating- 1/10 ages- any This is the activity holiday suitable to all and so may be a great idea for those looking as a family with small children. With this experience you’ll be breaking stems, tasting leaves and discovering where things grow. Learning all about wild food, its most certainly a more adventurous experience than what you’ll find in restaurants. Wild Food UK holds foraging courses in various locations across Britain including Suffolk, Wiltshire, Kent, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Such courses help identify edible shoots, plants and flowers that you come across in the wild so they may be cooked up and transformed into dishes such as wild garlic pesto, elderflower champagne and mushroom pasta.
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10. Snorkelling and wildlife, Hebrides
Difficulty rating- 1/10 ages- 8+ with anyone under 16 needing to be accompanied with an adult. Wander at the amazing wildlife and sea that the UK has to offer. The Oban and Lorn coastline has masses of wildlife to see, which you can do on a snorkel and wildlife tour provided by Basking Shark Scotland. You’ll start from Oban and take an incredible tour that is based on the 13 mile-long Isle of Coll, where there are a staggering 23 beaches and accompanying wildlife. Just a selection of such wildlife includes basking sharks, otters, grey seals, porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. Gain even more life experience when you’re underwater as you snorkel past starfish, sea-urchins, kelp forests and rays, with a guide and marine biologist at your beck and call throughout.
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The UK has so much history to be explored and learned about and so many museums for you to get lost in. While all are likely to provide you with an interesting and educational day out, with whomever you choose, it can be difficult to decide which ones to prioritize. With this in mind, we have isolated the best museums across the UK, so you don’t have to.
British Museum, London
Admission fee: £0
An iconic museum that most certainly deserves a visit. A place where you can marvel at amazing art, get lost in ancient Egypt, and explore many different cultures.
Not only this but the architecture is enough to take your breath away.
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In a prime spot, overlooking the famous Trafalgar Square this museum continuously attracts masses of art lovers who seek to admire its incredible collection. With pieces dating as far back as the 13th century and over two thousand pieces to choose from, there’s plenty for you to see.
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Admission fee: childrens tickets from £9.50 adult tickets from £19
This museum is one more suited to those with a passion for history, it’s a secret World War II bunker that’s been converted into a museum. Here you can learn so much about Winston Churchill and how he lead the UK to victory.
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This is the largest railway museum in the UK, with over a million pieces to show the history of the rail transport system and how it affected the entirety of the UK. There is also the added option of going to the restored carriage for some afternoon tea.
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Admission fee: children tickets from £8 adults tickets from £18
This is a museum to remember, one where you can learn all about the tragic journey of the titanic and its fateful maiden voyage. The structure is magnificent and there’s so much to learn from a visit.
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A museum that regularly holds exhibitions such as the iconic David Bowie tribute to excite anyone who visits. Not only this though the museum also has over, an eye-watering, two million pieces for you to be fascinated by.
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As in the name, this is somewhere where you can be transported to the past and admire all the history of the natural world. this includes dinosaur exhibitions and many more animal displays making it particularly attractive for a family day out.
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Iconic art and a way to explore all the history and culture Scotland have to offer this museum is a great way to get to know Scotland on your getaway. Make sure to check out the massive LEGO model if you’re having a day out with the kids or if it’s just the adults who learn about the greatest breakthroughs in technology and science.
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There really is no better way to learn about and understand the history of Wales and Welsh heritage. St Fagans is widely considered to be one of the Europes leading open-air museums, so it’s safe to assume it makes for a fascinating day out.
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If your lucky enough to be on your getaway in the summer then you have to consider going to a beach for a fun day out.
Rhossili Bay, Rhossili, Wales
Widely considered to be Wales best beach it’s a great option for those looking for a sandy walk, surfing experience, and water sports.
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Weymouth Beach, Weymouth, Dorset
Close to the town center so easy to access, here you can get involved in its well-known volleyball championships, admire firework displays and enjoy live music.
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Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea, Wales
This is a wild beach so is less suitable for those looking for an adventure-packed beach day but the three stark limestone cliffs are something to admire. A beach is more suited to those a little more mature with a love of walks and photography.
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Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
This is seen as one of the best beaches in Europe to surf so attracts a lot of professional surfers. However, if the weather is good it’s a great place to take the whole family, try some surfing, and enjoy some food on the beach.
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Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset
Home to Bournemouth Air Festival every year this is a beach with a lot to offer. It’s 11 miles long and has beautiful golden sand, not only this it’s also near to many attractions such as the Oceanarium and secluded Fisherman’s Walk. All this means that there’s a lot to see at this beach throughout the entire year.
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