Thursday, May 24, 2007

A day out of London…

A day trip from London is probably the perfect way to spend a relaxed Sunday, the perfect chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of London and into the picturesque little towns of England. Here’s a round up of 4 interesting places you can visit? And yes, they are not more than 2 – 3 hours away!

Canterbury: Novelist Virginia Woolf said of it 'There is no lovelier place in the world than Canterbury - that I say with my hand on my heart as I sit in Florence - and I have seen Venice too.' City of Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ and home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primate of All England, head of the Church of England, this little town is steeped in history and culture. Just one and a half hours away from London and you are transported back to Middle Ages. Canterbury has a compact city centre with beautiful cobbled streets and tiny narrow lanes which are closed to traffic during the daytime. The many ancient buildings and the gigantic Norman cathedral (Where Thomas Becket was murdered) which dominates the skyline add a distinct old world charm to the place. The top attractions not to be missed are the Norman cathedral, the ruins of St Augustine’s abbey, and the ‘Canterbury Tales show’. The Old Weaver’s pub (which is 500 years old) next to the river is a perfect place to end your day in Canterbury.

Brighton: This fashionable seaside resort town of the UK lies amidst the rolling hills of East Sussex. Probably the most un-British city in the whole of the country, Brighton is strikingly dissimilar to other British towns. Brighton offers a perfect mélange of relaxed seaside charm, sensational nightlife, sumptuous food and great shopping. But the one thing that probably makes it click is its glorious beachfront with the festive pier that almost gets you in the carnival mood. Bustling with bars, restaurants, cafes, arcades and fun fair games, the pier offers variety entertainment to all ages and tastes. Among the other attractions of Brighton is the opulent Royal Pavilion, the former royal residence for the then Prince Regent. While the striking minarets give it’s a distinctively Moghul appearance from outside, the interiors are heavily influenced by Indian and Chinese elements of design. You can also visit the Brighton Lanes, a jumble of intricate alleyway that offer an extraordinary shopping experience.

Cambridge: Situated in the quiet, picturesque countryside of Cambridgeshire, this is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and also home to one of the topmost universities in the world. The magnificent architecture of the university buildings which surround the entire city gives it a distinctly medieval image. Positioned on the banks of the river Cam, Cambridge makes an ideal choice for punting on a sunny day. Among the other places of interest are the Fitzwilliam Museum which houses a collection of world renowned paintings and antiques and the Round church, one of the only four remaining in the UK. Just strolling along the bustling markets, enjoying views of the stunning university buildings and enjoying a drink at the numerous roadside cafés however, is the ideal way of spending a relaxed day in Cambridge.

Bath: Bath is a lovely Georgian town that lies at the heart of the Avon valley in southern Cotswolds - designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. The stunning Roman architecture that abounds Bath makes it a special place for tourists. Once a fashionable summer residence for the English aristocracy, this meandering town has attracted visitors for centuries. Set amidst the beautiful countryside of rural England, Bath has predominantly remained unchanged over the years and still retains its antique charm. Bath is home to the Roman Baths; sometimes claimed to be the country’s only hot springs. The Abby, the Royal crescent and the Jane Austen museum are some of the popular tourist attractions, but a stroll along the River Avon or a glimpse of the city skyline from the Pultney Bridge is enough to take your breath away. If your appetite is fuelled after all this sightseeing, old fashioned muffins at Sally Lunn’s, a 300 year old tea house in Bath might just be the thing for you!


The best, fastest and the cheapest way to get to these places is probably by coach. Tickets can be booked online on the company websites (http://www.nationalexpress.com/, http://www.megabus.com/ ) and if you are lucky enough, you can get a £1 single fare inclusive of taxes!

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home