“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
—Samuel Johnson
London’s great.
Samuel Johnson thinks so, I think so, heck, a lot of people think so.
But a consistently repeated resolution among expats in London—which was confirmed by other bloggers over our lunch at Ping Pong two weekends ago—is to get out of London and see more of the UK. To travel around the country enough so that our perception of England isn’t just, well, England = London.
Over the past year, I’ve been trying to slowly add to my list of UK destinations outside London. Here’s where I’ve got so far…and why you should check them out, too:
1. Oxford
During my initial six months in London in 2008, Oxford was my only escape from the capitol. From that first visit on a cold January day to a return two years later in June for the Summer VIIIs rowing competition, Oxford seems to look good no matter what the weather.
While you’re there: Marvel in the old stone architecture, feast on a warm pie from the award-winning Pieminister café, and revel in the magical atmosphere that comes from C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Lewis Carroll all having called Oxford home.
2. Brighton
My first trip down to this coastal town had me in disbelief—has this been here the whole time? Is this pebble-strewn beach and the quirky town that borders it seriously a fifty-minute train ride from London Victoria station?
While you’re there: Shop for vintage jewelery in the Lanes, wander through retro amusement park rides on the pier, and resist the urges of your inner graffiti artist as you soak up the street art that adorns so much of the city’s walls.
3. Manchester
I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for the first Travel Bloggers Unite conference, chances are I wouldn’t have thought of visiting Manchester—but the edgy industrial vibe of this northern city made the 6-hour bus journey worth the trip (it did save me £40…).
While you’re there: Catch a match at Old Trafford, get your taco on at Chiquito Mexican restaurant, and just like in Brighton, keep an eye out for more epic street art.
4. Liverpool
A rail promotion got me heading even further north on a £10 round-trip ticket one October in 2010…if the idea of covering such a long distance for a day trip doesn’t scare you off, London Midland trains is currently running a similar promotion. This time it’s only £15 for a day’s unlimited travel.
While you’re there: Look out for the Beatles on Mathew Street, feel the rough Atlantic air sweep across Albert Dock, and hunt down over 121 lambananas set out across the city…including the Superlambanana measuring 17 feet tall.
5. Southwold
I’ve been saving this one for last—the others, well, you might’ve learned about them on your own, but this one? I like to think of Southwold, the tiniest of towns on the Suffolk coast, as my little UK secret. And now, it’s your secret too…
While you’re there: Walk barefoot along its beautiful shoreline, pick out which brightly painted beach hut to call your own, and explore a town centre beautifully devoid of McDonald’s, Starbucks or any other remnant of the 21st century.
Winchester!! I need to take you there…It is one of my favorite places in UK, don’t ask me why (though I am sure you will :)) it just kinda stuck on me first time I’ve been there…so, yes, I have been there more than once 🙂 Their farmer’s market is legendary, so it is Arthur’s round table and the cathedral where Jane Austen is buried…but the town’s water mill where, if lucky, you can spot an otter, tops them all. the path by the water is my favorite spot.
Wales is lovely too, and trip to Cambridge is a must (com’ on Candace, haven’t seen Cambridge yet?). I liked many other places, such as Canterbury but wish to go to York and make a walking trip to Cornwall. Oh and Dover is very special place for me too 🙂
Tanja, I feel like you’ve been holding out on me! Winchester sounds awesome–and you’ve never mentioned it 🙂 And yes, I am not proud of the fact that I haven’t been to Wales or Cambridge or Scotland or….okay, I’ll stop there. Thanks for all the great ideas, maybe I’ll get to a couple before I leave! See you Sunday 🙂
I always say there’s London and there’s England. I can’t be the only one!
Anyway, my top five would be (town & district),
5. Lower Slaughter – Costwolds
4. Coleford – Forest of Dean
3. Polperro – South Coast of Cornwall
2. Buxton – Peak District
1. Skipton – Yorkshire Dales
Hey Fernando! That’s a good saying–very true. I’ll use that from now on too 🙂 Great list, as well. Cornwall and the Cotswolds have both been on my UK list for a while, so that’s cool that you mention them. They sound beautiful!
Top for me has to be Cornwall. Gorgeous, and no wonder why so many artists end up there. Also I’ve spent a lot of time in Canterbury as my bf’s family lives close by, great destination.
Great suggestion, Melissa! The pictures I’ve seen of Cornwall look beautiful. It’s amazing once you focus on the UK, how much there is to see 🙂 Hope to see you at an expat meet-up in March!
I really hope I can make it to Southwold this spring/summer!
You definitely have to, Katherina. I only went there for a Ways with Words literature festival and was so glad to have made the trip. Hope all is well with you!
What about Bath and the spectacular National Trust properties, old country houses and gardens that abound.. my no. 1 reason for visiting UK…besides the British Library…
Thanks for the ideas, Mary Jane, Bath is definitely one place I’ve been wanting to check out. And yes, I couldn’t agree more about the British Library!
Great post! I haven’t been to Brighton or Southwold yet but will certainly take your advice. We were in Suffolk in December actually but it was not beach weather (and when we did reach one promenade, it was after 3pm and thus dark!).
I grew up in St Helens, a town between Liverpool and Manchester. Liverpool used to be the love of my life before I fell in love with first New York and then Novi Sad!
Ah, you must go back to Suffolk when it’s warmer! I suppose I was only there in November, but was still able to enjoy a walk along the beach when it was light outside. I’d love to go back when it’s summer and see the beach huts when they’re not all locked up 🙂 PS – I just looked up Novi Sad…now you’ve got me wanting to visit there, too!
Go to Novi Sad. It is incredible! If you like music, go during the Exit Festival. I’m going back this year and just need to figure out whether to go during the festival or not. If I don’t go during the festival, I can visit some surrounding towns.
Alright, you’ve really sold it to me now, Emm. I love music, and have actually never been to a music festival (shh, don’t tell anyone…) so maybe a Serbian one is a good place to start! When are you visiting Novi Sad this year?
I’m not sure yet. I’m waiting to see if any of my favourite bands are at Exit. If they are, I’ll go in July but if not, I’ll probably go in September and hire a car for a week.
Either option sounds great! And I think they’d both offer you cool yet different experiences…music festival vs. exploring on your own. I always love the chance to drive yourself around another country, so I think I’m partial to that idea…but you’ll have to let me know which bands are playing and I might change my mind 🙂
Newcastle upon Tyne is a very beautiful and dynamic city that I would highly recommend you visit – it’s only 3 hours by train from Kings Cross (but book in advance to get the best ticket prices!); a good book to take with you is ‘Newcastle and Gateshead: Pevsner City Guide’ by Grace McCombie. A walk along the Quayside by the River Tyne, past the Tyne Bridge and across the New Millennium Bridge takes you to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Gateshead music centre; Grey Street, in the heart of the city, was voted the best street in Britain by Radio 4 listeners in 2004 (and the Prime Minister Gladstone, and John Betjeman, both described it as their favourite street), and St Thomas Street and nearby Leazes Terrace are also very beautiful architecturally.
Parts of Northumberland are only 20 minutes from Newcastle by car – Wallington (a National Trust property dating from 1688) is a wonderful place to spend a few hours, and Belsay Hall (English Heritage) is a very imposing and unusual early 19th century house, surrounded (like Wallington) by stunning grounds. Further up into Northumberland is Alnwick, and as well as the Castle, you might like Barter Books (one of the largest secondhand bookshops in Europe), housed in a 19th century railway station; the original ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ poster was discovered here.
Durham is only a few minutes by train from Newcastle – the Cathedral is breathtaking.
All the very best, and I’m really enjoying your blog.
Hello, Jessica! Thanks so much for your comment, and for your brilliant UK travel suggestions. Your ideas are a kind of mini-guide in and of themselves 🙂 I will definitely take note of everything you’ve mentioned–I’ve been wanting to head north to visit places like York and Newcastle and you’ve given me all the more reason to do so. Take care and thanks for checking out the Great Affair!