United Kingdom
Why go?
The past is not another country in the tradition-led lands of
England and Wales but at least the plumbing has improved. Once the
despair of travellers for its obstreperous hoteliers, dingy beds
and ration-led breakfasts (and this is where B&Bs were
invented!), the UK has now firmly taken advantage of its historic
housing. Grand but down-to-earth manors, comfortable lived-in
castles, redoubtably cheery roadside inns, spiffed-up townhouses
– the range is as varied and stimulating as the
landscape.
Whether you’re ambling through ‘green and
pleasant’ Devon, hiking Yorkshire’s wild and windy
moors or charging through the throngs of London, there’s a
very good chance you’ll come home to an affable host
who’ll serve a terrific smoked haddock paté with an
excellent Chablis and be pleased to discuss the Euro, after which
you’ll slumber heavily in a cushiony double duvet.
You’ll wake up to the sound of tea being poured and rain
pouring down, but then, some things never change.
Any Downsides?
The weather. It’s a wet island and not always warm. It’s pretty crowded too, especially in London where tubes and trains seethe with travellers. Motorways are often clogged with cars and if you’re coming from North America or Europe, remember to drive on the left!
What's where?
- Central England: Spot the celebs... in the honey-stone villages of the Cotswolds and the prosperous towns of Berks and Bucks - a surprisingly short hop from London Read More >>
- East Anglia: Meet England at her flattest: historic Cambridge, Suffolk's medieval churches, Norfolk's bird-rich marshes and Constable's Dedham Vale Read More >>
- London: From posh Kensington to hip Soho and the newly vibrant East End, London is one of the most complex, exciting and culture-filled cities in the world Read More >>
- Northern England: Yomp on Yorkshire's magnificent moors, climb Wordsworth's sublime peaks, hike the Pennine Way, thrill to Manchester's glam beat Read More >>
- Scotland: Legendary golf courses, glassy lochs and heathery glens compete with the excitements of Edinburgh and Glasgow... let Scotland get under your skin Read More >>
- South East England: Swathes of rolling hills and New Forest heathland, clapboard houses and Brighton-on-Sea, and a coastline resplendent with maritime history Read More >>
- South West England: The legendary region of Arthurian knights boasts beautiful villages, gutsy moors, a breathtaking coastline and the most sunshine in the UK Read More >>
- Wales: Grand mountains, dramatic coastlines, dreamy beaches... perfect for lovers of the Great Outdoors but also for the musical and the poetic Read More >>
Current Weather – Time
London