Lancashire is an historic county in the north west of England. Amongst its beautiful countryside lays the lively seaside town of Blackpool. Over six million tourists visit Blackpool every year, making it Britain’s busiest and liveliest tourist resort. Gambling fans may like to visit the Golden Mile – a mile-long stretch of casino hotels set in the Las Vegas style. Other famous attractions include the Blackpool Illuminations in the fall and the Blackpool Tower and Pleasure Beach – perhaps the two most famous landmarks in the town.
If you’re looking for rolling countryside, grasslands, woodlands and salt marshes to wander around and explore, look no further than the villages of Arnside and Silverdale, set back from Morecambe Bay on the coast of Lancashire. For the authentic British experience, the village of Arnside offers a selection of traditional Victorian stores and authentic British pubs serving traditional ale as well as great, authentic British food. In this area of Lancashire, you get to see the true heart of Britain.
Pendle Hill, located in the north east of Lancashire, is an isolated hill with a long and fascinating history. In 1612, the Pendle witch trials took place, with twelve people being accused of the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft. Only one was found not guilty and ten people were hanged. The claimed visitation to George Fox took place here in 1652, leading to the foundation of the Quaker movement. Even today, the hill is still very closely associated with the Quaker movement.
Hoghton Tower, just east of Preston, is said to be the location where ‘sirloin’ steak was so named following a visit from King James I in 1617. The King was said to be so impressed with the meat he was served, he actually knighted it ‘Sir Loin’. Whether or not that fancy tale is true, Hoghton is rich with history. Built in the 12th century, Hoghton has played host to the De Hoghton family ever since. Many visiting royals and nobles have passed through the doors but the story of King James I’s visit almost left more than a passing impression on Hoghton.
Vacationing in Britain is always great fun as the country is so diverse, and Lancashire is no different. In stark contrast to the busy seaside town of Blackpool, the Forest of Bowland offers 312 miles of unique scenery, most of it completely untouched since the medieval period. The Forest is home to a multitude of rare species and contains hundreds of 16th and 17th century stone buildings, dotted around the stunning Pennine landscape and rounding off this truly stunning selection of Lancashire attractions.
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There are many incredible places to visit and sights to see on England’s South Coast. But before we get to that, let’s discuss what England’s south coast is comprised of. Southern England is the southern counties of England. The areas that the UK considers to be part of Southern England include South West England, South East England, Greater London and the East of England. So now that we know where we are, here are some attractions and places to visit on England’s South Coast:
- Beachy Head: is south of Eastbourne and is a snow white cliff on the end of the South Downs. It can be reached by traversing a scenic footpath. Don’t miss its famous striped lighthouse.The cliff path that passes through Cuckmere, Haven and Seaford provides a great hiking opportunity and is 3.5 or 6km long.
- Bramber Castle: is a place to see the ruins of a gatehouse built by the Normans. It is an English heritage Property found on the west side of Bramber Village.
- The Kent Battle of Britain Museum: can be found in Hawkinge. This is an old armory that features an R.A.F. Room, the Luftwaffe Room, the Aircraft Armaments Room and an art gallery.
- The Eurotunnel: crosses under the channel between Coquelles near Calais and Folkestone in Kent. It’s the newest and fastest transport system on the English coast, having been completed in 1994. There is a visitor’s center in Folkstone. The Exhibition Centre in Cheriton (west of Fokestone) explains the construction of the Eurotunnel.
- Borde Hill Gardens: is in Haywards Heath in Sussex. It’s 200 acres of woods and parkland and is a well known botanical garden. It is famous for its year-long displays of colour.
- Romney Marsh: extends along the coast, beginning at Hythe. It is nearly 50,000 acres that is devoted mostly to the growing of flowers. It is an immensely beautiful visit in the spring.
- Mermaid Street: in Rye. A wonderful place to stroll where you can see Lamb House, an 18th century Georgian building in which Henry James wrote “The Wings of the Dove” and “The Golden Bowl” during the final years of his life. You will also want to see Old Hospital, a triple-gabled half-timbered 15th – 16th century building. Don’t forget The Mermaid Inn, a 15th century pub that is rich in tradition. It was once known as a meeting place for Smugglers.
There are so many things to see on England’s South Coast that it would be impossible to recount them in one article. Look into all of the other wonderful things to do and see as you plan your visit to this charming area.
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Whether it’s a scenic beach front, great shopping, the arts, or just lots of fun, Brighton has it. With its mix of sites and attractions, there’s always things to do in Brighton, whatever time of year you visit. Being a seaside town, Brighton’s beach front is, naturally, its main attraction, and it has all kinds of activity (such as sunbathing, surfing, sailing, volleyball and skateboarding) going on. If it’s shopping you want, the area of Brighton called The Lanes offers a mix of cool and unique shops set amongst a maze of quaint, timeless streets.
As every English seaside town should have, Brighton has a pier. Actually, it boasts two piers but one has, unfortunately, been ravaged by storms over the centuries and is now awaiting redevelopment. The pier which survives intact is now known simply as Brighton Pier and with the dodgems, roller-coaster, arcades, cafes and restaurants, it’s a typically-English affair. The pier acts as the focus for fireworks displays during the summer months and these line the beach front with a mass of visitors to enjoy the spectacular displays.
When visiting Brighton, one must pay a visit to The Royal Pavilion. Built for The Prince Regent, the future King George the IV, it was in use by The Royal Family until Victorian times. It boasts an Indian style and reflects other Asian cultures as well, principally Chinese. The building and decoration of The Royal Pavilion was a “no expense spared” project. To appreciate the building in all its splendor, plan a visit to walk around and enjoy it in person on your trip to Brighton.
Brighton hosts many walking tours, as does nearby Hove. If you’d like to expend a little energy and see Brighton by foot, you will be fascinated by the history of the towns and nearby areas. Brighton’s walking tours are guided and you will learn a lot about local history and landmarks from the guides. They can also provide you with information about other places to visit and things to see during your visit. If a walking tour isn’t your thing, there are always Brighton’s wonderful bus tours. A daily ticket will allow you to get on and off and back on the bus as you stop where you will and reboard to see the next site. You will have a chance to make a leisurely day of it, seeing the sights and stopping for tea or lunch along the way. The bus tours take you by all of the major tourist attractions as well as major monuments and landmarks. Consider a bus tour early in your visit to give you an idea of what Brighton is all about!
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With a near perfect balance of beach town atmosphere and city infrastructure, Brighton can offer something for all tastes. Whether it is retail therapy you are after, relaxing on the beach, amenities such as visiting art galleries or museums, or viewing the traditional English architecture, it is all possible. Brighton has very good transport links, so whichever way you travel, finding your way there is no hassle. Londoners have been traveling to Brighton for holidays for over a hundred years due to the stark contrast from the stresses and strains of city life compared to the relaxed atmosphere of Brighton. Brighton is also very popular with tourists from all over the United Kingdom and Europe, who wish to experience the appeal of a British beach town.
Brighton is arguably the most quintessential seaside town in the whole country. It has a beautiful beach, a grand pier, a former royal palace, a sea life center and a theater. Whatever you would expect to find at a typical English coastal resort, you will find it in Brighton. It is not just its physical features that make it such a wonderful place either, it is just as much the general atmosphere and ambiance of the place. Brighton is certainly one of the most culturally diverse places in the United Kingdom and attracts people of all metaphorical shapes and sizes. Not only is Brighton popular with the younger generation due to it’s University and large number of bars and nightclubs, it is also popular with people who have visited with their parents fifty or sixty years ago or more and have returned every year since.
Brighton has been a family holiday destination since the mid-1800s when rail transport began to be accessible by the masses. There are so many things for young children to see and do, such as fairgrounds, shows, amusement arcades and other amenities. It is a perfect place for you to wear out your little scallywags! In terms of accommodation, there is something for all budgets and tastes. From bed and breakfasts, hostels, and caravan parks, right up to themed hotels and 5 star resorts. Though always remember that the best place to be is near the beach. If you are looking for the best cheap seafront Brighton budget hotels, then an online search is highly recommended before you travel.
So, to summarize, if you want to experience a charming, typically English, seaside resort, then look no further than Brighton. Having been there once, you will no doubt be a return visitor, just like the most of the millions of people who visit there each and every year. Who knows, you might even be tempted to make it make it your second home!
A trip to London can be quite exciting for the first-time visitor. As the capital city of England, there is much to experience in London. Any time is a great time to visit, as there is so much happening there that you will always find something, or more likely several things, to attract your interest. You should make a list of sights to take in, as otherwise you might end up missing out on one of London’s highlights.
London has been around for more than 2,000 years. While few visitors have the time to take in all that London offers, there are some places more enticing than others. The Tower of London, the Houses Of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey are all not to be missed. You can take guided tours of each of these, so you can learn about their colorful histories, which will give you an even better appreciation of what stands before you.
Also, be sure to find time for the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the accompanying clock tower. You have probably seen the clock tower, called Big Ben, on TV, and it is even more impressive when you see it in person. Each of its four clock faces is 23 feet across, and it is big enough to see from all around central London. You really want to get up close to it though, especially at night time when it is lit up and looks particularly special.
There are various palaces and historical buildings spread around the city. The most famous of them all is Buckingham Palace, home of Her Majesty The Queen. The changing of the guard outside is a sight to see. Tourists will gather long before the appointed time just to see the grand guards in their world famous red and black uniforms. The hat itself is legendary.
The sports fans amongst you will not be disappointed with London. Few things are as exciting as a throng of British fans cheering on their favorite football team. There are five teams currently in the English Premier League, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham and West Ham. As well as football, you can take in a game of cricket or football. Attending a tennis match at Wimbledon is also an option if you happen to be in London during June or July.
There is a great transportation system in London, so you can easily and safely travel to all the sights that you want to. Taxis (or black cabs as they are called in London) are plentiful, or you might want to try riding on one of the famous red double-decker buses. Next time you see a double-decker in a photo, you can say, “I did that”. Also, spend some time getting out and about on the underground train system.
As a final point, remember to pack your camera and take lots of photos!
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This article is sponsored by ‘Cheap London Hostels‘.
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