Is a visit to the UK on your travel agenda this year? The UK is a rich source of history and culture and offer all sorts of attractions. There are also many accommodation options to choose from:
Chain Hotels – Pretty much all of the big hotel chains (Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, etc.) have establishments in the UK. You will find these types of hotels in most of the UK’s major cities. In fact, London even has multiple hotels from the same company. This is the most expensive type of accommodation but you get what you pay for. You can expect to be have to pay at least $100 per night.
Independent Hotels – Are sometimes less expensive and sometimes not, as they range from luxurious getaway resorts to the cheapest places with the least amenities. They can be found all over the UK, even in small towns that are normally not considered to offer tourist attractions. You can really get a good deal staying in an independent hotel, but you need to take care that you choose one that is clean and has good service. This can be a gamble as it is all up to the individual proprietor. Most of these accommodation range from $40 to $100+.
Hostels – These are a great option for people traveling in the UK on a budget, especially young people. You usually just get a bed in a shared room and very little more. They are uncommon outside of London, but if you look around you can find them in other major cities. The average cost is about $20 a night but prices vary.
Bed And Breakfasts – These establishments are something of a UK tradition and are very popular with UK citizens who travel within the country during their vacation. A typical bed and breakfast is basically a large house that rents out rooms to tourists. They are very personal and the owners normally do what they can do make you feel at home. As you can guess by the name, breakfast is nearly always included in the price, which ranges from $20 to $50.
You can easily book yourself a room at any place online, as even small establishments have websites these days. Those that do not have their own website normally at least put their details on other websites. Either way, finding somewhere suitable and making a booking can be done in less than half an hour.
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London is a thriving city – undoubtedly one the world’s best. It is a city that has never looked back or slowed down since the time of its first founding. Everything that you would want can be found within its center. As you would expect, a city that offers so much is a great place to visit and not somewhere that you could get bored. You could spend a lifetime exploring the place, but if you have just a few days, you can still get a real feel of what the city is about. In fact, the history of London is a good place to start. The city’s history is rooted in everything from medieval times gone by to the crown jewels of the monarchy. It does not matter if you are a history buff or if you have not opened a book since elementary school social studies. London’s rich, full history is sure to interest everyone. A trip to London is not complete without a trip to the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum to visit the almost unsettlingly lifelike wax denizens inside. Be also sure to enter the London Dungeon to encounter the terrible dark side of the city. You will be able to see and learn about a side of London that few outside of the UK know about.
One museum you cannot miss is The British Museum with one of the largest and most extensive collection of archaeological artifacts in the world.The crown jewels are found inside the Tower of London and here you will hear stories of curious prisons reserved for only the most famous prisoners. History and art come together at the National Portrait Gallery. Portraits of Britain’s most famous figures are on display in its halls. The British Museum, containing one of the world’s grandest collections of archaeological artifacts, is a necessity for any itinerary. Additionally, there are numerous, smaller museums and art galleries that are worth a visit.
A trip to Oxford Street is recommended for avid shoppers, and nearby Hyde Park is must for those who want to experience an English countryside setting despite being in the middle of a huge metropolis. Not far away is the Portobello Market, which is one of the most popular of London’s many outdoor markets. Scattered around London’s most areas and landmarks are quaint streets of times past, a walk down which will feel like you have stepped back in time. Seeing all of London’s glory from a bird’s eye view is possible thanks to the London Eye, which is essentially a massive Ferris Wheel that allows you to see for miles in all directions.
As for the evening, you should start your night at one of London’s thousands of pubs, enjoying the local beers on tap with a group of friends. As midnight approaches, things really start to getting going in London’s countless dance clubs. Whatever your musical preferences, you will not be disappointed, as London provides it all – techno, trance, hip-hop and Latin to name just a few. Of course, if it is a football or rugby night, you have a great opportunity to watch a game before starting your festivities, as London is home to lots of teams.
Now Try – Budget Hyde Park Hotels London
The UK attracts millions of tourists of each year, and for good reason too, as it has much to offer. Along with the culture, history and modern amenities, the beaches in the UK are one of its best features, with these being the best of the best…
With the famous Brighton Pier as a backdrop, Brighton Beach in Sussex provides daytime traditional seaside fun mixed seamlessly with funky night time funky club culture. Take a walk on the Brighton promenade and experience the modern mood of one of the great number of bars and cafes in the area. You might also want to rest on the amazing pebble beach, or participate in a water activity or go sailing. Then, when the sun goes down, it’s time to partake of the nightlife at the many bars and clubs of Brighton, which lie sheltered beneath the Victorian arches along the beachfront.
Blackpool Beach in Lancashire provides a huge stretch of sandy beach to relax on and is right next to one of the UK’s best theme parks, which is called Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The theme park boasts more than 125 rides and shows, with the highlight being the Pepsi Max Big One, which has been rated as the UK’s best rollercoaster. Along the beach you will find all the traditional aspects of UK seaside trip, such as a pier, donkey rides and fish and chip shops.
Rhossili Beach in South Wales has mysterious shipwrecks, burial cairns, magnificent cliffs, and stunning views. Or you can spend your time on the five kilometers of beautiful sandy beach along with the swimmers, surfers, and fishermen. This beach is one of the most natural beaches in the United Kingdom, and you will really enjoy its quaintness. The village of Rhossili is close by where you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many eateries that offer spectacular views of the beach.
Holywell Bay in Cornwall, just a short distance from the town of Newquay, is famous for its fine walkways and surfing beaches. The beach is at its best during low tide, at which time you can see a 70-year-old shipwreck rising out of the offshore waters. A system of paths will take you on easy but breathtaking walks through the cliffs. You can choose from a number of eateries for lunch or a quick snack, and there are areas set apart for family barbecues which are great for eating and relaxing at the end of the day.
All of the locations listed above have several fine hotels, so you can stay for as long as you like. The normal prices range from fifty to one hundred fifty dollars a night for a room, but you can get some real bargains if you can come during the off seasons.
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Newcastle is not one of the most well-known UK cities, at least not internationally, but it certainly has a lot to offer. Its history dates back to 200 AD, when the Roman emperor Hadrian established it. Nearly a 1000 years later the invading Normans pretty much wiped it off the map, but it was re-built by the son of William the Conqueror, who recognized its strategic importance. He built a wooden castle on the spot where the ravaged town used to be, which led to it being New Castle (which over time was merged into a single word).
Newcastle has a rich and diverse history that will appeal to everyone. It offers a great mix of fun and historical significance. Alongside its modern attractions are architectural treasures and monuments. Some of the most famous attractions are listed below:
- Before he originally built the city now known as Newcastle, Hadrian built a wall out of stone and timber across the width of northern England. Opinions differ on the subject, but the majority of people believe that it was constructed to define the frontier of Roman land of England, and as a defendable barrier against the Scots. The city sits alongside the wall and it is still clearly visible today.
- Grainger Town is an area of Newcastle designed and built by the celebrated builder and developer Richard Grainger. It has a central conservation area of about 36 hectares which contains around four hundred and fifty buildings, of which, two hundred and forty four are listed, twenty nine are grade one and forty nine are grade two. It is the most scenic area of the city and one particular street, Greys Street, has been voted as the most beautiful street in Britain.
- Towering over Newcastle is a huge steel sculpture of an angel, which is aptly named the Angel of the North. Anyone visiting Newcastle cannot fail to see it, simply because it is visible from all around the city. For this reason, it is one of the most viewed pieces of art in the whole world, with more than thirty million people seeing it on an annual basis. It looks impressive all the time, but especially so at dusk and dawn, when the rising / falling sun really brings it to life.
There are also a number of museums, theatres and other amenities for people of all ages and cultures to enjoy. Whether you want a fun, relaxing weekend, or a weekend of learning about history and culture, you will not be disappointed with a visit to Newcastle.
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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‘.
Bristol, the premier city for the South West of England, serves as the gateway to some of the country’s most scenic locations, including Cornwall, Devon and Wales. Having the fifth largest population in England, as well as a rich and colorful history, it has recently transformed into a modern, vibrant city packed with places to go and things to see to suit every kind of visitor.
For the dedicated shopaholic, the new Cabot Circus shopping complex has propelled Bristol into the top 10 list of UK shopping destinations. With over 120 new shops, in addition to restaurants, cafes and delis, and a state-of-the-art 13-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux, this impressive site brings a whole new dimension to shopping in Bristol.
Stroll a short distance from the busy shopping areas and you will find yourself surrounded by the incredible old buildings and relics of the past in Bristol’s original Old City. The cobbled streets of Broad Street, Corn Street, King Street and St Nicholas Market remain much the same today as they were hundreds of years ago. Do not miss the majestic Corn Exchange or the quirky old Llandoger Trow pub on King Street.
The original town was listed in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 1051 as a trading port and its maritime heritage is highlighted by the achievements of Kingdom Brunel, the great Victorian inventor who was born there. He was responsible for the SS Great Britain, which became the first iron-hulled, propeller-driven ship to pass between the UK and America and, of course, the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge with its breathtaking view of the city.
One of the most significant changes to Bristol over recent years has been the transformation of the city’s harborside from a bustling commercial dock to a modern development filled with hotels, restaurants and bars. Key attractions to look out for include Explore-At-Bristol, The Hippodrome, Bristol City Football Club and the Watershed Media Centre. Jumping on a ferry is a great way to see the harbor and extended city boundaries from a different perspective.
Alternatively, why not walk up Park Street towards Clifton village, which offers a great selection of boutique clothing stores and classy restaurants. Then, there is Bristol Zoo Gardens, with over 450 rare and endangered species, and provides plenty of activities for kids of all ages.
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Cheap Hotel Chains price compares all latest cheap hotel deals across the world, ensuring you find the very best deal for your chosen hotel and destination. This month we are running a feature on Bristol, England’s gateway to the South West. We currently have 144 cheap hotels in Bristol featured on our website.
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