Thanks to the lovely Bloke for unwittingly reminding me of a post I intended to write here goes.............
This country gets a lot of stick for being what I've heard said in descriptive terminology,"a shit hole".
Now I disagree, I get about a bit (not in that manner you smutty minded heathens)and have discovered some beautiful hidden jems around the North East coast area of Northumberland. It is absolutely stunning and has some amazing places to visit and see.
Now I'm into castles and Bamburgh, Walkworth and Alnwick are great but there is one in Northumberland that is amazing, can't think of the name but it's stunning, ruined and right on the coastal cliffs. Going there in any season is a beautiful experience and when I'm there it's like "wow".
I also love Whitby, it's so gothic and steeped in history and intrigued just because of the Bram Stoker connection and an aesthetically pleasing little quaint town but weirdly I only like the place at night when all the day tripers have gone home.
Anyway to the point mr Srne.......
What is your favorite place in Britain? maybe a little hidden jem or a well known place in your area that is just beautiful, or steeped in history, or has a weird little story attached to it that you love to visit for one reason or another.
The reason I ask is that I'm doing a whistle stop tour of our lovely island as a holiday this year and would like a bit of "tourist info". The plan is, hire a van for 10 days a Transit type thing, put a matress in the back, take a backpack with my clothes and stuff in, a little gas cooker thing and a couple of disposable BBQ's and some tinned food an stuff. Fuel in vehicle I will set off and in a clockwise type direction drive around the country ending up back in my own little neck of the woods 10 days later.
I'm into history, wildlife, interesting and unusual places and that type of thing, so please guys give me some info to make me have a few definite choices and when I go I will take my laqptop and keep you all posted!
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Your favourite place in Britain
Sex God
The Peak District....the reason I would be reluctant to live anywhere other than Sheffield (or one of them) take a stroll down Padley Gorge early in a morning and treat yourself to breakfast at Grindleford station cafe
P.S. re. history...in and around Padley Gorge are many iron age hut circles from there you can see the hill fort at Carl Wark and there are the remains of many part made grindstones left over from Sheffields steel industry when they were made in the quarries and shipped to the steel works(take a look at Abbeydale industrial hamlet whilst you're in the area or Kelham island)
P.S. re. history...in and around Padley Gorge are many iron age hut circles from there you can see the hill fort at Carl Wark and there are the remains of many part made grindstones left over from Sheffields steel industry when they were made in the quarries and shipped to the steel works(take a look at Abbeydale industrial hamlet whilst you're in the area or Kelham island)
Sex God
For a hidden gem I would have to go with Cruden bay near Peterhead on the east coast of Scotland. Its a superb bay the sand is as good as any I have seen whilst over seas. We have been on the sunniest of days and there are only ever 5-10 people walking. Picture linked below as its large and would not look good on the forum.
The large building on the hill at the rear of the picture is a ruin. Not sure of its origin but not been occupied since the 1920's I was told. Unlike lots of others you can walk round this climb it and even get on 2nd and 3rd floors. Do be careful though
As a Bristolian guess I'll have to go with The suspension bridge and Hotwells. Home of the SS great Brittan plus tons of other stuff
If you look to the back right of the SS great Brittan picture you can see a row of multi colored houses. A famous Bristol landmark has been shown on series such as Skins, Being human and Teachers plus loads more.
The large building on the hill at the rear of the picture is a ruin. Not sure of its origin but not been occupied since the 1920's I was told. Unlike lots of others you can walk round this climb it and even get on 2nd and 3rd floors. Do be careful though
As a Bristolian guess I'll have to go with The suspension bridge and Hotwells. Home of the SS great Brittan plus tons of other stuff
If you look to the back right of the SS great Brittan picture you can see a row of multi colored houses. A famous Bristol landmark has been shown on series such as Skins, Being human and Teachers plus loads more.
Sex God
My favourite place in Britain?
Definetly England
Definetly England
Sex God
i love our country i think it is so stunningly beautifull
the view i get everyday on my way too and from work over nene valley way just makes the journey so worthwhile we r very lucky to live in a county with such lovely countryside
a couple of weeks ago we visited tetbury for a gig and drove down on beutifully glourious sunny day through the cotwolds it was most certainly a great day to be alive it was taking my breath away
we also visited the lake district a couple of years ago and i fell in love with it just driving up the m6 to it i just couldn't stop gasping out loud at its beauty
south coast too i love west bay in dorset is a small fishing village that we used to visit very regularly as the kids were growing up although they have now turned the small harbour into a large marina now so not so sure it would be so quaint any more sadly it was were reggie perrin went into the sea and where they filmed harbour lights and gulliver i believe
fell in love with devon last year have driven through before on route to cornwall but actually stayed on the north coast last year in appledore it was really pretty
tintagel in cornwall holds some special memories for us its breathtaking actually the cornish coast on a whole is just stunning
hope ya have a wonderfull time
the view i get everyday on my way too and from work over nene valley way just makes the journey so worthwhile we r very lucky to live in a county with such lovely countryside
a couple of weeks ago we visited tetbury for a gig and drove down on beutifully glourious sunny day through the cotwolds it was most certainly a great day to be alive it was taking my breath away
we also visited the lake district a couple of years ago and i fell in love with it just driving up the m6 to it i just couldn't stop gasping out loud at its beauty
south coast too i love west bay in dorset is a small fishing village that we used to visit very regularly as the kids were growing up although they have now turned the small harbour into a large marina now so not so sure it would be so quaint any more sadly it was were reggie perrin went into the sea and where they filmed harbour lights and gulliver i believe
fell in love with devon last year have driven through before on route to cornwall but actually stayed on the north coast last year in appledore it was really pretty
tintagel in cornwall holds some special memories for us its breathtaking actually the cornish coast on a whole is just stunning
hope ya have a wonderfull time
Quote by Kaznkev
Is this where u meant ,Dustanborough Castle?
You mentioned most of the things in northumberland i would recomend,tho if u have a van why not head up to Kielder and see the stars as they should be seen
That's the one, thank's for the memory jog!
And thank you to everyone who has posted some useful information.
Sex God
Isle of skye
Sex God
York - especially on days when it's not full of tourists.
Or any winding lanes with a tractor chugging away in one field and sheep baa-ing in another. Walking of course - with a basket of brambles just picked on your way to your local pub for a wamr beer and a cold Ploughman's. There is no other country you can get that experience.
Or any winding lanes with a tractor chugging away in one field and sheep baa-ing in another. Walking of course - with a basket of brambles just picked on your way to your local pub for a wamr beer and a cold Ploughman's. There is no other country you can get that experience.
Sex God
heathrow as i know in going somewhere nice
Sex God
Sme,
Point the 'transit' towards Fort William and then head for Salen and the Ardnamurchan peninsula
Take in the most westerley point on the UK mainland, views from the lightout are spectacular, before back tracking to Kilchoan and getting the ferry to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.
Once on Mull, and the obligatory pint at the Mishnish, head for Calgary Bay and spend the night overlooking one of the best beaches in the UK.
just might help you decide, plus as you said you liked wild life, then Mull probably would take some beating
Point the 'transit' towards Fort William and then head for Salen and the Ardnamurchan peninsula
Take in the most westerley point on the UK mainland, views from the lightout are spectacular, before back tracking to Kilchoan and getting the ferry to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.
Once on Mull, and the obligatory pint at the Mishnish, head for Calgary Bay and spend the night overlooking one of the best beaches in the UK.
just might help you decide, plus as you said you liked wild life, then Mull probably would take some beating
Quote by tweeky
Building on the right hand side just after the white house is the Clifton rocks railway. Now disused it once ran up the inside of the gorge. This is now being invested in to make it a tourist attraction as at present its only accessible on doors open day
Volunteers run Clifton Rocks Railway (water powered) if you can get a group together they will open it up for you on a weekend (for a small donation) and take you throughout all the tunnels that you don't get to see on open doors days. The tunnels were used during WW11 as bomb shelters (all the beds and stuff are still in it) and the BBC secretly used the lower part for their transmissions. Fascinating stuff!! Here's some of the our group took when we went.
Its dark, wet and cold and a good walk to the bottom, really fascinating though and well worth a more in-depth visit rather than open doors day (tho thats good as well).
Although we have so many beautiful places my favourite place in England is probably Cornwall.
Orgasminator
Quote by bouncy332
i love our country i think it is so stunningly beautifull
fell in love with devon last year have driven through before on route to cornwall but actually stayed on the north coast last year in appledore it was really pretty
Good choice, not that I'm biased
For me the best city in the UK is Edinburgh. great people, beautiful city, and loads to do.
With work I have travelled in and lived all over the country, my favourite county is Devon, not that i'm biased :lol:
It's lacking in nightlife compared to the big cities, but it makes up for it, with the varied countryside, numerous beaches, and generally more relaxed way of life.
Sex God
Quote by Devon1
i love our country i think it is so stunningly beautifull
fell in love with devon last year have driven through before on route to cornwall but actually stayed on the north coast last year in appledore it was really pretty
Good choice, not that I'm biased
For me the best city in the UK is Edinburgh. great people, beautiful city, and loads to do.
With work I have travelled in and lived all over the country, my favourite county is Devon, not that i'm biased :lol:
It's lacking in nightlife compared to the big cities, but it makes up for it, with the varied countryside, numerous beaches, and generally more relaxed way of life.
Sex God
Quote by anais
Building on the right hand side just after the white house is the Clifton rocks railway. Now disused it once ran up the inside of the gorge. This is now being invested in to make it a tourist attraction as at present its only accessible on doors open day
Volunteers run Clifton Rocks Railway (water powered) if you can get a group together they will open it up for you on a weekend (for a small donation) and take you throughout all the tunnels that you don't get to see on open doors days. The tunnels were used during WW11 as bomb shelters (all the beds and stuff are still in it) and the BBC secretly used the lower part for their transmissions. Fascinating stuff!! Here's some of the our group took when we went.
Its dark, wet and cold and a good walk to the bottom, really fascinating though and well worth a more in-depth visit rather than open doors day (tho thats good as well).
Although we have so many beautiful places my favourite place in England is probably Cornwall.
Thanks Anais
Will have to go in one day. There is still lots I need to do in Bristol. Still not been up the Wills tower, thats one I need to do :cool:
where to start .................
we've been to quite a few spots with work and on holiday and visiting our various far flung family & friends:-
North Yorks - the moors, Malton, Pickering and a fabulous coastline
Cornwall & Devon - You just can't go wrong, with anywhere (but St. Austell which is crap). The views just keep on coming round every corner there's summat to take yr breath away, or that just makes you go aaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Norfolk - the flatlands have a charm of there own and Ely is a delight, as is the coastline. (though Kings Lynn is suprisingly underwhelming)
Lincoln - a little gem of a city (like a miniture York)
Humberside - often underated because of the main city of Hull but theres a lot more to it than that, including some yummy little towns & villages along the coast
Durham & Durham City - this is probably our favourite 'undiscovered' place - astonishing countryside from wild windy moorland through rolling hills and farms to recently reclaimed stretches of stunning beaches with clifftop walks. the city of Durham & its associated University buildings, Castle and the best Cathederal in the UK bar none, as well as the tip-top night life, is an absolute must see for any tour.
Scottish Borders - what amazing countryside, and it's always been a regret that we've never really had more time to spend there - we always seem to be travelling through.
North Wales - we can only give this the very highest posssible reccommendation - well we live here! Snowdonia National Park on our doorstep, beaches galore, and more little quaint vilages than you can shake your stick at - it's stunning. and did we mention the luvverly lakes, rivers, fishing, golf, et al. A truly fabulous place tp visit or live.
Theres lots more too but we don't wanna bore you with our stuff
Have a lovely holiday
laff n chilli
we've been to quite a few spots with work and on holiday and visiting our various far flung family & friends:-
North Yorks - the moors, Malton, Pickering and a fabulous coastline
Cornwall & Devon - You just can't go wrong, with anywhere (but St. Austell which is crap). The views just keep on coming round every corner there's summat to take yr breath away, or that just makes you go aaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Norfolk - the flatlands have a charm of there own and Ely is a delight, as is the coastline. (though Kings Lynn is suprisingly underwhelming)
Lincoln - a little gem of a city (like a miniture York)
Humberside - often underated because of the main city of Hull but theres a lot more to it than that, including some yummy little towns & villages along the coast
Durham & Durham City - this is probably our favourite 'undiscovered' place - astonishing countryside from wild windy moorland through rolling hills and farms to recently reclaimed stretches of stunning beaches with clifftop walks. the city of Durham & its associated University buildings, Castle and the best Cathederal in the UK bar none, as well as the tip-top night life, is an absolute must see for any tour.
Scottish Borders - what amazing countryside, and it's always been a regret that we've never really had more time to spend there - we always seem to be travelling through.
North Wales - we can only give this the very highest posssible reccommendation - well we live here! Snowdonia National Park on our doorstep, beaches galore, and more little quaint vilages than you can shake your stick at - it's stunning. and did we mention the luvverly lakes, rivers, fishing, golf, et al. A truly fabulous place tp visit or live.
Theres lots more too but we don't wanna bore you with our stuff
Have a lovely holiday
laff n chilli
Quote by tweeky
Thanks Anais
Will have to go in one day. There is still lots I need to do in Bristol. Still not been up the Wills tower, thats one I need to do :cool:
Mmmmmm now that is one to look at in the future!!
The hermit's cave under the suspension bridge is worth a peak. Its a bit of climb down and scary in places (I don't like heights) but they are ropes to hang on to!
The photography group I belong to had a private view of Redcliffe Caves last night. I missed the boat cos I wasn't keeping me eye out on the invites
In a few weeks time we are going in some tunnels (hopefully) that go under part of temple meads station - that's not so offical 
I think Eden (cornwall)is a must visit if you like that sort of thing. The view as you walk in is fantastic, I loved it.
I just love York as well... and fountain/Kirkstall abbey up north are wonderful!
There are a few places in Britain that really give me a buzz. Places, that for me, have a quality that can't be defined with words. Something that can only be felt. "Something understood".
One was in Richmond Park not far from the Kingston Gate. About half way from there to the Isabella Plantation there appears to be a circular wood. But when you get there, you find that the ground inside dips downwards and the trees for a sort of circle. Maybe it is the remains of an old saucer barrow. I don't know. I often used to go there and read. After a while I found I would only take books like the Upanishads or the Gita or the Dhammapada there to read. It became a special place.
Another is the walk along the coast path from St. Peter's on the Wall round to Bradwell on Sea waterside. On a winter's day with some cold drizzle and a howling wind, it's lovely to look out across the bird sanctuary and estuary that leads to the North Sea then pause and have a cup of hot tea from a flask. (One hurries past the power station!)
About half way along Derwent Water on the Catbells side, Castle Crags comes into view. I first saw it at sunset and the mellow sunlight on the surrounding hills and on the Crags took my breath away.
Perhaps my favourite has got to be St David's. Whether it's walking around the fields or lanes of this tiny city or along the coast path there, for me there is a magic about the place. To go onto the headland and hear the crashing waves and see the remains of the neolithic huts is wonderful. There is something soothing about listening to the shipping forecast and hearing it's name called out, "St David's head" and hearing what the weather is doing there.
One was in Richmond Park not far from the Kingston Gate. About half way from there to the Isabella Plantation there appears to be a circular wood. But when you get there, you find that the ground inside dips downwards and the trees for a sort of circle. Maybe it is the remains of an old saucer barrow. I don't know. I often used to go there and read. After a while I found I would only take books like the Upanishads or the Gita or the Dhammapada there to read. It became a special place.
Another is the walk along the coast path from St. Peter's on the Wall round to Bradwell on Sea waterside. On a winter's day with some cold drizzle and a howling wind, it's lovely to look out across the bird sanctuary and estuary that leads to the North Sea then pause and have a cup of hot tea from a flask. (One hurries past the power station!)
About half way along Derwent Water on the Catbells side, Castle Crags comes into view. I first saw it at sunset and the mellow sunlight on the surrounding hills and on the Crags took my breath away.
Perhaps my favourite has got to be St David's. Whether it's walking around the fields or lanes of this tiny city or along the coast path there, for me there is a magic about the place. To go onto the headland and hear the crashing waves and see the remains of the neolithic huts is wonderful. There is something soothing about listening to the shipping forecast and hearing it's name called out, "St David's head" and hearing what the weather is doing there.
Quote by Cicero
There are a few places in Britain that really give me a buzz. Places, that for me, have a quality that can't be defined with words. Something that can only be felt. "Something understood".
One was in Richmond Park not far from the Kingston Gate. About half way from there to the Isabella Plantation there appears to be a circular wood. But when you get there, you find that the ground inside dips downwards and the trees for a sort of circle. Maybe it is the remains of an old saucer barrow. I don't know. I often used to go there and read. After a while I found I would only take books like the Upanishads or the Gita or the Dhammapada there to read. It became a special place.
Another is the walk along the coast path from St. Peter's on the Wall round to Bradwell on Sea waterside. On a winter's day with some cold drizzle and a howling wind, it's lovely to look out across the bird sanctuary and estuary that leads to the North Sea then pause and have a cup of hot tea from a flask. (One hurries past the power station!)
About half way along Derwent Water on the Catbells side, Castle Crags comes into view. I first saw it at sunset and the mellow sunlight on the surrounding hills and on the Crags took my breath away.
Perhaps my favourite has got to be St David's. Whether it's walking around the fields or lanes of this tiny city or along the coast path there, for me there is a magic about the place. To go onto the headland and hear the crashing waves and see the remains of the neolithic huts is wonderful. There is something soothing about listening to the shipping forecast and hearing it's name called out, "St David's head" and hearing what the weather is doing there.
St David's isn't a city, but it is quite nice.
Abersoch used to be nice before the chattering classes discovered it.
Durham is simply wonderful - stay at the Vic and make sure you see the Count's House and the little churches on the Bailey as well as the Cathedral and the Castle.
Druridge Bay is worth a mention, as is Kirkcudbright on a sunny day.
The drive to St Andrews can be lovely as well so long as you go when the students aren't around.
But my current winner? The drive up the A697 to the Scottish border
I quite agree actually. St David's doesn't feel like a city at all thankfully. It's too lovely for that. I only called it a city because it has a cathedral and I thought that gives it the title of 'city'. It feels like a small town. Even smaller than Abergavenny or Hereford.
The walk along the coast path between Tintagel and Boscastle is wonderful. Two particular sites. One called Rocky Valley, a steep sided inlet with lots of small rocks jutting out of the green cliffs and the other a beautiful place called Bossiney Cove which a lot of people miss as it's not sign posted from the coast path. Though it is from the road. One goes down a steep path to sea level and suddenly you're standing at the bottom of an inlet with vertical cliffs on three sides. A small waterfall from one of them takes a freshwater stream down through the sand to the sea. If you're lucky enough to get there when there's no one there, you could feel quite stunned.
The walk along the coast path between Tintagel and Boscastle is wonderful. Two particular sites. One called Rocky Valley, a steep sided inlet with lots of small rocks jutting out of the green cliffs and the other a beautiful place called Bossiney Cove which a lot of people miss as it's not sign posted from the coast path. Though it is from the road. One goes down a steep path to sea level and suddenly you're standing at the bottom of an inlet with vertical cliffs on three sides. A small waterfall from one of them takes a freshwater stream down through the sand to the sea. If you're lucky enough to get there when there's no one there, you could feel quite stunned.
Quote by CiceroYou are correct. A cathedral confers city status. Another small city is Salisbury, quite and if you just look up above the shop fronts there are the old building fronts.
I quite agree actually. St David's doesn't feel like a city at all thankfully. It's too lovely for that. I only called it a city because it has a cathedral and I thought that gives it the title of 'city'. It feels like a small town. Even smaller than Abergavenny or Hereford.
....
...but I like the outside, on a sunny spring day. Anywhere were I can get away from the buzz of the world.
Quote by Cicero
There are a few places in Britain that really give me a buzz. Places, that for me, have a quality that can't be defined with words. Something that can only be felt. "Something understood".
One was in Richmond Park not far from the Kingston Gate. About half way from there to the Isabella Plantation there appears to be a circular wood. But when you get there, you find that the ground inside dips downwards and the trees for a sort of circle. Maybe it is the remains of an old saucer barrow. I don't know. I often used to go there and read. After a while I found I would only take books like the Upanishads or the Gita or the Dhammapada there to read. It became a special place.
Another is the walk along the coast path from St. Peter's on the Wall round to Bradwell on Sea waterside. On a winter's day with some cold drizzle and a howling wind, it's lovely to look out across the bird sanctuary and estuary that leads to the North Sea then pause and have a cup of hot tea from a flask. (One hurries past the power station!)
About half way along Derwent Water on the Catbells side, Castle Crags comes into view. I first saw it at sunset and the mellow sunlight on the surrounding hills and on the Crags took my breath away.
Perhaps my favourite has got to be St David's. Whether it's walking around the fields or lanes of this tiny city or along the coast path there, for me there is a magic about the place. To go onto the headland and hear the crashing waves and see the remains of the neolithic huts is wonderful. There is something soothing about listening to the shipping forecast and hearing it's name called out, "St David's head" and hearing what the weather is doing there.
cracking post :thumbup:
Sex God
Exmoor national park
We love this wonderful place and comunity
We love this wonderful place and comunity
Not an urban myth at all...
City status in the United Kingdom is granted by the British monarch to a select group of communities. The holding of city status gives a settlement no special rights other than that of calling itself a "city". Nonetheless, this appellation carries its own prestige and, consequently, competitions for the status are hard fought. The status does not apply automatically on the basis of any particular criteria, although in England and Wales it was traditionally given to towns with diocesan cathedrals. This association between having a cathedral and being called a city was established in the early 1540s when King Henry VIII founded dioceses (each having a cathedral in the see city) in six English towns and also granted them city status by issuing letters patent.
I still love Cornwall for it's ability to have remained lovely.
City status in the United Kingdom is granted by the British monarch to a select group of communities. The holding of city status gives a settlement no special rights other than that of calling itself a "city". Nonetheless, this appellation carries its own prestige and, consequently, competitions for the status are hard fought. The status does not apply automatically on the basis of any particular criteria, although in England and Wales it was traditionally given to towns with diocesan cathedrals. This association between having a cathedral and being called a city was established in the early 1540s when King Henry VIII founded dioceses (each having a cathedral in the see city) in six English towns and also granted them city status by issuing letters patent.
I still love Cornwall for it's ability to have remained lovely.
Quote byYou are correct. A cathedral confers city status. Another small city is Salisbury, quite and if you just look up above the shop fronts there are the old building fronts.
I quite agree actually. St David's doesn't feel like a city at all thankfully. It's too lovely for that. I only called it a city because it has a cathedral and I thought that gives it the title of 'city'. It feels like a small town. Even smaller than Abergavenny or Hereford.
....
...but I like the outside, on a sunny spring day. Anywhere were I can get away from the buzz of the world.
You are wrong. A cathedral only confers city status in England, where a cathedral of the established church confers city status. In Wales, since disestablishment, a cathedral does not confer city status. Hence Newport did not become a city when St Woolos became the cathedral church of the diocese of Monmouth established after the creation of the Church in Wales, as opposed to the Church of England.
Quote by awaymanYou are correct. A cathedral confers city status. Another small city is Salisbury, quite and if you just look up above the shop fronts there are the old building fronts.
I quite agree actually. St David's doesn't feel like a city at all thankfully. It's too lovely for that. I only called it a city because it has a cathedral and I thought that gives it the title of 'city'. It feels like a small town. Even smaller than Abergavenny or Hereford.
....
...but I like the outside, on a sunny spring day. Anywhere were I can get away from the buzz of the world.
You are wrong. A cathedral only confers city status in England, where a cathedral of the established church confers city status. In Wales, since disestablishment, a cathedral does not confer city status. Hence Newport did not become a city when St Woolos became the cathedral church of the diocese of Monmouth established after the creation of the Church in Wales, as opposed to the Church of England.
Ah well, I've been Wiki'ed I see.
Nothing to disprove the specific example offered however.
