United Kingdom
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Bristol Travel Guide: How to Plan the Perfect Trip
Getting there Bristol is ideally situated with excellent transport links and enjoys good road access being at the intersection of both the M4 and M5 motorways. For visitors preferring to travel by train, Bristol Temple Meads railway station is the largest rail hub in the west of England with direct services from London, Scotland, Manchester…
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A Thames Walk Along the South Bank to Westminster
After breakfast at our hotel in Kensington, we took the District Line to East Putney with the intention of taking a stroll along the Thames Path towards Barnes. However, our plans were dashed as it started to pour with rain just as we left the underground station. Instead, we decided a morning’s shopping was more…
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A Festive London Break
It’s always fun to spend time in London especially at Christmas and with exceptionally good timing we just managed to squeeze in a short break days before the Government announced stricter COVID-19 measures. Hotel rates had dropped significantly in recent months meaning that we were able to book a bargain stay in the affluent borough…
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The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, Belfast Review
Hotel Review The Harrison Chambers of Distinction is a newly opened hotel and formerly a Victorian merchants’ residence dating from 1879. Owner Melanie Harrison has expertly woven past and present into a celebration of all that is great about Belfast. Carpets are from Ulster Carpets, the company who fitted out the ill fated Titanic, Victorian…
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Exploring the Belfast Peace Walls and Titanic Experience
Our long weekend in Belfast was drawing to a close but gladly we still had a full day of interesting activities planned for our final day. After a delicious breakfast at the Harrison Hotel we packed up our belongings and we reluctantly checked out of our lovely rooms which had been home for the last…
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How to Visit the Giant’s Causeway on a Day Tour from Belfast
We were up bright and early as we’d booked tickets (£25 each) for a full day excursion on a combined Giant’s Causeway and Games of Thrones tour with McComb’s Coach Travel. The meeting point was outside the Europa Hotel for our departure at 8.30 a.m. The company seemed very organised as we set off on…
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Belfast: The Best Bits to See and Do
We woke to another bright morning and after starting the day with my favourite bircher muesli, fresh fruit and pastries at the lovely Harrison Hotel we were soon ready to walk into the city centre. Belfast is a great walking city as it’s relatively flat and quite compact. It only takes about 20 minutes to…
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Best Belfast Walking Tours to Take for Exploring the City
We woke to a bright sunny morning and after enjoying a delicious continental breakfast at The Harrison, the lovely hotel where we were staying, it was then just a ten minute walk to the Ulster Museum. Entrance to the museum is free of charge but it is recommended that visitors pre-book a timed slot to…
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Weekend in Belfast: Staying at The Harrison Hotel
When considering where to go on holiday in these uncertain times, Belfast ticked all the boxes for us. We’d still be travelling by air, feeling as if we were actually going abroad but with the security of knowing that we couldn’t be quarantined on our return as Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. …
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A Walk Around Abergavenny: Top Things to See and Do
Abergavenny is a Welsh border town located in Monmouthshire, South Wales on the banks of the River Usk. It’s a popular base for touring the nearby Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains and as we were in the area, it was an ideal opportunity for us to explore the town. We arrived on a recent Sunday…
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Explore Symonds Yat and Monmouth: The Ultimate Day Out for Nature and History Lovers
Symonds Yat is a scenic beauty spot spanning the River Wye. It is located mid-way between the market towns of Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, both approximately five miles away. Narrow, winding roads lead to the village centre at Symonds Yat East and continuing slightly further there is a large car park where we were able to…
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Travel Guide to Ross-on-Wye: What to See and Do in a Day
Ross-on-Wye is an historic market town sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This scenic part of Herefordshire is only an hour’s drive from Birmingham and is easily accessible, being just off the M50 motorway. The town centre, with its attractive Tudor buildings is centred around the…
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Travel Guide to Tewkesbury: Top Things to See and Do
Our travels took us to the medieval town of Tewkesbury, noted for its well preserved half timbered Tudor buildings and its 12th century Abbey. We started our walk around town at The Cross adjoining the High Street which has a wonderful collection of Tudor buildings including the cantilevered 18th century Golden Key House, the top…
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Top Things to Do in Cirencester: Discover the Cotswolds’ Historic Capital
Cirencester is located 80 miles west of London and is often referred to as the capital of the Cotswolds as it lies in the heart of this beautiful part of England. It was our first visit to this prosperous market town and after finding somewhere to park on the edge of the town, we were…
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Exploring Hengistbury Head, Dorset: A Scenic Coastal Walk Guide
Hengistbury Head is a dramatic headland located close to Bournemouth and to the south of Christchurch harbour. It’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a local nature reserve. There are two large car parks near to the start of the walk situated next to the popular Hiker Cafe. For the less energetic, a…
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How to Spend a Day in Weymouth: Best Things to See and Do
During our stay along the Dorset coast we decided to spend a day in Weymouth which is the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located along the Dorset and east Devon coast. After parking near to the town’s marina we admired some of the many yachts moored there on our…
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A Walk from Bournemouth to Sandbanks: A Stunning Dorset Coastline Route
After having recently enjoyed a walk eastwards from Bournemouth pier to Boscombe, we decided it was time to explore the coast along the opposite direction. Our walk commenced at Pier Approach which is the gateway to Bournemouth’s seafront and links the town centre to the beach via the pretty Lower Gardens. Pier Approach has changed…
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Lymington Travel Guide: What to See and Do in the New Forest’s Coastal Gem
Lymington is a Georgian market town located on the western bank of the Lymington river in Hampshire and is surrounded on three sides by the New Forest National Park. The town has a railway station which is on a branch line to Brockenhurst with links to the south coast main line between London and Weymouth.…
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A Walk Around Poole, Dorset: Explore the Historic Quayside and Coastline
Poole is a coastal town in Dorset close to the larger resort of Bournemouth and is noted for its large natural harbour and historic quayside. I started my tour of the town next to the Dolphin Shopping Centre so I had a little look around the shops there before continuing along Poole High Street. This…
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How to Spend a Day in Dorchester: Top Things to See and Do
Dorchester is the county town of Dorset in south west England and on one sunny Sunday morning recently we decided to go along and explore this historic market town. We left our car in the Fairfield long stay car-park which we were pleased to discover offered free parking all day Sunday making this a welcome…
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A Walk from Bournemouth to Boscombe: A Scenic Stroll Along the Dorset Coast
Setting off from Pier Approach on Bournemouth’s seafront we decided to take a circular walk along to the suburb of Boscombe. It was to be a pier to pier walk plus a little more besides. From Bournemouth Pier we set off in an easterly direction along the lower promenade which is known as the Undercliff. …
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How to Spend a Day in Wimborne Minster: Top Things to See and Do
The attractive small market town of Wimborne Minster lies ten miles north west of the seaside resort of Bournemouth in Dorset. Before setting off we’d consulted the Parkopedia website for suggestions on where to park. We find Parkopedia really useful as it offers up-to-date advice and prices. For Wimborne it had recommended the Westfield Close…
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CitySuites Aparthotel Manchester Review
Hotel Review Location CitySuites is located on Chapel Street in the heart of Manchester city centre and just a five minute walk from Victoria Station. For guests arriving by car, discounted parking rates are available at the adjacent Q-Park Manchester and Exchange Square with its Metrolink tram station is close at hand. The aparthotel us…
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Visiting Altrincham and Sale by Tram from Manchester: A Day Trip Guide
Our final day in Manchester and the sun was still shining! After a leisurely breakfast in our cosy suite we gathered together our belongings and checked out of CitySuites, leaving our bags at reception to collect later in the day. Making the most of our weekend tram pass, it was then back to nearby Exchange…