Love Travelling Blog

Travel diaries providing inspiration for planning the perfect trip

UK by Rail

  • British Waterways building alongside the canal, Nottingham

    Nottingham – a perfect weekend break

    Nottingham is often referred to as the ‘Queen of the East Midlands’ because the English kings held court there when they went hunting in its surrounding forests.  It’s also famous for the legendary Robin Hood so we thought it was about time that we explored the city for ourselves. Nottingham is easily accessible from all…

  • Punting under the Mathematical Bridge, River Cam, Cambridge

    The Ultimate Guide to Spending a Weekend in Cambridge

    We had arrived in Cambridge by train the previous evening and checked into the nearby Cambridge Central Travelodge a short stroll away.  The hotel overlooks the central plaza of the Cambridge Leisure Park where there are several places to eat, plus two small supermarkets meaning that we didn’t need to venture into the centre that…

  • The Book Hive, Norwich centre

    A weekend in Norwich

    After enjoying recent weekends away in Bristol and Birmingham we decided to turn our attention to Norwich and take a look at the county town of Norfolk.  Norwich lies approximately 100 miles (161 km) north east of London in East Anglia.  We travelled by train and coming from the north of England, I took a…

  • Coloured houses on Bristol waterfront

    Bristol City Break – Day 1

    After enjoying city breaks in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham we decided to head to the south west of England for our next weekend away.  My journey on board a CrossCountry train was pleasant, having an interesting conversation with an Edinburgh green keeper, learning about life on one of Scotland’s premier golf courses as we journeyed…

  • Blackpool Tower and beach

    A day at the seaside in Blackpool 

    It’s been a number of years since we last visited Blackpool, one of England’s premier seaside resorts, so we thought we’d return and see if it had changed.  Blackpool is located in the north west of England on Lancashire’s Fylde coast.  We travelled by train, arriving into Blackpool North station shortly before lunch.  When purchasing…

  • Grand Central, Birmingham at New Street Station

    A weekend in Birmingham

    Meeting my son for a weekend away in the U.K. has usually resulted in trips to London or Edinburgh so for a change we decided to explore Britain’s second city, Birmingham.  Strangely, Birmingham isn’t a city I am familiar with, in fact I’ve only ever visited three times and then only to attend courses and…

  • Sheffield Town Hall Fountain

    How to spend a day in Sheffield

    It’s been at least 15 years since I last visited Sheffield so it was time to return to see how the city centre has changed.  We travelled by train arriving into Sheffield station late morning.  The concourse seemed bright and airy leading out onto Sheaf Square, a pedestrianised plaza featuring a cascading water wall and…

  • Ice rink outside London's National History Museum

    A late autumn visit to London

    A cold morning at home so before leaving the house I donned my winter coat and woollen scarf for my journey to London.  I find long distance train travel relaxing and, once on board, I settled down to reading ‘Mr. Gandy’s Grand Tour’ by Alan Titchmarsh and happily spent the journey with my book, some…

  • The London Eye illuminated at night

    A weekend in London

    Although I live in the north of England I’ve been fortunate to spend countless weekends in London over the years.  There’s always something happening and I never tire of a visit to the capital.   Hopefully on this four day visit I can introduce some lesser known attractions in addition to the city’s famous sights.…

  • Edinburgh Castle Wall

    A winter weekend in Edinburgh

    It’s not long since I returned from Madeira, my short working week over, I was off on my travels again.  Late on a Thursday afternoon I was on my way to Scotland’s capital city, travelling by train on a Cross Country service.  I had reserved a window seat and although it was already dark, its…

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