Summer 18 around the UK

 

It is well known that us Londoners can find it difficult to appreciate anything outside the M25 and this is a shame as the rest of the UK does have a lot to offer! I did try to visit a few places this summer but my to do list is long and I plan to do better in 2019!

Beaches

There are plenty of lovely beaches in the UK which people often disregard due to cold weather but this year wasn’t an excuse! Even from London, there are many you can visit on a day trip:

Brighton Beach – one of my favourite beaches in the South for many reasons. The pier has entertainment for all, the beach bars and clubs are a lot of fun and you’ll soon overlook the fact that it’s a pebbled beach. And Britney performed at Pride there this year so that says it all really! The city itself is great to explore and very easy to reach on the road or via train from London Victoria.

On my most recent visit here, I also visited Worthing Beach which is about 25 minutes drive away from Brighton. If you plan to stay in Brighton for longer than a day or so and are looking for cheaper accommodation, this could be your answer.

Dymchurch Beach – this lovely sandy beach in Kent is an hour and a half drive from London. This year was perfect for sunbathing here everyday (but should be done before 5pm when the tide comes in fully) . A very short walking distance away is an English heritage site, a funfair and a delightful afternoon tea spot called Mary’s Tea Room.

Festivals

British festivals are down to earth and usually wet and muddy…but not this year! I went to Parklife in Manchester which runs over 2 days in June. It isn’t a camping festival but being the North, you can stay in the city for a decent price (but I’m lucky to have friends up there). The line up was amazing – N.E.R.D, The XX, Lourde, Sampha and Giggs to name a few. If you’re bougie like us, you can get VIP tickets for an extra £20 which gives you access to less crowded bar areas, a disco tent and much better toilet and water filling experiences! It’s a great alternative to Wireless Festival in London.

The Great Outdoors

You’ve probably seen the lavender fields all over Instagram but did you know that some existed in the UK too?! I visited the Hitchin Lavender Farm which has both lavender and sunflower fields! As the season is almost over, it is now free to enter (open until the 16th of September) .

Cambridge – a great place to visit to have a picnic in the sun, go punting on the river and appreciate the beauty of its colleges. I spent half a day here in July (with no photos to show for it sadly!)

Plans for further warm weather and 2019:

*To visit Stonehenge – on Summer Solistice is the ultimate dream!

*A summer visit to the Peak District. I saw its beauty in the snow last year so I’m looking forward to see it in its green glory.

*Cornwall – on a sunny day, it looks like a foreign beach! It is quite a few hours drive from London and well anywhere else in the country really so has to be done as a proper holiday.

*And finally to appreciate Ireland, Wales and Scotland in warmer weather.

 

Where has been your favourite UK place this summer? And any for your bucket list in the coming year?

 

J Xo