Five Must See Areas in Devon

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Five Must See Areas in Devon

Devon is a wonderful place to visit for a holiday at any time of year, although mid-spring to mid-autumn is the most popular period. It has a range of accommodation to choose from, which includes quaint bed and breakfast establishments, hotels, and Devon holiday cottages. Anyone one of these is the perfect place from which to go out an explore what this beautiful part of the U.K. has to offer.

Dartmoor

Although the UK is a densely populated country, Dartmoor still retains its remote atmosphere, and to a certain degree, visiting the wilderness areas can feel like stepping back in time. Its rugged beauty has inspired authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as well as poets and painters. Famous for its ancient standing stones, bogs, rivers and Tors, no visit to Devon would be complete without spending a day or two on Dartmoor.

Plymouth and Exeter

These are the two major cities within the county of Devon, although each one is distinct in ambience and appearance. Plymouth, for example, is considered to be the cultural centre of Devon, is family friendly, as is the place to go to visit the theatre, see a band or visit an art gallery. Exeter is the place to go for shopping in small boutiques and wandering along its cobbled streets.

The English Riviera

Torquay may be associated wit Basil Fawlty in some peoples minds, but it also home to festivals, sporting events and a UNESCO rated Geopark. It has a rich maritime history that can be discovered by wandering along the seafront and harbours, as well as visiting the museums. Some of the best restaurants in Devon can be found in Torquay, and if not staying there, it is certainly worthwhile visiting.

South Devon

Devon is renowned for its beautiful coastline, and nowhere is this more evident than in the south. Vast beach areas lay in either direction, and watersports enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to try some surfing. Visitors from overseas may want to keep in mind that even in the height of summer, a wetsuit is needed to surf! The breaks and waves are awesome though.

North Devon

Again, surfers will be in their element here, where arguably some of the best surfing in England can be enjoyed. Hiking and mountain biking are other activities that can be enjoyed to the full here. The coastline once more is extremely beautiful, and the countryside that also comprises the area contains many stately homes which are certainly worth visiting.

The best way to get around Devon, is to have independent transport such as a car, motorbike or bicycle. Whilst there is public transport, it is not an entirely suitable means of reaching some of the more remote an unique areas that should be seen.

Whether staying for a weekend, week or longer, Devon has a great deal to hold the attention of the visitor and leave them wanting more. With the best weather in the UK and some of the most pristine wilderness areas, it is not hard to see why some people return year after year.

 

 

 

 

Booking Ahead for London Theatre Breaks

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If you are thinking of taking a weekend break in London, you will soon come to realise that there are a great many things to see and do. Even by just sticking to the major highlights it would be difficult squeezing them all in during a two day trip, and so the last thing that you want to do is to organise tickets for things such as the theatre whilst you are actually there. Instead, it is far easier to organise theatre breaks in London online before you go.

Websites such as these are a huge bonus for people booking short or long term breaks, as everything can be done online from the comfort of home. Not only can the tickets for shows themselves be booked in advance, but so too can hotels and even rail transport. This is the best way to maximise your time in London, and ensure that you have the most memorable and enjoyable break possible.

 

Top 10 Places To Go in East Sussex, England

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Top 10 Places To Go in East Sussex, England

England can be a fairly hard place to figure out if you have never visited before, and the obvious place tourists head to is the capital, London. Although London is obviously a fantastic destination, and a must-see for most, England has a lot to offer apart from the capital’s attractions. With a wide variety of urbanised and rural areas, England can almost feel like different countries depending where you choose to visit. In my top 10 places to go in East Sussex you will get a mix of family days out, mostly found in the city of Brighton, and a couple destinations in surrounding areas.

East Sussex is home to Brighton, and Brighton is the most popular place in the whole of Sussex, with an ever-increasing choice of things to do for families and young people.

So here are my top 10 places to go in East Sussex.

  1. Family Day Out at Drusillas Park- Leading Sussex Zoo

Drusillas Park is located in Alfriston, East Sussex, and is revered as the best small zoo in the country. There is something special about a great day out at the zoo with the family, and there is always something new and interesting to see. Drusillas have excelled in making the family day out at the zoo more than just walking through a park and peering at animals. There is high level of interactivity available making this zoo perfect for families with hard-to-entertain children, as well couples wanting to go for a stroll through the zoo.

  1. Brighton Beach

Brighton beach has made it into my top 10 list because it is a simple yet great way to unwind and soak up some of the culture of Brighton whilst sunning yourself on the pebbles. However, there is a more to the beach than the stunning sea and crashing waves. Brighton beach is surrounded with extra activities that make it a day out in itself. Once on the beach you can’t help but notice the strip of daytime/nightlife bars and clubs serving ice cold drinks and a variety of dishes from around the world.

  1. Pavilion Gardens

The pavilion gardens are steeped in history and magnificent to look at. Once in the gardens, you escape from the hustle and bustle of English city streets and enter into a garden of stunning wildlife, musical entertainment and of course the Royal Pavilion with its Eastern-inspired design and mysterious appeal.

  1. Brighton Marina

If you are interested in a day out that could consist of pretty much any type of food you like, from favourites such as Nandos and Pizza Hut to specialist Italian restaurants, then the Brighton Marina might be exactly what you’re looking for. The Brighton Marina of course offers a lot more than nice food; its appeal is its Sidney Australia-inspired design, beautiful boatyard and array of family activities such as the cinema, bowling complex and scenic walks.

 

  1. Preston Park in Brighton

Preston Park in Brighton is a large park located outside the city centre, with everything you need to have a relaxing family day out. There are classic park attractions such as children’s outdoor adventure activities, as well as areas of protected flora and fauna and enough open grass to have a good run around. The bus routes to town are efficient and regular, so you can head to see more of Brighton should you wish to.

  1. Brighton Palace Pier

As one of the most popular destinations in Brighton for the tourists, The Palace Pier is often overlooked by the people of Brighton, yet still incredibly popular with people from surrounding areas. Along the pier you will find traditional English seaside entertainment such as slot machines and arcades, as well as a nice variety of food from authentic oriental noodles to doughnuts and desert stalls. To top it off you have a great view of Brighton whilst you walk further over the sea towards some funfair style rides.

  1. North Laines and South Lanes Brighton

For the keen shoppers wanting to take home a piece of English fashion, the North Laines and South Lanes will be just what you are looking for. Divided by one of Brighton’s main roads (North Street) the Laines are a shoppers’ heaven and offer a completely different shopping experience to that of many English towns and cities. The maze of streets lined with niche and specialist shops make it impossible to not be intrigued and want to look further into every shop you see. You will find quirky and strange, traditional English and world inspired shops, restaurants and cafes to entertain you.

  1. South Downs National Park

The chalk downland of the South Downs National Park is a long stretch along the seafront attracting over 40 million visitors a year. The South Downs National Park runs from the East of Hampshire to East and West Sussex, with the most popular attractions being Beachy Head and Seven Sisters. As well as an international pull, the national park attracts many people from London looking for a break from the city.

  1. Kemptown Brighton

Another Brighton destination, and a must-see for anyone thinking about visiting Brighton or East Sussex. Kemptown is wellknown for its gay-friendly residents and local bars and clubs, but is worth seeing despite your orientation because of its great positioning and cultural place within England. Located close to the sea and very near the town centre, it is a popular place to live and an entertainment hotspot.

  1. Brighton Sea Life Centre

Brighton’s Sea Life Centre is a popular attraction located opposite the pier, and just a stones throw from the sea. After facing a complete refurbishment in Spring 2012, the Sea Life Centre is back and as popular as ever for people who want to see some of the wonders of the sea.

 

Author Bio

Tom Clark is a Brighton-based writer who enjoys writing about travel in the UK and giving advice on family days out in Sussex, England. He is writing on behalf of Drusillas Park http://www.drusillas.co.uk/.

 

(Image credit to Drusillas Park and Yuliya Libkina)

Hostals, the Money Saving Alternative for Budget Travelling

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Hostals, the Money Saving Alternative for Budget Traveling

Budget travellers are always searching for means of accommodations that do not make them break the bank. A hostal can be a great choice, if not a money saving alternative, because their prices are usually lower than what you can see in a hotel.

Budget Hostal

A Budget Hostal can save travellers money

Hostals are ideal for budget travelling for many reasons. First, their rates are quite affordable, while they allow privacy and ensure cleanliness and prompt service. Second, you can choose them for prolonged stays, and cut down the expenses by giving up on some services, like laundry and such. Third, they are much cheaper than hotels, while their services lack nothing. Last, but not least, some of them enjoy great locations, from which you can explore the surroundings at your heart’s content.

The price being the most important criterion for budget minded travelers, hostals represent a very good choice instead of hotels. They offer the same conveniences, but they do not overcharge your credit card, allowing you to enjoy a great vacation.

Travel to Spain this Winter

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Spain has for many years been a popular holiday destination for people not only from the UK, but around the world. Many people visit Spain for the culture or way of life, whilst for others, the main attraction is the legendary Spanish weather. Due to its southern location, it enjoys a great climate almost the whole year through, and some people choose to travel to Spain in the winter in order to enjoy their vacation then.

Of course, Spain is a huge country, and the climate does vary from region to region. Checking up on what the climate is like in each region is vital if considering taking a winter vacation. There are many useful websites out there, and one useful site I have found, is Spanish weather. It details all the different cities and regions, and provides great info not only for people planning a holiday, but also those that might even be considering moving there on a more permanent basis.

The internet is of great assistance to anyone planning their holidays, and sites like this are a vital asset. Just five minutes spent doing a little research can mean that an informed decision is made on the time of year to travel.

Making Sure You See Everything On Your London Visit

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Making Sure You See Everything On Your London Visit

There are so many London attractions that people can often find that a week in the city still leaves so many things that they haven’t seen. One of the best things that people can do is to set out a plan of what they would like to see before they visit the city, and then to design their week so that they don’t miss out on anything. Some people will want to see a specific type of attraction, while others will want to see a broad range of the attractions that the city has to offer, and London is such a wonderful place to visit.

 There are plenty of websites that can help people to decide where they will want to go, and these will often be able to suggest a schedule that they can use during the visit to London that will help them to see all the attractions.

Tips for Renting Great Accommodations at Great Prices

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Tips for Renting Great Accommodations at Great Prices

A lot of people wish to travel cheap, since they want to have more money to spend on sightseeing or buying souvenirs. A good idea would be to opt for a hostal, in terms of accommodations, in case you travel to Spain or other countries where Spanish is spoken on a regular basis.

A hostal can meet your needs and it will not charge you a lot. Hostal rooms are often preferred to hotel rooms, because they do not have the same expensive price. And this is not all. These independent businesses offer all the basic services, like housekeeping, towels, and linens, and still charge a lower rate.

You do not have to worry about not being able to find a decent meal, when you stay in a hostal. Most of them have some sort of cafeteria or restaurant close by, or even on their grounds, where decent meals can be purchased for decent prices.

How to Go Through a Night in a Hostel Dorm Room

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How to Go Through a Night in a Hostel Dorm Room

In order to save money on their trips, a lot of people choose to book a hostel, instead of a traditional room in a hotel, as they can pay up to ten time less for such accommodations. However, spending the night in a hostel can be a real challenge, especially if you do not know what to expect.

First, you have to understand that most rooms in hostels are exactly like dorm rooms, where a lot of people share the same living space. Some ruckus is expected, since not everyone will want to sleep at the same hour, and many young guests prefer to party all night long.

In case you want to sleep, you must have at least a pair of ear plugs brought from home. They will isolate you from major sources of noise, and you will be able to get a bit of shut-eye. Also, protecting your belonging with locks, and even hiding the most valuable stuff you have in a bag that you can keep under the pillow is highly recommended. You can get through a hectic overnight hostel stay, but only if you know how to protect yourself and your belongings.

Ideal Hostel Stays for Budget Travelers

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Ideal Hostel Stays for Budget Travelers

Backpackers are not people that love splurging while travelling, which is why they choose to book a hostel instead of staying with a pricey hotel. This can be a great travel tip, and one that can help to save a substantial amount of money. If your choice of accommodation is a hostel, here are some ideas on how to make the best of your stay.

First, you should reserve a room, or a bunk bed in a room, in advance, if you do not want any surprises. Crowded cities do not often have hostel vacancies, so it is wise to have your place booked ahead of time. Second, if you do not like spending your night in the company of strangers, search for a private room, where you can be alone, and still pay a reasonable price.

It is very important that you know what hostel life really is. If you are strongly set against any kind of noise, maybe a hostel stay is not for you. A lot of guests like to party until the wee hours of the morning, and they do not really care for other people’s wishes.

Basic Advice for Sleeping in Hostels

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Basic Advice for Sleeping in Hostels

Hostels are favored by backpackers and young people because they are very affordable. If you choose to book a hostel room, though, you will learn that there are some things you need to know before leaving home.

Not many hostels provide sheets for their guests, and it is better to get your own sheets from home, anyway. Also, most hostel rooms are large spaces where many people sleep, so, if you are very particular about your privacy, you may need to reconsider your accommodation choices. In case you do not travel with a lot of money and you still want to spend the night with a roof above your head, you may find it helpful to learn that most hostels allow their guests to lend a hand in the kitchen or at cleaning. These small tasks can lower your cost per room or even ensure a free stay, if you do not mind working a bit for the privilege.