By Lotty
Staycation: City Breaks
Following our staycation post (featuring Forest Holidays), we continue our series on the best places to travel to in the UK this summer. Today, we feature three of our favourite city destinations… London, Brighton & Edinburgh.
London
London is our hometown and it has a lot to offer, whether you live here, or are just visiting. It’s at its best during the summer and is arguably the best city to be in when the sun is shining!
Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash
Things to Do…
Regent Street’s Summer Streets is celebrating its fifth year this summer. Catch the last this Sunday 23rd of July, where Regent Street will be closed to vehicles and become a pedestrian paradise. Visitors and Londoners alike can enjoy a range of entertainment and activities from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly. And the best part… it’s free! 😃
There are plenty of remarkable museums in London and if we listed them all it could go on for a while… But, if you like contemporary art, check out what’s on this summer at the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park. All the exhibitions are free and its location is one of the most beautiful settings in London, split across either side of The Serpentine Lake.
Like museums, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to food. But, a fun way to explore the diverse cuisine of the capital is to visit a market. Borough Market is our favourite and is London’s oldest market, located near London Bridge. Plus Bridget Jones lives there…
For a spot of sightseeing, try the City Cruise. It’s a great way to see some of the landmarks of London along the Thames, from four piers near popular attractions: Westminster, London Eye, Tower of London and Greenwich. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views!
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
Brighton
Probably one of the most famous coastal towns in the country, Brighton is a loveable and eccentric place; filled with amazing food, art, culture and nightlife with hundreds of interesting venues like the Royal Pavilion.
Things to Do…
The magnificence of the Pavilion would look more at home in India or China (re-designed by architect John Nash to look this way), but is located right in the centre of Brighton. It’s an iconic part of the town and definitely worth a visit.
If you fancy a wander about the town and a bit of window-shopping, The Lanes are an unusual twist of narrow lanes and archways in the historic quarter of Brighton (originally the heart of the old fishing village). They now offer an amazing variety of small shops, quirky cafés and great spots to eat. Try out the Giggling Squid on Market Street, if you like Thai food.Or for seafood lovers, go to Riddle & Finns, the most recommended seafood in Brighton. You can get Champagne and oysters if you’re feeling fancy! Or, if you’re there during the week, they offer an affordable set menu for 2 courses Monday – Friday 12pm – 7pm.
For an energetic activity, hire a paddleboard and paddle round towards the West Pier. This was Britain’s most iconic pier (before it was damaged in a huge fire) and today is the most photographed building in Brighton. It has become increasingly more derelict, but its beautiful sculptural remains are worth viewing from afar, especially at sunset.
Photo by Harry Shelton on Pexels
Edinburgh
The capital city of Scotland is a vibrant and historical city with no shortage of things to do. You can explore the outdoors, discover the lively nightlife, browse the quirky boutique shops, or make the most of one of the variety of colourful festivals.
Things to Do…
Every year, for three weeks in August, Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of culture and arts with the Fringe Festival. From big names in the entertainment industry, to small-unknown artists and theatre companies, you can see a huge variety of performances at the Fringe.
If wit and British charm is your thing, get a ticket for Buzz: A New Musical.
During their recent stint in London, we saw the action-packed Fat Rascal Theatre production and were not disappointed! Last year, it was a sell out show at the Fringe and they are taking it back this summer.
Written and performed by graduated E15 students, this comedy takes the audience on a hilarious journey through the history of ‘the vibrator’. Lead character Angie (think Miranda Hart) speaks directly to the audience throughout her brutally honest and personal quest to find her ‘sexual independence’ (ahem… first vibrator*). It’s a must-see and will have you buzzing all the way home… 😏
Foodies should head to one of the many markets in Edinburgh. Street Food Friday’s is a popular one, located in Fountainbridge at the start of the Union Canal, every Friday. You can expect local pop-up restaurants with a fun and lively vibe. Or, head to Edinburgh Farmer’s Market (every Saturday 9am-2pm), located in the imposing shadows of Edinburgh Castle.
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Photo by Peter Cordes on Unsplash
Find out more:
London – 10 Fun Affordable Things to Do
Enjoy more staycations:
Staycation: Forest Holidays
Get back to nature with an enriching break in Britain’s beautiful forests
Staycation: Countryside Breaks
Beaches, walks & a day at the races
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