To celebrate English Tourism Week MiHi Lois & Joe have written about their favourite places to visit up and down the country in hope that you’ll feel inspired to travel somewhere new this year, and support the many hardworking individuals within the UK tourism industry!
Lois loves…Falmouth
Nicknamed ‘Falifornia’, the Cornish fishing town of Falmouth is a real cultural hot-spot, partly due to the number of arts students at the university. The town centre is often buzzing with activity and has a mix of many quirky and independent places to eat, newly opened tapas bar Bahamas Mamas looks great! There’s also an array of specialist shops, bars and art galleries and microbreweries.
A little further out of town you can find areas of natural beauty and of course, Gylly Beach, which has its own Café serving up delicious locally sourced dishes. If you’re considering a trip, make sure you check out their jam-packed events calendar beforehand, in case something takes your fancy. A particular highlight is the popular Oyster Festival where you can find amazing seafood, live music and local ale!
…and Brighton
Brighton is creative and exciting city which has something for everyone, whether you’re planning a break for the whole family or romantic trip for two. With its vibrant night life, legendary beachfront and fabulous maze of twisting lanes adorned with cool shops, restaurants and bars there’s plenty to see and do.
A trip to The Royal Pavilion is a must – even if you don’t step inside, the exterior is breath-taking. Kids will love having fun on the pier, there’s plenty of rides and amusements, plus delicious fish & chips! If the weather is on your side, be sure to have some beers on the beach, during the summer there’s usually all types of street entertainment right through until sundown. Come evening you can hit the town, Komedia is a brilliant comedy club and Twisted Lemon does great cockails!
Joe loves….Chester
Chester is a beautiful city situated between Liverpool and Manchester, and serves as a perfect base to explore the north west of England. It combines historical elegance with modern living for a fantastic getaway. Originally a Roman city, Chester boasts the largest Roman amphitheatre in the country, and the surrounding walls are the most complete in Britain.
No matter if you’re visiting with your friends, partner or the whole family; there’s plenty to see and do. The city is famous for its 700 year-old Row galleries, where fashion boutiques, independent shops and high street favourites all reside in two-tier shopping galleries, meaning you get two high streets for the price of one! There’s also the world-renowned Chester Zoo, where the TV show ‘The Secret Life of the Zoo’ is filmed. The zoo is full of fantastic animals and reptiles, so it’s definitely worth visiting if you’re with the family. In terms of nightlife, there’s plenty of bars and restaurants to visit to keep you entertained. From eating steak at Blackhouse Grill to sipping an ostentatious cocktail at Kuckoo, a night in Chester will be a night to remember!
…and Symonds Yat
Symonds Yat is a small village located in the Wye Valley, but also a very popular tourist destination for those looking for an active getaway, as well as those wanting a peaceful, relaxing time away from city life.
Due to the beautiful surroundings in the Wye Valley, there’s plenty of outdoor activities to get involved with. From canoeing and rock-climbing to bird-watching and hill walking, there’s plenty of opportunities to get out and explore the local surroundings. One of the most popular things to do whilst there is to take a boat trip up the river Wye whilst enjoying a cream tea, or if you would prefer, you can hire a canoe and paddle up yourself!
If you would prefer to take it easy whilst at Symonds Yat, that’s fine too. Along the river Wye there’s approximately 10 pubs, each boasting fantastic views of the river and great food to boot! Symonds Yat is also home to a large Peregrine Falcon colony; one that has been safeguarded by the RSPB. At the top of Yat Rock, there’s a large viewing platform with telescopes, so you can watch the falcons in their natural habitat from a safe distance so you don’t disturb them.
