South Coast of Wales

The dramatic and often cliffy south coast of Wales is famously beautiful.  A popular walking trail traces the Pembrokeshire coast and traverses countless sandy beaches, our favorite of which is found in a cove beneath the ruins of Manorbier Castle near Tenby.  It is little known, being tucked out of the way and impossible to reach by train, but tide pools, clear water, soft sand, rocks to climb and the surrounding green countryside make it paradise on Earth.

Whitby Abbey

Imagine the ruins of an old cathedral perched above the North Sea, dripping with gothic mystique.  This is the ruined abbey that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula and set part of his classic there.  The church next door is surrounded by a gothic style Victorian cemetery, complete with bat-winged skeletons and large blackened tombstones.  The church is also interesting architecturally, being constructed in a mishmash of different asymetrical sections, each from different eras in time.

The view to the North features the medieval town of Whitby.  Now a thriving and unique modern city, you'll find every amenity there and plenty to do and see.  Check out their website for a complete list.

We strongly recommend visiting in April or October during the Whitby Goth Weekend.  Witness hoards of fully-clad goths strutting around the city and abbey and posing for the mass of photographers.  What an experience!

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Robin Hood's Bay

This picturesque seaside village on the northeast coast is about as charming as it gets.  Cars aren't allowed, so you can stroll the narrow lanes and imagine you're five hundred years back in time.  Trails go up and down the coast along the beach, or along the cliffs overlooking the water.  The town is famous for fossils, and if you look closely you might even find some washed up along the shore.  Robin Hood's Bay is also the end of the Coast to Coast hike, which stretches from one side of England to the other, so if you see any hikers limping by, congratulate them!

Liverpool

Beatles fans, ahoy!  Liverpool is a lively city on the rise with a moody wharf (or quay, pronounced "key"), full of restaurants, shops, and all things Beatles.  You can tour the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, too, but you'll need to book those tours in advance.  They're not too expensive, there's just limited space.  Liverpool Cathedral has some of the most impressive bells in the country, so be around for the chiming of the hours if you want to have a listen. 

Dover

Dover is a destination with a great variety of amazing sites: an early medieval castle, secret WWII tunnels, and the famous White Cliffs.   All these sites are interactive and kid-friendly. 

Dover Castle, which is over a thousand years old, has been recently completely refurnished to portray the castle in its Medieval heyday -- this is the only castle we know of in England where you can really get the flavor of life in the Middle Ages (it might surprise you that it was full of bright colors!). 


Right next to Dover Castle are the Secret Wartime Tunnels that Churchill had dug into the cliffs of Dover during WWII.  Since Dover was really close to France, it was prime land for watching the enemy's actions across the channel.  Military personnel worked and lived inside the tunnels for months on end, successfully keeping them secret for the entirety of the war.  They are preserved as they were during the war, and you can visit by guided tour.  A truly unique experience that brings to life the wartime experience.  Don't miss it! 


The famous chalk-white Cliffs of Dover are an awe-inspiring sight, and you can walk along the tops of them for a mile or two.  Great spot for a picnic!  Familiarize yourself with the classic English tune, "The White Cliffs of Dover" so you can sing it while you're there.

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Brighton

England's famous seaside resort dates back to Georgian times.  You may know it from all the Jane Austen characters who dream of running off there.  This is the classic English seaside experience, with a carnival pier, a long pebble beach, lots of shops, good seafood, and the obligatory Flake 99. 

Brighton is home to the unique and bizarre "Pleasure Palace" that King George IV built when he was prince. What do you do when you have all the money in the world and nothing to do until your crazy Dad dies? You do whatever you want. And I like to think of this palace as a Prince's version of a lego castle. It's huge and absolutely amazing inside - it's all elaborate chinese and Indian-inspired architecture that really just looks like some rich jerk said, "I want a massive palace with gold ceilings and secret passageways and the world's biggest kitchen and the world's best chef to cook me disgustingly elaborate feasts." And that's pretty much what happened.

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Greenway

If you're an Agatha Christie fan, then make the trip out to her beloved seaside home called Greenway in Devon.  Perched high above a river, on an island, the best way to access it is by ferry (parking is VERY limited, and must be pre-booked).  Visits to the house are by guided tour, then you can wander the grounds to your heart's content.  For people who aren't interested in Agatha Christie, it's just a big furnished house, but it's still a memorably beautiful spot.

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Tintagel

The legendary home of King Arthur, Tintagel Castle lies in ruins, perched high above the sea on dramatic cliffs.  It's an insanely romantic spot, with trails to wander along the coast among ruins that may date back to Roman times.  Hit up the tea room on site for a really great authentic Cornish Cream Tea (sweet scones, clotted cream, and tea).  

Nearby Tintagel town is quaint with shops that play up the Arthur connection.  Try the Cornish ice cream offered in shops along the main street. 

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Cornwall

There are three regions on the island of Great Britain whose Gaelic roots still distinguish them from the rest of English culture.  Cornwall is the only one that isn't its own country.  In the extreme southwest corner of England its rugged and hilly landscape, its food, its people and culture, its coastline, and its vibe are all its own, and it's the only English county without a single mile of motorway.  From cornish pasties (a meatie pie, NOT a pastry) and cornish cream to King Arthur legends; from rolling countryside to dramatic cliffs to warm beaches in hidden coves; from Bodmin Moore and its mysterious lore to the South West Coastal Trail; you could stay for days in Cornwall and never get bored.

Sites of Interest: Tintagel, Land's End, Penzance, The Eden Project, Bodmin Moore

Places to Stay: the Jamaica Inn (of Hitchcock fame), Tintagel

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Snowdonia National Park

What a spot!  Nestled among the "mountains" of Snowdonia National Park, North Wales is a collection of the most charming little towns, all unpronouncable: Betws-e-Coed, Llanwrst, Llangglen, you get the idea.  The area has a rich heritage of both Welsh and English history, and astounding castles everywhere!  In Conwy, for example, you can visit one of the best preserved Medieval towns in Europe - complete with the entire Medieval fortress wall around the tiny town (you can walk around on top of the wall).  North Wales is also famous for its ice cream, male choirs (prepare to be blown away), and sheep.  Many of the towns were built on the slate industry -- and you can tell that slate was their major natural resource.  The fences, homes, and grand buildings are all made of thin pieces of stacked slate.  It is a place of natural beauty and haunting scenery, and the seriously cool Welsh language, which is alive and well!