East London

East London is the secret that all Londoners have not shared with the rest of the world. This is an historic place, traditionally the home of immigrants for centuries. This ensured that a rich, multi-cultural scene has thrived and is a must see place in a trip to the capital. Try a curry at Brick Lane – this street of Indian restaurants has fed millions of Londoners over the years and is a great tradition. The other place that all tourists must see is Spitalfields Market. The market began trading in the 17th Century and has morphed into a vibrant indoor space full of great restaurants, bars and lots of great stalls. There is a lean towards arts and crafts, from jewellery to clothes. It is a great place to hang out and literally across the street from Liverpool Street Station. Hoxton is one of those areas that really offer something different. There is a fantastic array of independent shops that sell unique wares that you will not be able to purchase anywhere else. There are some boutiques for men selling cool clothes and shoes at a reasonable price and there is the famous Hoxton Art Gallery which shows modern art and has a thriving art scene. Try the east of London and you will have a taste of gritty urban life mixed with fantastic things to see and do.

Old Spitalfields Market, London, England, UK by Craig Nagy

Newcastle

Arriving in the north of England takes you a world away from the south of England, not only in terms of geography but also in culture. There is warmth that emanates from the Geordies that is hard to beat. The city is a masterpiece of architecture, Grey Street in particular, is a beautiful street designed by John Dobson in the early 1800′s. It is a fabulous example of Georgian architecture and has a great range of shops, a fabulous theatre that underwent recent restoration and several art galleries.

Grey Street, Newcastle, England, UK by Stephen Douglas

Newcastle has a great range of bars and is famous for its nightlife. It’s a scene which should be seen to be believed. The Metro Arena is the local music venue, hosting world class acts.

Newcastle is easily accessible by car and has more than enough parking spaces. For some help finding a good hire car, try this place www.Hirecars.co.uk. There are some serious advantages in having your own vehicle in this part of the world because beyond the wonderful city of Newcastle, there are some fabulous place that really should not be missed. The Northumbrian countryside has gems such as Hadrian’s Wall – the Roman Wall built in AD122. It has a Roman Army Museum, a Bath house and often hosts events. The countryside is spectacular, completely unspoilt and very beautiful.

Try doing something different in England and reap the rewards.

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An area called Regent Road is a shoppers paradise. At the top of Regent Road, die hard shoppers begin their quest to find the best deal on clothing in high-end shops and department stores to finding that perfect one of a kind gift in a small boutique filled with charachter.

Great Yarmouth, England, UK by stephen jones

The town centre consists of a large permanent market, many independent shops, a shopping mall, and plenty of cafes to refuel on tea while watching the people pass by. A true shoppers paradise.

Great Yarmouth has 15 miles of clean, soft, sandy beaches to claim your spot and soak up the sun while reading a book or watching the children build sand castles. Those who don’t mind their water a little cool can spend hours jumping in the waves or riding them in on their surf board.

The beach is also home to arcades, rollercoasters, beach shops, candy stores, pubs, restaurants, and donkey rides. The Golden Mile is definitely the place to be if you enjoy all the hustle and bustle of a tourist hot spot. Day or night, there is always something happening on the Golden Mile.

Even amongst the chaos of a busy tourist spot, there is still the opportunity to take a nice leisurely walk along the beach under the starry skies listening to the waves crash on the beach as you steal a kiss from your true love.

Great Yarmouth Beach, England, UK by Jeremy Thompson

For those that prefer the quiet, calm, relaxing type of vacation, Great Yarmouth offers that to in the form of sleepy little inland villages, seaside villages, boating, and fishing. There is nothing more relaxing than taking a nice leisurely walk, breathing in the fresh air while admiring beautiful landscapes and architecture or relaxing on a boat, rod in the water, patiently waiting for the bite as the boat gently sways to the flow of the water…

Both children and adults can enjoy an afternoon of admiring the sharks, creepy crawly reptiles and insects, feeding animals, learning about history and culture, and expanding their minds in any one of 12 museums and wildlife attractions.

To find out further information about this excellent UK seaside town and popular holiday destination visit the Great Yarmouth and Norfolk information portal at the following link: http://www.YarmouthNorfolk.co.uk

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The Hot Spring at Bath, UK by Alun Salt

Here are seven of the top reasons why a holiday in Bath may be right for you.

1) Two millennia of spa history

Bath contains the only natural hot springs in the UK and that has made it one of the world’s most famous spa destinations for over 2000 years. What’s more, the spa tradition is still going strong today. You can still bathe in the hot springs, a plethora of other spas and spa hotels offer options to suit every taste and budget.

2) Indulge your inner Elizabeth Bennett or Mr Darcy

Jane Austen lived in Bath for five years and set two of her best known novels there: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. If regency elegance appeals to you, then there is no better time to visit Bath than September, when it hosts an annual Jane Austen festival. There are Austen-related entertainments all year round too: you can go on an audio tour, visit the Jane Austen Centre or simply walk round and enjoy the Regency buildings, which have been the setting for many a television adaptation of Miss Austen’s works.

3) Shop ’til you drop!

Bath is well known for its wide range of independent shops and boutiques, so you will be sure to find treasures that are unavailable elsewhere.

4) Taking refreshment

Visit the famous Pump Rooms to take afternoon tea in true regency style while enjoying the music of the excellent Pump Room Trio and the architecture of the neo-classical salon. Alternatively, try the Jane Austen Tea Rooms, Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House (where you can sample one of the famous Sally Lunn buns) or one of the other cafes and tearooms in the city centre. Many hotels in Bath also do excellent afternoon teas.

5) Boat trip

There is a delightful one hour boat trip that will take you round some of the best sights in Bath. For special occasions, you can even charter your own boat and party on the river.

Boat trip in Bath, UK by Andrea DG

6) Museums and art galleries

There are twenty or more museums and art galleries in and around Bath, so there should be something to suit everyone from fashion addicts (the Bath Fashion Museum) to high art aficionadi (the Victoria Art Gallery) to steam fanatics (the Somerset and Dorset Railway). Bath itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you can even think of the whole city as one big museum or art attraction.

7) Theatre

Visiting the theatre was one of Jane Austen’s favourite pastimes and it’s a tradition that still continues to this day. For families, there is the delightful Egg Theatre, and the prestigious Theatre Royal offers something for everyone. Alternatively, the Ustinov Theatre offers a more modern, cutting-edge range of works.

For more seasonal events, visiting Bath in August & September brings its own delights in the form of the many festivals, such as the Ilford Art Festival and the Bath Folk Festival. Stay at one of the numerous Hotels in Bath & take your time enjoying the city’s beautiful and diverse attractions.

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