Tag Archives: England

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Plan a Beach Getaway from London

While London may be one of the busiest capitals in the world, you do not have to travel too far to escape city life. From the popular seaside town of Brighton to the Arabian-looking dunes at Camber Sands, here are a few ideas for those looking to plan a beach getaway from London.

Camber Sands, East Sussex
Less than a one and a half hour train ride from Central London, Camber Sands in East Sussex boasts an impressive sand dune system that is reminiscent of those that you would find in the Middle East. With chestnut fences and marram grasses, this is definitely a picturesque spot of the English coastline. The Kit Kat Café located on the sand is perfect for relaxing and soaking up some rare English sun, while horseback riding and kitesurfing are just a couple of the activities available here.

Camber Sands

 

Brighton
While Brighton Beach may be more shingle than sand, this is still one of the most popular seaside towns in the country. Loud, bright and kitsch, the atmosphere in Brighton is always a vibrant one, and the attractions here are unbeatable when compared to other seaside destinations. From the refurbished pier that features an arcade, fun fair and plenty more, to the art galleries and quirky bars that can be found throughout town, this is a destination that promises to be fun for the whole family.

Brighton

Arndale / Shutterstock.com

 

West Wittering, Chichester
The beach at West Wittering is wide, sandy and unspoiled, making it no surprise that this has long since been the go-to beach getaway destination for many in the country. The grassy area on the beach is perfect for enjoying a picnic lunch without having to deal with sand in your food, while the wind and kite surfing club is ideal for those who want to enjoy some action on the water. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, West Wittering Beach is also famous for its incredible views over Chichester Harbour and the South Downs, so be sure to bring your camera!

Mother and son on beach

 

Botany Bay, Kent
With its towering white cliffs and natural chalk stacks, Botany Bay is a quintessential British beach, and is also one of the most photographed beaches in the country. When the tide is out, this beach is perfect for exploring, as you will find everything from fossils and rock pools to natural wildlife here. However, at high tide, both ends of the beach end up being cut off, so you do need to time your visits carefully. When this happens, there is plenty else to do around town, from a spot of shopping to a game of golf to visiting one of the six other sandy beaches that can be found in Kent.

Kent

 

While many may assume that the beach destinations near London are nothing special, this is definitely not the case. From the quaint and picturesque stretch of sand at West Wittering, to the fun and excitement to be had at Brighton, it is easy to plan a beach getaway from London.

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Kid-Friendly London Itineraries

Child having fun

No matter what age your children may be, London is a great city to take them to. Whether you plan to be spending your time in the sophisticated West End, or the edgy and upcoming East End, here are a few kid-friendly itineraries to consider.

West and North London
If you are staying around the West or North end of London, then start your day off at the ZSL London Zoo. The oldest scientific zoo in the world, having opened its doors in 1828, children of all ages love seeing all the animals that are housed here, from the giraffes to the penguins. Since the zoo is right on the doorstep of Regent’s Park, head to the park for a picnic lunch and a bit of exploration. Once you have eaten and relaxed, walk to the south end of the park, where you will find Madame Tussauds. This is a great activity for children, as they will delight in seeing wax statues of all of their favorite celebrities.

East London
To begin your kid-friendly day out in East London, head to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, which will delight both children and adults with their nostalgic toy collections, as well as the many toys available for children to play with. After the museum, take a stroll around the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, which is a leafy oasis that has been created on the old Eastern Curve railway line. This is a great opportunity to show your children exactly how their food is grown, which is something that kids in London often do not get to experience. This is also a great spot to grab some lunch, while your children play in the large sandpit outside the café. If the weather is pleasant, head back to Bethnal Green, to the Victoria Park Kid’s Fountain Playground, where the gushing fountains in the Splash Playground will keep your children entertained for quite a while. Finally, if your children love animals, the Lee Valley Riding Centre offers one hour pony trekking sessions for families, and this will take you through the area’s stunning nature reserves and patches of woodland.

Central London
There is no shortage of child-friendly activities to take part in in Central London, with one of the most popular being the London Eye. Make your way there as early as possible in order to avoid the crowds, before taking a stroll along the banks of the river. The Natural History Museum should be your next stop, as there are so many interactive activities here that will enable your kids to really learn about natural history in a hands-on way. Nearby is the V&A Museum of Childhood, which again has plenty of child-friendly daily activities, from treasure hunts to storytelling sessions. If your children enjoy museums, Ripleys Believe it or Not is not too far away, and will no doubt delight them, while those who would prefer to spend some time outdoors can spend the rest of the day exploring the famous London landmarks in the area, from Big Ben to Westminster Abbey.

London is such a kid-friendly city, and you will never be short of activities to do with your children. From the museums of Central London to the nature and wildlife of East London, these are just a few of the child-friendly activities that you will find in the city.

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Best Cities for Lovers of Culture

While some cities around the world may seem slightly one-dimensional, there are others that are absolutely packed with culture, and are known around the world for being a cultural hot spot. When it comes to a city’s culture, its heritage, diversity, and involvement in the arts are all taken into account, and, if you are hoping to soak up plenty of culture on your next city break, these are the cities that you should consider visiting.

Paris.

Paris, France
The City of Lights can almost overwhelm visitors with the amount of culture that surrounds you wherever in Paris you go. With 24 national museums, and various other private ones, museum lovers will be in their element in Paris. The city also has a number of world-famous landmarks, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower to the Notre Dame, and many of its chic boutiques could easily double as landmarks themselves! Paris is also the city with the largest number of public libraries, as well as cinemas, and has an impressive 353 performing arts theaters that support artistic talent and urban culture. Parisian culture is charming and intriguing, and needs to be experienced first-hand in order to be fully appreciated.

London

London, UK
You will never be short of cultural activities to fill your days with while in London, a city that is truly cosmopolitan yet has a strong sense of heritage. From visiting Buckingham Palace to taking a tour of the Tower of London to taking in a Shakespeare production at the Globe Theatre, the city is overflowing with culture. London’s culture is made even richer by the diversity that can be found around the city. Brick Lane is where you can enjoy the best Indian food outside of India, while Borough Market brings together food culture from all over the region. In addition to all of its national museums, London also has a massive 162 other museums, as well as an impressive range of music and art performances.

Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan
With great importance placed on history, tradition and art, Kyoto is a fantastic destination to visit for those who want to experience authentic Japanese culture. Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, most of which date back to many centuries ago, are dotted throughout the city, and there is definitely a noticeable lack of the looming skyscrapers and flashy advertising campaigns that usually take over a developed city. Kyoto has managed to progress forward whilst retaining a strong grip on its heritage, and this applies to everything from its ponds and gardens to traditional cuisine. To fully immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Kyoto, spend a night at a local ryokan inn, sampling some traditional dishes and getting to know the locals.

Spending time soaking up the culture in a new city is a great way to open up your mind and learn about different parts of the world, and you will also end up feeling much more attached to a destination that you would have otherwise felt.

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Most Photogenic Fall Destinations

With fiery foliage taking over the landscape, there is no denying the beauty that fall brings. The colors and sights of fall are especially exciting to photography enthusiasts, who try their hardest to capture the spectacles of the season as best as they possibly can. While there are endless destinations to visit with your camera, there are some that will always look breathtaking in a photograph, no matter your skill level or camera type. Here are some of OROGOLD’s picks of the most photogenic fall destinations around the world, where even the most amateur photographer will end up with snaps worthy enough of the most popular travel magazines.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled, Slovenia
Located in north-western Slovenia, Lake Bled has a magical mountain setting that can easily be compared to Switzerland, but the fact that it isn’t as busy means that you can get some amazing photographs. The lake is quite compact, and surrounded by forests that have now begun to put on their brilliant fall displays. The enchanting island and castle in the middle of the lake also makes for some great shots, although OROGOLD recommends setting yourself up to catch the sunrise – the first rays shimmering over the lake, island and castle will have you snapping away with endless enthusiasm.

New Forest, England

The New Forest, England
While the UK may have an abundance of fantastic locations to enjoy the best that the season brings, OROGOLD’s favorite place to spend fall in England would have to be the New Forest. A medieval English deer hunting area, the heathlands and forests are ablaze with color each fall, offering up breathtaking scenes whichever way you turn. The miles of forest are a joy to explore with a camera, especially when you come across some of the semi-wild New Forest ponies that roam the area. After a morning walk through the forest, OROGOLD recommends visiting one of the quaint villages and having lunch at a traditional English pub or at one of the many cozy tea shops.

Columbia River Gorge, USA

Columbia River Gorge, Portland, USA
Beginning just 30 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is packed with gorgeous panoramic vistas, steady streams of cascading waterfalls and enchanting orchards and vineyards. There is so much to see and do here, but once fall arrives and the landscape begins to transform into vibrant shades of red and gold, you can’t help but stare around you in awe. There are many waterfalls and trails to choose from, and unless you have specific aims in mind, OROGOLD suggests that you just spend the day meandering through the area, as there is nothing quite like coming across a hidden waterfall with nobody else in sight.

You don’t need to be a professional photographer to capture the beauty of fall. With golden rays of light reflecting off the foliage and waters, and colorful leaves in abundance waiting to beautifully frame each shot, there is no better season than fall to take some extraordinary photographs.

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OROGOLD’s Timeless Destinations: The United Kingdom

Sunset views of Big Ben and Palace of Westminster, UK

The United Kingdom, comprising of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, is a patchwork of fascinating history and modern culture. London, the capital city, is hugely influential all over the globe, and has a whole host of attractions that are bound to enthrall visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Although most people head straight for the bright lights of the city, the UK has some truly timeless hidden gems that OROGOLD wants to share with you, from charming countryside villages steeped in history and tradition to soaring snow-capped mountains on an isolated Scottish island.

Dockens Water, New Forest National Park, Hampshire.

The New Forest, Hampshire
The New Forest, created to be royal hunting grounds in 1079 for King William I, is anything but new, and was once part of a primeval forest that covered the whole of southern England. Today, it is a national park that measures over 93,000 acres with woodlands, scrubland, open heaths and more, and enjoys unique laws and privileges, making it one of OROGOLD’s favorite rural playgrounds in England. The New Forest is home to plenty of wildlife, but the most popular are the New Forest ponies, who roam semi-wild around the area. Several species of local deer can also be spotted, darting in between the ancient oak and beech trees. The quaint and picturesque countryside villages are also not to be missed, with Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst being two of the more popular ones.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Isle of Skye, part of the Inner Hebridean islands of Scotland, saw its first settlers in 4000 BC, and underwent Viking colonization from 700 AD onwards. Although the area went through significant historical turmoil, and changed hands many times, the locals fiercely clung on to their language, traditions and way of life. Skye’s more alluring attraction is its scenery, and the sparkling lochs, towering cliffs and mountains of all shapes and sizes form some of the most dramatic scenery, making it no surprise that it was recently given the title of 4th Best Island in the World by National Geographic. Since the majority of tourists tend to stay at the quaint towns of Portree and Trotternish, it is easy to find corners of the island where you can get away from it all, and have the majestic landscape all to yourself. When the mist begins to set in and you need to warm up, there are plenty of historic castles, museums, whisky distilleries and local pubs to keep you occupied.

Lake Buttermere, Lake District. Cumbria, England

The Lake District
The Lake District, a region and national park in Northwest England, is the most popular national park in the country, welcoming over 15 million visitors a year. With its landscape reminiscent of fairy-tale postcard panoramas, it is easy to see why many Romantic poets ended up settling in the area in the 19th century. The region has plenty of literary connections, with its craggy hilltops and glittering lakes providing inspiration to the likes of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. Lake cruises are a great way to explore the area, or, for a more unique birds-eye view, a Tree Top Trek will have you gliding through the canopies of the ancient oak woodland, giving you unobstructed views of Lake Windermere.

Although the cities of the UK may receive the most visitors, the timeless magic of this charming country can only be truly experienced in the majestic countryside. Traveling through the UK is like a journey through history, giving you a better glimpse into the extraordinary eccentricity that makes the UK so intriguing.