Explore United Kingdom

Explore United Kingdomhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdomExplore United Kingdomhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/top-pubs-to-visit-in-manchester-ukThere are few better places to get to know the culture of an English city than its pubs. Manchester, famous for football and rock bands, is also known for its northern hospitality. Here are a few of the best pubs to check out in this historic city2023-09-06T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/top-pubs-to-visit-in-manchester-ukhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The English city of <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/destinations-combating-overtourism">Manchester</a> sits about 200mi (320km) northwest of London, and is home to red-bricked buildings, a bustling city center, the Premier League football clubs Manchester United and Manchester City, and the ever-quarreling brothers of rock band Oasis. However, Manchester is also known for its northern hospitality, and where better to experience this than in a local pub? We’ve rounded up just a few of the pubs that this historic city has to offer.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#pev">Peveril of the Peak, Central </a></li> <li><a href="#beech">The Beech Inn, Chorlton-cum-Hardy </a></li> <li><a href="#courtyard">The Courtyard, Central </a></li> <li><a href="#gaslamp">The Gas Lamp, Spinningfields</a></li> <li><a href="#hands">Big Hands, Rusholme </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="pev">Peveril of the Peak, Central</h2> <p>Appearing seemingly out of nowhere along the curve of Great Bridgewater Street in central Manchester, The Peveril of the Peak is a deeply beloved time-warp. The building dates back to the early 19th century and has remained virtually untouched, with its distinctive jade-green exterior clashing wonderfully against the comparatively grey, modernized cityscape surrounding it.</p> <p>As well as being known for serving great pints of Guinness, it is also home to Nancy, one of the oldest and longest-serving landladies in the UK. Now in her mid-90s, Nancy has been running the Pev since <em>1971</em>, and is something of a local legend. It’s the Pev’s character and refusal to change that makes it so popular with visitors, and one of the most authentic pubs in Manchester.</p> <h2 id="beech">The Beech Inn, Chorlton-cum-Hardy</h2> <p>The Stones Roses frontman Ian Brown once quipped, “Manchester has everything except a beach”. For the residents living in this hipster suburb in the southwest of the city, The Beech Inn might offer a solution. Always busy <span>–</span> and usually with some form of sport being shown, making it perfect for football fans – The Beech is warm and inviting, and perfect to drop into while wandering this increasingly popular area. It’s no frills, but it’s this unostentatious atmosphere that makes it so popular with sports fans; this, combined with surprisingly nice pizzas (the Buffalo Blue is a personal favorite), and a large outdoor sun-trap area, means it’s not uncommon to accidentally stay until last orders.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/manchester/the-beech-inn.jpg" alt="Exterior of the Beech Inn pub in Manchester, UK." /> <figcaption>The Beech Inn. Image credit: Megan FitzGerald</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="courtyard">The Courtyard, Central</h2> <p>Close enough to Manchester Metropolitan University to entice the students with the promise of affordable lager and pool tables, but with a large, heated garden to house the local football fans, The Courtyard appeals to more than just those studying; anyone looking for affordable beer and a lively atmosphere is welcome here.</p> <p>During sports events you can expect to see the place packed, with its £8 pitchers of beer practically flying from the bar, and a barbecue sparked on extra special occasions (don’t come here for food on a normal day – you’ll go hungry). Open until 1am most evenings, its cheap, cheerful, and down to earth – and very easy to spend your whole night here.</p> <h2 id="gaslamp">The Gas Lamp, Spinningfields</h2> <p>If you’re keen for a history lesson with your pint, The Gas Lamp just off Spinningfields is the perfect, albeit slightly secluded, spot to drop into. Open as a pub since 2010 and hidden away down some inconspicuous steps on Bridge Street, the Victorian space used to serve as a mission’s kitchen for street children and the homeless. Now a cozy drinking den specializing in fabulous craft beer, its rich history is preserved in photographs and artefacts adorning its walls – it even displays an oven similar to that used in the space’s original function.</p> <p>You can take a seat in the main bar area, or if you’re looking for somewhere quieter (it can get busy during evenings and weekends), you can take a wander through its tiled interior into the back parlor. Immensely popular with the locals, The Gas Lamp is not one to miss.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/manchester/the-gaslamp.jpg" alt="The tiled back parlor of the Gas Lamp pub in Manchester, UK." /> <figcaption>The back parlor of the Gas Lamp pub. Image credit: Megan FitzGerald</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="hands">Big Hands, Rusholme</h2> <p>Although less of a pub and more of a bar, Big Hands is known across the city as a bohemian staple in its iconic music scene. Its well-missed late owner, Scott Alexander, was not only good friends with Elbow’s Guy Garvey, but also the lead singer of his own band, Indigo Jones, and from the moment you enter it’s clear he made this a music haven.</p> <p>Inside you’ll find candlelit tables, scarlet walls smothered from floor to ceiling with gig posters and stickers from around the world, and a fabulous music playlist. Located just outside the student district of Fallowfield, and nearby to the Manchester Academies at the Student Union, it’s not unusual for playing artists to be spotted here after a gig. A rooftop terrace is what makes Big Hands a cut above the rest, and on a warm summer evening you can sit and view the city skyline with a cool beer or cocktail – perfect.</p>Anton Vierietin 11306680900 Getty Images https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/manchester/manchester-pubs-thumbnail.jpg

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/northumberland-dark-sky-park-2The UK’s largest Dark Sky Park is now a key site for ‘astro tourism’ – but it’s also home to England’s largest forest, filled with hiking trails and opportunities to spot wildlife. Nomad Neil McRobert shares his experience.2001-01-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/northumberland-dark-sky-park-2https://www.worldnomads.com<p>After years of camping trips, I thought I knew what a dark night looks like. A few stars overhead, the murky glow of distant streetlamps; the dull opacity of night in semi-rural England.</p> <p>It took one night in Northumberland in May 2022 to realize how wrong I was.</p> <p>In 2013, Northumberland National Park, and most of the adjacent Kielder Water and Forest Park, was awarded Dark Sky Status by the Dark Sky Association. Across a combined 580mi2 (1,500km2) of lake, forest, mountains, and moorland, light pollution has been beaten back, leaving a pristine, pin-pricked blanket of blackest night sky above. It is the largest Dark Sky Park in the UK, and the second largest such area in Europe. There are few places in the world more perfect for stargazing.</p> <p>On the first night, from behind our rented farmhouse, my wife and I traced The Milky Way and debated whether a solitary light was a rare sighting of Jupiter. It was easy to imagine mankind, in all the millennia before the dawn of electric light, peering up at the sky and wondering.</p> <p>When the morning comes Northumberland is revealed. It’s a raw part of the world, full of resilient wildlife and hardy architecture. The valleys and moors are speckled with villages and the occasional lone farmhouse. Gaunt castles glare down on some of the most unspoiled beaches in the country. Hadrian’s Wall remains, a broken border to the north.</p> <p>The night always comes; but first, the day.</p> <h2>Kielder Water and trails</h2> <p>The largest man-made lake in Northern Europe, Kielder Water was completed in 1981, to answer the increased industrial demand for water. If that sound dispiritingly artificial, have no fear; the surrounding forest is the largest in England, home to an abundance of wildlife, and interspersed with art installations, like secret little gems strung amongst the trees.</p> <p>For the hiking-inclined, the entire 28mi (45km) shoreline is ringed with a huge variety of interconnecting trails. It’s possible to complete a short out-and-back loop from one of the main tourist hubs, or to cover a sizeable distance along the shore. I tried to run the entire shoreline, but heavy storms in 2021 have brought down trees, closing paths and forcing me to turn back. Once it’s fixed, I’ll be back, because the stark pine forests offer the skin-tingling sensation of complete isolation, with the reassurance of knowing you are never more than a short dogleg from a main road.</p> <h2>Ospreys, squirrels, and roe deer</h2> <p>Despite its stark landscape, Northumberland is a haven for wildlife – everything from seals and puffins on the coast, to wild, homicidal cattle at Chillingham Castle. Kielder, in particular, is the epicenter of two unique British conservation projects. First, it is the home of England’s biggest Red Squirrel population. There are other, more controlled places to spot the chubby little ginger fellows in the UK, but in Kielder you simply have to keep an eye out when walking the trails.</p> <p>Less cute but more regal are the Ospreys. For 14 years, Kielder Forest has staged one of England’s most successful breeding programs. In 2021, the breeding pairs increased to seven, with 16 offspring produced. Nesting poles around the lake have been fitted with high-res cameras. I stood watching one outside Kielder Castle, transfixed, as a dot grew into a shadow and then a full-grown Osprey alighted inches from the lens.</p> <p>Touchingly, I was told by the enthusiastic owner of a nearby catering van that it was the first year in which offspring were bred from birds that were themselves born in Kielder.</p> <h2>Kielder Observatory on Black Fell</h2> <p>As night draws down at Kielder Castle, visitors follow 3mi (4.8km) of winding access track through the pine forest, to emerge atop Black Fell. That’s where the wooden observatory structure sits, looking at once part of the natural landscape, and like something discovered on an alien world.</p> <p>It is the most famous observatory in the Dark Sky Park. Completed in 2008, it’s now a key site for promoting ‘astro tourism’ in the area, with hundreds of events taking place every year. Popularity has grown so intense that annual visitors are now limited to 20,000 and booking in advance is highly recommended.</p> <p>Those lucky enough to visit at night can search the skies from the two observing turrets, or the open-air deck. Each is equipped with high-grade telescopes (the technicalities of which are far better explained by the experts on site).</p> <p>There are regular special events, but it was magical enough to be there for a ‘standard’ evening. The three-hour session features a tour and a themed lecture, but it’s the telescope and the naked night sky that draws everyone’s attention. Even in late spring, with the sun hanging on well into the evening, the stars were dizzying. I can only imagine what it’s like to gaze up at them in the pitch-black depths of winter.</p> <p>Afterwards, my wife and I drove back along the lake to the cosiness (and spookiness) of our isolated farmhouse. The headlights felt like a feeble affront to the purity of the darkness around us.</p> <h2>Trip notes</h2> <h3>Getting to and around Northumberland</h3> <p>Navigating Northumberland by public transport is straightforward. Rail links from the north and south serve Newcastle and several bigger towns, and from there connecting services link with smaller towns such as Haltwistle and Corbridge. There is also excellent bus coverage between the various market towns and out to the coast.</p> <p>However, if you’re there for the dark skies and the empty spaces, Northumberland is best explored under your own steam. A car, or even a bicycle, will open the county for a more personal experience. Most of my journey was focused on the area around Kielder Water.</p> <h3>When to go</h3> <p>The best time for stargazing is in autumn and winter, when the skies are darker for longer. However, this means visiting out of the typical tourist season, so be aware that fewer amenities will be available – including many of the tourist hubs ringing Kielder Water.</p> <p>Also, be sure to book ahead if you wish to visit any of the Dark Sky Observatories for the evening. Ticket prices vary but are generally around £25-30 per person.</p>Getty Images / Dan King / EyeEm 11316212661 Getty Images Starry skies above a tree near Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland, UK.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/northumberland-dark-sky-parkEurope’s largest Dark Sky Park is now a key site for ‘astro tourism’ – but it’s also home to England’s largest forest, filled with hiking trails and opportunities to spot wildlife. Nomad Neil McRobert shares his experience.2024-10-29T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/northumberland-dark-sky-parkhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#water">Kielder Water and trails</a></li> <li><a href="#ospreys">Ospreys, squirrels, and roe deer</a></li> <li><a href="#observatory">Kielder Observatory on Black Fell</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <p>After years of camping trips, I thought I knew what a dark night looks like. A few stars overhead, the murky glow of distant streetlamps; the dull opacity of night in semi-rural England.</p> <p>It took one night in Northumberland in May 2022 to realize how wrong I was.</p> <p>In 2013, <a href="https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/" target="_blank">Northumberland National Park</a>, and most of the adjacent <a href="https://www.visitkielder.com/" target="_blank">Kielder Water and Forest Park</a>, was awarded <a href="https://darksky.org/places/northumberland-national-park-and-kielder-water-forest-dark-sky-park/" target="_blank">Dark Sky Status</a> by DarkSky International. Across a combined 580mi<sup>2</sup> (1,500km<sup>2</sup>) of lake, forest, mountains, and moorland, light pollution has been beaten back, leaving a pristine, pin-pricked blanket of blackest night sky above. It is the largest Dark Sky Park in Europe. There are <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/reach-for-the-stars">few places in the world more perfect for stargazing</a>.</p> <p>On the first night, from behind our rented farmhouse, my wife and I traced The Milky Way and debated whether a solitary light was a rare sighting of Jupiter. It was easy to imagine mankind, in all the millennia before the dawn of electric light, peering up at the sky and wondering.</p> <p>When the morning comes Northumberland is revealed. It’s a raw part of the world, full of resilient wildlife and hardy architecture. The valleys and moors are speckled with villages and the occasional lone farmhouse. Gaunt castles glare down on some of the most unspoiled beaches in the country. <a href="/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/trekking-hadrians-wall-in-winter">Hadrian’s Wall</a> remains, a broken border to the north.</p> <p>The night always comes; but first, the day.</p> <h2 id="water">Kielder Water and trails</h2> <p>The largest man-made lake in Northern Europe, Kielder Water was completed in 1981, to answer the increased industrial demand for water. If that sound dispiritingly artificial, have no fear; the surrounding forest is the largest in England, home to an abundance of wildlife, and interspersed with art installations, like secret little gems strung amongst the trees.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/northumberland/kielder-forest.jpg" alt="Stark pine forest surrounding Kielder Water, Northumberland, UK." /> <figcaption>The pine forest surrounding Kielder Water. Image credit: Neil McRobert</figcaption></figure> <p>For the <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">hiking-inclined</a>, the entire 28mi (45km) shoreline is ringed with a huge variety of interconnecting trails. It’s possible to complete a short out-and-back loop from one of the main tourist hubs, or to cover a sizeable distance along the shore. I tried to run the entire shoreline, but heavy storms in 2021 have brought down trees, closing paths and forcing me to turn back. Once it’s fixed, I’ll be back, because the stark pine forests offer the skin-tingling sensation of complete isolation, with the reassurance of knowing you are never more than a short dogleg from a main road.</p> <h2 id="ospreys">Ospreys, squirrels, and roe deer</h2> <p>Despite its stark landscape, Northumberland is a haven for wildlife – everything from seals and puffins on the coast, to wild, homicidal cattle at Chillingham Castle. Kielder, in particular, is the epicenter of two unique British conservation projects. First, it is the home of England’s biggest Red Squirrel population. There are other, more controlled places to spot the chubby little ginger fellows in the UK, but in Kielder you simply have to keep an eye out when walking the trails.</p> <p>Less cute but more regal are the Ospreys. For 14 years, Kielder Forest has staged one of <a href="https://www.visitkielder.com/play/discover/kielder-ospreys" target="_blank">England’s most successful breeding programs</a>. In 2021, the breeding pairs increased to seven, with 16 offspring produced. Nesting poles around the lake have been fitted with high-res cameras. I stood watching one outside Kielder Castle, transfixed, as a dot grew into a shadow and then a full-grown Osprey alighted inches from the lens.</p> <p>Touchingly, I was told by the enthusiastic owner of a nearby catering van that it was the first year in which offspring were bred from birds that were themselves born in Kielder.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/northumberland/kielder-water.jpg" alt="Kielder Water, Northern Europe's largest man-made lake, in Northumberland, UK." /> <figcaption>Kielder Water. Image credit: Neil McRobert</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="observatory">Kielder Observatory on Black Fell</h2> <p>As night draws down at Kielder Castle, visitors follow 3mi (4.8km) of winding access track through the pine forest, to emerge atop Black Fell. That’s where the wooden observatory structure sits, looking at once part of the natural landscape, and like something discovered on an alien world.</p> <p><a href="https://kielderobservatory.org/" target="_blank">Kielder Observatory</a> is the most famous observatory in the Dark Sky Park. Completed in 2008, it’s now a key site for promoting ‘astro tourism’ in the area, with hundreds of events taking place every year. Popularity has grown so intense that annual visitors are now limited to 20,000 and booking in advance is highly recommended.</p> <p>Those lucky enough to visit at night can search the skies from the two observing turrets, or the open-air deck. Each is equipped with high-grade telescopes (the technicalities of which are far better explained by the experts on site).</p> <p>There are <a href="https://kielderobservatory.org/our-events" target="_blank">regular special events</a>, but it was magical enough to be there for a ‘standard’ evening. The three-hour session features a tour and a themed lecture, but it’s the telescope and the naked night sky that draws everyone’s attention. Even in late spring, with the sun hanging on well into the evening, the stars were dizzying. I can only imagine what it’s like to gaze up at them in the pitch-black depths of winter.</p> <p>Afterwards, my wife and I drove back along the lake to the cosiness (and spookiness) of our isolated farmhouse. The headlights felt like a feeble affront to the purity of the darkness around us.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/northumberland/milky-way-keilder-observatory.jpg" alt="The Milky Way over Kielder Observatory in Northumberland, England." /> <figcaption>The Milky Way over Kielder Observatory. Image credit: Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <h3>Getting to and around Northumberland</h3> <p>Navigating Northumberland by public transport is straightforward. Rail links from the north and south serve Newcastle and several bigger towns, and from there connecting services link with smaller towns such as Haltwistle and Corbridge. There is also excellent bus coverage between the various market towns and out to the coast.</p> <p>However, if you’re there for the dark skies and the empty spaces, Northumberland is best explored under your own steam. A car, or even a bicycle, will open the county for a more personal experience. Most of my journey was focused on the area around Kielder Water.</p> <h3>When to go</h3> <p>The best time for stargazing is in autumn and winter, when the skies are darker for longer. However, this means visiting out of the typical tourist season, so be aware that fewer amenities will be available – including many of the tourist hubs ringing Kielder Water.</p> <p>Also, be sure to book ahead if you wish to visit <a href="https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/things-to-do/discover-dark-skies/where-to-stargaze/" target="_blank">any of the Dark Sky Observatories</a> for the evening. Ticket prices vary but are generally around £20-45 per person.</p>Simon McCabe / Northumberland National Park 0 Simon McCabe / Northumberland National Park Starry skies above Sycamore Gap near Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland, UK.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/5-great-hikes-west-midlands-englandHere are five of the best hikes in the West Midlands region, all easily reached from Birmingham.2022-06-01T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/5-great-hikes-west-midlands-englandhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#stratford">Stratford-upon-Avon to Wootton Wawen</a></li> <li><a href="#stourbridge">Stourbridge to Kinver Edge along the canal</a></li> <li><a href="#staffordshire">Around the Roaches in Staffordshire</a></li> <li><a href="#alveley">Alveley to Bridgnorth along the River Severn</a></li> <li><a href="#wenlock">Much Wenlock and Wenlock Edge</a></li> </ul> <p>Skylarks are singing as they fly up from mud dotted with deer-prints. Spring lambs are climbing on the massive, mossy roots of a centuries-old oak tree. I’m hiking over hills where the short grass is patched with celandines, violets, and primroses and wide views stretch across Warwickshire and the Cotswolds.</p> <p>Today’s walk begins, 40 minutes by rail from Birmingham, in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s home town. Birmingham is a major city in a sprawling conurbation, but it actually makes a brilliant base for <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">hiking</a> through the underappreciated landscapes of the English midlands. These five trails showcase some of the area’s natural and historical treasures: wide rivers, aqueducts and gritstone crags, glass-makers, and cave-dwellers.</p> <h2 id="stratford">Stratford-upon-Avon to Wootton Wawen (11 miles/18 km)</h2> <p>I grew up on the edge of the Midlands and my first job was teaching English in a big high school here. The waterside Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon was one of the closest theatres and the destination for dozens of school trips. But I feel closer to Shakespeare’s poetry out here in the Warwickshire countryside than in Stratford itself, with its coachloads of tourists and models of Big Ben for sale. The walk starts by climbing the Welcombe Hills, where a <a href="https://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/WelcombeHillsTrail" target="_blank">new audio trail</a> marks four centuries since Shakespeare died.</p> <p>I’m following part of the 625mi/1,005km <a href="http://www.monarchsway.50megs.com/" target="_blank">Monarch’s Way</a>, a long-distance footpath that traces the route of King Charles II as he fled Cromwellian forces after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Lunch is garden salad and gooey treacle tart at a farm shop and café in Stratford: outside the café there are fields of baby goats and a Gloucestershire old spot pig churning up a paddock ready for this summer’s sunflowers. The last stretch of the route follows a canal-side towpath over an aqueduct to reach St Peter’s church in Wootton Wawen with its Saxon core, bearded Jacobean knight, and carved stone faces.</p> <p>Hourly buses head back to Stratford from outside the church and the venerable, half-timbered Bull’s Head pub is nearby.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/canalside-hamlet-stratford.jpg" alt="a canalside hamlet in Stratford" /> <figcaption> A canalside statue of Hamlet in Stratford. Photo credit: Phoebe Taplin</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="stourbridge">Stourbridge to Kinver Edge along the canal (8 miles/13km)</h2> <p>Bees are buzzing round the coconut-scented golden gorse and purple heather; red kites circle overhead as I look out from <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kinver-edge-and-the-rock-houses" target="_blank">Kinver Edge</a> towards the blue-green Malvern Hills. 250 million years ago, prehistoric winds whipped the dune and desert sands here into layers of soft, sunset-colored rock. Iron age settlers built a clifftop fort. Later, 17th-century workers carved homes into the rock itself, making comfortable houses inside the naturally summer-cool and winter-cosy sandstone.</p> <p>My walk to the reconstructed rock houses follows canal towpaths from Stourbridge Town, 45 minutes by train from Birmingham. A new <a href="https://www.stourbridgeglassmuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank">glass museum</a> opened here in April 2022. Local coal for the super-hot furnaces and a supply of fireclay to line them made this area a natural location for Britain’s Victorian glassmakers. The canal network, built for industry, now provides peaceful walks through the countryside. Leaving the towpath, I head through fields and woods to Kinver. The National Trust is introducing longhorn cattle and clearing non-native conifers from an area of sandy heathland and wild ferny woods near the village. There are buses back to Stourbridge and cafés to refuel for the final climb to Kinver Edge.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/rock-houses-near-stourbridge.jpg" alt="Rock houses" /> <figcaption> Rock houses near Stourbridge. Photo credit: Phoebe Taplin</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="staffordshire">Around the Roaches in Staffordshire (7 miles/11km)</h2> <p>For this spectacular hike, I head to the old textile town of Leek in Staffordshire. It’s 1½ hours’ drive from Birmingham, but the landscapes are worth it. This corner of the Peak District national park is a patchwork of waterfalls, blanket bogs, farmland, and high, craggy outcrops of wind-carved gritstone. After a breakfast of Staffordshire oatcakes (wholemeal pancakes with melted cheese), I walk half a mile up the road to the edge of the Peak District, which covers five counties and 555mi<sup>2</sup>/1,437km<sup>2</sup>. It became the UK's first national park in 1951.</p> <p>The walk continues beside the cascading River Churnet to Ramshaw Rocks. There are sheep grazing around gnarled trees and a ruined cottage; the damp air is rich with dung and woodsmoke. A flagstone path leads up through the heather past strangely shaped boulders.</p> <p>Trekking west, I reach the high ridge of the Roaches. These long cliffs, which slope like a broken table, take their name for the French word for rocks. There are views across Cheshire, Lancashire, and Wales. I walk past the atmospheric clifftop Doxey Pool (said to be home to a sinister mermaid who grabs unwary travelers) and climb over Hen Cloud, a distinctive solitary hill. On the far side, an old stone farmhouse serves tea and it’s a short hike back to Leek.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/the-roaches-and-hen-cloud-from-near-doxey-pool.jpg" alt="A rock formation named the Roaches and Hen Cloud" /> <figcaption> The Roaches and Hen Cloud from near Doxey Pool. Photo credit: Phoebe Taplin</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="alveley">Alveley to Bridgnorth along the River Severn (9 miles/14.5km)</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.svr.co.uk/" target="_blank">Severn Valley Railway</a> is a restored steam railway between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster, 45 minutes from Birmingham by train. The line runs through 16mi/26km of countryside and is perfect for linear riverside walks along the long-distance Severn Way.</p> <p>I tell the guard I want to get off the steam train at a tiny station in the Severn Valley Country Park on the site of what was once Alveley Colliery. Before setting off along the river, I follow a new history trail, opened in 2020, around the country park. These 126 rural acres once produced 300,000 tons of coal a year and the trail encounters traces of ropeways, spoil heaps, and miners’ cottages.</p> <p>Today the wooded paths are thick with birds and berries: twisted wreaths of orange bryony and yellow hedges spangled with neon-pink spindle berries. Following the trail back over the River Severn, I set off for Bridgnorth, eight miles away upstream. The riverside path is grassy and inviting with mossy hawthorn trees and huge gaggles of mallards. Towards the end, there’s tea at Daniel’s Mill, a working 18<sup>th</sup>-century watermill near the Severn Valley Railway viaduct.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/spectacular-colors-on-the-severn-way-towards-bridgnorth.jpg" alt="Colors on the Severn Way towards Bridgenorth" /> <figcaption> Spectacular colors on the Severn Way towards Bridgenorth. Photo credit: Phoebe Taplin</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="wenlock">Much Wenlock and Wenlock Edge (6.25 miles/10km)</h2> <p>The Olympic Games were reborn in Much Wenlock, 50 minutes’ drive from Birmingham. In 1850, a pioneering Victorian doctor called William Penny Brookes founded a sporting society that eventually led to the first modern Olympic Games. One of the official mascots at the London 2012 Olympics was called “Wenlock” as a tribute to the little Shropshire town’s contribution and a mile-long <a href="http://www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Wenlock-Olympian-Trail-2015.pdf" target="_blank">Olympian Trail</a> is now marked by bronze circles in Much Wenlock’s pavements.</p> <p>After walking the trail, I hike an energetic short loop that includes Wenlock Edge, a wooded limestone escarpment above the town. I pass the ruined medieval priory with its towering thirteenth-century church under peaceful pines. Climbing to Wenlock Quarry, there are ivy-draped cliffs; fossilized seashells and hints of coral and trilobites are embedded in the rock. I walk down Blakeway Hollow, a deep, stony gully between banks of hart’s-tongue ferns and bracken with hedge maples, hawthorn, oak, beech, and silver birch tangling their branches overhead.</p> <p>Another steep track leads up again, 1,000ft/305m above sea level, to look out across an extraordinary view where volcanic Shropshire hills form a misty backdrop to miles of hedge-chequered fields. There is a viewpoint known as Major’s Leap after royalist Major called Thomas Smallman, who galloped off the top of Wenlock Edge to his seeming-certain doom. The horse died, but the major lived (saved by an apple tree) and delivered his vital messages to the King’s army.</p> <p>As I head back down towards Much Wenlock, a horse, framed by yellow leaves, watches me over a five-barred gate and the clifftop beeches glow fiery gold in the setting sun.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/warwickshire-views-on-monarchs-way.jpg" alt="Warwickshire views on Monarchs way" /> <figcaption> Warwickshire views on Monarchs way. Photo credit: Phoebe Taplin</figcaption></figure>Phoebe Taplin 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/trekking-hadrians-wall-in-winterThis ancient Roman fortification stretches across northern England – and walking the length of it in the off season is challenging, exhilarating, and free of crowds.2020-11-03T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/trekking-hadrians-wall-in-winterhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Let me be honest first up: walking the Hadrian’s Wall path across England in winter is not for the faint-hearted. During the spring and summer walking season, the days are long, allowing for a leisurely pace, and the myriad picturesque villages and pubs that dot the 80mi (129km) route are open to welcome throngs of hungry, thirsty hikers. Winter is a different story.</p> <p>In March of 2020, as COVID-19 began to rage, we decided to flee the madding crowd and walk the Wall in what turned out to be one of the wettest <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/united-kingdom/snow-and-ice-driving-tips">English winters</a> on record. We hiked more than 15mi (24km) each day, sometimes in 50mph (80kph) winds, through rain and sleet, and ended up ankle-deep in icy mud more often than I care to remember. We ate our lunch on the hoof – you can’t stop and have a romantic picnic in mud – and I learned a few new skills out of necessity (not one public loo in the handful of villages we passed through were unlocked for out-of-season hikers.)</p> <p>It was, without doubt, one of the most physically challenging things I’ve done – as well as one of the most exhilarating and unforgettable.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#wind">Walk with the wind</a></li> <li><a href="#romans">Hadrian’s Wall, a relic of the mighty Romans</a></li> <li><a href="#stay">Where to stay along the route</a></li> <li><a href="#tynemouth">Dinner by moonlight in Tynemouth</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="wind">Walk with the wind</h2> <p>We decide to start on the west coast in Bowness-on-Solway and walk east, which means we are walking with the wind, not against it – and what a relief that turns out to be. Thankfully, we are also properly equipped with water-proof trousers, jackets, and boots, and I cannot stress enough the importance of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/essential-hiking-safety-kit">good kit</a>.</p> <p>The path is maintained by English Heritage (signposts are marked by a white acorn), and takes us through stone stiles, a gazillion kissing gates, over small wooden ladders, and across stepping-stones through small creeks and flooded paddocks. We encounter quizzical sheep, a sky full of scudding clouds, and weather that changes from bright to stormy in a minute.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/hadrian-signpost.jpg" alt="A signpost along the Hadrian's Wall path in England." /> <figcaption>The author on day two of the trek. Photo credit: Paola Totaro</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="romans">Hadrian’s Wall, a relic of the mighty Romans</h2> <p>There are areas where the view of the valleys strips our breath away, and the sheer might of the Roman Empire is visible as we see the Wall stretch out into the horizon, like a dinosaur spine hugging the hills and crags. The descent down steep stone steps to the incredibly photogenic Sycamore Gap and the climb back up is a favorite, as is the Birdoswald Roman Fort perched high above the River Irthing. Trekking along the river bend, through woodland and moss-covered logs, is beautiful in winter, but must be paradise in the warmer months. The fort itself is an intriguing stop: it once housed up to 1,000 soldiers at a time, and its perimeters offer a glimpse of just how immense the whole venture was.</p> <p>The Emperor Hadrian ordered the Wall’s construction in 122AD. It took an estimated 24 million stones and 30,000 legionnaires some seven years to build, and became the most heavily fortified border anywhere in the Roman Empire. Archaeologists now believe that the wall was originally 10ft (3m) wide and between 16-20ft (5-6m) high, with a parapet on top. There is some evidence, too, that it was painted white, making its presence even more imposing in the hilly, verdant Northumberland landscape.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/hadrian-dinosaur-spines.jpg" alt="Hadrian's Wall undulates across the top of hills in England." /> <figcaption>The Wall, looking like a dinosaur spine hugging the hills. Photo credit: Paola Totaro</figcaption></figure> <p>It seems incredible that this heart-stopping wonder of the ancient Roman world was pretty much forgotten for centuries – and could have disappeared entirely as farmers plundered its stones, taking it to build homes, churches, drystone walls, and even a road during the Jacobite rebellion. It wasn’t until the 19th century, when a local landowner, John Clayton, lobbied for its protection, and spent years and much of his wealth buying land that ran its length, that it was truly valued. Today, it has UNESCO World Heritage status and is a National Trail.</p> <h2 id="stay">Where to stay along the route</h2> <p>We choose to stay overnight in the old Roman city of Carlisle in Cumbria; in Lanercost, near a crumbling and evocative priory constructed of Roman stone; in the wonderfully named Twice Brewed village (signposted as Once Brewed if you arrive from the east) which leads to the most exhilarating parts of the wall walk; and in Humshaugh before finishing the walk in Corbridge in Northumberland.</p> <p>All our hosts are warm and welcoming, cook up a storm for breakfast, and provide a packed lunch for a small additional cost.</p> <h2 id="tynemouth">Dinner by moonlight in Tynemouth</h2> <p>The final, paved section through Newcastle, where the Wall is no longer visible, is a part of the usual itinerary, but we decide to skip it and take a train to the little seaside village of Tynemouth for our last night. Here, we clamber down 100 or so stairs to a surf beach by moonlight, and eat the most delectable, freshly caught chargrill fish dinner in an old sea container-turned-eatery that started as a pop-up and has become a beacon for foodies. It attracts queues a mile long in summer, but in winter, we get a seat (and a blanket) almost immediately, sit in front of our own tiny woodfire, and eat and drink like Viking kings.</p> <p>If you walk the Wall in spring and summer, you will have much more choice of accommodation, eateries, and pubs, but in a world ravaged by the coronavirus, the off-season solitude is blissful, and the one couple we cross paths with waves happily from afar.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/uk/hadrian-sheep.jpg" alt="A flock of curious sheep greet a hiker on the Hadrian's Wall path." /> <figcaption>Curious sheep greet the author along the path. Photo credit: Paola Totaro</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <h3>How to get there</h3> <p>Direct flights are available to Newcastle or you can travel by train from London.</p> <h3>Planning the trip</h3> <p>Mickledore specializes in self-guided walking holidays and cycling trips for independent travelers. It booked our B&Bs, organized the pick-up of luggage each day, and provided our fantastic Cicerone guidebook and maps</p> <h3>What to pack and wear</h3> <p>Make sure your hiking boots are well broken in, and that jacket and trousers are both waterproof and windproof. A hat, gloves, and light, moisture-proof layers are helpful, as hiking long distances keeps you warm, but in winter, temperatures drop quickly, too. A light backpack containing water, high-energy snacks, and a battery phone charger were useful as well.</p>Paola Totaro 0 Paola Totaro A hiker on the Hadrian's Wall path in Northern England.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/scotlands-wild-orkney-islandsDuring the chilly winter months, crowds are few and the welcome is warm on this historic archipelago off the northeast coast of Scotland.2020-02-25T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/scotlands-wild-orkney-islandshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#stromness">A windy welcome to Stromness</a></li> <li><a href="#skara">A dose of history in Skara Brae</a></li> <li><a href="#hoy">Hiking and hoofed friends on Hoy </a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip Notes</a></li> </ul> <p>In terms of ice-clad ruggedness, the Northern Isles of Scotland are the stuff of legend. The first cliffs you meet in this series of windswept settlements belong to Orkney, about 10mi (16km) off the northeast coast of Scotland. This glorious archipelago has an intriguing history and spectacular vistas to rival any imaginary kingdom of lore.</p> <p>I’m venturing to this chilly paradise with a ragtag group of friends and former Orkney locals in the <a href="/explore/travel-the-winter-collection">depths of winter</a>, having just left behind a sparkling London Christmas and a wild Edinburgh New Year’s Eve. As we’re buffeted across the strait on the 90-minute ferry crossing from Scrabster, the charm of secluded village life and the appeal of more remote adventures on the windy moors grows stronger.</p> <h2 id="stromness">A windy welcome to Stromness</h2> <p>There’s a romanticism to haphazardly cobbled streets, twisting and turning to undiscovered fates. But that charm quickly diminishes when we try to <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/united-kingdom/snow-and-ice-driving-tips">navigate our rented minivan along the narrow lanes</a> that pass for main roads here. Nonetheless, Stromness on Mainland Orkney is as endearingly Scottish as expected, with 95mph (152kph) wind gusts that can almost keep a limp body standing, and winding stone staircases leading to cozy, wood-paneled pubs.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/scotland/orkney-stromness.jpg" /><figcaption>The charming streets of Stromness. Image credit: Getty Images / font83</figcaption></figure> <p>The town’s star is undoubtedly Gunner, a rowdy local we meet in the Royal Hotel Stromness. While I’m not entirely sure if that’s his real name (our conversation is fueled by beer), he did demonstrate that he can down a pint of Guinness in four seconds. Despite the loss of an eye, a foot, and a testicle to diabetes, he has a magnetic personality, and makes our group feel like part of the tiny pub party as we feast on pot pies and bangers and mash. It’s a cracking first night.</p> <h2 id="skara">A dose of history in Skara Brae</h2> <p>Luckily for our waistlines, there’s plenty more to Orkney than a hearty meal. Long before Mount Vesuvius erupted and froze Pompeii in time, and even earlier than the mysterious construction of Stonehenge, the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae was built on the west coast of Mainland.</p> <p>On our visit to the World Heritage site, perched on the Bay of Skaill, we’re pulled through 5,000 years of history to meet the people who lived in the cluster of eight stone houses, sunk into the earth for protection against Orkney’s harsh elements. It’s an otherworldly experience strolling around the village, imagining the architects behind the magnificently preserved dwellings full of stone cupboards and seats, especially with only a few other travelers braving the winter wind to witness history.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/scotland/orkney-skara-brae-group.jpg" /><figcaption>Our group at Skara Brae. Image credit: Aidan Henson</figcaption></figure> <p>Lunch calls us to nearby Kirkwall, Orkney’s largest town, where we stumble upon more modern cultural artefacts. Wooden slats are nailed over the town’s windows and shopfronts – an ex-Orkney resident in our group explains this is remnants of The Ba’. This mass football game, which is thought to have originated in Orkney at least 300 years ago, sees households and shop owners barricade their doors and windows in preparation for the rambunctious, town-wide affair, still played throughout the city streets and alleys every Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.</p> <p>While we only gaze at the aftermath, more timely visitors can watch the giant rugby scrum of family-based factions – the Uppies and Doonies – rough and tumble to retrieve the cork-filled leather <em>ba’</em> and race it to their respective goals at the south end of town and, shockingly, into the freezing water of Kirkwall Bay.</p> <h2 id="hoy">Hiking and hoofed friends on Hoy</h2> <p>Our final Orkney excursion is a day trip to Hoy. In classic Scot style, we arrive on the island in morning darkness and drizzle. Our stern ferry captain yells through the sleet that he won’t be returning to this port – we’ll have to trudge over 13mi (21km) south to a more sheltered bay if we hope to meet the return ferry to Stromness in the evening. But as stubborn amateur hikers with (currently) dry socks, we’re adamant we’ll make it there after walking our intended route to the remote hamlet of Rackwick, where we planned to cook sausages like grizzled adventurers in the postcard-perfect bothy (a stone hut freely open to the public).</p> <p>We certainly aren’t disappointed by the journey there. The island is spectacularly varied, with mountainous moorlands butting up against craggy ocean cliffs that present climbing challenges for more seasoned explorers. But thanks to the gloomy weather, the only souls we encounter are spirited Shetland ponies roaming freely in the grass fields.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/scotland/orkney-rackwick.jpg" /><figcaption>Rackwick Beach on Hoy. Image credit: Aidan Henson</figcaption></figure> <p>Despite sinking into knee-deep puddles and getting creative with a pocketknife to enter the bothy (always check opening hours in the off season), we complete the 5mi (8km) trek. But it wouldn’t be Orkney without a proper test by fearsome Viking weather gods: the storm rolls in at full force while we broil our sausages over the fireplace.</p> <p>I’m bracing myself for a freezing night’s sleep on a stone pallet when one of our crew spots headlights. Praise Odin! Our savior, who we learn is named Philip, and his dog Maxwell, just so happen to be heading for the ferry back to Stromness after working on their holiday home which, like most residences this side of the island, is unoccupied in the dead of winter. We bundle into the truck, perched on a stack of firewood, and make it safely back to the village. Cheers to our new mate Phil.</p> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.directferries.com.au/ferries_from_scotland_to_orkney_islands.htm">Ferries to Orkney</a> depart from Scrabster and Gills Bay in the north, and Aberdeen further south. Renting a car will help reduce weather-related delays, but the journey and some travel around the archipelago is doable via public transport.</li> <li>In the darkest days of winter, sunrise is at around 8am, and the glow settles into night before 5pm, with an average maximum January temperature of 43°F (6°C). Plan your movements and clothing layers carefully.</li> <li>Accommodation on Orkney is well-worn but well-loved. You’ll likely be staying in rented cottages, B&Bs, and hotel rooms above pubs, rather than swish modern digs.</li> </ul>Getty Images / Alan Majchrowicz 1136936676 Getty Images / Alan Majchrowicz The Old Man of Hoy, a sea stack in the Orkney Archipelago.

Video: Devon's Village of Fire | UK Festivalshttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/devons-village-of-fireVideo: Devon's Village of Fire | UK FestivalsMon, 19 Aug 2019 19:29:19 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/devons-village-of-firehttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/festivals-discoveries-notting-hillNomad Joe Stuart hits Notting Hill Carnival one wet Bank Holiday weekend to explore the history and passion of the popular event.2019-02-18T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/festivals-discoveries-notting-hillhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The annual three-day celebration of British black and Caribbean culture is decades old, and brings together dance troupes, performers, musicians and chefs from the local community, as well as thousands of visitors from around the world.</p> <p>Despite the wet weather, Joe finds it takes more than rain to dampen the spirits of party-goers united by a love of music, food, culture and kinship.</p>World Nomads 0

Stand Up | Belfast Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/stand-upStand Up | Belfast Travel StoryThu, 12 Jul 2018 19:19:06 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/stand-upAgainst All Odds | UK Wildlife Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/against-all-oddsAgainst All Odds | UK Wildlife StoryWed, 02 May 2018 18:55:00 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/against-all-oddsIn Full Bloom | Brighton Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/in-full-bloomIn Full Bloom | Brighton Travel StoryMon, 30 Oct 2017 18:43:19 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/in-full-bloomCareening Into the Isle of Skye | Scotland Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/careening-into-the-isle-of-skyeCareening Into the Isle of Skye | Scotland Travel StoryFri, 20 Oct 2017 20:20:56 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/careening-into-the-isle-of-skyehttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/whats-hot-in-london-this-summer-olympics-not-includedKnowing where the locals go to get the best food in town, or where to discover that great little bar on a Friday night can make your trip that much better.2012-04-05T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/whats-hot-in-london-this-summer-olympics-not-includedhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>There are plenty of festivals, concerts, and activities that happen in London each summer.</p> <p>So, if you’re craving those uniquely London experiences that will take you from corner to corner of the city, I’ve got a few ideas for you. Here is a roundup of some interesting events taking place around London.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#theatre"> Open Air Theatre </a></li> <li><a href="#camden"> Camden Crawl </a></li> <li><a href="#chelsea"> Chelsea Flower Show </a></li> <li><a href="#locals"> Experience London Like A Local </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="theatre">Spend A Night Under The Stars at Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre</h2> <p>True to it’s name, the <a href="http://openairtheatre.org/" target="_blank">Open Air Theatre</a> is an outdoor theatre nestled in the heart of London’s beautiful Regent Park. Talented actors and actresses take to the stage to perform a range of theatre, from Shakespeare to classic musicals. Tickets range in price - but you won’t have to break the bank.</p> <p>How cool would it be to watch Shakespeare in Regent Park? And of course, there are tons of dining options, available right at the theatre. You can pick between noshing on the BBQ’d goods provided pre-performance, picking up from a buffet, or pre-ordering a picnic! You can also grab a Pimm’s to top it all off. So go ahead and pack a blanket, cozy up, and take in some classical theatre under the open sky.</p> <h2 id="camden">Explore Camden Town - Camden Crawl</h2> <p>You might have heard Amy Winehouse croon along about her beloved Camden Town in London. Camden is a neighborhood in London that offers a rough-and-ready-for-anything vibe. You can find an eclectic mix of culture, fashion and art in Camden. Throughout its history, the neighborhood is also known to have hosted the first gigs of quite a few famous rock-bands, including: Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd. So it seems natural that Camden hosts the annual Camden Crawl.</p> <p>The Camden Crawl features a strong line-up of up and coming (and already notable) bands, comedians and interactive events. Spanning over a weekend, the Camden Crawl will get you well acquainted with the neighborhood. Hop from bar to bar and check out all of the awesome talent that’s on the bill. </p> <h2 id="chelsea">Stop And Smell The Roses At The Chelsea Flower Show</h2> <p>Brits are gardeners - and proud of it! See what’s new in the world of flora and fauna and indulge your inner green thumb at The Chelsea Flower Show. The world’s best arrangements, designs and landscapes await you! I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that Chelsea is a beautiful neighborhood in its own right.  Known as one of the most posh areas to peruse, the number of high-end shops and restaurants is abundant. </p> <h2 id="locals">Experience London Like A Local - With A Local!</h2> <p>You’ve heard of all the “touristy” places to go: <strong>Big Ben</strong>, the <strong>London Eye</strong>, and <strong>Buckingham Palace</strong>. But let’s be honest, an exciting part of exploring a new city is getting to know the nooks and crannies that are off the beaten path. Knowing where the locals go to get the best food in town or where to discover that great little bar on a Friday night can make your trip that much better. That’s where <a href="http://guidehop.com/" target="_blank">GuideHop</a> comes in.</p> <p><a href="http://guidehop.com/" target="_blank">GuideHop</a> connects travelers with locals who offer various types of adventures, tours and activities in their hometown. Feel like taking a guided tour of the best pubs in London? How about a nighttime photographic tour of London? It’s easy to find these activities and more on GuideHop. Each tour ranges in price, so you can pick an activity that fits your budget. </p> <p><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/aphs.worldnomads.com/travel-tips/17431/Picture1_005.jpg" /></p> <p><i>Exploring the markets on Portobello Road. Photo by wilski</i></p> <p>Perhaps most importantly, make sure that you find the perfect accommodation for your stay in London. Say goodbye to stuffy and expensive hotels, and say hello to the comforts of your own London flat!</p> <p>If you’re traveling to London this summer, make sure to check out these alternative events and truly experience that local vibe. It’s the perfect chance to see how these different events reflect London’s unique cultural history.</p> <p>This summer, make sure you blaze your own trail around London!</p> <p><strong>About The Author</strong></p> <p>Savannah Cookson is the Community Manager for iStopOver.com. </p> <p></p> <div></div>iStock/FilippoBacci 0458413145 iStock London, England - November 2, 2013: a large crowd of people flocking Portobello Road in London. Portobello Road is famous for its market, where you can find many vintage occasions.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/welsh-weather-tipsWales can sometimes be four seasons in one day, but you can prepare for that and still have a good time. Read about all things Welsh weather before you go.2015-07-02T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/welsh-weather-tipshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>'Enjoy' is perhaps not the right word. Wales is very rainy and foggy. It gets a lot of warm, moist air from the tropical air mass. It gets less sun than England, and its rains are very intense. July is its warmest month, when temperatures reach to about 19 degrees Celsius (66 Fahrenheit).</p> <ul> <li><a href="#mountains"> Mountain Weather in Wales </a></li> <li><a href="#dress"> Dress For the Weather in Wales </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="mountains">Mountain weather in Wales</h2> <p>Plus, the weather can change rapidly.</p> <p>Snowdonia, a popular mountain-climbing area in Wales, sees an average of two deaths per year, though more have occurred in recent years, and the rescue service responded to people in distress 69 times in 2010.</p> <p>Many people fall to their deaths or get injured on slippery ice; three fell 500 feet and died in the same spot on a ridge at Clogwyn Coch in 2009.</p> <p>The fast-changing weather has also contributed to several deaths and near deaths, as the temperature can seem considerably warmer at the bottom of the mountain path.</p> <p>There are plans to install signs on the mountains, which have several footpaths, to warn visitors of possible dangers, but some have opposed them, saying they'll detract from the natural beauty.</p> <p>A recent traveler advises those doing outdoor activities in areas like Snowdonia, which are, by mountain standards, not very big, to be as cautious as they would be scaling tall peaks in very cold weather. He points out that scree and slate can be slippery even when there is no rain.</p> <h2 id="dress">Dress for the weather in Wales</h2> <p>Waterproof clothes, good shoes and enough food and drink are recommended. Always tell someone where you're going and bring a light, whistle, map and compass.</p> <p>Remember, too, that signs on the road and elsewhere will be written in Welsh (which means those warning signs about hypothermia would be incomprehensible to 99% of hikers!)</p>iStock/tirc83 0612845708 iStock Abereiddi, UK - September 10, 2016: Four cyclists taking a break on Welsh coastline. Three are sitting and one is standing taking a photo of the bay at Abereiddi