Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
best food in the capital (p. 137). Giorgio Locantelli creates innovative Italian cuisine
at Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli (p. 134).
THE
most unforgettable
LOCAL EXPERIENCES
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Finding the road over Hardknott and Wrynose Passes (Cumbria):
It's dizzying as you
round a hairpin and look into the deep valley between the two passes, but that's only one
moment in a switchback experience on steep, narrow roads in a remote area. Late-
summer sun gives the burned orange and ocher landscape a golden glow. See p. 621.
W
Taking the cliff train from Lynmouth (Devon):
When the old pullies creak and
the big tanks fill, this century-old, water-powered train climbs 183m (600 ft.) from
the North Devon fishing village up to cliff-top Lynton. The views are extraordinary,
but the experience is both breathtaking and kind of scary. See p. 368.
W
Sipping homemade wine in the countryside (Isle of Wight):
You'll often find
locals at the Rosemary Vineyard on the edge of Ryde, sitting on the terrace outside
the Vineleaf cafe, enjoying views across the fields and hills, with a glass of wine, or
maybe even a blackberry liqueur. See p. 308.
W
Stumbling over a field of bluebells (Surrey):
The flowers herald spring all over the
place, but there's nowhere finer than Surrey Hills (p. 281). Potter about the little
roads that dive into the woods, see a footpath sign, and just walk. Or aim for Leith
Hill (p. 282), with one of the best spots near the parking lot at the bottom.
W
Finding a bargain at London's best street market:
A jumble of open-air stalls and
warrens of indoor arcades combine to make Portobello Road the quintessential
West London market. Haggle hard and you'll likely get 15% off the asking price.
Saturday is the best day, when even the crowds can't ruin the fun. See p. 152.
W
Experiencing winter in the garden (Cambridge):
Cambridge University Botanic
Garden is lovely year-round, but few visitors explore during the winter, when the
intelligent planting reveals a wealth of multihued stems and bark, plus winter-
flowing plants, giving way to Lenten roses and early wild daffodils. See p. 499.
THE
best
FAMILY EXPERIENCES
W
Sitting on Southwold beach (Suffolk):
This is old-school seaside in a nicely gen-
teel way, with ice creams and good waves (and not far to walk to get to them). And
for grown-ups, there's a pub (the Lord Nelson) to slip off to at the top of the steps,
and beguiling individual shops not much farther. See p. 521.
W
Riding the coasters (Surrey):
Chessington World of Adventures is a theme park
that proves England can do it as well as the U.S. Scare yourself silly on the big
roller coasters, but there are also rides for youngsters, as well as nice grassy areas,
and a zoo full of animals (
real
ones such as lions and tigers). See p. 285.
W
Being a right Charlie (Buckinghamshire):
There's nothing quite like painting your
own diddly design onto a phizz-whizzing plate. The Roald Dahl Museum, in the
village where the late author lived and wrote
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
and
other children's classics, is as irreverent as his topics. See p. 229.
W
Going back in time (Warwickshire):
The crashing and banging of ancient battles
fought turns Warwick Castle from simply a castle into a whole medieval theme
park. You'll find yourself on a quest to fit everything in amid the princesses, kings,
towers, dungeons, gardens, and more. See p. 462.
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