pretty villages Archives - Honest Explorer

England

13 Fun things to do near Durham, England

11/09/2019 2 Comments

Durham is a picturesque university city in the North East of England. The city has a castle, cathedral, river and pretty countryside surrounds. This medieval city has a certain heritage charm and is easily walkable. There are great places to eat and lots of things to do here, plus in the nearby areas.

Durham Castle

Built in 1072, this impressive castle hosts a 14th century dining hall, 2 chapels and an impressive 17th century staircase (supposedly haunted by ‘the grey lady’ who fell to her death here- creepy!) The University of Durham now owns the building, with people actually living in it! You can explore the castle through daily guided tours.

Durham Cathehdral

A UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built between 1093 and 1133. The architecture inside is stunning and with free entry (donations welcome) why not pay it a visit. Harry Potter fans might be interested to know that Durham Cathedral was where a lot of the scenes were filmed in the first movie. The cathedral is open daily until 6pm (5.30pm on Sunday).

Durham Riverside Walk

Go for a walk along the lush green River Wear and take in the city from a different perspective. There is a 3-mile circular walk which goes past the castle, cathedral and the beautiful botanical gardens.

Booking.com

Wander around the cobble lanes

Just going for a little wander around the town is fun in itself. There are some pretty little lane ways and streets around, great for taking in this historical town. You might be able to find some quirky photography spots too.

colouful umbrella display Durham high street

Colourful umbrellas display

Durham University Botanic Garden’s

Towards the south of the city is the picturesque botanical gardens, set in 25 acres of land. The gardens are open to the public and have a variety of landscapes from tropical greenhouses, woodland and tropical bugs and insects. They also have various events and art pieces situated around the gardens.

Grab a coffee or brunch at a cute café

flat white kitchen coffee shop — Take a coffee break…

The Flat White Kitchen is a cute and a tastefully decorated independent coffee shop, serving brunch, lunch and obviously lots of the good stuff! Take a break at this popular spot and re-fuel.

Crook Hall & Gardens

Gardens and pond at Crook Hall — Pretty gardens at Crook Hall

Crook Hall is an old grade I listed building which was built in the 13th century. The gardens are very well kept and gorgeous, requiring a small charge to go in. You can grab a cream tea in the hall, whilst looking out over the beautiful gardens. There is also lovely self-catering cottage accommodation available.

Have a drink at one of England’s most haunted pubs

Dating back to the 12th century The Shakespeare pub is allegedly haunted (although I’m finding it hard to find out why!). It is popular for evening drinks though- even if you might not get to see any actual ghosts.

Durham Town Hall

Although a town hall might not sound all that interesting, the interior inside the Victorian Great Hall, with its historical wooden beams, is quite stunning and worth a look inside.

Dine out in the many restaurants

For a fairly small place there is a surprising number of eateries open late each evening. I was pleasantly delighted at the amount of choice from Thai, Italian, Turkish, burgers, you name it. All the restaurants are situated close together, allowing you to ponder over which cuisine takes your fancy.

Booking.com

Things to do near Durham & surrounding area

Penshaw Monument

Penshaw monument, or real name, The Earl of Durham’s Monument, is about a 20-minute drive out from Durham town centre. This 70 ft tall monument is perched on the top of Penshaw Hill and has wonderful views over the countryside. The walk to the monument will take around 10 mins and is not that hard. You can also climb up to the top of Penshaw monument for a small fee.

Whitby Abbey

Situated a little further away at just under a 90-minute drive, is the impressive 13th century gothic Whitby Abbey. Perched on a hill it looms over the town with an imposing view. You can walk through the ruins although they are quite pricey, but you can get good views from the outside. They have a tearoom and pretty gardens too.

Booking.com

Whitby Harbour & Town

Whitby harbour fishing boats — People watch at Whitby harbour

Situated in Yorkshire, Northern England, Whitby is a very busy seaside town, popular with tourists. It was surprising bigger than I thought it was going to be, with shops and cafes on both sides of the bridge by the harbour.

There’s cute souvenir and handmade craft shops, coffee shops & restaurant’s, bookshops, art galleries and everything else. The harbour is quaint and pretty and busy with boast tours and fishing bout their daily busses.

Booking.com

So as you can see there’s plenty of things to in and near Durham, England. Tell me which ones do you like the look of most?

I would love if you could share this post too!

Beautiful Walks in England: Dorchester on Thames

05/09/2019 No Comments

Who doesn’t love a country walk? When the weather is warm and sunny it’s the perfect time to head out for one of the many beautiful walks in England. That being said, the English countryside can look just as pretty (or even more so) in Spring, Autumn or Winter (if it snows!). But a hot summers day and blue sky is what greeted me when I visited Dorchester on Thames with my Mum and sister.

Dorchester on Thames Village

A small roman village situated nine miles from Oxford and fairly close to the Chiltern Hills, area of outstanding natural beauty. It is close to where the river Thames and Thyme meet.

This attractive village has it all, chocolate box thatched cottages, stunning green English countryside, cute little tea shops, old fashioned English pubs, an impressive Abbey and even classic cars!

The small Oxfordshire village just happened to be the stopover for a group of classic car enthusiasts on their way to an event. This allowed tourists and locals alike to gather along the main street, taking photos while the owners posed with their much-prized vintage cars.

Booking.com

Dorchester on Thames, classic cars — Arrived just in time to see the line of vintage cars- such a delight

First stop was to have a good old cuppa tea in Lily’s Tea Room, a very welcoming family-run tearoom serving a classic full English breakfast, sandwiches and afternoon tea- how delightful! Next stop was to explore the quaint village.

The village is small, with a couple of pubs, a hotel and a few shops. Some of the side streets are lovely and worth checking out for the picturesque cottages. There’s also a war memorial situated in front of a very cute thatched cottage.

wooden door, Dorchester on Thames — How cute is this door

Booking.com

Dorchester on Thames war memorial — The war memorial

Some of the buildings, such as The George, an old coaching inn, date back to 1495 and still look just as quaint as I imagine they did back then. Dorchester on Thames also has a small claim to fame being the set of several episodes of ‘Midsummer Murders’.

the george hotel, Dorchester on Thames — An old coaching house, dating back to 1495

Booking.com

Dorchester Abbey dates back to the 12th century and is one of the earliest Christian buildings in Great Britain. It’s seriously impressive and has a museum and tearoom for tourists to find out more about the history of the abbey.

Dorchester Abbey

Booking.com

Food & Drink in Dorchester on Thames

There are several places to eat in the village from Lily’s Tearoom and the Dorchester Abbey tearoom. There are two old pubs, the Fleur de Lys, which has a lovely beer garden and the George Hotel, dating back to the 15th century. The pubs were closed on my visit, so we ate at the White Hart Hotel and grabbed a cosy seat by the window, perfect for people watching.

pub lunch burgers — Yummy lunch at the White Hart

More on England: 9 Beautiful Cotswolds Villages You Have to Visit

Dorchester on Thames country walk

There are many pretty walks around here- we did a circular walk covering quite a lot, which made for a lot of variety along the way. This must be one of the best walks in England I have done- it was just so pretty!

pretty English thatched cottage — How cute is this!

After getting a tiny bit lost down some country lanes, due to a very poor hand drawn map- we headed out of the village and across to Hurst Water Meadow. Set across 25 acres, these historical flood meadows (when not flooded) are very picturesque and green, filled with delicate yellow and purple flowers.

House in country dated from early 18th century — House dated from early 18th century

Booking.com

After passing a few more idyllic country cottages, we walked alongside the river, as well as seeing a man swimming in the glistening water (and slightly murky looking water). With the river on one side and lush green fields on the other, it was so nice to soak up the British sunshine.

pretty house and small bridge along thames path — Walking along the river

The path (which links up to the Thames path) winds its way around to a little church where a wedding was taking place- all the guests were gathered outside. The church, named St Peter’s, sits opposite Wittenham Clumps, a pretty but steep hill overlooking Dorchester on Thames and surrounding countryside.

Booking.com

After a quick sit down, we walked up the hill to be greeted with beautiful views over the English countryside. The views were stunning, and everyone was out on the warm Sunday afternoon, enjoying some downtime. After some family photo time we walked over to an adjoining hill which was once an iron age fort.

More on England: Clovelly: The Prettiest Village in Devon?

Down the hill is Little Wittenham Wood, a delightful woodland, covered by trees and smells of flowers. A nice break from the warm sun. I love how much variety there is on this walk.

little wittenham woodland — Little Wittenham woodland

We wandered through the woodland and came out by Days Lock, built in 1789 and the setting of the annual Poohsticks championships. We watched the gates open as a family on kayaks and an older couple went through on their boat. Such a nice setting with the sun our and blue water sparkling.

The walk back to the village took us on a different a path, alongside fields on one side and small hills on the other, where some sheep friends were out to say hello. This pretty walk back lead us into the heart of the village where the walk ended.

Booking.com

Oxfordshire countryside, walks in England — Pretty walk back to the village

Hope you enjoyed this post on one of the best walks in England– it really did have everything from river, ponds, streams, woodland, meadows, rolling hills and a quaint village to go with it.

How to get to Dorchester on Thames (from London)

By Car: It’s about a 90-minute drive from London, depending on traffic. From the A40, follow the M40 West, at junction 6, change to the B4009 (Watlington/P. Risborough exit) and follow that down to the A4074 (Henley Rd), which will lead to the village.

By public transport: Taking almost 2 hours, take a train to Reading and change onto the X38 or X39 bus to the village.

More on the UK: Kingsand and Cawsand: Undiscovered Cornwall

Share this post to anyone who loves the English countryside as much a me!

Save me for later!

Pin this!

Pin ME

England

Clovelly: The Prettiest Village in Devon?

26/06/2019 3 Comments

Cobbled paths, bright white houses, decorated windowsills complete with colourful hanging flower baskets- oh and donkeys. It’s not Greece- it’s the pretty and very steep village of Clovelly, Devon. So photogenic I could not put my camera down!

The pretty village of Clovelly is still a working fishing village and sits on a steep cliff, so steep there are even cars to take you back up if you’re tired. There is no road traffic here only donkeys and sledges. The donkeys used to be a way to transport goods into the village but now are just there for kids to ride and pat (and the adults too!).

clovelly devon village — Is this the prettiest little village or what!

Booking.com

donkey, Clovelly, Devon — Saying hello to the local donkeys of Clovelly

Did I mention that you have to pay to enter the village? Yeh, it’s quite strange but it is definitely worth it as it’s so incredibly picturesque. You can pat the donkeys in the stable and check out the textile factory while you’re there too. The pottery shop also has lots of interesting handmade items for sale too. You can have a go yourself at pottery workshop which is open throughout the summer.

pottery workshop, clovelly devon — Make your own pottery!

The walk down into the village is steep but do-able. There is an art gallery, a small church, museum, gift shops, a coupe of pubs and the harbour right at the bottom. Take your time to explore the tiny side alleys before heading into the tea room for a classic cream tea.

More on Devon: Lynmouth: A sleepy Devon Fishing Village that packs a punch

Clovelly, Devon — Try a traditional Cornish cream tea

Flowers are everywhere and each house has paid such attention to detail with the quirky window decorations and welcoming front patios, perfect for a fresh coffee in the morning. I think I forgot I was even in England! I could have been aboard, especially with the sun beating down and the endless blue sky.

After taking in the harbour views, we headed back up the steep path to find food. It was a climb I’m not gonna lie, increased with hunger pains, but I made it. We had a good sized lunch in the New Inn, outside on the pretty patio before heading back up to the visitors centre. Clovelly was just a stop off on the way down to Cornwall but so glad we made the small detour as it was just stunning.

More English villages: 9 Beautiful Cotswolds Villages You Have to Visit

harbour at Clovelly, Devon — View back up to Clovelly village

Even though it’s quite touristy it still feels very authentic. There are only a handful of places to stay in the village, so if you want to see it after all the tourists are gone then staying in the village would be the way to do it, getting up early the next morning while it’s still quiet.

Booking.com

join.booking.com

Getting to Clovelly in Devon

I would recommend driving to Clovelly and parking in the visitors centre. The local bus 319 runs to Clovelly but it can be tricky navigating local buses, and sometimes in these small towns they might not run very often. For more info check out the official site.

I’m very happy with my short visit here, picture perfect and a glimpse into a quaint traditional Devon fishing village and a quieter way of life. Clovelly- you have been wonderful.

*Compare prices from all major car hire companies with Skyscanner*

Pin this for later!

Pin me

Save me for later 🙂

If you liked reading this you’ll love:

England

A Guide to: St Ives, Cornwall

28/02/2019 20 Comments

a guide to_ st ives, cornwall — Save me to Pinterest 🙂

Artists have been drawn to St Ives for years, enticed by its subtle and romantic light. If you ask any artist whose taken home here they will say it’s because there’s something special about the light. The artistic nature of the town is evident, with museums, galleries and quirky art shops lining the laneways.

But St Ives is not just a town for artists. Surfers and food lovers are also drawn to this relaxed, outdoor living. St Ives, somewhat surprisingly has a great food scene. There is everything from beach bars, restaurants, fish & chips, ice cream shops, independent coffee shops, vegetarian cafes, bakeries and a wide selection of international cuisines.

St Ives, Cornwall, things to do — The harbour is lined with cafes and restaurants

Surfers have their pick of four stunning beaches close to the town, as well as a surf school for beginners. For more advanced surfers, the swell in winter can get pretty big. One of the most popular beaches for both families and surfers is Porthmeor beach. This has a stunning coastal backdrop and sits opposite the Tate gallery. Harbour beach and Porthminster Beach are also sheltered beaches, great for swimming.

free guide solo female travel — Get your free guide now…

Things to do in St Ives…

Barbara Hepworth Museum

This was actually Hepworth’s personal studio from 1949 until she died in 1975. The small space and beauty really lies in the garden, where her sculptures sit (most of which were placed by Hepworth herself). The tranquil setting has a tropical vibe lined with palm trees and the sun pushing it’s way through the leaves, hitting the sculptures in a perfect formation.

St Ives, Cornwall, Hepworth museum — Hepworth’s sculpures

This is a very interesting visit, to find out more about Hepworth’s life and just to sit where she sat, and take in the beautiful setting. You can buy a combined ticket with the Tate gallery which will work out cheaper. I would recommend doing both!

St Ives Tate Gallery

St Ives, Cornwall, Tate gallery — Impressive Tate gallery

I had no idea there was even a section of the Tate gallery in St Ives before my visit but it may even be better than the London one. If not just purely for the views from inside, that back onto the beach, through a giant glass window shaped in a semi circle.

The art as you might expect is pretty contemporary but there are some interesting works to be seen. The building has just been through a £20million refurbishment and some of the rooms and architecture are quite spectacular.

More on Cornwall: Kingsand and Cawsand: Undiscovered Cornwall

Soak up the sun on the Beach

the beach, St Ives, Cornwall — St Ives has 4 main beaches

There are no shortage of beautiful beaches here. On a hot sunny day, with the water turning a gorgeous turquoise colour, there’s no better way to relax then to head to the beach. The Harbour beach is basically in the town if you don’t want to walk much and is a hub for atmosphere. Beware of the seagulls though- they will pinch your lunch!

If you’ve come from the Tate, well, Porthmeor beach is just in front, along with the beach cafe. Art, beaches and food- what else do you need!

Explore the Cobbled Streets of St Ives

I loved just wandering around the backstreets and checking out the cute shops along the way. St Ives has some really pretty streets and quirky fisherman’s cottages, all adorned with tools lying outside ready to be used.

St Ives, Cornwall, fishermans cottage — Fishermans cottage

Flowers hang from baskets along the narrow streets that open up to hidden galleries, pretty boutiques and handmade craft shops. Fore street is supposed the be one of the prettiest but was super busy when I went, so for unspoilt photographs, head there early!

Where to get good coffee in St Ives:

St Ives is up and coming on the coffee scene with lots of independent coffee shops popping up. I happened to stumble across a small one man, hole in the wall type thing, serving coffee by Yallah coffee roasters. The guy said that this was the first day they were even open and the only place they are situated themselves (they provide beans for various cafes also).

Ethically produced coffee

The coffee was delicious and locally roasted- what a find. The farms they use are sustainable, environmentally friends, plus all takeaway cups are biodegradable. Be sure to check it out in front of the harbour beach.

Where to Eat in St Ives:

As I said at the top, there are many places to eat, from nicer restaurants to relaxed beach bars. Above the coffee place I just mentioned sits The Surf Shack- a shabby chic cafe with relaxed vibe.

There are tonnes of bakeries, cafes and diners to choose from. Head to either Fore street or along the harbour for a variety of choices.

Where to stay in St Ives:

Airbnb St Ives, Cornwall — Cosy Airbnb in Carbis Bay

There are plenty of accommodation options for all budgets, from hotels to budget hostels. If you have a car then getting a holiday cottage rental may work out good value for you. I had an Airbnb in Carbis Bay which is only a 15 min drive/train ride into St Ives. Staying just outside the main town may be cheaper also.

Use this map widget below to find cheap accommodation:
Booking.com

Getting to St Ives:

Easily accessible by overnight trains from London Paddington, the Midlands and the North. You can also get a coach with National Express to Penzance and then hop on a local bus to St Ives. By car, St Ives is just off the A30 and the nearest airport is Newquay. For more info check out the official site.

If you liked this post you might like:

pin me!

Pin me 🙂

England

Mousehole Cornwall: A Quaint Fishing Village

13/02/2019 20 Comments

If you’re looking for a quaint and traditional Cornish fishing village, away from the crowds then Mousehole is the place to go. Not too frequently visited by tourists, this tiny and peaceful harbour village holds so much charm and authenticity, it’s the perfect weekend getaway.

Mousehole is a small working fishing village which sits about a 15 minute drive from Penzance (trains run daily from London to Penzance). Walking around Mousehole it feels as if you are discovering this old-world village for yourselves rather than a tourist destination to visit. Walk around the pretty laneways and stop in the small cafes and art galleries along the way. Or stroll along the harbour where the local fishermen’s cottages are neatly placed, with a prime view of the beautiful harbour.

Mousehole, Cornwall. — Exploring the small laneways

You will see couples sitting on the benches lining the harbour, children playing in the water, someone reading a good book and local fishermen attending to their boats. For such a small and unassuming village, a lot goes on if you stop and take the time to look.

Mousehole harbour Cornwall. — The harbour

As you walk around the cobbled lanes, you may come across small stalls outside peoples homes, selling handmade crafty things or old books. All complete with honesty boxes in which you pay- it works with trust here. I found this quite charming.

Handmade items for sale

Explore the several gift shops close to the harbour, each with handmade items, inspired by the sea and ocean. I found a really interesting shop just off from the harbour called The Ark. Inside were quirky witchcraft type items like vintage mini potion bottles and lucky charms. Great for unique gifts and original items for the home.

mousehole cornwall travel blog — View back down over the harbour

Just opposite this shop is a small public footway which heads up a hill and through the grass and bushes. After we pushed our way to the top we came out at a private road so walked along and then back down to the harbour. You are rewarded by beautiful views back down over the village.

shop in Mousehole, Cornwall. — Cute lil souvenir shops

gift shop Mousehole, Cornwall. — Gift shop inspired by the sea

For places to eat in Mousehole there’s a choice of pubs, restaurants and cafes. We stopped at a pretty little cafe for brunch and sat outside in the garden, surrounded by white walls and green palms. Hard to believe we were still in the UK!

cafe in Mousehole, Cornwall. — Are we in the UK or Spain?!

english breakfast, Mousehole, Cornwall. — Couldn’t resist

Places nearby Mousehole…

There are also many walks you can do in the surrounding area, as well as some stunning beaches close by too. One of which is Porthcurno beach which on a sunny day wouldn’t look out of place in the Mediterranean. Mousehole is also close to St Michael’s Mount and Lands End. A perfect little base to explore this pretty section of Cornwall.

Stunning beaches nearby

Also nearby is St Michael’s Mount

So if you want a place to just relax or take in the Cornish way of life then come to Mousehole! This authentic village is situated away from the hustle and bustle of neighbouring villages and still holds so much of its natural charm and beauty.

Posts you may be interested in:

Booking.com

England

Kingsand and Cawsand: Undiscovered Cornwall

12/09/2018 No Comments

Walking down cobbled laneways lined with bright pink flowers. White and pastel coloured houses against a backdrop of a deep blue sky. Intricate wooden doors and gates. Turquoise waters lapping onto the shore. No, we are not in the Mediterranean- we are in Cornwall!

But this is exactly what it feels like- somewhere aboard. Of course it helps that we are having one of the best summers on record. Close to 30 degrees everyday (can’t complain). Everything just brightens and glows in the sun. I feel relaxed, happy and content as I walk these fascinating streets, along with my boyfriend who has travelled all the way from Australia (he’s my lucky charm with this weather). Everything about this place is so inviting. Almost so much so that I want to move here!

seaside village — It’s a picture postcard kinda place

So where are we? Kingsand and Cawsand are two small villages in Cornwall, right on the border with Devon. In fact, Kingsand used to be a part of Devon until 1844 when the boundary changed. We come across a house that used to be on this border and now is appropriately named ‘Devon Corn’.

house on the border with Devon and Cornwall

The house on the border

What can you do in Kingsand and Cawsand?

The first thing we do is just to walk around and explore. The villages are so close to each other and we lazily wander the streets, taking mini detours down unassuming little laneways. Locals take pride in their properties here. Every house is perfectly painted in a fresh pastel colour or a bright white. Flowers in hanging baskets are well kept and windowsills are thoughtfully decorated.

We look down onto the beach. Could be anywhere in Europe with those turquoise waters- I just cant believe the colour. Such a deep green/blue shade and clear as well. We are here quite early and it appears the town is just waking up. There are a few bathers in the water. I imagine its much colder than appearances might suggest. The beach is situated in a little cove, with rolling green hills in the background. My boyfriend comments of the rugged beauty and diversity of the English coastline. Something not seen as much ‘down under’.

boy in blue waters, Cornish seaside village — Kingsand

I though Lynmouth (Devon) was pretty but this is beginning to be my favourite place so far. We are at the end of a week long trip around Cornwall and this is the perfect end. We walk past the one pub and onto Kingsand which is only a five minute walk away. I like how these two villages intertwine- you never quite know which one your in. I think we are in Kingsand but the sign says Cawsand beach- confusing! Anyway Kingsand is much the same and we wander around a couple of tourist/beach souvenir shops. Everything is handmade from the one off cards, to little wooden ornaments and photo frames. I feel like spending!

looking out over Kingsand and Cawsand viallges

After some gift buying (for myself), we head onto one of the little coves on the Kingsand side. There are many of these small coves, like little private beaches with only room for a handful of people. The locals are starting to gear up for the day, setting up their beach towels and deckchairs. Some of the younger and more adventurous are jumping from wall and into the water. I’m just perfectly happy to stand and watch on this one.

boy jumping of a wall into the ocean — Local boy jumping from the wall!

Time for some activity…

After some lunch in the pub we decide to take up paddle boarding. Neither of us have tried this before and it’s very cheap, so we hire out a SUP for 30 minutes. It’s pretty easy to master, even though my boyfriend falls off immediately. He blames it on his ‘slippery’ board (hmmm). The water is super calm as we paddle fairly close to shore and admire the views looking back at us. A good half hour well spent!

Time to brave the water. It’s hot outside and the clear, turquoise waters look oh so inviting. It’s freezing. But ‘if you keep moving’ it’s fine haha. Cold water aside its lovely to just swim in the ocean with the sun on my face. Looking back at the view from the water is gorgeous. You can really see the hills in the background and all the pretty houses up on the cliffs.

walking in the shallows, Cawsand — Water still cold but refreshing 🙂

After drying off we head onto the coastal path, not sure what to expect. We walk up and through the countryside towards Penlee Point. We were on the beach five minutes ago and now we are in pretty woodlands. I love that you get a bit of everything here. We come off the path at Queen Adelaide’s Grotto, which was once a lookout and was named after Queen Adelaide after she visited in 1827. Now it’s an old ruin situated in the cliff by Penlee Point. The stone archways are pretty magnificent, backing out to unobstructed views of the rugged coastline.

old ruin on a cliff top — Queen Adelaide Grotto

Coast seen through archways of old ruins — Yes, we are still in England hehe

We carry on walking down from here to find some steps leading down onto the beach. There are many coves formed by the rocks, the shallow blue waters gently rolling in, creating an idyllic little haven. We just sit from above and take in the view. A women is relaxing on the beach with her dog, who’s loving it’s environment. As hunger calls, we decide to head back for a mandatory ice cream. This sleepy town has served us well.

blue ocean in small cove — Gorgeous little coves

Kingsand and Cawsand you have been truly wonderful. I’m sure I will return one day.

More reading: Beautiful Walks in England: Dorchester on Thames

If ya liked it: Pin it! …

Booking.com

England

Lynmouth: A sleepy Devon Fishing Village that packs a punch

05/09/2018 21 Comments

Driving into Lynmouth…

Coming from a family holiday in Wales, we have a long drive into Devon and eventually get to Lynmouth around 4pm. Once you come off the motorway and onto the A and B roads, the drive becomes incredibly scenic. Lynmouth is set below high cliffs, so a pretty steep decline down into it and you arrive at a small, quaint fishing village.

We happen to arrive during The Lynmouth Regatta and Maritime Festival, so the town is full with energy. A bit different to the sleeping Devonshire fishing town I was expecting! There are country singers, face painters, boat races and food stalls. There is also an outdoor mini golf which we just have to try!

lynmouth regatta festival decorations — Just in time for the Lynmouth Regatta & Maritime Festival

people crowded in harbour for Lynmouth Regatta — Locals cheer their boats at the finish line

After checking into our Airbnb, right across from the water, we play an 18 hole round of mini golf before it closes. Everything closes early here. I don’t know about you but I love a round of mini golf and the setting here is just perfect. A cooling breeze from the ocean just opposite, rolling green hills in the background, people singing and laughing and the BBQ smell drifting it’s way over (ahh lovely).

playing mini golf — Who loves mini golf?!

We just have to grab one of those burgers I smell cooking at one of the food stalls- AMAZING. They are produced from the hills just above the town, the guy serving us tells us. You can just tell the quality instantly and I think I would go as far to saying it’s one of the best burgers I’ve ever had! (I know, statement!). Can’t believe I don’t even photo it- it’s that good I just stuff it in my mouth! After savouring that delicious taste for as long as I can, we venture for a wander around town.

There is lot going on for such a small town, everybody is celebrating and enjoying the unusually hot summer. Flags are lined up along the estuary, bunting is hung over the town shops- which are closed but they seem the usual cute handmade gift store type thing. People are already lining up for fish and chips- well no better place to have it I suppose. Kids play in the stream, adults are drinking in the pub and families are watching the boats come in for the finish line. It really is idyllic. That’s the only way to describe it. The sun is perfect.

The pretty stream…

We follow the stream out of town and head towards Watersmeet. Now, if you’ve never heard of Watersmeet (which I hadn’t either) then google it now. I mean…if pretty green woodlands and streams are your thing then you need to visit here! There are so many walks around this area from easy to hard. Visit the National Trust website for more info on various walks.We are feeling pretty tired so just go for a quick stroll up the stream. It’s pretty beyond words.

pretty running stream by cottages — Maybe the prettiest place I’ve been too!

The perfect temperature, warm but with a cool breeze and the sun lowering in the sky, giving everything that orange glow indicating the end of a beautiful day.

We come across a memorial garden- very pretty, signifying where a cottage once stood before the devastating flood of August, 1952. The lovingly kept garden welcomes visitors and is a great little find for somewhere peaceful to read a book or simply sit and take in the surroundings.

After a leisurely stroll back, we grab some chips and scampi from the chippy and watch the sun go down from our room. We have these big windows with ocean views, the suns rays bursting through the room. A great afternoon which has thoroughly exhausted me. So much so I can’t even get up to watch the fireworks outside. Something my boyfriend keeps bringing up time and time again (sooo sorry- again!).

sunset through big window — Room with a view 😉

The next day we get up early and head back out into the village. A strikingly different picture to the previous day- it appears the whole town is still sleeping. There’s no singing, no noise, the food stalls have been packed up, the water is calm and the shops are still closed. This is the sleepy tiny village I had imagined. No one is around- maybe still sleeping off hangovers after the festival. I guess everything’s a slower pace of life here.

So we head up…and up…and up. The coastal path is steep. There is the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway which takes you up but there is no way to get to it from where we are. Lynton by the way is the village right next door to Lynmouth. We eventually come across a sign saying ‘Valley of Rocks’. We take the path, which leads right out onto the steep cliff edge, with views right across the sea. The blue sky bleeds into the ocean reflecting the same colour.

overlooking harbour from cliff in Lynmouth — Steep but worth it

walk up the cliff, Lynmouth, Devon — Taking a break- about 5 minutes in!

You might like: Clovelly: The Prettiest Village in Devon?

Not before long we reach the Valley of Rocks, which is essentially a pile of rocks. But it’s a spectacular pile of rocks! A big valley below with stunning views of the countryside. I can even see a couple of goats chilling out on the rocks. We walk over the other side and down into to valley. A German couple told us it was a 5 minute walk to Lynton so we decide to check it out.

posing with blue sea in background on cliff top

Lynmouth, Devon rolling hills — The gorgeous valley

Lynton appears to be slightly more built up than Lynmouth but a pretty little town all the same. Then we come across the cliff railway! What a relief, I was wondering how the hell I was gonna walk back down! This town must be high up. It’s only around £3 one way so we take the little carriage thing back down to Lynmouth. The views down are amazing, overlooking the village with the sea and rolling hills as a backdrop.

me sitting on the rock, overlooking the coast

Lynmouth cable car, Devon — Views from the cliff railway

Unfortunately our time in Lynmouth has come to an end as we are heading onto our next destination, the pretty village of Clovelly. With such a short time here I didn’t think we would get up to much but it feels like we did a fair bit. A typical Devon fishing village, that I randomly came across online has lived up to be so much more.

If ya liked this post on Lynmouth you might like 9 Beautiful Cotswolds Villages You Have to Visit

England

9 Beautiful Cotswolds Villages You Have to Visit

29/08/2018 12 Comments

Being in the Cotswolds is like being in an English fairytale. It’s just so pretty! You know when you see something in pictures and you think ‘I’m sure its not really that nice’, well the Cotswolds really are! You will be in photographer heaven on a visit here, I found myself just not being able to put my camera down- I wanted to photograph anything and everything.

There is something incredibly romantic about the Cotswolds villages too. It’s that fresh country air, the smell of flowers lined up on every path and the sound of children playing in the running streams. Its idyllic. The charming honeycomb cottages, edged by sparking streams and the lush green countryside. Quintessentially English is an understatement.

So here are 9 of the best villages in the Cotswolds…

Castle Combe

sitting on the bridge in cotswolds village — Admiring the view

Castle Combe is one of the first villages you will come across if driving from London. The village is frequently named one of the prettiest in England and was one of my favourites for sure (although so hard to choose!). The small high street leading down to a little bridge over a gorgeous stream really makes this village picture-perfect. There are a few different side streets with cute tea and coffee shops and obviously a church (every village has a church!).

Bibury

Bibury is just past the bigger town of Cirencester and is an idyllic little village, with welcoming cottages all lined up opposite a small stream. This tiny street is one of the most photographed in the Cotswolds. I enjoyed people watching from the bridge over the stream, kids playing in the water and the pace of life in the English countryside. Every cottage is lovingly kept and decorated with hanging flower pots.

pretty houses in Cotswolds — Picture Perfect 🙂

kids playing the stream, Cotswolds — The idyllic village of Bibury

Bourton on the Water

VERY popular in summer with locals and tourists spilling out onto the stream that runs through the village. This is a good size village with plenty of cafes and souvenir shops to keep you occupied. There is also the motoring museum and a model village of the town. It was really busy when I visited but I can see why as it is such gorgeous place to enjoy the English summertime.

Lower Slaughter & Upper Slaughter

Mill shop & Museum, Lower Slaughter — Mill shop & Museum

Not gonna lie, I am still confused about which is which, as these two pretty villages just seem to merge into one another (although most images are from Lower Slaughter I think). This was another favourite place of mine and a lot quieter than some of the other villages. The Slaughters are very quiet and green and great for just wandering. There is a small stream (always a stream it seems!) and a little church. Even a couple of girls on horseback rode past, just as the sun was lowering, giving a golden glow to everything it touched. I mean…just perfect.

churchyard, in Cotswods village — We found a pretty church 🙂

More on the UK: Beautiful Walks in England: Dorchester on Thames

Stow on the Wold

This old market town is where me and my boyfriend stayed overnight at a gorgeous little Airbnb, complete with ‘Romeo and Juliet’ balcony! Took a few cheesy photos- couldn’t resist!

looking out the balcony onto pretty courtyard

I’ve never travelled with a boyfriend so being in the Cotswolds was such a romantic place to visit- including St Edwards church. Walk around to the other side and you will find 2 trees perfectly situated on either side of the wooden church door. I feel more cheesy romantic shots coming…!

Stow on the Wold has many choices of cuisine and the pub at the end of the street plays live music in the evenings. Lots of quirky antique shops and art galleries to explore in the daytime too.

The cat at our Airbnb

Chipping Campden

This charming historic town has a fairly substantial high street compared to the smaller villages. The stone buildings line the main street in an elegant fashion, with many tea/coffee rooms and souvenir shops to choose from. There is a pretty impressive church and gardens too.

Church off of Chipping Campden high street

inside church in Cotswolds (glass windows)

Playing in the church gardens

Snowshill

standing by gate of church in Cotswolds countryside — Snowshill- the less touristy village

This sweet little village is pretty small with views over green rolling hills. It has its name due to the village being on a hill, so when it snows it lands there first. This pocket sized town is much less touristy than the others.

walking in quiet cotswold village — Snowshill is so sleepy

Close by are the Cotswolds Lavender fields which are definitely worth a look in summer. The smell is incredible and its just English countryside at its best!

Being incredibly cheesy!

Blockley

Blockley has some great countryside walks and a mill stream winding through into the valley. I only had a short time here, just passing through but found it to be very quiet and the least touristy places of all the villages. The village is known for it’s silk production, reflected in the buildings looking a little bit different from other Cotswolds villages.

Broadway

Broadway is another popular spot for tourists and local alike, with a big main street and plenty of antiques shops, museums and places to eat. The honey coloured buildings burst with historic architecture, as demonstrated by The Lyon Arms Hotel.

laneways in Cotswolds — Exploring the laneways

Hope you enjoyed reading about these gorgeous little villages. There are just too many to pick from! For sure I will be going back here as I didn’t get a chance to see half of what I wanted. Just gives me an excuse now to go back now- perhaps in winter. If you haven’t seen what the Cotswolds look like in the snow then google that now (trust me- amazing!).

I’m also on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook so be sure to check out my other channels and pin the image below if you liked this post!

More Reading: Lichfield City: An Undiscovered English Gem

Booking.com

England

Lichfield City: An Undiscovered English Gem

14/05/2018 No Comments

In the heart of the country in the West Midlands lies a small city called Lichfield. Actually it’s one of the smallest cities in the UK. That’s not to say there is far from things to do here. This cathedral city is perfect for a weekend break and if you like a bit of history, culture and cute souvenir shops it will be right up your street. It’s quintessentially English. Here’s what you can get up to in this pretty town.

Visit The Stunning Lichfield Cathedral

Well this has to be the first thing I write about! This cathedral is huge and full of architectural amaziness (if it’s not a word then it should be!). You can walk around for free or for a small donation and they will often hold small art exhibitions here too. The detail of the sculptures and stained glass windows is something to be admired and it’s hard not to be impressed. Definitely top of the list.

Discover the House of Samuel Johnson

The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum was the former home of the man who wrote the first English dictionary. Over 5 floors you can discover how he lived and see some of his old belongings, including that famous first dictionary on the top floor. Another free activity with a bookshop on ground level.

Tea and Scones!

Can you get anymore English?! Lichfield is a great city to just sit and relax in one of the many tea shops, selling cakes, scones and chocolates. These shops are usually decorated with pretty bunting and enticing rows of cakes in the windows. Don’t worry coffee lovers, there’s something for you too, head to Coffee 1 in town where you can pick your blend for that perfect cup of coffee.

Just Wander Around

Lichfield is full of these sweet little shops selling all kinds of things from ornaments, to shabby chic ‘bits and bobs’, candles, flowers, picture frames and homemade cards. It’s easy to get carried away here.

Discover Roman Ruins

Letocetum was an old Roman-English town that dates back to 1st century AD. Here you can wander around these old ruins free of charge and read about the buildings that used to be here. There is also a museum but it’s opened limited hours and days. It had just snowed when I visited so the ruins and church in the background looked gorgeous.

Grab A Sunday Roast

There’s nothing better than a proper English roast dinner and at The Brewhouse and Kitchen they do it well. This bright but cosy pub had the biggest Yorkshire pudding I’ve ever seen!

Check Out the Old Prison Cells

The Old Guildhall Prison Cells are small but interesting. You can see how the cells were set up during the 15th-18th centuries and hear stories of the former inmates, including public executions and lashings (eek!).

Dine In One Of The Many Restaurants

For such a small city there are so many places to eat! Try some tapas and cocktails at Faro Lounge or head to The Wine House for some evening drinks. Ask is family friendly and serve yummy Italian dishes, or for something a little bit more posh Ego Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar do great food with beautiful decor inside. Many of these restaurants also have great vegan and vegetarian options.

I loved that so many activities are free and that everything in the city is a 2 minute walk away! There are things I didn’t get the time to see such as Erasmus Darwin House, home to the grandfather of Charles Darwin. There are many parks and things to do with kids such as Drayton Manor Theme Park, Beacon Park, Chasewater Railway and National Forest Adventure Farm. There is also the National Memorial Arboretum located in the National Forest.

How Do I Get Here?

Lichfield is easily reachable by coach or train services from the North or South. Birmingham is only a 30 minute drive away and Virgin trains from London Euston take only 1 hour 10 minutes. The West Midlands train will be 2 and half hours from London.

Check out thetrainline.com and pre book tickets to get a cheaper price. I booked a week in advance and got a return ticket From London Euston to Lichfield City for £16. Lichfield Trent Valley station is about a 20 min walk out from Town so best to get in at the City station.

Where do I stay?

There are numerous options from camping to self catering options, guesthouses and hotels. Rooms will roughly vary from £40-£100 a night. If you don’t have a car then I would recommend to stay in the city centre as it’s easily walk-able. If you are driving then there are more rural options just outside the city.

How Long to Spend?

I had a day and a half and did a lot but I think 2 full days would be perfect, or 3 of you don’t want to rush things. It’s perfect for a weekend getaway.

When Should I Go?

I would say anytime of the year would still be a great visit. I had snow when I was there and the city was incredibly pretty. Although based on the many outdoor type activities then summer would also be a fantastic and preferable time.

Any other hidden UK gems you guys know about? I’m always looking for recommendations..

More from the UK: Things to do on Brick Lane, London