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How To Get From Heathrow To Southampton Cruise Terminal

May 11, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

how to get to southampton cruise terminal

Cruise liner at Southampton Cruise Terminal in Hampshire England

Having lived in Southampton and now back in London, I thought I would provide a little insight on transportation and just how to get from Heathrow Airport to Southampton Cruise Terminal.

Located in Hampshire, on the south coast of England, Southampton is best known for its close connection with the sea. It is from here that very famous ships such as the Mayflower started their adventures, in the seventeenth century.

A maritime city par excellence, Southampton is an ideal place to practice all marine sports. If you like sailing, go to Ocean Village, a large sports centre, where you can rent large and small boats.

My first graduate job was also located in the village of Hamble not so far from Southampton central where all things marine sport and activity related start from. Beyond the sea, the city of Southampton is also very interesting in itself.

Crossing Bargate, the ancient gate of the medieval city, you will find many green spaces and parks where it is pleasant to relax with a picnic or simply enjoying the sun.

You can also pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum and the Maritime Museum. Here, you can learn more about the history of the city, not to mention the fascinating Civic Center art museum which boasts a splendid collection of contemporary art. So if you arrive early for your cruise there are plenty of things to occupy your time with.

Why Cruise Port Do I Need?

Note that there are a number of cruise terminals in Southampton; the Western Docks and Eastern Docks. Having that information to hand for your drive or for your taxi will be very beneficial.

Western docks are Dock Gate 20 or Dock Gate 10 is for the Mayflower Terminal and Dock Gate 10 or 8 for the City Cruise Terminal.

On the Eastern Docks you have Dock Gate 4, where the Ocean Cruise Terminal and QEII Terminals.

What is the cheapest option to get to the Cruise Terminal?

The cheapest way to get to the Southampton Cruise Terminal, is to use the National Express coach service and then, a cheap taxi in Southampton from the station.

Buses(coachees) leave from Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, you can’t go wrong. If you are lost there is an information desk at the airport. I advise you to ask for information once you arrive at the airport but there is clear signage around the airport for the station, coach station and taxi ranks.

Transportation Options From Heathrow To Southampton Cruise Terminal

There are many ways to get from London to Southampton Cruise Port: in this post I will outline all methods and costs to allow you to choose the best option for you, whether travelling solo or with family and friends.

Obviously, everything costs much less, if you have a friend or relative who can pick you up and drop you off. Unfortunately, in many cases, this is not the case, so you will have to manage with local transportation.

If you have your own car or have a friend or relative who can accompany you, the price you will spend is between £11 and £18 for fuel.

Don’t despair, below are many options for you to consider.

Renting A Car And Driving To Southampton Cruise Terminal

The most convenient way to from Heathrow to Southampton is by is car hire. You can easily book in advance for a rental car via EasyCar or Thrify from Heathrow and drop off in Southampton.

The journey time from LHR to Southampton Cruise Terminal is about 1 hour and 30minute with traffic being good. The cost of renting a car, depends a lot on the model chosen and any add-ons you choose to have, such as additional driver, break-down cover and accidental cover, all the usuals with rentals.

Note: You will need to make sure you have valid drivers license to drive in the UK. Also, make sure you note the side of driving in the UK is different to many parts of the work. We drive on the left. Also, make sure your credit card has enough money to cover the deposit the rental car will need to hold.

Southampton Cruise Port Post Code for Western Docks: SO15 1HJ

Southampton Cruise Port Post Code for Eastern Docks: SO14 3GG for QEII and SO14 3QN for Ocean Cruise Terminal.

Parking At Southampton Cruise Terminal

If you are taking your own car to the cruise terminal note that there is parking nearby. It is advisable to book your long stay parking near Southampton Cruise Terminal in advance.

You can do this by phone or via ABParking website. You can book and pay online. Make sure you print out your voucher and have it already displayed as you arrive at the terminal.

There are five dedicated long stay car parks located directly adjacent to the City Cruise Terminal in the Western Docks

For long stay car parking in the Eastern Docks facilities are located alongside the QEII Terminal

Using Uber from Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Terminal

This is an easy option where you let someone else manage all the driving, compared to the option above. You don’t need to worry about a rental, deposit, or getting used to driving on the left.

No need to think of parking either. This option however will cost in the region £80+ depending on the time of day. Driving time is roughly the same to providing there isn’t traffic.

Note: Not all drivers may be willing to drive from Heathrow to Southampton. If you have trouble with this method and have too many suitcases, I suggest changing your Uber journey from Heathrow to Waterloo which is likely to be about £40-50 and from Waterloo simply catch the fast and direct train to Southampton Central Station and from there get a taxi to the terminal.

Heathrow To Southampton By Taxi

To travel by taxi from Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Terminal is similar to Uber but where driver may be unwilling to do the distance, pre-booked taxi from London to Southampton may be the best way to go.

You can book via local minicab in Hounslow. A quick Google search and you will get lots of options for minicabs but for something easy and bookable online with pick up when your flight arrives, you can book a taxi to Southampton Cruise Port via Addison Lee. Prices start around £120 and vary depending on the car you choose.

This option while may appear expensive means you can book everything online and have them wait for you at the arrivals hall. No need for additional mobile phone charges in a new country to call the cab company.

Coach Transfer To Southampton Cruise Terminal From Heathrow

There is no bus from Heathrow to Southampton per say, however there are coaches. By far one of the cheapest options to get from Heathrow to Southampton Cruise port is via coach transfer.

You easily get National Express coaches from Heathrow to Southampton Coach station and then from their hop on to a taxi to Southampton cruise terminal.

The price for the National Express Coach from Heathrow starts from £10 and for the taxi from Southampton Coach station to Southampton Port is just under £10 but can be a little bit more during rush hour.

It’s not a great distance. Also not one I recommend on foot either. You can check times and book your coach in advance via NationalExpress.

Transfers From Heathrow To Southampton Cruise Terminal

An excellent solution precisely because it offers direct transport from the cruise ship to Heathrow and vice versa.

Although there are buses dedicated to transfers, this continues to be one of the best services required by passengers arriving at Heathrow needing stress-free transportation.

Often shuttle services are offered by hotels and it is always good to inquire first to be prepared. You can also find shuttles that you can book to the Southampton cruise terminal. There are several options for shuttle services and this are outlined below

Option one: Private minibus for you and your private group. This option starts at £150 for the minivan.

Option two: Private car and driver and costs around £225

Option three: Shared mini-bus with other passengers all going to the cruise terminal. This option starts from £70 per person.

To compare prices and see list or operators check Southampton Cruise Terminal Transfers here.

Taking The Train From Heathrow To Southampton Cruise Terminal

The distance from London to Southampton is just over 60 miles or a one hour and ten-minute drive. When it comes to getting to Southampton cruise terminal by train there are several options.

In London, as you may know we have underground, overground and bus transportation and sometimes, it may require using all three options to get to where you need to be. So below I will outline the main options for getting from Heathrow to Southampton by train.

Option 1: From Heathrow Airport take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. Note that this is an overground train. When you arrive at Paddington, you will see directions for the underground.

Once you get there you can take the Bakerloo Line(Brown Line) to Waterloo station. From Waterloo Station, you will come out of the underground and look for directions to overground or British Rail.

Here you will look for trains to Southampton Central. The journey is about 45 minutes for the fast train. When you arrive at Southampton Central take a taxi to the Terminal.

Option 2: Take The Piccadilly Line from Heathrow Airport to Holborn. From Holborn Station, there is a bus stop only a few meters from the station entrance. Take buses 168 and ask the driver to call you for Waterloo Station but unnecessary as the buses have announcements for each stop and there is a screen showing next stops.

The journey from Holborn by us is about 10 minutes. When you arrive at Waterloo Station you simply have to cross the road and up the escalators to train platforms and ticket office. You can look at train times and costs via Omio. Remember that booking early for trains in the UK can save you money as the more in advance the cheaper they are.

Where To Stay: Hotels Near Southampton Cruise Terminal

Below are some of the nearest hotels to Southampton Cruise Terminal, you can also see the full list here.

Holiday Inn: Centrally located near West Quay Shopping Centre and Cruise terminals. Rooms also offer views of Southampton Waterfront.

Mercure Southampton: Located only a 20-minute walk to Southampton Cruise terminals and West Quay Shopping Centre as well as close to Southampton train station. Parking available for £5 a day.

Room2 Southampton: Right in the heart of Southampton with access to a fitness center, nearby entertainment, and shopping as well as being only 0.3 miles from the cruise port. Parking available for£12 a day.

Ps Apartments: The perfect self-catering option with access to town centre, cruise terminals and shopping. On-street parking available.

Hotels Near Southampton Cruise Terminal With Parking

In addition to Mercure mentioned above, you also have Royal Court, The Regent Guest House, Dominieon Suites and Circle Guest House all offering parking on-site, although not free.

Things To Do At Heathrow Airport While I Kill Time

Lets, say you have to wait for friends and family at Heathrow having arrived earlier, I have a guide on Heathrow showers and other facilities like internet connection on the blog.

Also if you arrive late at Heathrow and need to stay overnight before heading to Southampton I have a guide on hotels at and near Heathrow Airport.

What Is The Nearest Train Station To Southampton Cruise Terminal?

The closest station to the cruise terminals is Southampton Central station. While it’s not too far, I highly recommend a short taxi ride, particularly if you have lots of bags. The taxis are not that expensive and this saves you the uphill walk to the terminal.

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11 Travel Inspired At-Home Date Night Ideas

April 14, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Romance is defined as the excitement, adventure, and something extremely surreal. So with that in mind I am going to be sharing a few tips on travel inspired date night ideas you can do at home, in your living room, kitchen, garden or balcony for those living in the inner cities in apartments.

Adding a little romance between you and your partner need not cost the world, its all in the little things you do for each other that bring joy to each other. It also doesn’t have to be anything extravagant.

5 Reasons Why Date Nights In Are Great

Date nights are not just for people starting a relationship, Datenights are also great for those already in a relationship together, married or cohabiting. Dating is a fun experience that allows you to get to know more about your partner. People grow and evolve that there is always something new you can learn about your partner. There are always cool and new things to discover and new things to find out that you enjoy or have in common.

Below are reasons date nights in are great:

Cost Effective: You can do romance frugually. Date nights in offer a great way to get to know your partner without spending a lot of money.
Explore new ways of romance that don’t require travel or being outside of your home.
Help reduce stress of what is going on outside, with work or family live by taking a moment to do something that bring comfort, laughter and joy your way.

11 Travel Themed At Home Date Night Ideas

I have covered romantic things to do in London, Dubai, Singapore, Liverpool with more to come, below are ideas that don’t require a passport but are very much travel themed so feel free to bring your wanderlust game and ideas to the table!

Greek night in.

Cook A Meal

Explore countries you have been to or dream to visit through food. Nothing is more romantic that been cooked for or cooking with your partner. Explore the world’s cuisine without heading to the airport. Whether is Lebanese Lamb kebabs, Greek Gyros with a side of Greek Salad, Thai Curry, Spanish Paella, or Italia Pasta meal. You can also try your hand making sushi at home or even at baking. For a little inspiration, check out this cool recipe for Scottish shortbread.

The key here is not to buy prepacked meals but the process or creating this together, tasting together, reminiscing together about the places you have been together or plan to visit and there by making it all part of the evening’s conversation:

Include the kids in on the date?

Get them to draw the flags representing the food send then them off to there rooms with other country-related activities like a quiz and maybe their meals too while you and your partner enjoy a little quiet dinner. Or as a reward for staying away the night before you cook offer a hearty brunch date with the kids. For amazing brunch ideas check this site out.

A night of Italian food, movies and arm-chair travel planning.

Island Breeze Cocktail Hour

With the weather getting warm, how about creating Caribean themed cocktail hour in the garden. If you don’t have a garden, you can also do this on the balcony. Don’t have a balcony? Don’t worry, open all the windows and let the breeze come through, throw a little jazz on or some chillout music and enjoy the cocktails as you plan your next beach getaway to that Caribbean island you have been dreaming about for so long. For inspiration on tropical island cocktails, check these out.

Fondue Night

For Fondue night we going to use some elements of the above ideas, you can do this in the garden and chill to music while enjoy the good weather we are currently getting or do this indoors on a dining table. Fondue is a Swiss melted cheese dished in a communal pot or Fondue pot over a portable stove heated with a candle or Spirit lamp and eaten by dipping bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks.

You can enjoy the cheese paired with some wine, some good music in the background and plan how you will some-day hike through the Swiss Alps or take a relaxing trip to experience Swiss spas overlooking snow-capped Alps.

Massage Night

Been to Sweden, Thailand, or India? Don’t worry if you haven’t, if you have the internet you get a few tips or free style it. The point here is to give the massage allowing you to relax your partner and perhaps explore eye other’s bodies. The Swedish massage uses softer strokes, on bonier and more delicate parts of the body and stronger strokes on where there is thick muscle coverage. The Thai massage while similar to the Swedish massage, it incorporates, yoga-like stretches.

With the Thai Massage the whole body is pushed, pressed, rocked, vibrate, and rhythmically compressed. The Indian head massage, also known as champissage is a treatment that focuses on massaging acupressure points along the head, neck and shoulders in circular strokes to improve hair and scalp condition but is also great at relaxing the mind and body. What better way than to help your partner to relax and feel at ease for a restful night’s sleep.

Butler or Maid For The Day

Half a day, an hour or two. The choice is yours. You can limits this to romantic tasks if you will. The key thing here is ROMANCE! Things you can add to the list can include, running your partner a bath, choosing an outfit for them, cooking for them, putting their feet up and massaging their feet with oils(clean your feet please!), pouring a class of wine and then incorporating any of the above; massage, meal, or preparing movie night for them.

While Butler has been associated with many different places, from Ireland to German but we are going to go with the English occupational name, denoting a servant in charge of the wine cellar, from the Norman French word Butuille, so for the day or evening you can designate one of you to be the butler for the day; any time your partner feels ‘parched’ the butler shall ‘filler up’, a cup of tea, a glass of wine, whiskey. Just call the butler!

Indoor/Outdoor Movie Night

I have covered movies set in Florence but there are plenty more travel-themed movies out there that will have you romantising and dream about walking in the cities or countries that they are set in. Put some cushions on the living room floor, grab some snacks and set down to a movie.

If you have Netflix or Amazon Prime, you have an array of movies and TV shows set in London, Paris, Tokyo, South Africa, Indonesia. My current favourites at the moment are Queen Sono, Extraordinary Homes, Magical Andes, Eat Pray Love. For something for shows with a travel theme check this out for some inspiration.

If you have a garden you can also run your movies from a portable projector and project your chosen movie on to a wall or a bedsheet, light some candles around the garden, throw a blanket on the grass with some cushions and enjoy a movie.

Have kids and want them involved in movie night: There are shows like Street Food Asia, Tales of Light, Somebody Feed Phil, National Park Adventures, Instant Hotel all suitable for the youngins.

Indoor/Outdoor Picnic

Been to or dream of visiting England, Japan, Italy or France? Again don’t worry if you haven’t been because no one is going to judge the results! How about an indoor or outdoor picnic with an English Tea or Japanese Tea ceremony? You can even do a picnic with a french theme. None of these require too much effort. Grab all manner of French cheese and some wine and crackers, create a cheese board with all kinds of cheeses, add some olives, crackers and you are good to go!

You can also do this with an Italian theme too and get all kinds of Italian meats too. Some wine, a picnic blanket on the living room floor or garden and you have already travelled to a new country without leaving your home. Bonus points of your of you, between you and your partner and find suitable music to go with the theme.

Travel Themed Chirades

Name the country, the city, cuisine, landmark, grab the snakes and if you will, you can also involve the family too.

Couple’s Meditation

‘Loving kindness’ meditation, only requires 15 minutes of your time. Loving kindness meditation (LKM) is a popular self-care technique that can be used to boost well-being and reduce stress. During loving kindness meditation, you focus benevolent and loving energy toward yourself and others. Also, check out Very Well Mind for how to practice.

Destination Themed Take Away Night

This one is an easy one. If you have Uber Eats or Deliveroo, you pretty much have the world’s best cuisines at your finger-tips. It’s like a roller dex of continental food! Pick from Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Ethiopian, American, Lebanese, Indian and more. From curries, sushi, pizzas, burgers and ramens. You also order wines and deserts too; gelatos, crepes and more. You just press the order and chill back and enjoy it when it arrives.

Take An Online Cooking Glass

Ever wanted to learn how to make pasta, make chocolate, make a pizza, sushi or dumplings, Jamaican patties? Well, now you can! There are of course free sites like the BBC food, YouTube as well as an online course like Master Class where you can have the whole course learning to make desserts and meals from lots of countries around the world. There are course with Gordon Ramsey, Gabreila Camara, Massimo Buttura and many more.

Remember To:

Share the responsibility of planning your date nights regardless or how good or bad you thing you may be as a cook or planner. Make fun of each other’s great or terrible ideas. – -The key here is to have fun without being demeaning.
Plan ahead or keep the idea as a surprise but still reveal planned day of the date night.
It doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s the idea and thought that counts.
Remember to be kind and give criticisms with kindness as all of the above is meant to be done in the name of love.

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The Best Southampton Hotels Near Cruise Terminal

April 6, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

If you are heading to Southampton cruise terminals and find that your flight or drive gets in a day or even a few days before you leave for your cruise then finding a convenient hotel near Southampton cruise terminal may be the way to go. In a recent post, I talked about how to get from Heathrow Airport to Southampton Cruise Terminals by train, bus, taxi and various transfer options. While I did offer some recommendations for places to stay in Southampton near docks, that list wasn’t as extensive as this post.

Terminals In Southampton: Choosing Where To Stay

Southampton is a lovely city full of life. There are plenty of things to do while you wait for your cruise to leave and many of these things are centred around the town centre which is not so far from the terminal either. When choosing where to stay in Southampton, especially if you are staying for at least a day or two is to stay need the centre of town where you have plenty of bars, restaurants, shopping mall and a few attractions.

Another consideration when choosing where to stay is considering which cruise terminal you are leaving from: Western Docks or Eastern Docks. This will depend on the cruise liner you are travelling with. Below is a map with the location of the Mayflower cruise terminal which is one of the popular terminals but Southampton is not huge anyway if you decide to stay further from the center of town, you are only a quick taxi from the terminal.

Things To See And Do In Southampton

Visit SeaCity Museum
Explore Southampton City Art Gallery
Retail Therapy In West Quay Shopping Mall
See A Show At Mayflower Theatre
Visit The Tudor House Museum

Cool Hotels Near Southampton Docks

Below are some high rated hotels near Southampton cruise ports.

The Pig-in the wall: All rooms are equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. offers air-conditioned rooms, a bar and free WiFi. The property is close to Medieval Merchants House, Tudor House Museum and St. Michael’s Church. Private parking is available on site.

Royal Court Apartment: Centrally located, the apartment has a kitchen with a dishwasher, a fridge and an oven, a living room with a seating area and a dining area, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms with a bath and a shower. Free WiFi and free parking is available on site.

Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel: An amazing 4-star hotel that dates back over 500 years and the oldest hotel in Southampton. Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel has its own on-site car park and offers free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel. The hotel also an award-winning Signature Restaurant sources as much local produce as possible and is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food is also available in the Oak Bar & Coffee Lounge Parking available for £5 a day.

Poseidon Apartment: A self-catering option with this 1 Bed Flat in the heart of town has water sports facilities, free WiFi and a washing machine. This property offers access to a pool table and ping-pong. Free parking is available on site.

Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour: Located on the waterfront in Southampton, the luxury hotel with Spa, a brasserie restaurant, lively bar, and sea views from many of the rooms. All 4-star rooms at Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour have a flat-screen TV. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a work desk, and a seating area. Parking is available at £14 a day.

City Centre Home From Home: A self-catering option 2 bedroom apartment equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 2 bathrooms with a shower. Free private parking is possible on site.

Ennios Boutique Hotel: An adult-only hotel, located opposite the Red Funnel ferry terminal and just minutes from the city centre and cruise terminals, Ennios is an Italian restaurant with boutique bedrooms that offer luxurious comfort. Parking is available at £7.50 a day.

Cheap Hotels Near Southampton Docks

Circle Guest House: A bed and breakfast located in the centre of Southampton. Full English or vegetarian breakfast is included in the room rate and is served every morning. You also have plenty of options for restaurants and shopping near the B&B. Its also less than 10 minutes walk from Southampton Central train station. Free parking available.

ibis budget Southampton Centre: Located in the heart of Southampton. The train station is a few minutes’ walk away. Rooms at Ibis Budget Southampton Centre are modern and bright, and each benefits from air cooling, a flat-screen TV, and an en suite shower room. Chargeable parking is available but limited.

Novotel Southampton: Novotel looks over the port and is just 450 yards from Southampton Central Rail Station. Bright and spacious rooms at Novotel Southampton feature a private bathroom and a large work area. Rooms also include a laptop safe, a hairdryer, and tea/coffee facilities. Parking is available at £10 a day.

Freemantle Solent Lodge: A B&B located only a short walk from Mayflower Theatre and Southampton Guildhall. Free parking is available to guests.

Hotels Near Southampton Cruise Terminal With Parking

Hotels with parking at Southampton cruise terminal

The Elizabeth House Hotel: A great hotels offering free parking and long-term cruise parking to guests(subject to availability). All rooms come with TV and Freeview. Cruise terminals are a short taxi ride away.

Abbey Lodge Guest House: Centrally located, near attractions and only 450 yards from the Mayflower Theatre and offers a great English and Irish breakfast. Free parking available for guests.

Winston Hill Lodge: Located near attractions and offers not only a hearty Full Englis and Irish breakfast but free wi-fi to guests as well. Its only 3 miles from Southampton Airport and a quick taxi to the cruise terminals Among the few hotels near Southampton docks with free parking.

Hotels Near Mayflower Cruise Terminal Southampton

Below is a map showing many of the hotels near Mayflower cruise terminal in Southampton to help you decide on the best location and hotel to stay.

Booking.com

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The Perfect Guide To Two Weeks In England Scotland and Ireland

January 27, 2020 by admin 5 Comments

Views of Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf from The Shard viewing deck

I have previously shared a post with all the beautiful cities in the UK to visit when you get a chance.

Building on that this post, I am now sharing tips for the perfect 2 weeks in England, Scotland and Ireland! Exploring many of cool places to visit in the UK and Ireland.

Iconic cities like London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Taking in all the famous cities in each of the cites in addition to the day trips you can brunch on.

So, this two-week itinerary should help with inspo on how to plan a 14-day trip covering 3 UK countries so that you make the most of the beautiful countryside, breathtaking coastlines, and vibrant cities.

Pro-tip: Whatever airport you land in, when arriving in London. Getting to central London or into the city is super easy. See here for my tips on how to get from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted to central London.

Southbank Walk London - River Thames Walk

Southbank with view of St Pauls in the distance

Essential Travel Planning Tips for Your Two-Week UK & Ireland Trip

Planning a two-week itinerary for England, Scotland, and Ireland by train is one of the best ways to experience the charm of the British Isles — from London’s historic streets to the wild Scottish Highlands and the scenic coastlines of Ireland. To make the most of your adventure, here are a few smart travel tips to simplify your planning and protect your budget.

🚆 1. Rail Passes Save Time & Money

If you’re traveling by train, look into rail passes in the UK and Ireland, like the BritRail Pass or Ireland’s Trekker Pass. These let you hop between cities without worrying about fluctuating ticket prices, and they’re ideal for flexible, multi-city trips.

📱 2. Stay Connected with a UK-Friendly SIM

Roaming charges add up fast. Instead, get one of the best SIM cards for European travel, or opt for a reliable eSIM for travel in the British Isles. You’ll get instant access to maps, train schedules, and local tips — essential when you’re moving through three countries.

🛡️ 3. Get Travel Insurance That Covers All Countries

Since you’ll be crossing borders, make sure to purchase travel insurance for multi-country Europe trips. Look for policies that include medical coverage, trip interruption, and protection for train or ferry delays — especially important when traveling by rail and sea between the UK and Ireland.

💳 4. Use the Right Travel Credit Card

To avoid hidden fees abroad, use credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Many of these cards also offer added benefits like trip insurance, rental car protection, and even concierge services — a great fit for travelers on the move.

🎟️ 5. Book Tours That Offer Rewards

Want to explore landmarks like the Tower of London, the Cliffs of Moher, or Edinburgh Castle with a guide? Many operators now offer guided tours with cashback or points, especially when you book through platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide using a rewards credit card.

Some Of The Best Tours Around The UK & Ireland

Check out G Adventures for curated trips around Scotland and Ireland.
Contiki offers 18-35-year-olds travel adventures withing UK covering a mix of itineries from Great Britain and Ireland, England and Scotland and Ireland.

Two weeks in England, Scotland and Ireland

The perfect UK and Ireland itinerary start with London. While every trip will require budget either that is luxe or shoestring when looking at where to stay in London.

I have hopefully made that aspect of the trip with my guide on the best areas to stay in London in addition to the best hostels in London for those on a budget trip. Some hostels also allow you to have private and family rooms so don’t be too quick to write them off completely.

England Days 1 -5

Two days in London

While bus tours aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, it’s worth considering one especially if you’re in London on a limited time schedule.

It’s a great way of making sure you don’t miss any important sights. However, if you prefer to do things on your own, below is an itinerary on where to go in London, in addition.

I have also shared a DIY walking tour of London in my one day London itinerary post.

Food trucks on Southbank not to be missed on any UK itinerary or London itinerary.

Day 1 – Exploring Westminster And London Westend

Pro tip: Check out Attraction Tix for discounts of tickets to London attractions from 2for1 tickets at London Eye, London Aquarium(great if travelling with kids), Harry Potter Studio, London Dungeon and more.

Parliament Square and Houses of Parliament

Visit the centre of the UK government, home of Big Ben, and watch live debates as they unfold. You can take audio and guided tours through the Central Lobby, Members Lobby and Commons Chamber.

You can also follow the same route that the Monarch took at the State Opening of Parliament. When you’re finished with the tours, head outside to Parliament Square and check out the statues of Churchill, Lincoln and Mandela.

Westminster Abbey

This 700 year old church is the site of the Royal Wedding, the place of coronation for British monarchs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Audio guides are available as you walk round and admire the paintings, stained glass windows and religious artefacts.

St James’s Park

This is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a green space in the city. Enjoy views of the lake and fountain, watch the pelicans at feeding time and take photos of the colourful flower beds.

Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is only open for tours between July and October. However, the Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt throughout the year.

Make sure you’re there for 11am on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday or Monday.

Piccadilly Circus

This road junction and public space is one of the busiest in London. Here you can see the Piccadilly Lights, check out the Theatre District and discover some Harry Potter locations.

This is also in the Westend which plays host to much of London’s nightlife.

Water fountains at Trafalgar Square. The lions can be found to the right of the fountains.

Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

This is another public square, and where you’ll find the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. You can also visit St. Martin-in-the-Fields, an old church that holds free concerts at different times throughout the week.

While exploring Trafalgar Square, you also check out London’s hidden gem that is the Instagrammable Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden.

Westminster Bridge

This bridge crosses the River Thames and connects Westminster on the West and Lambeth on the East. This is a great place to take photos of the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Here you can also grab a ride on many of London’s River cruise tours some of which also include afternoon Tea.

An aerial view of Westminister Bridge, Parliament Palaces and Big Ben along the River Thames.

London Dungeon

If you like gory history, then you’ll love the London Dungeons. This is an attraction that recreates gruesome historical events in a humorous style.

There are live actors, special effects and rides as well, so you won’t run out of thrills here.

London Eye

One of the most popular attractions in London, the London Eye is an observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames.

At 443 metres high, it’s an amazing viewpoint to look over the city, and not one to be missed among many of London’s attractions.

London Eye on Southbank at Night.

Day 2 – Explore The Southbank And Beyond

While London might be expensive, there are plenty of ways to save money. I have shared money-saving 10 tips when visiting London to help reduce costs.

Tower of London

See the Crown Jewels in this historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames and one of the world’s most famous fortresses.

It has served as a royal palace, a prison, an armory and even a zoo. You can take tours which are guided by the Beefeaters. I covered the Tower of London when I visited during the WW commemoration exhibition.

Sky Garden

This is one of the best places to enjoy views over the city. While the rest of the skyscraper is an office block, the top of the building is a public viewing space complete with a garden, open air terrace, two restaurants and a bar.

I have shared a post on the blog on the Sky Garden and how to book a ticket.

View of St Pauls Cathedral From Madison on One New Change.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

This iconic cathedral offers a multimedia tour or a guided tour to help you explore its beautiful interior.

You can also venture down into the crypt and learn about the tombs and memorials of important people in British history, such as the Duke of Wellington.

Make sure to visit the Whispering Gallery and the Golden Gallery for views over the city.

Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare fans shouldn’t miss this attraction – it’s a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, and is now a lively performing arts venue.

There are guided tours, a gift shop and restaurant on site, and you can even catch a play while you’re there.

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Tower Bridge with view of poppies in Tower of London moat.

Tower Bridge

Arguably the most iconic bridge in London, this is a must see. You can visit the Glass Floor and learn about the story of the Bridge, through interactive displays and videos.

Tower Bridge is just as beautiful during the day and at night.

Borough Market

Grab some lunch at Borough Market, one of the largest and oldest food markets in London. You’ll be spoilt for choice here with cuisine from all over the world.

One of the best places for a good hearty breakfast as well so be sure to check this place out.

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Borough Market food.

The Shard

The Shard is a 95 storey skyscraper and is the tallest building in the European Union. It includes three different viewing platforms , as well as a choice of restaurants and bars.

I have shared a post on our stay at Shangri-La which it located within The Shard. For what to expect when visiting the viewing decks at the shard I have shared pictures from the Shard.

West End Show

The West End is a region of London that is home to many theatres. Some of the most famous ones include the Lyceum Theatre, Apollo Victoria and the Adelphi Theatre.

For tips on the best theatre shows to watch in London I have a post on the blog in addition to where to stay in Soho.

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Magnificent view of Tower Bridge, the Shard and the River Thames at night, London, Uk.

Day 3 in Cambridge(Day Trip From London)

With beautiful architecture, fascinating museums and a picturesque river running through the city, you won’t run out of things to do in Cambridge. Here are some of the best things to see:

Go punting along the river

What better to way to take in the sights than from a romantic little boat? There are plenty of boat tour companies offering trips down the River Cam.

The Bridge of Sighs

This is a beautifully ornate covered bridge across the Cam, connecting the Third Court at St John’s College Cambridge with the New Court. If you go punting, you’ll float underneath it.

Punting in Cambridge

Visit university buildings

The Cambridge University buildings are spread out on either side of the River Cam. It’s worth visiting them just to admire the amazing architecture, especially St. John’s College.

Fitzwilliam Museum

If you like arts and antiques, then this is the place to be. It’s home to artefacts from as far back as 2500 BC and has over half a million artworks.

Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden is home to an amazing collection of plants from around the world, spread over 40 acres. There are also several glasshouses which are filled with vibrant flowers and plants.

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Historical buildings in Oxford.

Day 4 in Oxford, Bath and Stonehenge tour (Day Trip From London)

The famous university city of Oxford, the ancient city of Bath and the mysterious and fascinating Stonehenge will give you a glimpse into the history of England.

I haved blogged about how to do a day trip to Oxford from London if you want to do it on your own. Otherwise I recommend doing a tour which covers a lot of ground in one go. There are plenty of tours that combine Oxford, Stonehenge and Bath into one tour.

Oxford Castle

Oxford Castle was originally built in the 10^th century, before being used as a prison in the 14^th century. You can take a tour to discover the history of the castle, which includes climbing to the roof for a view over the city.

Take an architectural tour though Bath

Bath is the only city in the UK that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a walking tour to take in centuries of architectural art. You can find some pictures from a few visits in Bath.

The Roman Baths

No trip to Bath is complete without visiting the Roman Baths. These were used for bathing by the Romans until the end of the 5^th century. Although you can’t bathe there today, you can use interactive exhibits and CGI to learn about how important these baths were.

Stonehenge tour

Stonehenge is arguably the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. This ring of standing stones is a World Heritage Site and attracts millions of people each year.

You can also visit Neolithic houses and the visitor centre to learn more about Neolithic life. There are plenty of companies running tours, so you won’t have difficulty finding one.

Exploring Oxford

Day 5 in London then flight/train to Edinburgh

Spend one more day exploring the capital before you head north to Scotland.

Kensington Palace

This is the offices and residences of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Some historic parts of the palace are open to the public and are available for tours.

Kensington Gardens

These were once part of the Kensington palace grounds, but are now open to the public. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in the beautiful greenery. Visit the Serpentine Galleries or admire the Albert Memorial.

Maggie Jones’s Restaurant

For some lunch, head to Maggie Jones’s restaurant. This farmhouse-style venue serves up simple, British classics like fish pie and apple crumble.

Victoria and Albert Museum

This art and design museum covers 12.5 acres and has 145 galleries filled with 5000 years of art from around the world. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon, and it’s worth checking to see what exhibitions they have on.

If you are leaving on a late flight to Edinburgh and have some flexibility I highly recommend checking out the cool places to visit in Shoreditch. A chic and hip area of London that is full of colourful street art.

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Street art in Shoreditch – This where you can also find cool markets, cafes and bars.

Pro tip: Check out Omio for train, flight and coach times and compare prices for each mode of transportation on one site.

Flight/train to Edinburgh:

By flight: a nonstop flight would take 1 hour 15 minutes. Depending on the airline, the cost varies between £30 and £85, with EasyJet being the cheapest option.
By train: a train would take between 4.5 hours to 5.5 hours. Depending on the time, an advance single ticket would cost around £73.
Edinburgh also provides a gateway for those that want to combine travel Scotland and Faroe Islands as part of an itinerary.

Scotland Days 5-9

2 days in Edinburgh

Discover Scotland’s hilly capital and immerse yourself in the rich culture. There are plenty of tours you can do in Edinburgh.

From food tours to ghost tours and whisky tasting tours as well as castle tours and Highlands tours.

If you are visiting Edinburgh with a partner and need inspiration on romantic things to do in Edinburgh, I have just the guide.

Day 6 In Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle sits high above the city, offering panoramic views. It’s home to many items from Scottish history, including the Scottish crown jewels.

At 1pm every day, the gun is fired from here, and this is not one to be missed. While you are here, also make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to dine in the Secret Garden at the Witchery.

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

This is right next to Edinburgh Castle, and is packed full of exhibits on optical illusions. There are holograms, a mirror maze and a camera obscura on the top of the building – a fascinating insight into how light and prisms work.

St. Giles’ Cathedral

Founded in the 12^th century, St. Giles’ Cathedral is a stunning gothic style building. You can explore the building in your own time or take a guided tour. Make sure to visit Thistle Chapel to see the beautiful interior.

The Royal Mile

This is a stretch of streets running through the heart of Edinburgh. It runs from Edinburgh Castle all the way to Holyrood Palace, and is dotted with attractions, historical sites, souvenir shops, restaurants and pubs. For more also read my post on things to do in Edinburgh on weekend. If you are a Harry Potter fan you are also in for a treat as just around the corner from Royal Mile is Victoria Street which features among Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh.

Watch a traditional Scottish show

If you want a full cultural experience, you should see a traditional Scottish show, such as the Spirit of Scotland experience.

Local performers will put on a show with musicians, dancers, bagpipes and full Highland dress. A four course traditional Scottish meal is also included.

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland – spring with pink cherry blossom.

Day 7 In Edinburgh

Holyrood Palace

Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the Monarchy in Scotland. However, it is open to the public to explore the 14 State Apartments, the ruins of the 12^th century Holyrood Abbey and royal gardens. You can purchase your tickets to the palace in advance.

Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano sitting 251 metres above sea level, situation in Holyrood Park. It dates back to 2000 years ago, and is one of four hill forts that are well preserved. It takes about 1-2 hours to climb, so prepare enough time beforehand.

Dynamic Earth

This is a fun, interactive museum all about the history of Earth. There is something for everyone here, with a time machine ride into the past and a spaceship simulation.

HMY Britannia

For over forty years, this ship was the residence of the Royal Family. You can visit the ship and see where Prince Harry and Prince William spent their summer holidays, and where kings and queens and high profile celebrities and leaders dined.

Day 8 in Glasgow

Explore this port city which is also the most populous city in Scotland. Again plenty of tours to immerse yourself into the city’s history, gastronomy and other fun tours for Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highlands.

Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis

Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis are a must see to get an insight into the city. The cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in the city, consecrated in 1197.

Marvel at the high Gothic arches and beautiful stained windows. Just behind the cathedral is the Necropolis, which has approximately 3500 monuments and over 50,000 grave sites.

Merchant City

This is one of the most interesting areas in Glasgow, and one of the oldest. Dating back to the 1750s, it was once home to warehouses belonging to traders. Today, the warehouses have been taken over by cool bars, restaurants, designer boutiques and galleries.

The West End

This is a district 10 minutes’ drive from the city centre. It has been voted one of the UK’s trendiest neighbourhoods and is you’ll find cute little lanes and leafy streets at every turn. Harry Potter fans shouldn’t miss out on the main building of the University of Glasgow.

Glasgow Botanical Gardens

Located in the West End, these gorgeous gardens are a lovely place for a riverside walk. There are several glasshouses featuring exotic plants, a herb garden and a world rose garden.

Day 9 Highlands tour Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highlands day tour from Edinburgh

A trip to Scotland wouldn’t be complete without exploring its Scotland’s scenic drives and the amazing natural wonders of the Scottish Highlands.

Visit the home of the mythical Loch Ness Monster, the valleys of Glencoe and Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK. Check out a day tour here.

As part of your Scottish Highlands itinerary, for the Harry Potter fans, it might be worth checking out the Harry Potter train on the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Protip: Getting from Glasgow to Dublin. I would check out options via Omio or book your tickets in advance from RyanAir.

The early in advance you book the cheaper the tickets. With RyanAir just make sure you are able to print your boarding passes or download the app so that you can have the boarding passes on your one.

NOTE: Phone boarding passes are only allowed for those passport holders not requiring a visa to enter the country. If you had to get a UK/Ireland visa in advance then you will need a paper print out that has to be visa checked at the check-in desk.

Flight to Dublin from Glasgow:

A nonstop flight would take 1 hour, and start from £22 with Ryanair

Flight to Dublin from Glasgow:

A nonstop flight would take 1 hour 10 minutes, and start from £29 with Ryanair

Republic of Ireland Days 10-14

2 days in Dublin

The capital of the Republic of Ireland is a mix of heritage and hedonism, and you’ll soon find out why.

Note that I have not included Belfast in this UK and Ireland itinerary but you can get tours from Dublin that also include Belfast for those that want to add in the Giant Causeway.

You have options like this tour from Dublin to Giant Causeway. This way you can do one day in Dublin and one day for the Giant Causeway.

You can also book your tickets in advance for tours like the Guinness Tours, Jameson Whiskey Tours, Big Bus as well as the Dublin Pass.

Day 10 In Dublin

Irish Emigration Museum

The Irish Emigration Museum tells the story of the millions of people who emigrated from Ireland to different places around the world, many of them to America.

You’ll learn about why they emigrated, the process behind it, and building their new lives.

Jeanie Johnston Tallship & Famine Experience

This is a replica of the original Jeanie Johnston ship that carried cargo between Ireland and North America. During the Irish Famine it transported emigrants instead. You can take a tour to learn more about what life was like onboard.

Trinity College and the Long Room

Part of the University of Dublin, Trinity College has several impressive buildings that you can visit. The Old Library is one of the most popular ones, housing over 200,000 books including the Book of Kells – the world’s most famous medieval manuscript.

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Trinity College Library in Dublin

National Gallery of Ireland

This gallery boasts an incredible collection of Irish and European art. It hosts over 10,000 works of art and 2,500 paintings – including those of Turner and Rembrandt.

Little Museum of Dublin

For a smaller, more intimate look into history, visit the Little Museum of Dublin. Here you can learn about what life in Dublin was like in the 20^th century and has over 5,000 artefacts on display, as well as an exhibit on U2, Ireland’s most famous rock band.

Sunset over River Liffey

Towards the end of the day, make your way down to the River Liffey to catch the sunset. It runs through the centre of the city, and has several bridges which serve as great viewpoints.

Temple Bar district

The Temple Bar district is the place to be if you’re looking for live music and pints of Guinness. There are tons of bars and pubs here, but some of the most popular ones are Bad Bobs, The Temple Bar and The Old Storehouse.

Temple Bar in Dublin

Day 11 In Dublin

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is actually home to several government buildings that are built up around the old medieval castle. You can take a self-guided tour or a guided tour to explore the main castle, the Chester Beattie Library museum and the Irish police museum.

Christ Church Cathedral

This is Dublin’s oldest medieval cathedral, dating back to 1028. While the Gothic architecture is impressive in itself, you can also visit the crypt to see a number of attractions including a mummified cat and rat, and collection of silverware.

Dublinia

Dublinia is a fun museum where you can learn about medieval and Viking Dublin. There are exhibits and model houses which show you what life was like back then. You can also climb up to the top of St. Michael’s Tower to take in the views.

Kilmainham Gaol

Although this is further away from the city centre, it’s definitely worth visiting. There have been several noble inmates who were executed here during the 1916 revolution. Some scenes in the original The Italian Job film was filmed here, as well as Paddington 2.

Guinness Storehouse

Dublin’s most popular attraction is the Guinness Storehouse. This seven storey attraction is located in St. James’s Gate Brewery, where Ireland’s favourite drink has been brewed since 1759. You can learn all about Guinness here, and a pint is included in your ticket price.

Day 12 in Galway

This little harbour city on the west coast will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to Medieval Ireland. An unmissable stop on any Ireland road trip.

Galway City Museum

Galway City Museum exhibits three floors of the history of Galway City, and is located with fantastic views over the Spanish Arch, River Corrib and Galway Bay.

Galway Cathedral

This cathedral is one of the most impressive buildings in the city, and its huge octagonal dome is visible from miles away. Although it was only constructed in the 1950s, it is designed with some eclectic Renaissance and Romanesque details. It has a stunning collection of art which is also worth a visit.

Eyre Square

Situated in the heart of the city, Eyre Square is a public park and a great place to take a break from exploring. It is officially called the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, in remembrance of the US President who made a speech there.

Dunguaire Castle

This is a gorgeous 16^th century tower house on the shore of Galway Bay, and is within walking distance from the city centre. It is open to the public all year, and in the summer months it offers local entertainment and banquets.

Kenny Gallery

This was originally a family-run bookshop in WW2, and has now expanded into an extensive art gallery. Apart from hosting over half a million books, it also showcases the works of local and international artists.

The Cliffs of Moher, Irelands Most Visited Natural Tourist Attraction, sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland.

Day 11 Cliffs of Moher (+Options)

These stunning natural masterpieces are only a 90 minute drive from Galway city. They run for 8km along the coast and rise to 214m. It is a haven for wildlife and you can spot puffins, peregrine falcons and razorbills.

Take the Doolin Cliff Walk and explore the beautiful cliff views. We rented a car from Dublin and this region of Ireland on our own but you have the option to let someone else take the reigns and sort out transport and stops for you and do a tour from Dublin.

I have shared a detailed post on the best tours from Dublin to Cliffs of Moher.

Optional day:

Chill and explore more of Dublin

Take the opportunity to explore more of Dublin. Whiskey fans can take a tour of the old Jameson Distillery and learn about how the spirit is made.

You can also stroll around the city and take in the sights like St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Spire of Dublin and the Ha’penny Bridge.

Day trip to Giant’s Causeway

Another option is to visit the Giant’s Causeway and see the majestic 40,000 basalt stone columns which were left behind by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago.

Explore the trails and take in the coastal scenery at this UNESCO Heritage Site. Personalised guided tours and audio guides are also available.

How To Plan A Trip To England Ireland And Scotland

Deciding when to visit the UK is an important aspect as prices for flights and hotels in the UK will all rise and fall depending on season.

So if you are for example coming to watch the NYE fireworks in London, expect to pay a premium for hotels and flights but the more in advance you book the better.

Among the best times to visit London are just after new years, just before Spring, in addition to autumn. I find that prices are a little more reasonable.

Visiting in the summer is also a delight everything just looks beautiful when the sun is out and you can experience summer in many of our beautiful parks.

Whatever time you visit the UK, the cities are still beautiful even when its raining. For tips on what to pack when visiting London in spring or summer I have shared a guide on all the essentials to bring.

While this winter has been mild, also read my guide on things to pack for London in winter so you don’t miss anything. If this is your first time visiting Europe I also have a guide on the essential items to pack for a trip to Europe.

Below are some guide books for travel in UK and Republic of Ireland to help you plan your trip even further.

The beauty of the itinerary above is that you can split and cut any way you want. If you only have time to do the London and Scotland itinerary part or you can just to England and Scotland itinerary and skip Ireland.

If you have the full two weeks you can complete the whole England, Scotland and Ireland travel itinerary.

For those lucky enough to be travelling a month in the UK and Ireland you can really take your time to explore the countries and maybe even add more UK cities not included in this two-week itinerary.

If you have additional time to spare, be sure to add Cork’s famous Blarney Stone.

UK Travel Tips – Planning your travel for the England Scotland Ireland itinerary:

I have linked to many post on the blog that also provide you with additional information on putting together your itinery. From where to stay, things to do to getting around in London, Scotland and Ireland.

London/England Travel: You have buses, trains and tram making it super easy to see the city. London is actually a walkable city, which surprises many American tourists considering not many US cities are walkable.

You do not need to rent a car in London but may choose to do so if you are visiting Oxford or Cambridge. Again you only need the car to get there. Those cities do not require a car to explore.

Scotland Travel: There plenty of trains leaving London to Scotland which means you can start with either Glasgow or Edinburgh. You have plenty of options.

You can also fly there cheaply! Sometimes the flight is cheaper from London to Scotland than the train is. Yep – think how irritating that must be for us. Getting around Edinburgh and Glasgow is super easy.

There are buses and the cities are walkable as well so you can walk off all that haggis!

Ireland Travel: Travel in Dublin is great, with the city being walkable but for some areas, you will obviously need to use the trams which are plenty in Dublin.

The problem I find occurs when you are traveling outside Dublin as transportation is not that great. There are trains but for places like Cliffs of Moher which I will post about in more detail, you really either need to do a tour or drive yourself there.

This way you have the flexibility to stop in Galway and many other towns in between. Be sure to also include Ireland’s national parks such as the beautiful Killarney National Park.

The Best Time To Visit The UK

While any time is a great time to visit the UK, you will find that the best time to visit would be between end of March to late September because the UK weather is at is most ideal for exploring.

The end of March is when the weather starts to get better. We get a lot less rain making it ideal to explore on foot.

As we head into Spring/Summer, you have more activities that open up to you, particularly outdoor activities.

I also just love being able to chill in the park without the rain, or dining outside cafes and restaurants while the sun is shining.

Visiting during a long itinerary such as this when the weather is at its best means that you can get more options for ways you choose to explore, particularly when it comes to Ireland where transportation isn’t as great as the UK.

In poor weather, you may find it best to hire a car, whereas when the weather is great you don’t mind getting the buses so much.

The Perfect Oxford Day Trip Itinerary – With Tips On Travel From London

December 11, 2019 by admin 6 Comments

Oxford is certainly one of those cities that you will want to go back to again and again but for when time is limited there is a need for the perfect day trip itinerary to make the most of your time.

Everywhere you turn, you’re met with stunning medieval and bold, contemporary buildings that define the city and the whole country.

While it is undeniable that the construction which makes Oxford so famous worldwide is the Old Oxford University, it wouldn’t be fair to give it all the credit for Oxford’s beauty.

There are plenty of things to do in Oxford, surprising considering the size of Oxford. A lot of people are drawn to the city by the historic castles, free museums, classical theatres and tranquil parks.

Also, many cozy bars and taverns in cobbled streets and alleys, where you can relax and take a moment to breathe in the city’s atmosphere. Even though it is a small place, it does have a lot to offer!

To help you navigate your way through this magical place, I have created a one-day itinerary that with a list of all the most important spots to visit as well as information and tips about transport, including how to get to Oxford from London!

Getting to and from Oxford From London

I have had the pleasure of living in Oxford for 2 years and explored many beautiful villages in Oxford but even now that I am back in London, I have made many a journey back to Oxford.

There are several ways to reach Oxford. Travel from Oxford to London or vice versa is super easy. You can take a train, go by car, or catch a bus. Located 97km northwest of London, Oxford is roughly 53 miles (85 km) from London, so whichever way you choose to travel, it won’t take very long, unless you happen to be travelling at peak times.

Travelling To Oxford By Train

Travelling by train is perhaps the fastest option, although a bit more expensive than choosing an alternative of travelling by bus.

Trains leave for Oxford Station every 5 to 10 minutes from Paddington Station.

The journey takes more or less an hour. In 2019, standard round trip, off-peak tickets were about £25, but much cheaper round trip fares are available when purchased as two, one-way tickets, well in advance.

Keep in mind that peak fares will be more expensive during Monday to Friday (not on public holidays) between 06:30 and 09:30, and between 16:00 and 19:00.

How To Get From London To Oxford By Bus

A very convenient way to travel as there are buses running frequently 24 hours per day. The Oxford Tube company is a popular choice, which leaves London Victoria Coach Station around every 10 to 20 minutes.

The journey takes about an hour and 40 minutes. The Oxford Tube has pick -up points from multiple stops in London and in Oxford.

The fare costs £9 one way or £15 for round-trip. There are multiple trip deals, as well as student, senior and child fares available. You can also purchase a ticket on the bus.

Another similar company you could use is x90, another direct coach service that takes you from Oxford to London in around 120 minutes.

Whether you’re shopping, sightseeing or visiting family and friends, there are coaches leaving up to every 30 minutes for most of the day from London and Oxford.

They have different pick-up points throughout London including Victoria station, and you can check for the most convenient an X90 that costs £8 one way for an adult or £14 period return.

Pro tip: You can search for tickets for trains and coaches under one site that lets you compare departing times and prices all in one! Check out Omio for buses, trains and flight options although flights are not necessary for this journey.

You can also download the tickets onto your mobile phone to save you printing tickets for the bus from London to Oxford or the train tickets.

Car; Driving To Oxford From London

Oxford is 62 miles northwest of London via the M4, M25, M40 and A roads.

It takes about an hour and a half to drive and as a commuter route using motorways, its an easy driving which I have done about million times while I was living and working in Oxford so drove between London and Oxford for nearly two year. If you don’t have a car, car rentals are super cheap.

The few times I had issues with our car, I used to get off at Didcot where there is a Europcar across from the station where you can rent a car for about £20 a day, you also have rentals from Heathrow Airport which is near the M4 on the route to Oxford.

Or if coming from London there are plenty of really great places to pick up from.

The reason I mentioned the airport is that you can sometimes find rentals cheaper depending on where you are picking up from. To search for car rentals check out EasyCar rentals.

If you do decide to travel by car, prices for the parking areas in Oxford are:

A quick warning though, finding a free parking spot can be quite difficult. Here’s a link in case you want to check to Oxford parking price for specific locations. (starting at £4 for up until 1 hour).

Oxford also has the park and ride where you can drop your car off in a bigger car park and then take a shuttle into the town centre.

Public transport In Oxford:

Since Oxford is really not that big of a city and many sites are easy to reach on foot, if weather permits, you may want to simply walk.

However, the local bus network is very comprehensive and it is quite easy to get on a bus in various part of the city. The city’s main bus and coach station is at Gloucester Green.

You can purchase a 24 hour day pass which entitles you to unlimited travel for 24 hours from time of purchase.

The pass includes travel on all local services and includes Thames Travel and Stagecoach services within SmartZone.

Not valid on Stagecoach night services. Just £4.30 – buy from the driver. Alternatively, you can also purchase single fares directly from the driver at around £1.20. Find more information at Oxford Bus.

Okay, now that you know how to find your way around, let’s look at some places that you will definitely will not want to miss once you are ready for your one day in Oxford!

The Perfect Oxford Day Trip Itinerary | Things To Do In Oxford

While I have mentioned details for how to get to Oxford from London so that you can do your day trip from London to Oxford with ease, for the itinerary below, it doesn’t matter whether you are coming from London or somewhere north of Oxford.

My only recommendation is to leave as early as possible so that you can make the most of your Oxford one day trip from London or wherever you are coming from in the UK.

Morning Activities In Oxford

Your one day in Oxford starts off with the very popular sites in Oxford such as Carfax Tower and Christ Church College.

So make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes for your Oxford trip as this itinerary assumes you will be walking around the city from sight to sight.

Among the list of things do in Oxford in one day are of course the Bridge of Sighs which is not to be missed…

Carfax Tower

On the crossroads between the High Street, St Aldate’s, Cornmarket Street and Queen Street lies Carfax Tower, right in the heart of the city.

In fact, many consider this to be the true center of the city, and it’s the spot from which distances to other towns and cities are measured. The tower which was constructed with defense purposes is now the most important city’s landmark.

Carfax Tower price: You can climb the narrow spiral staircase up to the top for around £3 for a perfect view of the High Street and the surrounding buildings.

Christ Church College

Part of the University of Oxford, this college is an absolute must! It is truly an awe-inspiring site, with the beautiful quads and buildings, including the Cathedral.

It comes at almost no surprise that the well-known Harry Potter scenes were filmed in various locations of Christ Church College including the quads, cloisters and the staircase.

The college’s dining hall was recreated as the Great Hall in the film! By the way, it is actually still a working dining hall where students eat their meal every day.

As this is the most popular (and spectacular) college to visit, you will need to purchase a ticket to enter at a relatively small fee (around).

We strongly recommend checking for individual opening times and possible closures for the day of your tour in Oxford at their official website:

And if it happens to be closed, don’t worry, there are many other sites that will keep you engaged. We recommend checking out one (or more) of the following colleges as they are also pretty unique and interesting to see:

David’s College, Exeter College and Trinity College.

And by the way, in case you’re confused about what actually is Oxford University, here is an explanation: one of the oldest Universities in the world, Oxford University is made up of thirty-eight colleges, each of which is independently governed.

There’s no campus, with all the colleges, halls, faculties and departments set throughout the city center, that is why there is no one specific building that counts as the Oxford University, like some other universities.

Oxford Castle

Built for William the Conqueror in 1071, it was unfortunately largely destroyed after the English Civil War, but here is your chance to wander through the remaining part of this historic building for an overview of the extraordinary history of the city of Oxford.

Here you can also see the prison cells used by the defeated Royalists in this castle, which remained in use until 1996!

Afternoon Activities For Your Oxford Trip

Radcliff Camera

The Radcliffe Camera

Make sure to walk through the Radcliffe Square to marvel at another iconic Oxford’s building that is the Radcliffe Camera.

This large, circular building was designed by James Gibbs and built in 1737-1749. Built in the English Palladian style, it forms part of the Bodleian Library complex.

The Bodleian Library

Being the oldest working library in Europe, it is a top location to visit. The unique Gothic interior, vast collection of accumulated books and writings (around 9 million), cozy atmosphere is a perfect reflection of many years of heritage.

Bridge of Sighs

Hertford Bridge, often called “the Bridge of Sighs”, is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane in Oxford, England. Yet another architectural wonder of Oxford, a majestic piece of art.

The Bridge Of Sighs In Oxford

Sheldonian Theatre

This 17^th century venue with a global reputation visually as well as acoustically makes it a popular place of interest.

The theater was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who turned his back on the popular Gothic style and based his plans on the 1st century BC Theatre of Marcellus in Rome. However, the rood had to be rebuilt in 1802 by George Saunders.

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Also known simply as the Oxford University Museum, this temple displays wonderful history of natural science in a detailed yet comprehensible manner.

Observe many University of Oxford’s natural history specimens, including the famous Oxford Dodo (the most such complete remains and said to have inspired Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, in creating the character in Alice in Wonderland) and others.

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum

The oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world, is home to a collection of over 5,000 different types of plant, some of which exist nowhere else.

It is a remarkable garden with splendid greenhouses. Definitely a must for any nature lover! Take a stroll in an oasis of tranquility. Ticket costs around £4.

Punting in Oxford

Early Evening In Oxford

Go punting

When it comes to romantic things to do in Oxford, this is one is top among Oxford date night ideas. Whether you spend one day in Oxford or a whole weekend affair, this is another activity not to be missed. Particularly great in the summer but even in the winter they will give you a blanket if doing punting with a tour company.

In the spring and summer during a warm day, enjoy punting along Oxford’s stunning River Cherwell. Situated underneath Magdalen College Tower, at the lower end of Oxford’s world famous high street you will find Magdalen Bridge Boathouse.

Here you can hire traditionally crafted punts, rowing boats or spoil yourself by hiring a Chauffeured boat. You may also opt to move this to early in the day for a little break from walking.

Ashmolean Museum (open until 5pm)

If you have worked through the list above with ease another place worth checking out is the Ashmolean Museum.

The most important museum of art and archaeology, allows you to step into half a million years of history. From mummies to modern art, it offers a huge amount of very interesting knowledge to take home with you!

Map Of Of Places Of Interest In Oxford

Map of museums, libraries, cafes and places of interest in Oxford. As you can see, many of the places are within walking distance making doing an oxford day trip itinerary fairly easy.

Places To Eat In Oxford During Your Day Trip

Ha! You thought, this girl is crazy and hasn’t included food, who does she think she is?! Hold your horses! I come with options. So as you have only one day in Oxford so choosing where to eat is just as important so that you feel as if you have completely got a well-rounded experience of Oxford.

For your Oxford day trip, especially if this your first time in Oxford, you may also want to experience cool gems for places to eat in Oxford.

So below are some options to consider not only for quick coffees but afternoon tea, lunch or even light dinner before you get back on the train, bus or car to return home or your hotel.

The Grand Cafe

One cannot complete a day trip to Oxford is complete without a visit to the historic Grand Café. Located on the Sat on the site of the first coffee house in England. This cute and elegant café is the place to head for a sophisticated high tea.

I have shared tips on tasty but affordable afternoon teas In London but while in Oxford this is another past time not to miss out on. Taste the delicious finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and petit fours and endless cups of tea.

Rest your feet as you discuss how to tackle the rest of your Oxford day trip itinerary. If you leave this to the end of the day then you can chill until its time to get the bus to the station.

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The site of the first coffee house in England 📍During the day serving lunch, cream teas and high teas. ☕️

A post shared by The Grand Café (@thegrandcafe_oxford) on Mar 14, 2019 at 8:35am PDT

Thirsty Meeples

Thirsty Meeples is another popular spot worthy of checking out. Something of an Oxford institution, Thirsty Meeples is the city’s first and only board game café.

They have over 2,500 games to choose from, and you are invited to grab a table, pick your game and get competitive over a cup of great coffee or craft beer.

The food menu is not that extensive but there is a choice of freshly made sandwiches, hot snacks and bowls of nuts, crisps and sweets for when your attention is on the game!

Note that Thirsty Meeples can get busy very quickly, so it’s always best to book ahead if you can, especially if you’re coming with a large group of friends.

Cafe Coco

A chilled out cafe for a relaxed affair. They serve breakfast, mezza and pizzas too.

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Breakfast of champions! . Have you tried our Shakshuka yet? 🍛 . Veggie options available🌱 . #CaféCofo #magicatmosphere

A post shared by Cafe CoCo Oxford (@cafecocooxford) on Sep 26, 2019 at 3:01am PDT

Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant

After a long day, it is good to treat yourself with a nice big meal and a drink. You’ve deserve it! Ashmolean serves up much more than items of historical importance from around the world.

Up on the top level you can sit down to smoked haddock gratin or butternut squash risotto. Also, it’s worth going just for the panorama. Or, simply grab a drink to complement the view, and reflect on your experience in wonderful Oxford.

Pub Food

Don’t forget that your also have a few pubs dotted around the town centre if you love a good hearty pub meal. Many of which are filling and won’t burn a hole in your pocket. For pub grab you can check out the Kings Arms and The Oxford Kitchen.

Oxford Sightseeing Tour | Oxford Tour Guide

While Oxford is fairly easy to navigate, if you find yourself overwhelmed searching what to see in Oxford in one day, there are Oxford tour guides.

You can do an Oxford tour from London, you can also choose to do Oxford city walking tour when you arrive and then explore on your own for the rest of the afternoon and implement some of the elements from this itinerary to mix things up a little.

The tours also allow you to forget about how to travel from London to Oxford as some of that is sorted out for your by the tour company. Below are a couple of Oxford day tours from London.

- Combine Warner Bros Harry Potter Tour With Day Trip To Oxford
- Oxford And Cambridge Day Trip From London

Private Guided Tour Of Oxford From London(By Train)
You can find additional options for coach trips to Oxford as well as combined tours on Viator.

Planning Your One Day Trip To Oxford.

Decide on whether you want to do DIY or booked tour.
Search which mode of transportation is best for you. If you are a group I would recommend booking a car because if you use the train you will likely pay upwards of £100 for return train tickets when a car might cost your about £40 for one day plus the £5 parking at a park and ride and then £3 bus returns into Oxford. You can walk around Oxford using the rest of your savings on food or shopping in Oxford.
If you are using the coach to Oxford, you can opt to stay near Victoria Coach Station so you can catch the earliest bus to Oxford from London Victoria.
Explore Oxford for the day and return up to rest and relax.

Have More Than A Day In Oxford?

Other Things To Do In Oxford

If you have more than a day or are planning a weekend in Oxford there are plenty of other things to do in Oxford beside the above places mentioned in the Oxford day trip itinerary. These are below:

Visit and explore the beautiful Blenheim Palace. You can also have afternoon tea at the palace before exploring the gardens to walk off the tea and cake.
Explore nearby villages in Oxford from Wantage, Abingdon, Didcot, Blewbury and many others.
Visit Cotswolds nearby.
Go shopping at Bicester Village with all the amazing discounts at designer outlets.
Explore Britain’s oldest botanical gardens by checking out the Oxford Botanical Garden.
Explore the beautiful parks in Oxford. Perfect for picnics if visiting Oxford in the summer.

Where To Stay In Oxford

As I mentioned above, I lived in Oxford while working there so I got to stay at many of the cute English villages in Oxford.

I got to know many of the roads around Oxford as I frequently drove from London to Oxford so when it comes to where to stay in Oxford, if you are only here for the weekend I would suggest staying as central as possible.

If you are spending a week or more in Oxford then pick one of the villages to stay and explore the area.

Experience the little pubs and explore local living in the countryside. For hotels in Oxford in the city center see below my recommendations.

Budget Accommodation In Oxford(hotels below £50)

Mid-Range Hotels In Oxford(hotels below £100)

Heather House B&B
Vocos Oxford Spires
Courtyard By Marriot Oxford City Centre
St Margarets Hotel
Malborough House Hotel
The Burlington House(A 5* hotel under £100!)

Luxury Hotel In Oxford(hotels above £100)

Stylish accommodation with views of Oxford Colleges.

Museum Hotels Oxford
Head of the River
Malmaison Oxford(A boutique hotel that used to be a Victorian prison!)
Old Bank Hotel
Macdonald Randolph Hotel (The epitome of English luxury)

For the full list of hotels in Oxford check out booking.com.

Visiting The More Of The UK? Also Read:

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Things To Do In Lulworth Cove – An English Gem Not To Miss

September 12, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove pictures

Two days ago I shared the first post on our visit to the Jurassic Coast at Durdle Door in Dorset. In this post, I am going to share a little about our Lulworth Cove Walks. This place is so beautiful, if you are have not visited then you need to add Lulworth Cove holidays to your list of summer activities. One of the best weekend destinations in the UK.

Having planned on spending a weekend in Dorset, we moved on from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove after spending the day before exploring Durdle Door and the surrounding area. Lulworth Cove is a shingle beach with amazing views out on the Purbeck Isles and features some the well know and beautiful Lulworth Cove formations on the rocks. When the weather is good it has some perfect spots for swimming as you will see in the pictures below.

As the English summer was in full swing we headed out for a little break in Dorset. An opportunity to get out of London, enjoy less polluted countryside views and enjoy the outdoor activities available on the beautiful Dorset coast.

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove INN

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove KAYAKING

Cool Lulworth Cove Activities | Top Things To Do In Lulworth Cove

There are so many amazing and beautiful spots in Dorset and even more so is the list of cool activities you can get involved in while exploring the Jurassic coastline of Dorset.

There is plenty to do for those that love the outdoors or just beach-bumming on the Lulworth Cove beach. You can hire Kayaks, they also have Lulworth Cove kayaking tours, we opted for Rib Ride on the bay which takes you to sea and you get to see Durdle from the other side.

With the Rio Olympics happening at the time we also had swimmers training on the coast, which I guess may have inspired the swim or they could be future Olympians in training. You can spot some of the heads sticking out of the water in the images below. There are also shallow spots to swim at dotted around the area so make sure you bring your swimming gear.

If you prefer an easy weekend to just chill out you can start the day with breakfast and sea views at Lulworth Cove cafe that is right on the beach. Take in the views and people watch while sipping coffee. We had out caffeine doses at the Boat Shed Cafe set with views of the cove.

While on the Rib Ride we also managed to get close to Durdle Door, you get to see the back of the rock face arch while riding on the coast.

If you love paddle boarding this is also a great spot to do that or try it out. There are rental shops dotting around where you can either do a tour or just rent the equipment yourself and go.

For more tours in Lulworth Cove or even day-trip tours from London, you can compare prices here.

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove beach cafe

Lulworth Cove Walking Trails – Walking From Lulworth Cove To Durdle Door

While we drove from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove, you can also do your journey the other way around and do Lulworth Cove to Durdle. Both by walking or driving. Our drive from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove was maybe 10-20 minutes. There is a walking trail from Durdle Door that leads you all the way to Lulworth Cove.

These are clearly marked and are popular with people so you will not get lost. There are many Lulworth Cove walks to choose from, all with varying difficulty from easy to difficult. For more on the Lulworth, Cove trails check South-West Coast Path.

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove beach

Lulworth Cove Weather & The Best Time To Visit Lulworth Cove

By far the best time to visit Lulworth Cove is in June and July. July is the hottest month when it comes to Lulworth Cove weather and June offers warm and long days to enjoy a day trip or even holiday week or weekend in Lulworth Cove. The temperature is usually between 12° and 22° .

Visiting Lulworth Cove in:

December: This is the coolest month in Lulworth Cove when the average maximum temperature is 9°, the average temperature is 5° and the average minimum temperature is 2°. December also has the shortest days with an average of 8 hours of daylight per day.
June: The sunniest days in Lulworth Cove are in June which has the most hours of sunshine per day with an average of 7.9 hours of sunshine per day, making it a quite sunny month with some cloud cover. With the longest days in Lulworth Cove also being in June, with an average of 16.4 hours of daylight per day.
October and November: The wettest month in Lulworth Cove is October with 1.9cm of rain and November has the most days of rain with 18.5 days with some rain, a wet time to visit the beach.
March: The driest month in Lulworth Cove is March with 0.6cm of rain and the least days of rain with 12.7 days with some rain, a slightly wet time to visit the beach.

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove rib ride

What To Pack For A Day Trip For Lulworth Cove Holidays

Below I have also detailed the best times to visit in terms of Lulworth Cove Weather as this also gives you an idea of what to expect so you can pack accordingly. Worth visiting for a day trip from London or elsewhere in the UK or are on your very own Lulworth Cove holidays there are plenty of activities to take part in so same sure you pack some of the following as there aren’t a lot of shops around to buy something like a swimsuit if you don’t pack one.

Be sure to Pack:

Swimsuit – As you can see there are plenty of beautiful spots to swim or even paddleboard.
Walking Shoes – Comfortable walking shoes are a must as the coastline has some of the most amazing walking trails in the UK.
Sun Hat
Sunglasses
Suncream.

Getting to Lulworth Cove | Lulworth Cove Parking

If you are driving the Lulworth Cove postcode to set on your Sat Nav is BH20 5RQ as this gives you an address to aim for. Ther is a pay and display car park when you arrive. Lulworth Cove parking can be really busy during the popular months, so I would suggest getting there before 11 am as the car park fills up quickly and the single road leading up to the Lulworth Cove develops a queue.

There is also a tourist information site nearby for directions to Durdle Door although that is clearly marked trail and easy to follow wither driving or hiking between the two sites. Lulworth Cove directions from Durdle are also fairly easy to follow, although there are plenty of people moving between the two that if you miss a turn like we did, there is always someone to ask for help.

How To Get To Lulworth Cove By Public Transport

We drove but did consider using public transport to get to Lulworth Cove. To use public transport, you can get to Lulworth Cove by bus service no 103 from Wool and Dorchester Stations, leaving 4 times a day from May to September, or bus service no 30 from Weymouth Station, departs 4 times a day from May to September. For more information and timetables check out Traveline.

Lulworth Cove Hotels and Accommodation Options – Where to Stay in Lulworth Cove:

We camped at the YHA in Lulworth Cove as most places had already sold out by the time we decided to go. It’s ok though. I love camping. You may have read about my camping adventures in Norway. You can also book dorms and have a room all to yourself at the YHA. There are cute Lulworth Cove Inns, luxury B&Bs, hostels, and Guesthouses, in addition to pub restaurants with accommodation like Lulworth Cove Inn nearby.

You also have the option to book Lulworth Cove cottages just nearby. Just bear in mind that they sell out very quickly so you will have to book well in advance. There is also caravan park in the holiday park right next to Durdle Door which is a fantastic location but sells out quickly as well.

On this occasion we chose to camp on the YHA ground, so brought our own camping gear. The YHA does have showers, a kitchen and dining where you can make and store your food, especially if staying the area for a few days. Lulworth Cove hotels tend to sell out pretty quickly especially in the busy periods. Compare prices for hotels, inns and guess houses here for Lulworth Cove hotels and West Lulworth hotels.

Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Exploreing | Beach Cove, Accommodation and Parking

Lulworth Cove Camping | Lulworth Cove Campsites

There are two Club campsites near Lulworth Cove in Dorset. You have Moreton Campsite and Corfe Castle both of which have camping and caravan facilities. Also close by is The YHA linked above where you have dorms and camping on the grounds of YHA but just bear in mind that it’s not big so does sell out quickly in the summer. More more Lulworth Cove camping sites check out PitchUp.

Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Exploring | Beach Cove, Accommodation and Parking

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove formations

Details of how was Lulworth Cove Formed

lulworth cove walks in Dorset England | lulworth cove rock formation

More on the Dorset and English countryside:

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Things To Do In Dorset – Sights Camping & Adventures!

September 8, 2016 by admin 10 Comments

One of the past summer weekends we set off for a little Durdle Door camping in Dorset. The UK has some pretty amazing places, one place we have been meaning to explore Dorset. Durdle Door weather was set to be so warm so perfect timing for checking out outdoor activities in the area while the weather was playing ball. If you are one of those that visit the UK and only go as far as London then you are missing out on stunning countryside towns that come with amazing views. A visit to Dorset’s Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast is one you have to add to your list when you visit the UK.

This beautiful limestone arch is called Durdle Door and is located in Dorset, which is in South-East England on a beautiful coast that is now known as Jurassic Coast on a count of the number of fossils found in the region. A visit to Durdle Door Beach anytime of the year is great but even better when the weather is better.

I will provide details on Durdle Door weather periods you may want to consider visiting. In addition to checking out Durdle Door from London, also consider adding some of the stunning places in the UK I have had the pleasure of exploring; East Sussex, Thorpeness, Snowdonia, Gloucester, or Portsmouth, just a shortlist of places to inspire your explorations of Great Britain.

You need to see this beautiful arch before it disappears like the Azure Window in Malta.

Durdle Door Camping - 5 Things To Do Durdle Door Jurassic Coast | Durdle Door postcode

Durdle Door Camping - 5 Things To Do on Durdle Door Jurassic Coast | Durdle Door postcode

About 2 weeks ago, we ventured off to the Jurassic Coast, mainly because I wanted to do the Durdle Door walk to Lulworth Cove, another stunning location in Dorset perfect for chilled spring and summer getaways. It sits on privately owned land but accessible to the public. The Jurassic Coast is a now a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of Southern England. It stretches out for nearly a 100 miles. So plenty of trails for hiking! It’s about 3 hrs drive from London but easily accessible by train as well.

Jurassic Coast is one of UK’s popular destinations in Britain for many Britons, but not many tourists venture out to this part of England, which such a shame. If you didn’t know, now you know about it! Whether you are after fossils, hiking, cycling, kayaking, paddle-boarding with plenty of Durdle Door campsites and holiday parks nearby. You may just want a chill out weekend to take in the views of the coastline, there is plenty to and take in the area. Below are plenty of pictures of Durdle Door, directions and activities to inspire you to visit this stunning countryside.

Durdle Door Walks + Things To Do In Dorset’s The Jurassic Coast

Walking The Jurassic Coast – The best way to experience the scenery is definitely by walking the coastline. The 95 miles from Old Harry Rocks to Exmouth offers up some amazing and stunning views. All that’s need is a good pair of walking shoes. For more on trails check out South West Coast Path.
Cycling The Jurassic Coast – Many of the towns and villages along Jurassic Coast are connected via National Cycle Network offering a great way to explore the area at your own pace. Even better if you can transport light camping gear and camp along the routes through Jurassic Coastal towns.
Take A Rib Ride from Lulworth Cove – We took the Rib Ride from Lulworth Cove which also takes you behind Durdle Door. You can also take city cruises from Poole and Lyme Bay. I will be showing you more of Lulworth Cove in the next post.
Fossil Hunting – There are fossils right along the Jurassic Coast. There are guided fossil walks from Charmouth Heritage Center or Lyme Regis Museum. The Visitor Center in Lulworth Cove and some of the museums will also display some of the most important finds yet.
Kayaking – You take part in kayaking tours while in the area. These activities start off from Lulworth Cove which I shared a link above.
For more information on visiting this beautiful place, check out Jurassic Coast’s official website. For additional inspiration on things to do beyond Durdle, check out this post on things to do in Weymouth by Emily.

Durdle Door Camping and Campsites (& Durdle Door Holiday Park)

Although the arch sits on private land it is accessible to the public and therefore you will see one or two people camping out on the beach of Durdle Door or Old Man of War Cove which is right next to door. Durdle Door campsites are popular summer destinations for many in the UK, so even these can run out as quickly as Durdle Door holiday park which is just above the arch via a walking path. You have to go through Durdle Door holiday park to get to the arch.

There is a variety of accommodation options available in Dorset but what you need to know is that you need to book the majority of these well in advance as they sell out fast. There are campsites, camping pods, caravan parks, holiday homes, guesthouses, and inns but again there aren’t many to go round for the demand this beautiful place has. When we were looking for Durdle Door accommodation, we couldn’t find many in a decent budget, granted we were only looking about 2-3 days before driving to Durdle so a lot had already sold out. We instead considered Durdle Durdle camping, hence how we ended up at Durdle Door YHA.

The YHA not only offer dorms but private rooms as well as camping on site. The campsite only has room for about 10 tents so even that sells out quickly. You also have the option of Durdle Door campsites on the holiday park which has an area for caravans, luxury holiday homes, and camping. Other camping sites in the area include Moreton Campsite and Corfe Castle Campsite in addition to a few others a few miles away. You can compare prices on Campsites and Campsites and Caravans.

Durdle Door Accommodation – Where To Stay In Dorset

As I mentioned above, right by Durdle Door you will find a Durdle Door Holiday Park with caravans with a variety of different options for accommodation right by Durdle Door beach. We booked at the YHA camping but if you book Durdle Door accommodation early enough you should be able to save money too on the variety of accommodation available. Most of the hotels, guest houses and inns can be found in found in West Lulworth and Lulworth Cove. Check out the links to read reviews and compare prices. Below is a guide price of the accommodation options at Durdle Door holiday park which also has a shop, bar, restaurant, and takeaway on site.

Room / Unit Type	Room / Unit Tariff*
Caravan Holiday Home	from £305.00 to £810.00 per unit per week
Camping Pod	from £245.00 to £385.00 per unit per week
Tourer or Motorhome Pitch	from £126.00 to £350.00 per unit per week

Durdle Door Dorset | 5 Things To Do In England's Jurassic Coast | Durdle From London

Durdle Door Weather And The Best Time To Visit Durdle Door

By far the best time to visit Durdle Door weather-wise is in May, June, July and August:

March: The driest month in Durdle Door is usually March although there are about 10 days in the month when it rains.
June: This month provides the longest days in Durdle Door where there is an average of 16 hours of daylight per day. With December having the shortest days with an average of 8 hours of daylight per day. Junes is also when you have the sunniest days in Durdle Door which has the most hours of sunshine per day with an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day, making it a sunny month with few clouds.
July: The hottest month for Durdle Door is July when the average maximum temperature is around 22°, with minimum averages around 12°.
August: The warmest sea water temperatures in Durdle Door Cliffs are found in August when they peak at 23° and lowest in January when they dip to 10°.
December: The coolest month in Durdle Door Cliffs is December when the average maximum temperature is 9°, the average temperature is 5° and the average minimum temperature is 2°. December also has the least sunshine with an average of 2 hours of sunshine per day.

“The sea is best for swimming between June and December when the temperature is above 17° which is cool for swimming, shorty wetsuit may help you extend your time in the water. “

Directions To Durdle Door From London (Post Code)

Getting to Durdle from London doesn’t take long. The Durdle Door postcode to aim for is BH20 5RQ. Although this will take you to Lulworth Cove it’s easier to aim for that and then when you get close to it start using the road direction going Durdle Door camping or holiday park. The postcode for Durdle Holiday Park is BH20 5PU. We drove from London to Durdle in about 3 hrs. It really depends on when you leave or how much traffic there is.

Durdle Door Parking | Car Park

We drove to Durdle from London. The beauty of driving to Durdle Door is that the car park is only a short walk down to the beach. I believe we paid £4.50 for the day. Driving down to this beautiful part of England means that you can also easily get to Lulworth Cove in a short time. Just bear in mind that parking in Lulworth Cove is tricky as it’s popular but doesn’t have a huge car park.

Durdle Door By Train From London

You can also take the train from London which involves having to take the bus as well as the nearest train station to Durdle Door is Wool Station. The nearest railway station is Wool (on the London Waterloo to Weymouth line). Bus numbers 15 and 104 connect Wool Railway Station to West Lulworth and Durdle Door. The 15 bus operates on school days only. The 104 bus operates all year Monday to Saturday excluding public holidays.

What To Pack For Durdle Door Getaway Break

There are a number of activities in Dorset from horse-riding, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and Durdle Door walks offering some of the most stunning views. So, when it comes to packing you need to make sure you have:

Swimming suits and trunks
Beach towels
Hiking or walking shoes
Sun hats
Suncream
Light clothing

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Haven't heard of Durdle Door on the English Jurassic Coast? Dont miss out on UK's beautiful coastal side also only a short trip from London. Get everything you need to know, how to get to Durdle Door beach, hotels, Durdle Door camping and other cool things to do in Dorset. #adventure #british #LondonDayTrips #fomo #traveltips #itsallbee

Weekend Getaway In Seven Sisters East Sussex | Exploring South Downs Trails

October 24, 2015 by admin 4 Comments

Seven Sisters Sussex | Exploring The South Downs With YHA

Visiting the UK is not all about seeing London. If you are looking for the perfect weekend getaway from london with walking trails then Seven Sisters is one you should consider. There is more to the UK than just London, explore the countryside, take in Seven Sisters in Sussex, explore Dorset’s Durdle Door, take in beautiful mountains in Wales, and many other beautiful cities and towns around the UK.

Living in a city that never sleeps, like the bustling capital of London, one is always in short supply of peace and quiet. In addition to both my partner and I working in the IT industry with a constant jiggle for work-life balance, I always try to make our weekends as relaxed as imaginably possible. This means being creative in seeking out relaxation weekend getaways in the UK both in the country and outside.

My current favourite lately are getaways in and around the English countryside. The fact that we don’t have to go through security gates, hold miniaturised bottles of beauty products or be patted downed because an underwire bra triggered the alarm is always a plus, if we can avoid this.

When I mentioned to my partner that I was challenged to spend £100 for a weekend for both of us, he wasn’t really surprised as he as seen some of the travel deals I rustle up at crazy prices, even at short notice(check out my trip to Copenhagen where we travelled to for under £100).

We were going to be driving to one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal regions; South Downs. Remote, ravishingly beautiful landscapes of farm lands with rolling hills in the background, a national park that stretches over 100 miles and stunning beaches to boot. It was a no brainer. Of course he said yes!

Guide to exploring Seven Sisters In East Sussex. Hiking in the beautiful white chalk hills of East Sussex. Perfect weekend getaway from London. #Eastbourne #BirlingtonGap #Newhaven #Seaford #traveltip #beaches #britain #LondonGetaways #daytrip

One can come here for a day, but you really need to spend the night to really tune in and stifle out a hectic city life. We chose to stay at the YHA South Downs for its ease of access to the hiking trails, the views of farmlands and proximity to the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs that I have been dying to see for a while now.

Not to mention, if you are coming by train, the train station is a few meters from the YHA. It was officially opened by the Queen in October 2013, it’s a great base for cheap family breaks close to traditional Sussex towns such as Lewes or Newhaven, which also has ferry connections with continental Europe. The culture of Brighton is also not far away and the great outdoors of the South Downs National Park is right on your doorstep.

Accommodation is by way of dorms, camping or cute little wooden camping pods. I used to be against hostels but they have stepped up their game in recent years that you will actually have an amazing stay without burning a hole in your pocket.

Booking.com

Exploring Seven Sisters In East Sussex - Weekend getaway from london with walking trails #Eastbourne #BirlingtonGap #Newhaven #Seaford #traveltip #beaches #britain #LondonGetaways

YHA South Downs - Foot Path /Byway instructions

Our explorations of the trails took as to the Coastguard’s cottages just before sunset. Wonderfully remote, peaceful and quiet. We had a good portion of the coastline to ourselves, bar a few dog walkers now and then. The sound of the small waves crushing as the sunset was lowering for the day, we couldn’t help but find a bench and just take it all in for a moment.

With many options for entertainment we thought of heading to Anchor Inn to rent a boat and roll around the River Ouse for an hour at a cost of £6 per adult for one hour or picnic inGlyndebourne but all of that was dashed as we settled into a picnic on the beach at Birling Gap with our very own unplanned, but free entertainment. We had two red arrows from the yearly Eastbourne air show doing their routine right in front of us. Free entertainment also meant we were within budget of our £100 spend, of which £65 went on a private room at YHA.

This left us with £35, of which £14.86 went on the evening’s take-away and eaten on the beach with sunset views. The following day we decided to head to Eastbourne and see the rest of the Airbourne show, having had a private preview.

We spent another £12.50 on seafood and ice creams on the beach as the planes took to formations in the skies. Our hearty full English on the farm converted YHA was surprisingly (but welcome)on the house! Had we paid the £10 for the breakfast we would have been over by £2.86 which is not bad if I my bargain-hunting self, can say so.

Red Arrows performing stunts at Birling Gap during our picnic on the beach.

Here you will find beautiful and tranquil beaches and if you are lucky you may even have a mile or two to yourself. There is so much to explore at Newhaven Fort, including the vast, echoing tunnels built into the chalk cliffs. Breathtaking panoramic views of the South Downs and Sussex Coast.

Guide to exploring Seven Sisters In East Sussex. Hiking in the beautiful white chalk hills of East Sussex. Perfect weekend getaway from London.

Each year Eastbourne hosts the worlds biggest free seafront airshow. We were lucky to have struck luck as our trip to East Sussexs fell on the week of the show. So it was just a matter of grabbing a spot on the beach for the show.

The RAF Red Arrows and international deplay teams do their best to entertain. I have never seen so many beautiful airplanes in one swoop! The kind of staff that is truly inspiring and clear evidence that the mind sure is a beautiful thing when we can create these beautiful and lasting machinery considering how old some of these planes are today.

Eastbourne air show | Exploring The South Downs With YHA

Eastbourne air show | Exploring East Sussex With YHA

3 Tips for Exploring South Downs and Surrounding Area:

● Lovers of hiking, cycling and walking: There are some beautiful trails along Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, with even more beautiful views so allow yourself time to stop and breath the beauty in.

● Lovers of theatre, wine and dine and leisurely exploration, there are a 3 places in the area that are a must! Glyndebourne which offers plays and shows in beautiful surroundings where you can picnic in between plays. There are two vineyards in close proximity to YHA, check out the Rathfinny Estate for wine tasting and vineyard tours. For a relaxed and day head to Anchor in and rent a boat and have a picnic on the river River Ouse.

● If you love to explore coastal towns then Seaford, Newhaven and even Eastbourne are all close by with independent little cafes offering that cosy and homely feel to them, perfect after long walks exploring the beautiful trail in South Downs.

So have you been to this part of the English coast?

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#LumiaStreetArt – East London Street Art | Lumia Photo Walk With Microsoft

September 6, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

You might have seen me post a few pictures on my Instagram account a few weeks ago when I and a few other bloggers were invited to a Street Art Photo Walk(#LumiaStreetArt) with none other than Microsoft. Bloggers were going to be checking out the Nokia Lumia 930 which of course features the Windows platform. I am no stranger to Windows phones as I have written phone applications for the Windows platform as well as using them for work.

What I was keen on, was testing out the new Nokia Lumia 930 camera and putting it to its paces. Our walk came with a tour guide taking us through Shoreditch’s hidden streets filled with some of the world’s famous and popular taggers and street artists. Also on hand was Phil Hebbert from Photography Made Simple, who showed us how to get the best out of the phone’s features.

Lumia Photo Walk Round 1

Our photo session ran in two rounds. Starting at Shoreditch station we walked around checking out the colourful art and getting the low down of what inspired the artists, where some of their other works are featured. This also included discussions on their style, how that has evolved as well as their thought provoking works, whether in protest of today’s issues or their use of material; paint, props, threading, puzzles in order to engage their audience. Whether you are into art or not, you cannot ignore what the art had done for this area of London.

Let There Be Food

After walking around Shoreditct taking pictures of the art, with art, we had worked up an appetite. The team from Microsoft had arranged for our very own sitting at East London’s Pizza East. Armed with lactase tablets I was quick to dive right into slices of tasty slices of delectably flavourful pizza that had bloggers do as bloggers do; take a million pictures of the food before tacking in.

Lumia Photo Walk Round 2

Having eaten our weight in pizza it was time to get back out there and test out how the Nokia Lumia 930 copes with darkness as well as walk of some of those pizza calories. I must say I was pretty amazed and impressed with the camera. I could change the ISO(camera’s sensitivity to light) as well as change exposure and a few other settings that allow you to take really beautiful pictures in low lighting. Discovering yet more corners of East London that I hadn’t really ventured to was a treat in addition to getting more photography tips and learning about street art was more than I had bargained for, for a packed Tuesday evening. You can check out Microsoft’s coverage of the tour we did here as well as Phil Hibbert’s photography tips here. Below is also a slide show with all pictures taken on the phone that evening. If I didnt already have a Windows phone I would definitely upgraded.

Slide Show: All Pictures Taken With Nokia’s Windows Phone.

East London – A Lumia Photo Walk With Microsoft.

Exploring Thorpeness In Suffolk – An England’s Hidden Gem

July 8, 2015 by admin 15 Comments

Thorpeness In Suffolk | Discovering England's Hidden Gem

Who says you need to go very far for a getaway. Thorpeness in Suffolk, is an English town oozing countryside charm. If you love of all that is quintessentially English, then you need to add it to your list. Thorpeness beach, Thorpeness boating lake, Thorpeness house in the clouds and windmill all offering a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Never mind that it was a wealthy Scott who made his fortune designing railways around the world who decided to buy land in Suffolk in 1910 and develop it into a private holiday village, where he invited his friends and families during summer months. The development included Thorpeness country club with tennis courts and a swimming pool. This was, of course, we were booked into for a weekend of rest and relaxation. With great sea views to boot! Yep, I was in need of some vitamin sea, and Thorpeness in Suffolk was just what the doctor ordered.

Also See:

Thorpeness In Suffolk | Thorpeness accommodation

Thorpeness accommodation | Thorpeness in Suffolk

Relaxation In An English Village – Exploring Thorpeness Suffolk

One of my recent posts I shared a couple of tips on how to switch off and enjoy your holiday. I certainly hope that was helpful or provided an insight into what I tend to do on most of my weekend getaways as well some of my longer holidays. I try to practice what I preach here as some of you may have noticed that my trip to India(a few Instagram posts here) was not announced nor did I tweet it, Instagram or Facebook anything while I was out there, which left me to just enjoy it all and take it all in with my eyes and that of my Nikon.

The only time people knew about it was when I was back in London and posted one or two photos. Sometimes that is needed to really get in tune with the place. With this post I was hoping to show you some of England’s beautiful escapes without having to jet off. Especially for those that want to explore a bit more on the UK than just staring at the London Eye and Big Ben when they land in London.

Last year I also shared a couple of pictures from my Reiki retreat I did in Mundesley. A cute little seaside village Norfolk, England. Staying at a lovely little cottage with very cute nautical decor to it to suit its proximity to the beach. I am getting rather addicted to going off the grid too. Already longing for a quiet getaway somewhere with sea views under the shadow of beautiful mountains. Well, this year my boyfriend and I went off again for another Reiki weekend, but this time with a change in venue.

We were heading to Thorpeness in Suffolk. A coastal town in Suffolk with the cutest little beachside holiday cottages perfectly lined with picket fences and little benches perfect for chilling with a book and a cool drink. Usually, when I do these retreats, it’s also an attempt to get a break from, work, the blog and just go off the grid for a little bit. So that means no phone, no internet = no social media, no calls and really no connection to the world other than the people around me at the time.

Thorpeness accommodation | Thorpeness village

Going Off Grid In Thorpeness

We live in a world where you are constantly connected, glued to your iPads, your mobiles watches that now come with your emails and all sorts right on your wrist. There is just no getting away, is there? You now have work(blogging, school/uni assignment notifications included) chasing you wherever you are. Things are always on the move with no rest and no break as we take these gadgets to bed, so you are connected 24/7. We end up living like robots. Living like this can sometimes throw you off balance and cause you to lose your rhythm.

What I like about these retreats is that there is also no TV watching, so it means all the craziness that we see on the news and TV in general is out of sight and hopefully out of mind too. These weekend retreats are turning into a little life line to switch off and find my rhythm, so to speak. This coming from someone who works in IT too. I love technology and have always welcomed the innovation the comes with making people’s lives better and I am in a profession that does exactly that, for individuals and organisations.

Much of my job is spent around client communications as well as the development side of applications so when I want to get away I want a full and total getaway from all that is involved in the realm of IT consultancy and technology that robs me of my time . Even for the weekend just to recharge my batteries and catch up on my own thoughts. What better way to do this than taking a drive to some of the UK’s beautiful countryside towns. Thorpeness is one of those hidden gems that you definitely need to add to your list of quick getaways to recharge your batteries.

Accommodation InThorpeness In suffolk – Country Club Relaxation

The beauty of the Thorpeness accommodation and retreat we had was that everything is catered for! With endless teas on tap(tea addicts). Conversations that don’t involve checking pinging phones but instead replaced with early morning walks on Thorpeness beach for much needed fresh air in your lungs. It almost feels like it’s the first ever breath, considering the pollution in London’s air or any other major city. We had endless coastline with no one in sight, other than a few dog walkers, just Reiki retreaters taking purifying breathes as small waves softly crashed on the shoreline.

Suddenly, it’s was almost as if rhythm and balance was restored as you begin to relax with a feeling of just being in harmony. I guess a little alone time with you and mother nature has that effect, doesn’t it? Sadly the weekend is not enough, but just enough to bring back a little peace and restore a little balance to ease the mind.

This is such a great way of forcing you to just stop, to disconnect from world, if only for the weekend. Far away from the worlds insanity and proof that you don’t have to go far either to have a little R&R. A bonus too was disconnecting and recharging in a room with a view! Our room in one of the Thorpeness holiday cottages had its own little balcony with views of the sea and as the day wound down I could hear the waves crashing as I drifted off to sleep. Tell me a weekend like this wouldn’t bring a little harmony to the crazy lives that we all seem to be living these days? How many of you actually pull yourself away from life’s constantly spinning wheel, if only for the weekend?

Why Thorpeness Is The Perfect Escape For A Little Me Time

I would highly recommend selfishly taking a little “me” time and yes that includes those of you with little munchkins too. I am sure those around you will notice the difference when you return, besides the fact that it’s healthy for the mind and body to give yourself a break now and then. If you haven’t been to Thorpeness I would recommend it highly. Perfect for couple-only getaway or with the kids too as there is a beautiful lake to go canoeing in, there is a lovely tea house to chill out with English tea and cake, as well as the cute little buildings like the House In The Clouds and of course Thorpeness beach!

Exploring Thorpeness In Suffolk - An England's Hidden Gem #traveltips #countryside #norfolk #britain #hiddengems

Thorpeness Meare | Thorpeness Boating Lake

The Mear is a boating lake also known as Thorpeness boating lake. It covers sixty acres, with over forty acres of water and is only three feet deep, providing a very safe boating environment for kids and adults. Thorpeness boating lake is a fantastic spot for a bit of fun, especially if visiting with children. The lake has small islands, designed for children to play, its open from Spring to the end of Summer and additionally on some Autumn weekends, depending on the weather. Dinghies, kayaks, large family rowing Thorpeness boats, canoes, punts and sailing boats are all available for hire, making this an ideal spot for family trips!

“There is probably no other place in England – or on earth – where children of either sex and any age can so completely realise their world of make-believe under conditions which are so absolutely safe and amidst surroundings which are so perfectly beautiful as on the Thorpeness Meare” – Concerning Thorpeness, 1924

Thorpeness Lake | Thorpeness Boating Lake | Thorpeness boats

Thorpeness Lake | Thorpeness Boating Lake

Thorpeness Boats | Thorpeness Boating Lake | Thorpeness Lake | Thorpeness Village

Thorpeness Lake | Thorpeness Boating Lake | Thorpeness Lake | Thorpeness Village

Thorpeness Windmill and The House In The Clouds

Rising above rural Thorpeness you can live the high life in a former water tower. Thorpeness House in the Clouds hides what was considered an “ugly” water tower. Dandy Stuart Ogilvie, Thorpeness founder, was inspired by his friend, Mrs Malcolm Mason, a children’s book author, they clad the tower in a fairy tale structure that Mason dubbed the House in the Clouds. It’s now have a fully operational holiday home peeping over the horizon at 70 feet high. It provides spacious accommodation for the true family holiday having 5 bedrooms, 2 with double beds, 3 with twin beds and an additional double sofa bed. 3 bathrooms, drawing room, dining room and the magnificent “room at the top” giving the finest views of Suffolk. To find a place to stay in Thorpeness compare prices and reviews on Booking.com

thorpeness house in the clouds | thorpeness windmill

To hide the eyesore of having a water tower in the village, the tank was clad in wood to make it look like a small house on top of a 5-storey tower, with a separate water-pumping windmill next to it. It is known as the “House in the Clouds”, and after mains water was installed in the village the old tank was transformed into a huge games room with views over the land from Aldeburgh to Sizewell.

Suggestions For Beach Side Towns In The UK?

I am always looking for beautiful places to explore in the UK as well as outside of it of course. My boyfriend’s birthday falls over the bank holiday in August. I am after suggestions for cute places to visit in the UK, do you know of a beautiful little sea side(love to be near water – calms me down) Can you suggest any places in the UK packed with character and charm? If there is a liittle village/town even better. Please post your suggestions below or better yet I want pictures. If you can post those on my FacebookI would appreciate it!

England

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