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Top 5 Olympic-Free Escapes in the UK
Other | Monday 21st May 2012 | Osh
With just 99 days until the London 2012 Olympic Games get underway, athletes the world over are limbering up for the biggest competition of their lives. But as London is set to become it’s busiest during the Games, why not take a break and have a weekend getaway?
As money is as tight as a shrunk pair of leggings right now, the perfect spots for relaxation, and escaping from the hustle and bustle of the capital for a while, might be closer than you think. For a great weekend away, with family or friends, forget that pricey week abroad, and venture nearer to your own doorstep.
1. Bournemouth:
With all the appearance of a tropical island, the best spot on the South Coast boasts over seven miles of sandy beach. Bournemouth is fundamentally a a student town, but has always been popular with an older crowd as well as families, so there’s always a good mixture of people. The shoreline is also home to the Oceanarium, The Bournemouth Eye (a huge, tethered hot air balloon), Bournemouth Pier, fun-fair attractions, typical tourist-hotspot slot machines, and spectacular scenery. The town centre is also full of all the best high street shops and restaurants, and a wide selection and variation of hotels. Just two hours from London by train, travel to Bournemouth can be as little as £13 return with www.nationalexpress.com, and hotels may only set you back about £100 for 3 nights for a double room.
2. York:
For a bit of a cultural break, hop up North for the UK’S best destination for wonderful architecture, authentic cobbled streets, and York Minster; World-class good, a fantastic Gothic cathedral, right in the centre of town. Home to Guy Fawkes, York, the capital of the county of Yorkshire, is also home to a modern café-culture, with hundreds of Indie musicians scattered along the cobbled city streets busking throughout the day. Stunning night or day, York is also famous for fantastic homely pubs and pub meals. Also renowned for its historical links to the Romans, the Vikings and Medieval periods, York boasts guided walks of all the historical features, as well as great ghost walks and York Dungeons. Disney’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ is made up of some scenes filmed right on the city’s iconic narrow, cobbled side streets, known as the Shambles. You can get to York in just over 2 hours from London, for about £15 one way with National Express. Accommodation prices vary, but start around £30 per night for 2 people.
3. Newcastle:
If you’re willing to travel a little further, Newcastle is definitely worth a trip. As the UK’s best (and cheapest) night out, the city centre is buzzing with an array of pubs, clubs and bars. In just over 3 hours by train, and for under £60 return, Newcastle could be just the escape you need. The area also has more theatres than anywhere else in the UK, along with Castle Keep, one of the country’s best remaining architectural buildings. Possessing some amazing art galleries, miles of coastline, a student-based centre, all the shops you could ever dream of, and historical museums. Drawn from the defensive fort of Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle has everything you’d ever want in a holiday and endless varieties of things to do, and places to go, to suit a number of tastes.
4. Edinburgh:
Home to the world-famous Edinburgh Castle and spectacular music venues, this Scottish gem sits just a large stone-throws away from London. You can travel cheaply by train, coach or air, but train tends to be the cheapest and quickest if you book as far enough in advance as possible, with single travel starting from £20. You can forget about the hustle and bustle of the capital with a quiet afternoon relaxing in one of Edinburgh’s hundreds of coffee shops, or take a trip into town for some serious shopping! With its mixture of unbeatable natural scenery, and all the makings of a city, Edinburgh is unspottable. Head to the great markets for souvenir shopping, and no sign for a Union Jack to be found! Or get cultured-up and visit the city’s Celtic museums, enjoy an affordable bite to eat, or a walk or sunbathing session on one of the beaches, (that’s if you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day). Edinburgh is also renowned for its music shows, so why not head down for the Jazz and Blues Festival or Festival Fringe.
5. Cornwall:
With local destinations like Newquay & St. Ives why bother staying in London? St. Ives is said to have some of the best British scenery out there, and Newquay is a brilliant hotspot for a younger crowd; its breath-taking beach is a home from home for thousands of tourists every year. Also renowned as a caravan hotspot- the Cornish coast is also popular with a variety of people, some for the cheap entertainments, along the lines of slot machines and Fun-Fair based rides, some for the astonishing natural views, and some for the unbeatable food. You’ve never had a scone before you’ve been to Cornwall; they really are to die for, and that’s not even considering Cornwall’s signature dish; ice cream. Look out for the smaller shops, a little more off the beaten track for cheaper options. Travel by coach starts from just £10 one way.
For the cheapest travel and accommodation, get searching!
Marianne Calnan
