Winter might just be round the corner but that’s no reason to become a hermit - don’t let the cold weather deter you from going out. Renowned for its lack of sunshine and two-week summers, the UK almost has to be enjoyed in winter. And why not? If anything can showcase the beauty of everything that is British, it is the bright lights along the coast, cosy pubs, twinkling cities and hearty food. Leave your cocoon this winter and travel to some the UK’s most loved cities. Travelling around is easy, with trains companies such as First Capital Connect offering great prices on train tickets between ever-popular destinations.
One destination at the top of the list this winter is Cambridge. Quintessentially British, full of history, good pubs and always buoyant with activity, this old city is home to some of the UK’s best museums. A mere hour and a half from London and with train tickets relatively inexpensive, Cambridge is well worth the visit during winter. You may want to forego punting on the Cam in favour of some of the cosy pubs, including; The Eagle that dates back to the 16th century, the Elm Tree which is renowned for its vast amount of top notch ales and the Baron of Beef which serves great, hearty pub grub. Visit one of the many museums and learn about Classical archaeology (Museum of Classical Archaeology), the polar ice caps (Scott Polar Research Institute) and home grown Cambridge artists (Williams Art Museum). Stop off along the way for cream teas and steaming mugs of hot chocolate in one of the many cafes.
While London’s many parks attract visitors through the summer months, there is nothing more spectacular than the spending winter in the capital. If you want to experience the thrill of a West End show, ice skate in the middle of Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and visit some of the best Christmas markets outside of Germany, then London has to – of course – be on your itinerary. A quiet day in London is another city’s busiest. Constantly alive and abuzz with excitement, the best time to visit London is around the Christmas period. Catch a show, dive into one of the many pubs for mulled wine, eat at some of the best restaurants in the world and wrap up against the cold for walking around streets drenched in years of history.
If life in the capital gets too much, catch a train from London to Brighton. A popular route amongst tourists, train tickets are easy to get hold of making the gem of the south coast is just an hour away. A favourite amongst party animals and sea lovers, Brighton is a must see in the winter. Embrace the sea breeze and enjoy Brighton’s pier which lights up the pebble beach beneath it. Visit the Royal Pavilion for its mounds of heritage and gaze at the stunning Regency architecture which dates back to the Prince Regent’s era and the Victorian period. Exotic in style, the architecture is a must-see amongst various other sites such as the Fishing Museum, the state-of-the-art Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and the incredible Brighton Dome that houses comedy nights and live music – perfect on a cold wintery evening.
If you plan to travel around a bit, it’s good to plan ahead. Book train tickets early and you could save money. Winter coats at the ready, get set, go!
