Tag: England

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SW England Day 6

From Exeter back to Gatwick

Friday, the last day of our fully packed South West England trip started in Exeter, after that night disturbed by the fire alarm. A long way from Devon trough Somerset and Wiltshire to Hampshire and Surrey. More than 180 miles mainly on the highways. Although we did a couple of breaks, at first in Somerset at the Nation Trust landmark, Barrington Court.

This is an old, charming Tudor manor house completed in the late 1550 surrounded by formal gardens, located in stunning Somerset countryside. The whole estate, over 70 acres includes farm buildings, cottages, tennis court and large park side. The Strode house which is open to visitors drags you back to the past times and invites you to spent some time with Colonel Lyle’s family who restored the house in 1920s.

Few hours later we swiftly continued on the highway and several B-roads due to heavy Friday traffic. Occasionally we drove some funny narrow (just one line) paths connecting the other roads.

The highlight of our road trip, kept in a secret until the last day, was in front of us.

We soon arrive to a huge parking space, got our tickets and were sitting in a shuttle bus. Getting of it, we could finally see, one of the most iconic historical sites across the world, the Stonehenge.

This must-see Stone Circle monument with its unforgettable atmosphere dating back to 4000 years ago is a powerful statement of human ingenuity and creativity. What a landmark to finish our wonderful SW England road trip!

Reaching Gatwick airport in the late evening, we concluded more than 800 driven miles, in those 6 demanding but beautiful English days, full of unforgettable memories and breath-taking sceneries.

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SW England Day 5

From Newquay to Exeter

Unfortunately there was a Thursday, a turning point in our journey guiding us back to east. We had to leave the wonderful Lewinninck Lodge behind and focus on the places ahead. And there were some.

Our first stop, was nothing less extraordinary than the Eden Project. Featuring also the world’s biggest rain forest, the whole environmental attraction is build in reclaimed kaolin clay pit. It has 2 huge (half golf ball shaped) biodomes; topical and mediterranean one. A family would typically spend here the whole day full of excitement, but we could not afford it. We’re a couple on the round trip which needs to continue.

However, the second place we visited wasn’t less popular either. Honestly it was not on a plan and meant a long way round but was absolutely worth of it. The Tintagel Castle. Home of the King Arthur. Well, according to legend at least, but once you cross the bridge and reach the castle’s ruins, it’s all so obviously alive. And below the castle’s rock there is a beach with Merlyn’s cave, The actual place, where King Arthur was born. Luckily as we were on time for one of the last admissions, we could then spent enough time in the Tintagel island area.

Getting a bit hungry, Miska found this traditional pub cuisine place called Ye Olde Malthouse Inn. The food there was excellent. Afterwards we visited the fameous “Camelot” hotel, just overlooking Arthur’s Camelot for a very specially served coffee.

As it was already late, we need to move on squeeze our Juke for another portion of miles.   Arriving to Marriot hotel in Exeter, we got a really nice upper floor room.  I personally was overexcited and not tiered and maybe that’s the reason I did not panic when the hotel’s alarm started to yell at approximately 3:30 am. Yes the funny part about it is, that I again forgot to take my shoes on.

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SW England Day 4

From Newquay back to Newquay

What a lovely day this was! As a starter, we had some delicious breakfast at our Lewinnick Lodge. They we really good. I’d say as good as those in Portsmouth were.

Straight after that tasty joy, we decided to book our room for another night, so that we could explore the far west of Cornwall, without the hassle of searching for a room.

Our first stop on Wednesday was the great Hayle Beach located on the north coast of Cornwall, which is known for its miles of golden sands and clear waters. Here we spent some time walking around and having a small refreshment at Cove Coffee.

The next stop which meant to be the highlight of our trip was St Michael’s Mount on the south coast by the Marazion Beach near Penzance. This is a tidal island which is connected to the mainland by a causeway and it is a counterpart to very similar island in Normandy Mont-Saint Michel. On the rocky island there is a beautiful medieval castle with well designed gardens, a church and few old houses for domestic staff. Even though we bought the tickets only for the outer part of the castle, we somehow managed to brush past the ticket lady and were able to see the the whole castle from inside too. There was a very pleasant gentleman keeping eye on the queen’s and king’s room who told us pretty much of castle’s story.

Amazed by the picturesque place, we missed on tide time and had to return in a boat.

Afterwards, searching for some food, Miska found this well rated fish and chips stop in Lizard which stop us for about 30 minutes. But then we got a huge portion of fish to eat at the Lizard End. Heading back to north we swiftly turned to west for the Kynance Cove parking spot. This is another beautiful coast – cove scenery, very harsh wild and so much charming.

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SW England Day 3

Plymouth to Truro and Newquay

The weather on Tuesday 27th of May was not very different comparing to day before. We left Plymouth in peace after finishing our breakfast.  First stop we did is called Lantic Bay. On it’s dedicated car park, there was only one more car, except of our Juke. It was still rainy, so we put the raincoats on and begun the walk. In some 30 minutes we reached the bay. What a beautifully rough feeling from the first moment! There was absolutely no one else, only us, massive black somewhat smooth stone, untouched sands periodically waved.

For me, this is perhaps the strongest memory of the whole road trip.

After this natural expedition we continued further and later stopped by a place called Lost Gardens of Heligan. There we sat down in its canteen for some delicious food and then explored the beautiful gardens. As it was still little bit rainy the place was not that busy and the fresh air suited to the wild botanical garden very well.

Our plan for the day was to oversleep in Falmouth, but as there was no hotel to book, we took a break in Truro = the capital of Cornwall to search for a shelter nearby.  The options were suddenly very limited, so after an hour or so of searching I came cross to a place called Lewinnick Lodge in Newquay almost at the end of Penrite Head. Once we found out how to properly pronounce Newquay, we also read that it’s a town with biggest criminality in the whole Cornwall. Never mind the bollocks this Lewinnick Lodge is a fantastic accommodation for affordable price.

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SW England Day 2

Weymouth to Plymouth

We headed towards west, straight after the Breakfast in Weymouth. Our first stop was a popular Dorset beach. Hive beach is a key gateway to Jurassic Coast. It’s famous for the sandstone cliffs, where some follis can be easily found. And we found ones too.

The next stop we did, was Powderham castle – located already in Devon. Unfortunately the castle was closed for tourists, so we only saw the outside area and step into a Devon specialities shop instead.

Tens of miles later we arrived to Bigburry and its beach. This beach is special as it is connected with opposite Burgh Island only when the tide is low. Here we were also not lucky as the tide was pretty high and so the connection to the island was underwater.

As Miska reminded, the Burgh island and it’s hotel also made into an episode of detective Hercule Poirot, who found a small empty bottle below the hotel as one of the key criminal evidence.

Not far away from Bigburry lies another beautifully bay called Wemburry. But yes, I forgot to mention that it was bit rainy the whole day and by the time we came to Wemburry also bit windy. That was the reason, we did not spent that much time there and drowe to our destination for the night – Plymouth.

The Ocean city is for us known as Drake’s town and as a coincidence the Drake’s Island was the first thing we saw here. Walking from the Hoe promenade we passed the Royal citadel and soon reached the harbour. Somewhere by the harbour there is a place called Navy Inn, where we set down for a couple of tasty pints of Guinness.

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SW England Day 1

Portsmouth to Weymouth

On Sunday, 25th of May we woke up in an upper – floor Travelodge room in the centre of Portsmouth with a wide view. Taking a 30 minutes’ walk down towards the harbour, we got to the Flanking Battery and the place called The Canteen. It is serving the most delicious breakfast in the town. After that we took a closer look to Spinnaker tower and went on to see some other town’s landmarks .

The decision between the 2 routes for the day was taken and soon we were trying to board on a ferry to Isle of Weight. However, on this attempt we booked tickets for a day after and therefore had to call, exchange the tickets and get boarded again 😊

In some 50 minutes this several storey ferry took as to a slightly different country. Isle of Weight is really beautiful and one could spend the whole summer there. Our first IoW stop was the Carrisbroke Castle. Then we continued towards south and stopped by the House of Pearl for an original souvenir for Miska.

Later we took a coffee break at the Freshwater Bay and continued to see the iconic IoW highlight – The Needles. Although we missed the attractions opening times, at least came as close as possible to see those sharp white rocks and the lighthouse. For the way back, Miska got us on a guided double decker bus to save some energy and get more info about the area 😉

Back to JUKE we were in a little hurry to catch our ferry from Yarmouth to Lymington. On the mainland we first stop by the Highcliffe Castle. Took a look from outside, made some pictures and walk around the castle.

Somewhere outside of Bournemouth we did a Thai food break, of course as a take way to our last stop of the day. Reaching Durdle Door just before 9 PM we were not allowed to drive to its parking. But crossing the campsite, we soon found ourselves sitting on bench overlooking sea and enjoying our dinner. The Durdle Door is really a spectacular art of nature, affirmed by many, carrying a simple tent, eager to see it during the late evening or night. Our shelter for that night was the hotel Rex in Weymouth. Classical Victorian house, which of course served us some tasty pints of beer before the midnight.

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South West England

Arrival – Day 0

The flight with Wizz air was absolutely alright. We arrived to Gatwick on 24th of May on time at 7pm GMT.

To kick start our South West England road trip, we needed to get the booked car from the budget rental at the airport outskirts.

Well, we took a wrong bus, got out of it bit late and had to wait for another one going the opposite direction. Afterwards there were still some, (not few) hundreds of walking meters to get to the Green Motion. For all of that, just blame me. I thought, the on demand call to pick us up from the airport by the rental car, would be too expensive to rather consider a short bus drive (which took us approx. 1 hour) 🤦‍♂️.

The VW Golf we booked with Green Motion (for as little as 25€ a day) turned out to be Nissan Juke, a pretty new one, with less than 3000 miles on it’s counter.

For sure, our first miles in it were a bit shy (manual gearbox, in the left hand, sitting on the right seat) but we somehow managed to reach our goal of the day, Portsmouth.

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London – full time on!

Finally! Here we are now, back to full time on to London now!

I at least have thought about us spending few days in the City for some time already.

Searching for the places, searching for a time to see the places. Sometimes you don’t have to. It all comes its very own way. As a lucky ballot coincidence setting up the ground. 

From Wednesday evening 23rd of October 2024 to Sunday afternoon 27th of October we visited my favourite European City. And actually, we stayed directly in the City.

In the morning ride a bus and soon in the City the big fire’s Monument you will pass.

Your next stop is St. Paul’s Cathedral, then Royal Court’s of justice, you’re arriving to Trafalgar square without notice.         

If you want to see the famous Big Ben, don’t look for it, it finds you before you count to ten. But go to Westminster and especially to Abby, look around the Parliament too.

Make a few steps to Downing Street, and head to St. James’s Park for a coffee on the park’s bench.

Of course, that’s not all, that’s not enough. But can it be enough? I feel for me, It will never be enough.