8 | Kilcreggan

Kilcreggan

Last weekend (sorry this post is a bit late getting out there!), I paid a visit to Scotland. I’m very lucky that I have a little bolt hole to escape to when London gets too much, a little place where I can surround myself with hills, deer and lochs – this is where I spent last weekend.

The train journey is always a long one – I left Euston on the 17.30, and didn’t arrive into Helensburgh until 23.18, which felt really long, but its always so worth it. I love arriving at places in the dark because then when you wake up in the morning and pull the curtains back its such a surprise to see where you’ve ended up in the night.

Unfortunately, the weather last weekend was incredibly grey and rainy, all Saturday and most of Sunday (until on Sunday evening and sun came out and it was just AMAZING!). Saturday, the loch was so still and silent except for the quiet chug of the Dunoon ferry in the distance. My dad and I made our way to Glasgow for a mooch around the shops (we didn’t have umbrellas with us so we ended up getting very wet and a bit grumpy!), and then the Sunday we worked hard gardening and walking along the beach before making our way back to Glasgow to catch our train in the evening. Even late that night, my cheeks were red and so toasty from the few hours of sun, glistening off the surface of the loch. The sun in Scotland does usually catch me out, I always find myself getting burnt as I never expect it – how does the saying go, no one ever expects the Scottish sun? (ok, ok its Spanish inquisition but you get the picture).

Scotland has always held a place in my heart, I used to holiday there every year when I was young, and my dad and his family are all based there so whenever I can, I love getting up there. Last year my brother and I cycled the North Coast 500, which is a 500 mile route around the North of Scotland, starting and finishing in Inverness. We did it in six days and took our tents with us, and camped in the most beautiful, remote places on the way. There are so many people who live in England who have never been to Scotland but to anyone reading this who hasn’t been – GO! Take a plane, a train, a car, however you fancy, and get yourself up there and hopefully you’ll be blessed enough to have a bit of sun, because when the sun shines it truly is beautiful.

As the sun started to set, my dad and I jumped in the car and drove to Glasgow, the sun setting behind us as we drove – Sunday night and we both had to be in London for work the following morning. We dropped the car off, and had a bite to eat in town, before making our way to the station to catch the sleeper train.

I love the sleeper train.

I don’t even know if many people know it exists, but it does! It runs from Aberdeen, Fort William, Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and even though I’ve taken it so many times now, it still feels like I’m getting on the Hogwarts Express every time. You hop on, find your cabin and make yourself comfy, and a few hours later you wake up and you’re in London. I tell you now, its the way ahead, and it also gives you the whole of Sunday to spend in Scotland, so you can really make the most of your weekend! I already have another trip to the bonnie land up my sleeve so I’ll be sure to document the weekend, and my trip on the sleeper, on my instagram when I do (@everyweekendaway)… Stay tuned!

 

7 | Blackpool

Blackpool

With all this horrid grey weather we’ve been having for what seems like forever (please come back blue skies!), I decided to make a trip to Blackpool. I’m not going to try and make this into a ‘where to go and what to do in Blackpool’ because I feel like there’s only one thing you’d go here for – and thats for some good old fashioned British beach side fun and games! – and thats EXACTLY why we decided to pay it a visit.

Straight off the train, we grabbed some chips, and ate them while walking along the beachfront, trying to stop the chips from being blown out of our hands. In the shadow of the Blackpool Tower on the esplanade lies the Comedy Carpet, an area of 2,200m² filled with quotes from over 1,000 comedians.

I had no idea but Blackpool has 3 piers?! AMAZING. North Pier offers beautiful views along the coast, even on a grey cloudy day, we could still see the hills from the Lake District. North Pier also had speakers attached to every lamppost, playing classic 80s tunes – always a winner in my books.

 

Along to Central Pier, which was as you would expect a pier to be – an arcade, rides and stalls. In an unlikely turn of events, both my friend and I ended up winning toys, and so we spent the rest of the day carrying them around (thank goodness we didn’t win anything huge). I love this about British seaside towns, that you can go with £10 in your pocket, and have a great day of fun with it!

We found the Winter Gardens, and had a look inside which felt like being teleported back in time – the architecture was beautiful, and you could just imagine how it would have been years ago. The gallery area was filled with young dancers getting their hair done, some walking around in their dresses. The bar area was ambiently lit, and filled with people of all ages, all enjoying a cup of tea or a pint, and watching a live band on stage. It was all very English, perhaps verging on the tacky side of things, but you can’t help but love and respect our sometimes kitsch heritage.

 

We wandered past the shops selling rock, all along the beachfront to the South Pier, right beside Blackpool Pleasure Beach, before heading back to get our train home.

The sun didn’t come out to play with us, but we had a great time in our own little world, throwing darts, playing snooker, rolling balls and generally getting blown around! I was surprised by how beautiful some of the architecture and painted typography was. I wouldn’t go to Blackpool in the hope to find 2019s answer to Shoreditch, but if you want a fun day out, and a bit of an English laugh, then its perfect. Original, raw British fun, and I think that is what we all need sometimes.

See you next weekend…

 

6 | Sheffield

Sheffield

I spent last weekend visiting one of my best friends up in Sheffield. I’ve been to here a few times before, so unlike my other five weekends, I knew where I was and was familiar with the city, and of course I had my girl to spend my days with! (As a side note, how am I already writing about weekend number six?! It feels like only a week ago that I started this!) So, instead of my usual spiel, I’m going to do a very mini ‘things to do in Sheffield’ guide from tourist to tourist!

So, here are my go-to spots in Sheffield, in a rather unorganised list – if you’re visiting, check some of them out!

Eve Kitchen 380 Sharrow Vale Road  for the best homemade donuts in town

Pom Kitchen 388 Sharrow Vale Road for vegetarian and vegan yummies

Forge Bakehouse 302 Abbeydale Road for home made bread and great lunches

Tamper Coffee 149 Arundel Street for burgers, coffee and cake (surrounded by greenery)

Howst 46 Howard Street – try the Andalusian hash

The Depot Bakery 92 Burton Road, a delightful bakery and eatery

Roco Creative Co-op 338-48 Glossop Road for a creative workspace and coffee shop by day, and a bar with outdoor terrace by night

Picture House Social 383 Abbeydale Road for films, ping pong, pizza, live music and cocktails

 

 

5 | St Ives

St Ives

Before I start this, I’m just going to say that this weekend was MAGICAL. I’m starting this week in such a bubble, fully committed to riding the weekend wave out for as long as I can.

I had a few days holiday to take from work, so I decided to give myself a long weekend to go somewhere far – I decided to head to Cornwall. As I researched campsites, imagining a romantic Spring time camping trip, watching sunrises on the beach, I discovered that most campsites weren’t open until Easter. This coincided with a weather forecast promising snow and ice thanks to the mini ‘Beast from the East’. Needless to say, I decided pretty sharpish to scrap the camping idea and book an AirBnb.

Friday

Depart Paddington: 7:30

Arrive St Ives: 13:30

(Despite the incredibly long train journey, I slept for 40 minutes, and looked out the window the whole rest of the way. I couldn’t find my headphones so I didn’t even listen to music and I was too excited to read my book.)

I stepped off the train at St Ives, to find a beach already below my feet, and immediately I was so excited, I had plonked myself right in my happy place. I took my bike with me on the train, so I wandered off and had a quick look around the town, before pedalling up (and up it was, up a huge hill) to my AirBnb. Set 10 minutes cycle out of town, nestled in the fields overlooking the sea, was The Shed where I was to spend my weekend. As soon as I opened the door, I knew it was going to be a snug little home! I dumped my stuff, and headed back into town (thankfully downhill this time) to have a proper explore and mooch, just as the afternoon clouds cleared up and the sun came out in all its glory.

St Ives itself is so beautiful. The high street is lined with bunting and parallel to the high street is a road which runs along the harbour beachfront. Lots of art galleries and little shops to look around. A personal fave was Common Wanderer where I could have bought everything. Everything.

I grabbed a pastie (disappointingly my only one of the weekend), and walked over to Porthmeor Beach, the bay to the North of the town, which I quickly learnt was the surfer’s haven of St Ives (this is also where the Tate is). The wind was a bit chilly, but the sun was warm enough to make you feel cosy, and so I sat on the beach for well over an hour, and watched the surfers ride the waves into shore. I managed to steal myself to grab some food for the weekend ahead, but then I found myself back on the beach, mesmerised by the waves and the surfers as golden hour shone in full swing.

Saturday

I had a bit of a slow morning on Saturday. It poured so hard overnight, so I was a bit wary of what I was waking up to. It was overcast and raining on and off but nothing to keep me inside, so I got up and hit the South West Coast Path. The coastal path in its entirety is 630 miles long, running from Somerset and finishing in Poole, and last year, my own dad walked the whole thing (not in one go, I hasten to add), so I felt like there would be something quite nice in walking in his footsteps, even if only for a few hours!

As I left St Ives behind, it was amazing how quickly I found myself in the middle of nowhere, and feeling completely at the mercy of nature. I actually felt a bit intimidated by the sound of the waves thundering beneath me, like the ocean was reminding me of  its strength and my own insignificance.

The views were beautiful – even in the mizzle – and I met a dog so all in all I had a great time. Also TOP TIP from me: invest in a flask. Mine was £4 from Asda and I filled it with hot chocolate and it warmed the little cockles of my heart right up.

Sunday

I woke up at 7:30. On a Sunday. Without an alarm. I was tempted to go back to sleep, but then through the gap in my curtains I saw the bluest sky, which was such a change from the overcast day before, and completely went against all weather forecasts which promised Sunday to be a snowy write off. Yet here I was in my little shed, looking out at the sun! I wrapped up warm, grabbed my bike and got out, to explore a beach over the other side of the estuary.

A few near misses on ice, and a few wrong turns later, I arrived at a nearly empty beach car park. I locked my bike up and walked down the dunes onto this HUGE expanse of beach (it is called the Gwithian Towans Beach, kind of hard to miss on a map as its just the huge strip of sand). Words cannot describe how excited I was – the sun was out, the beach was empty, the beach was BEAUTIFUL and I had a full flask of hot chocolate in my rucksack.

Eventually I pedalled back to St Ives (which in true Cornish spirit was all uphill), packed up my stuff, and hopped on my train, just as the snow arrived and arrive it really did. Waiting for my train back to London, I saw trains passing through which were covered in ice and snow, looking like they’d just come from Lapland; it could not have been further from me sitting on a beach with the sun on my face!

As I made the journey back, watching the countryside around me look more and more like a winter wonderland, I had time to reflect on my weekend. When I was booking this just a week ago, I had been so nervous on the phone to my mum asking questions – ‘what if I get lonely’, ‘what if I get sad being on my own’ – but as it turns out, my weekend was more than I could have expected. Sitting on the train, I had a bit of an epiphany moment, so bear with me while I try and explain it to you here, and apologies as it doesn’t come across as poignant and as powerfully as it felt to me that Sunday evening! I feel that so often as individuals, we have a whole list of things we want to do, of places we want to see, but we spend our days waiting for someone to do these things with us. And I’ve realised that if we spend our whole life waiting for that someone to say ‘YES! I’ll do that with you’, then life may just pass us by.

It is ok for us to do things on our own!

This whole challenge is teaching me that doing what you want to do should come first. Obviously being with friends and family is super valuable and important, but what I’m trying to say is that you don’t need other people to validate your happiness or your experiences – drive your own experiences and who knows who you might meet on your way. If we’re happy doing our own things, then no-one can hold us stop us, but ourselves. We can hold our heads up and be the best we can be – am I right?

Until next weekend…

4 | Lincoln

Lincoln

This Sunday was Mothers’ Day in the UK so I told my mum to pick somewhere, anywhere, for us to go to together. Sunday morning, I hopped on a train from King’s Cross and after just 2 hours, I arrived in Lincoln, as my mum pulled into the station car park, 2 hours after leaving home. Neither of us had ever visited this city, so we set off to explore!

We headed along the high street, which leads into The Strait. We followed the road which turned into a steep hill climb (later we discovered this street was appropriately named ‘Steep Hill’), which took us past stone walled houses, cute vintage shops and a lovely coffee shop called Basecamp, where we decided to take a rest and have a spot of lunch. I loved how the street transformed from high street to a very villagey kind of feel, with little independent shops, it felt as though the further up the hill you went, the further back in time you travelled!

After eating some delicious bagels and reviving ourselves with tea and coffee, we continued up Steep Hill, passing more vintage shops and cute gift shops before arriving at the top, where to the right towers Lincoln Cathedral, and to the left lies Lincoln Castle. I had no expectations of Lincoln, and in fact I wasn’t expecting a lot from it, but I was really pleasantly surprised by how pretty and historic it was! Mum and I nattered away, and walked around the castle, and weaved our way back to the bottom of the hill where we made a very impulsive decision to go and visit Doddington Hall, an Elizabethan mansion and gardens.

10 minutes later, we arrived and we had a lovely walk around the gardens which was blooming with Spring bulbs! I love an old-fashioned manicured garden so I was in my element! The views across the meadows were beautiful, and I felt so relaxed and so far away from everything. From the garden, there were nature walks leading into the trees and into the meadows. It all just felt so open and rural, I loved it.

We had a Mothers’ Day cup of tea and scone in the coffee shop, because what’s a visit to a country home without a tea stop, and then we headed our separate ways back home! A jolly good day out, with a jolly good woman.

3 | Hastings

Hastings

Because of the snow that hit us this week, my original weekend plans to go to Edinburgh had to be binned. Saturday morning, after triple checking trains to Scotland still weren’t running, and after having a bit of a pity party, I consulted a map, and within half an hour of deciding on my location, I was on a train on my way.

There’s something so unsettling but exciting about getting off the train in a place where you have no idea where you are, where you don’t even know whether to turn left or right at the station exit. This was me, a mere 2 hours after leaving London.

I made my way to the beach which in my opinion is always a good place to start. It was such a grey day, but the snow had finally melted, and the whole world was out and about enjoying the milder weather! As I walked East, I came to Hastings Old Town, and along the beach, Hastings’ fishing heritage really became apparent – so many boats moored up on the beach, and loads of cute little huts selling shellfish, or if you’re not a huge fish fan like myself, that meant plenty of opportunities for a good old fashioned portion of chips. (As a side note, the place I chose to go to had ‘help yourself’ salt and vinegar – consequent note to self, go easy on the salt next time.)

Sitting proudly above the Old Town and the directly above the beach is East Hill, which has its very own Funicular Railway, or if you’re feeling fit there are steps which run up the side. From the top you get a great view of Hastings Old Town and of the sea, plus its a really nice open space to get blown around by the sea air (which in my opinion is what you go to the beach for! The wilder the hair, the better the day, I say!).

From here a nice mooch around the old town was due, with so many cute alleyways and hidden passages this town really is one to lose yourself in! Along High Street you’ll find a load of old vintage shops and then moving down George Street, you’ll find more artisan individual shops which are a real pleasure to look around. Would recommend a pause in The Fig, on 43 George Street.

The Fig | 43 George Street

Another spot I then wandered to was The Cake Room on Robertson Street, with its warm inviting light shining through its steamed up windows. I stopped in here for the most delightful hot chocolate, surrounded by plants, and an adorable daschund who was unobtrusively pottering around people’s feet. As I sipped my hot chocolate, regulars came and went always being greeted by their first name, which was so nice and made me feel so at home – I could have stayed snug in here for a good while!

The Cake Room | 30 Robertson Street

The Cake Room | 30 Robertson Street

As I left my little haven, I headed for the pier, naively hoping for a romantic sunset… instead, I got caught in a torrential downpour, and got absolutely soaked! I quickly retreated to the station (via Hi-Fest, which is a super cool shop on 4 Trinity Street, full of cute cards and fully stocked up on work from local artist, Nina Cosford, who I LOVE), and made my soggy way back to London.

I’ll see you here next week after another adventure! Until then, have a great week!

2 | Margate

Margate

I visited Margate once, years ago. Longing for a beach walk, I decided that this would be a great place to go and explore, and a great way to fill the old lungs with some fresh sea air. It was a beautiful blue-skied, sunny day so I set off from London Victoria, taking the train to Broadstairs. (It was also the start of this freezing cold weather, so I was sure to wrap up warm!)

From the station in Broadstairs, I headed straight for the beach which was so beautiful with such a bracing cold wind; I felt so alive! I also have a pair of vans which are well and truly past their best, with holes all over them – anyone who knows me will vouch for the fact that no matter where or what the occasion, I will be wearing them – so naturally within 5 minutes of walking on the sand, my shoes were filled with grains. It genuinely felt great! (I did then have that Dido song in my head all day, linked there just in case anyone wants a hand to set the scene).

As recommended by a good friend of mine, I walked from Broadstairs around the headland to Margate. I had no idea where I was going so decided to walk along the beach, hoping that I wouldn’t be phoning for a rescue team when the tide stranded me. Luckily, needless to say, I survived the day without making said phone call. The walk as beautiful, there were so many incredible rock formations along the way. I also came across Joss Bay, which I actually visited years ago when I last was down in Kent, but I was so happy to stumble across it again – I don’t know why but I felt a real peace and comfort here. In Summer it’s filled with surfers, but in Winter it was pretty much deserted (as was most of the headland) with a few hardy dog walkers out braving the cold.

As the walk takes you closer to Margate, you go past Walpole tidal bay, which was so beautiful (I thought tidal pools only existed in warmer climes, how wrong I was). It’s open an hour either side of high tide for swimmers, so definitely one that I’ll be going back for on a warmer day – it didn’t look so inviting with the waves being blown across the wall, spray flying everywhere!

As soon as I arrived in Margate, I headed for Peter’s Fish Factory on The Parade and got myself a classic fish and chip lunch, eating it on the beach and successfully not sharing any of it with the seagulls around me!

By this point I was in desperate need of a warm up, having spent the best part of 4 hours outside in the bitterly cold wind, so I headed to the Turner Contemporary, Margate’s art gallery. They have some really interesting exhibitions on, and a great gift shop (with loads of lovely cards). There is also a sculpture by Antony Gormley which has been installed in the seabed just outside the gallery. It was mesmerising watching from the warmth of the gallery as the tide turned and engulfed the sculpture.

I then walked around Margate but to be honest, by this point I was chilled to the bone and the sun was setting so I hopped back on a train to London, and was graced with a beautiful sunset on my way, which definitely made up for a disappointing England Scotland six nations match. TOP TIP: always sit on the Western side of the train in the evenings, there is nothing more frustrating than being stuck on the wrong side as the sun is putting on a glorious display.

I arrived back in London two hours later, to be greeted by hoards of football supporters and people rushing around. I looked down at my sand filled shoes, and my trousers which were also covered in sand from the wind which had only a few hours earlier been whipping around my legs, and I felt as thought I had just come back from a parallel universe. I felt so rejuvenated, and so lucky to have escaped the madness of the city even if only just for the day.

Until next weekend…!

1 | Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield

This weekend saw me starting the challenge with a small journey outside of London – just 25 minutes out of Marylebone station, surrounded by fields and rolling hills, lies the little town of Beaconsfield.

The day got of to a cracking start, Polly and I chatting to a lovely lady in the Waitrose loo, before giving the Bekonscot Model Village a little look. We spent our morning walking around the maze of model houses, getting way too excited and absorbed with the task choosing where we’d live (one house vs another based on which had a south facing garden – a very in depth conversation). There was even a model railway which chugged away around the whole village which was just so much fun! (nerd alert) Also in my books, anywhere with a bin painted to be like a twister ice lolly is a win for me.

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Following this, and feeling slightly sad at how simple life looked for the little model world, we found a lovely little cafe to have some lunch, and to warm up – though the sun was out, it was not warm, summer definitely isn’t here yet! Benedict’s store on Gregories Road offered us the little rest that we needed. A cosy independent coffee shop offering toasties, salads, cakes, you name it. We grabbed a window seat, me with my stew and Polly with her salmon and avocado toast, and watched the world go by.

We then headed to the Holtspur Nature Reserve, which I’m sure is a beautiful wild flower meadow in spring and summer – unfortunately mid Feb, it was more just a bit muddy! Still, there were benches to kick back on and soak up the winter sun (is Feb still winter?) and watch the horses play in the fields nearby.

Although my first weekend has only started with a short train journey, I had such a relaxing time, and its so nice to be reminded that countryside exploration can happen so close to London. Sometimes its so easy to get swept up in the rush of the big smoke that you forget to slow down, breathe the fresh air and feel the mud under your feet. I find being out in the open really grounding. I think its what everyone needs every once in a while (but then what do i know, hey).

I guess we’ll see where next weekend takes me!

Bye for now!

The Journey Begins

Hi there!

Thanks for checking out my little corner on the internet! This site is dedicated to my little challenge of exploring the UK one weekend at a time.

I have always loved seeing new places, and I still get such a thrill from hopping on a train and watching the world whizz by. I have decided therefore to start a challenge where every weekend between now and the end of June, I have to go and visit a new part of the country by train. This can be as a day trip, or a fully fledged camping overnight kind of thing, but either way, I have to be catching a train somewhere… anywhere!

I think as Brits, a lot of the time we think that the grass is greener somewhere else, we’re always flying across Europe to get away, but since when did holidaying in the UK stop being awesome too? If by doing this I can inspire a few people to go for a drive or take a train to visit parts of our beautiful country then I’ll be pretty happy with that.

I’ll be documenting my weekends on here as well as over on my instagram, so feel free to go and check that out @everyweekendaway