Tourist guide to cheap hotels in The Isles of Scilly

Isles of Scilly

SummaryThe 140 or so islands that make up the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles off the coast of Land’s End in Cornwall, are an ideal holiday destination for anyone wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. All apart from half a dozen of the islands are uninhabited, and only one, St Mary’s, is inhabited by more than 200 people.
The warm climate means the islands are home to a variety of interesting flora and fauna. Tourism accounts for approximately 85 per cent of the islands’ economy; most visitors stay on the main island, St Mary’s. There are many bargain hotels in the Scilly Isles.

Getting there/getting around the Isles of ScillyIt is possible to reach the islands by sea or by air. The Isles of Scilly Skybus offers flights to St Mary’s Airport, the only airport on the islands, from Land’s End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton. A helicopter service is also in place, with flights from Penzance Heliport to St Mary’s Airport and Tresco Heliport.
Every day from April to October every year, the islands are connected by a boat service. Taxis run from outside the town hall on St Mary’s, which is the only island with any kind of extensive road network. Bicycles can also be hired on this island. Also cheap guest houses.
Beaches on the Isles of ScillyThe Isles of Scilly’s mild climate makes the beaches a very attractive proposition for tourists. The beaches at Rushy Bay and Hell Bay, on the island of Bryher, are great places to catch a few rays of sun. The island of Samson, meanwhile, has a number of sandy beaches, as does St Martin’s.
Par Beach, which is considered to be the best beach on St Martin’s, is home to a diving centre – and there are a number of sunken wrecks worth exploring. The clear beaches on this island provide some excellent opportunities for swimming, diving or simply bathing.
Sightseeing on the Isles of ScillyIt is worth hiring a horse or a bike to see the sights, including the Garrison Hill on St Mary’s or Gweal Hill on Bryher, which both afford some stunning views. Or take a sightseeing cruise around the uninhabited Eastern Isles, where you can see the Atlantic grey seal, plus different species of seabirds.
A Wizard jet boat, which takes about an hour to speed round the islands, offers some stunning views and photo opportunities. And for a little slice of history, the Iron Age village at Halangy Down, on St Mary’s, provides an interesting insight into how people used to live on the island.
Family attractions on the Isles of ScillyThe mild climate has led to an abundance of subtropical plants on the islands. The Abbey Gardens on Tresco are home to some exotic plants that benefit from the long hours of sunshine the islands get in the summer, as is Carreg Dhu Garden, on St Mary’s.

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Kids will also enjoy seeing St Agnes Lighthouse and the Bishop, Britain’s highest lighthouse, plus Cromwell’s Castle on Tresco. The Isles of Scilly Museum, on St Mary’s, contains material from sunken ships, stuffed birds and examples of local art.
Day trips around the Isles of ScillyWhile you’re in the area it’s worth exploring some of the Isles of Scilly’s uninhabited islands, which are accessible by boat. With its sandy beaches and deserted cottages, the island of Samson, for instance, is a popular draw.
St Agnes’s bulb fields provide some lovely views, and if the tide is low take a walk over to the island of Gugh, inhabited by only three people.
Shopping on the Isles of ScillyUnsurprisingly, there isn’t a great deal to buy on the islands, though you’ll be all right if you’re looking for sailing equipment. A few galleries sell sculptures and paintings by local artists and pottery and stained-glass items are on sale.
St Mary’s is the best place in the islands for shopping – there are a few little shops on the island that sell souvenirs with a local flavour, such as maritime goods. You should also be able to pick up some quality clothing, such as jumpers.
Eating out on the Isles of ScillyThere are several excellent restaurants on the islands, especially if you’re a fan of seafood. The Boat Shed, which has great views of the harbour of St Mary’s, gives local flavours a Mediterranean taste, while the grilled gevrik (local goat’s cheese) ratatouille at the Round Island Bar and Bistro is recommended.
The Teän Restaurant, on St Martin’s, has some tasty dishes, such as Scillonian sea bass or Cornish turbot. If you’re not quite in the mood for a full meal, try a crab sandwich or a delicious Cornish pasty in one of the several pubs on the islands.
Nightlife on the Isles of ScillyFor a place with such a small population, it’s no surprise that there isn’t much in the way of evening entertainment, though the local pubs are very welcoming and some put on entertainment at times, especially in the summer.
St Mary’s hosts a variety show three nights a week every fortnight, and you can watch plays performed by the local amateur dramatic society. The Boatman’s Association also runs evening trips, out into the wild or to some of the smaller islands.

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Tourists guide to the historic Roman city of Bath

Bath city guide and sightseeing

SummaryBath is one of the finest architectural jewels in England’s crown. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this glorious city exudes history, romance and elegance. The newly re-opened Thermae Bath Spa - as the only place in the country nourished by natural hot springs - has also helped to rekindle interest in the city.
Meanwhile, upmarket hotels and sophisticated restaurants offer all the trappings for a luxury weekend break. Set amid rolling Somerset countryside, Bath is also the gateway to unspoilt scenery and a haven for walkers and cyclists.
Getting there/getting around BathBath is less than a two-hour drive from London and can be accessed via Junction 18 off the M4. Its train connections are also excellent and the station is a five minute walk from the city centre. Bristol Airport is 22 miles away and is the nearest airport.
Walking around the city is the best way to explore and to appreciate its architecture. There are numerous themed guided tours of the city - from ghost walks and pub crawls to literary trails and historical hikes.
Sightseeing in BathDiscover why the Romans settled in the area over 2000 years ago by visiting the Roman Baths, a beautifully preserved temple and bathing complex still fed by naturally hot waters. In the adjoining Pump Room, you can even sample a cup of warm spa water.
If you want to indulge, spend a day at the Thermal Bath Spa, where you can slide into mineral-rich warm waters from a choice of four bathing pools. There’s also a roof top pool, spa treatments or a blast in the steam rooms. If you prefer more luxury spa packages, visit the Royal Crescent Hotel, the Bath Spa Hotel or Bath Priory Hotel.
Not to be missed is the sweeping elegant curve of the Royal Crescent featuring superbly restored Georgian residences and a luxury spa hotel overlooking the glorious expanse of Royal Victoria Park. Pulteney Bridge, crossing the river Avon, is equally enchanting.
Bath family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BathSmall children may wish to pay a visit to the Paddington and Friends shop in Abbey Street dedicated to the Peruvian bear.
On the outskirts of Bath lies Avon Valley Country Park with a Pets corner, picnic area, free boating, fishing and a junior assault course. A riverside trail provides information about local birds, wildlife and plants.
Longleat House and Safari Park is also a great day out for the family and can be reached en-route to Salisbury.Farleigh Hungerford Castle is an impressive looking building set in the pretty valley of the River Frome. Visitors can take a peek into a chapel and crypt and there is a summer programme of military re-enactments, music and drama.
Day trips around BathBath is surrounding by rolling green countryside and picturesque villages. Make time to explore – either on walks, bike roads or on a canal boat. Bath Narrowboats specialises in day trips along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Themed cruises and hot air balloon trips can also be arranged.
The strange, mythical 5000-year-old stone circle at Stonehenge is an easy day trip. You should also visit Avebury which features Britain’s largest stone circle, plus huge man-made Solsbury Hill.
Chew Valley Lake is just 14km from the city. A haven for bird watchers, it boasts natural trails, picnic areas and a delightful tea shop.
Shopping in BathThanks to the city’s legacy as former centre for cabinet making, Bath today is renowned for its antique shops. Boutiques and speciality gift stores selling everything from art to chocolate and jewellery are other strong points.
The main shopping streets include Milsom and Walcot Streets. Shires Yard is a wonderful way to splurge out and contains upmarket jewellery stores and an art gallery.
Bath nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Eating out in BathTraditional tea shops and pubs rub shoulders with high quality eateries to provide an eclectic choice for diners. Some of the top spots to eat include the Seafood Café famed for its oysters, Firehouse Rotisserie which serves up Californian cuisine, Hole in the Wall for British fare and the award-winning Priory Hotel restaurant.
Bath is renowned for its soft cheese which visitors can buy from speciality stores. Also check out the Fish Market on Green Street, the Guildhall Market and the Farmers Market for local produce. Sally Lunn’s Tea Rooms are also something of an institution but can get crowded in summer.
Nightlife in BathVenture into one of the city’s traditional pubs, such as The Catherine Wheel, a former coaching inn with high ceiling, fireplaces and stone walls, or the Coeur de Lion.
Bath is dotted with popular nightspots such as Cadillacs, Babylon, The Blue Rooms or the Fez Club. The city also boasts live music venues, comedy shows, theatre and numerous festivals during the year.

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Tourist guide to London, England's capital

London city guide and sightseeing

SummaryA world powerhouse and Europe’s biggest city, London is one of the ultimate city-break destinations. Whether you enjoy its fabulous art, history and architecture, breathtaking sights, world-class cultural events, fine dining and vibrant nightlife or top quality theatre, ballet and opera, this pulsating metropolis fits the bill. While the capital often enjoys the limelight thanks to a number of high profile sporting events such as cricket at the Oval and Lords, tennis at Wimbledon and this year's Tour de France, there's even more of a buzz these day as it limbers up to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
There’s a wide range of accommodation from budget youth hostels to some of the most luxuriously expensive hotels on the planet. It’s not cheap but it’s certainly unforgettable.
Getting there/getting around LondonLondon is easily accessible by road. Of the major motorways, you can travel to London from the M1 in the north, the M4 and M40 in the west, the M3 and M23 in the south and the M2 and M20 in the east. If you’re flying, choose from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and City airports. By coach, nearly all national services come into Victoria coach station. Once you’re in London, you can choose the bus, train or tube.
You’ll also spy plenty of the capital’s iconic black taxi cabs, but they do tend to be on the expensive side. Driving in London is quite an experience and not for the faint-hearted. If you do drive or hire a car, remember that during the week you’ll have to pay the congestion charge (£8) between the hours of 7am and 6pm.
Sightseeing in LondonYou’d need a few weeks to tour all of London’s famous landmarks, galleries, museums, parks etc. Probably the best way to get your bearings and take in as many famous landmarks as possible is aboard an open-top bus. There are tourist bus stops all over the city and one ticket enables you to hop on and off as and when you need to. Most routes take in Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and Piccadilly Circus. The London Eye is one of the city’s most popular attractions and offers fantastic views.Top museums include Tate Britain, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. There are wonderfully relaxing parks like Hyde Park, Regent's Park, St James’s Park and Richmond Park or you could explore some of the city’s interesting markets at Camden, Notting Hill or Spitalfields.

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London family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in LondonThe Natural History Museum is superb for children and there are lots of interactive exhibits. You can experience what an earthquake feels like, get up close and personal with dinosaurs such as the terrifying T-Rex and examine weird and wonderful specimens in the Darwin Centre.London Zoo and London Aquarium are popular destinations for animal lovers and the Tower of London and the London Dungeons make for an entertaining few hours. See your favourite celebrities (not quite in the flesh) at Madame Tussauds or head to east London to check out the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood.
Day trips from LondonWindsor Castle sits on the River Thames about 20 miles west of London and a tour of the world’s oldest occupied castle is extremely popular. If you fancy heading down to the coast you can catch a train to Brighton from Victoria Station and be sucking in the sea air in around one hour. Hampton Court Palace in the south west of London is probably one of the most spectacular palaces in the world and its famous maze should keep you busy.Visit in the winter and you can ice-skate with the palace as your backdrop. Theme parks such as Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park lie on the city’s outskirts and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park is around 30 minutes north of the capital.Shopping in LondonA shopping splurge won’t be cheap, but there’s not much you couldn’t buy. You’ll find high street fashion in Oxford and Regent Streets and big department stores like Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and world-famous Harrods in Knightsbridge. Around Covent Garden you’ll find exclusive boutiques and more high street names and the markets are great for variety. Portobello Market’s great for jewellery and Camden draws a very mixed crowd in search of ethnic arts, crafts, jewellery and second-hand clothing.If you’re feeling peckish then Borough Market is wonderful for all manner of organic, regional and international produce. Just don’t go on an empty stomach or you’ll end up spending a fortune.
London nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in LondonLondon’s fast becoming a culinary capital of the world and a place where you can try almost any kind of cuisine including Iranian, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, Argentinean, Nepalese, Greek, Turkish, American and Mexican. Many traditional English pubs in London serve excellent cuisine and you can’t visit without trying a traditional Sunday roast.If you really want to splash out, dine at one of the restaurants of the many ‘celebrity’ chefs in the capital like Gordon Ramsay’s Claridge’s restaurant or Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen. There are also more than 30 Michelin starred restaurants including Hakkasan and Yauatcha (Chinese), Nobu and Umu (Japanese) and Aubergine and Chez Bruce (French).
Nightlife in LondonSome of the world’s best nightclubs, theatre, dance and music are found in the capital. Plays in the West End can be very expensive but the UK’s best actors (as well as a few stars from the States) love to tread the boards. The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden has ballet and opera and there are live music venues all over the city where you can watch the planet’s best-known groups.
London’s nightclubs attract top DJs from all around the globe and hotspots include Fabric, China White (full of celebs) and Funky Buddha.

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