501 Places

It took me nearly 40 years to get to Cambridge. Having studied for my first degree at the almost equally prestigious University of Bradford and my masters in the dazzling city of Manchester, it was great to finally see how the other half had studied when we first visited a couple of years ago, and [...]

It might not be a surprise to you if I said that these pictures were taken in England. After all, like most places we have our fair quota of safari parks and animal related attractions. What might be unexpected is that you don’t have to pay a penny to get this close to elephants, giraffes [...]

Having just visited two recently erected pieces of public artwork in the north west of England, I was struck not only by their artistic qualities, but also by the effect they have had on their unglamorous surroundings. I wondered in turn about the impact these often expensive projects have on the communities in which they [...]

I guess my passion for travel was started at a very early age – and I cannot offer thanks to anyone for helping me with my first solo voyage. Apologies in fact, may be more appropriate, to my parents for worrying them beyond despair, and to the Nottinghamshire Police Constabulary for wasting their time. (For [...]

We have been hosting our good friends from California this week. They were with us for three full days, and asked if we could show them Scotland and Wales. “No problem” I said. And then I thought about it, and wondered how the hell it would be possible! Having safely dropped our friends at the [...]

I used to hate London. We came here only when it was absolutely unavoidable. The traffic, the pollution, and most of all the change in demeanour of people as you enter the capital. Drivers are ruder, no-one talks to you or even likes to look at you, and the world seems to rush by at [...]

“Why spend your time travelling when there is so much to explore under our very feet?” It is a good argument, and clearly not one I subscribe to. I do however live in a very nice place. If I were to visit St Albans as part of a trip, I would be impressed. And so [...]

4 days of hiking – carrying all that you need on your back, staying in B&Bs and pubs along the route, and the crashing waves a constant companion. If this sounds like your idea of a relaxing break, read on… We completed the Norfolk Coastal Path recently, or a sunny, if not warm, weekend. It [...]