Off the Beaten Path Highlights in the United Kingdom

Naturally, there are the highlights to consider on a visit to the United Kingdom such as London, Edinburgh, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cambridge, Canterbury, the Cotswolds, Lake District, and so on. However, should you have already covered the principal highlights or want to include some different places or sites, then here are a number of suggestions to include on your following UK holidays. This selection is certainly a mere fragment of different and unusual places in the UK. It may not be large in size in comparison with other European countries, but the UK certainly adequately competes in other ways.

London

Let’s start with London. One can spend a lot of time just getting to know the city on a London vacation, but perhaps some of the following might whet your appetite for something different on travel to Britain.

Highgate Cemetery

Highgate Cemetery has been compared to the three outstanding cemeteries found in Paris, where one can visit the graves of famous people. In Highgate Cemetery, there are 53,000 graves but when you enter it, you are given a plan which enables you to locate any grave you would like to visit. Just to name a handful of celebrities, Karl Marx, George Eliot (19th Century novelist), Douglas Adams (author of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Sir Ralph Richardson (actor), and Anthony Shaffer (playwright) are all buried here. There are also 300 war graves, mostly from World War 1. Just strolling around this peaceful cemetery is a pleasant experience.

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the south-west suburbs of London. Along with St James's Palace, it is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many owned by King Henry VIII. The last British monarch to reside here was George II. Some of the highlights are Henry VIII’s Great Hall - the walls of which are hung with his splendid tapestries; the Hampton Court Maze, which covers a third of an acre and is UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze (it is known for confusing and fascinating visitors with its many twists and turns); the gardens which cover 60 acres; the adjacent park which cover 750 acres; and the Cumberland Art Gallery which includes works from the Royal Collection (Rembrandt, Van Dyke, Holbein, and Gainsborough among others).

Kensington Roof Gardens

For garden lovers, the Kensington Roof Gardens are spectacular and open to the public to visit free of charge. These gardens, which are on the 6th floor of a building in Kensington High Street are based on the Generalife Gardens at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain and actually do have a distinct Moorish flavour. The gardens are made up of colourful English plants and flowers plus some Mediterranean trees, which give the Spanish feel.

Sporting Venues

For sports fans, how about a visit to the home of one of Britain’s top soccer teams. The Arsenal Football Stadium (or more commonly known when football is not being played, Emirates Stadium) is open for exploring behind the scenes, which include the director’s box and changing rooms, with narrated commentaries plus the museum which features two video theatres and twenty major displays based on Arsenal's history from its formation in 1886 to the present day. Or if tennis is your sport, head to Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Grounds and Museum. You can visit the Centre Court, the press interviewing room, and the area usually reserved for players only. The museum contains an extensive collection of tennis memorabilia and interactive displays. There is a 3D cinema where you can watch The Walk of Champions, a short film about the people who work at Wimbledon and the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into hosting the Championships, plus highlights of important finals.

Regent’s Canal Walk

The Regent’s Canal Walk has been described as one of London’s best-kept secrets. The walk can start in Paddington at the Paddington Basin. After about 5 minutes of walking, you arrive at Little Venice. The first thing to notice is that the houses are larger and more beautiful to look at. Little Venice is also a starting point for boat tours on the canal. Moving on, you arrive eventually at Primrose Hill and Camden while passing by colourful and sometimes eccentric boats moored on a permanent basis at the side of the canal. The canal passes by Regents Park, the London Canal Museum, and the London Zoo before arriving at Camden Town. This walk can also be done by boat which takes about 45-55 minutes.

Not Far From London...

Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire

Bletchley Park is where, during the Second World War, a team of code breakers and their machines operated in secret and successfully changed the course of the war. Now, it is open to the public and has been developed into a fascinating attraction. It has a very authentic feel, almost as if the code breakers had just left, leaving all their equipment behind them. The various huts on display once had 12,000 workers involved in the project. You get to see the first programmable computer and many other interesting aspects of the process. Bletchley was the basis for the film, The Imitation Game, which starred Benedict Cumberbatch.

St. Albans, Hertfordshire

St. Albans is a very pleasant small town which would probably be described as "typically English." It is said that the Hot Cross Bun originated here when a 14th Century monk developed a recipe for it in order to feed the poor on Good Friday. The Cathedral dominates the city's skyline from every angle and dates back to the 11th century. It is best known for the shrine of St Alban, Britain’s first Christian Saint, which continues to attract pilgrims. St. Albans was once occupied by the Romans 2000 years ago. It was known as the Roman town of Verulamium and today, offers a number of archaeological sites. The Verulamium Museum displays authentic objects which include some superb mosaics, and the Roman rooms give the opportunity to experience the life and times of a major Roman city including video presentations. There is a well-preserved Roman Theatre which is the only visible one of its kind in the UK. Close by are the foundations of a Roman town house, a secret shrine, and a row of Roman shops. Other attractions include the 15th Century Clock Tower and a lively market in the town centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the largest in the south-east of England.

Southern England

Glyndebourne, Sussex

Founded in 1934, Glyndebourne is a very English institution which holds a series of Opera performances of the highest quality each year. It is essentially a 600-year-old English country house in which operas were performed but now, they are held on a stage outdoors. Each afternoon, a talk is given by an operatic expert. What is special is that it attracts an enthusiastic audience from all over the world, many of whom picnic on the grounds. Fast trains run from London to close by the venue. If attending, it is a good idea to purchase tickets in advance.

Beaulieu, New Forest, Hampshire

The Palace House in Beaulieu has been the ancestral home of the Montagu family since 1538 and offers several good reasons to visit. For fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs, there are talks from costumed guides on the way of life depicted in these TV shows. The house is adorned with family treasures, portraits, and memorabilia. The gardens are beautiful and include the informal Wilderness Garden and the Victorian Kitchen Garden which still supplies the house with seasonal vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The Secret Army Exhibition tells the story of wartime Beaulieu and the training school established for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II for agents sent to work with the Resistance in occupied Europe. The Abbey Domus houses a fascinating exhibition about medieval monastic life. Then there is the world-famous National Motor Museum which contains a priceless collection of over 250 exceptional vehicles from every motoring era as well as Formula One and rally cars and motoring oddities such as a giant orange on wheels.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Cheddar Gorge is a limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills and is where Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, estimated to be over 9,000 years old, was found. Cheddar Caves contain stalactites and stalagmites and have names such as Gough's Old Cave, Great Oone's Hole, Saye's Hole, Soldier's Hole, and Sun Hole. They are the best example in the United Kingdom of limestone formations. The caves are also home to colonies of Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats.

Avebury, Wiltshire

If you have been to Stonehenge and want to visit another similar site, try Avebury. It is a Neolithic site containing three stone circles near the village of Avebury, and contains the largest stone circle in Europe. The site, although not perfectly circular, measures over 1000 metres/1090 yards in circumference. It is both a tourist attraction and a place of religious importance to contemporary pagans. Its original purpose is unknown, although archaeologists believe that it was most likely used for some form of ritual or ceremony as was Stonehenge.

Scilly Isles

If you are looking for somewhere totally off the beaten track on upcoming UK holidays, try a visit to the Scilly Isles, reached by a less than 3-hour ferry ride from Penzance in Cornwall or by small plane from various airports in south-west England with connections from major UK airports. They lie 45 kilometres/28 miles off Land’s End in Cornwall. There are five inhabited islands, each with its own individual character. They offer ancient history and archaeological sites, panoramic sea views, and rugged coastlines. The main island is St. Mary’s, which has some excellent art galleries and craft shops as well as good restaurants and cafes. You can walk, hike and cycle, take boat trips, and observe extraordinary wildlife. One of the major attractions is the Tresco Abbey Garden, considered to be the UK’s most outstanding horticultural experience. It is home to 20,000 exotic species of flora. Another attraction is King Charles’ Castle, dating back to the 16th century.

Northern England

Liverpool, Lancashire

I would not say that Liverpool should be one of your first choices of destinations unless, of course, like me, you are a Beatles fan and want to "make a pilgrimage" to the city of their origins. You can either explore the various sites associated with the group or you can take the 2-hour "Magical Mystery Bus Tour." The tour includes driving by the Beatles’ childhood homes, the actual Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, and a visit to the famous Cavern Club where they played hundreds of times. For accommodation, you can stay at the luxury, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, attached to which is a restaurant with original Beatles artwork. The National Trust also runs a tour of the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. There is a statue of Eleanor Rigby sitting on a stone bench in Liverpool’s city centre, with a plaque dedicated to "All the Lonely People." Just outside the Cavern Pub is a statue of John Lennon leaning on the side of a brick wall. There’s more, if you are really into the Fab Four. Your visit could coincide with Beatleweek, when bands arrive from all over the world to perform. 

Chester

Chester is an old walled city with a long history dating back to Roman occupation times. It has a number of archaeological and architectural treasures. The Roman Wall, first built in 70 AD, is virtually intact and covers a circuit of 3.2 kilometres/2 miles. An excellent way of getting to know Chester is to walk the whole or part of the wall. The other major attraction is The Rows, a two-level gallery and shopping arcade along four streets. It is a mixture of Victorian and Tudor styles. In Eastgate is the most famous clock in England, after Big Ben in London. If getting tired or thirsty, you might want to pop in Chester’s oldest timber-framed building constructed in 1664, for the Bear and Billet Pub. Chester’s cathedral, formerly a Benedictine abbey, retains much of its original 12th Century structure with a bell tower that offers panoramic views of the city. Just outside the city walls is a Roman arena that once seated 7,000 spectators, which would make it the country’s largest.

Durham

Durham could be one of the most underrated destinations in England. It is an attractive, historic city with much to offer on UK holidays. Part of its charm is that it is a city built on a series of hills overlooking a river whose steep banks are densely wooded, adding to the picturesque beauty of Durham. The whole of the centre of Durham is designated a conservation area and the 11th Century cathedral, which dominates the skyline, is the largest and finest example of Norman architecture in England. Durham Cathedral is renowned for its magnificent Romanesque architecture with its breathtaking vaulted ceiling. The cathedral and the adjacent 11th Century castle are designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The castle has been the home of Durham University since 1832. There is a range of museums and galleries to entertain visitors. Durham University's Oriental Museum is the only museum devoted to artifacts from ancient Egypt to modern China in the north of England, plus it has art and archaeology from Northern Africa and Asia. The Beamish is an open air museum depicting the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, and 1940s. The Beamish Tramway here re-creates the experience and atmosphere of a tramway operation of an earlier generation. As well as the electric streetcars, there are replica Edwardian motor buses. For public spaces, there are the Old Durham Gardens, reached by a pleasant stroll through woodlands or via the riverside. There is also Durham University's 10 hectare Botanic Garden, set among beautiful woodlands on the southern outskirts of the city. With all this, you can see why I say Durham is somewhat underrated.

Harrogate, Yorkshire

Harrogate is one of Britain’s designated spa towns in North Yorkshire. Recent polls have consistently voted it "The Happiest Place to Live" in Britain. It is a spa due to the minerals found in its water supply and has been a spa since the 16th century. The Royal Pump Room houses Europe's strongest sulphur well but is now a museum showcasing the town's spa history. The Montpellier Quarter is the centre of the town's nightlife. Here you will find a Yorkshire institution, Betty’s Tea Rooms, regionally renowned. The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate contains 2,000 works of art, principally from the 19th and 20th centuries. The first impression you get of the town is how green it is, due to the numerous green open spaces. These include the Valley Gardens, the town’s main park, The Stray, an area of open parkland in the centre of the town (during the Victorian period, there was a racecourse for horses here), and the Crescent Gardens which are surrounded by the town’s main attractions such as the Royal Pump Room, the Royal Baths, and the Royal Hall, as well as the Town Hall. Harrogate is also an excellent centre for shopping.

Ilkley Moor and Otley Chevin, Yorkshire

For lovers of dramatic and wild countryside, you can really get off the beaten path by visiting the towns of Ilkley and Otley, both of which are nestled in adjacent valleys surrounded by magnificent landscapes. These landscapes are The Moors, as they are known locally. You may be conversant with the traditional Yorkshire song, On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at (dialect for "On Ilkley Moor without a hat"). Ilkley is a pretty spa town with a hill overlooking it called The Cow and Calf Rocks. It has a centre with Victorian architecture, wide streets, and floral displays. And it has a Betty’s Tea shop! Ilkley Moor is the perfect place to marvel at sweeping panoramic views of the valleys below. Otley is a market town just to the south of Ilkley and is known for an important native son, Thomas Chippendale, the furniture maker, and J.M.W. Turner, the artist, who spent a lot of time here. The major attraction here is the moors and specifically, Otley Chevin, which rises steeply above the town, offering stunning views over Otley and the surrounding countryside.

James Herriot Country, Yorkshire

Most of us have read or watched on TV, at some time, the famous fictional character, James Herriot, and his experiences as a country vet, and, like me, marvelled at the beauty of the countryside in which he worked. Herriot Country covers some of the most beautiful countryside in the expansive, sweeping hills and valleys of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, as well as the charming market towns and picturesque villages such as Thirsk, Northallerton, Easingwold, Great Ayton, and Bedale. Herriot Country is ideal as a base, on UK holidays, to tour and explore the unspoiled landscape. Thousands visit The World of James Herriot Museum in his hometown of Thirsk.

Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire

Now I am really taking you off the beaten track. Hebden Bridge is a market town perched on the edge of some of the wildest countryside in the UK. (Think Wuthering Heights-style). Once a small mill town with no obvious reasons to visit, it is now a major tourist centre for UK holidays. Why? Hebden Bridge has built a reputation for "great little shops" and has an unusually large number of independent shops for a UK town of its size, plus it has more than 20 cafes and tea rooms and around 20 pubs and restaurants. In a national survey, Hebden Bridge was ranked sixth on a diversity scale and was praised for its independent shops and unique shopping experiences. Another accolade given was as "Best Small Outdoor Market" in the Great British Market Awards. The town holds many cultural events which include the traditional Pace Egg plays, the Piano and Burlesque festivals, the Folk Roots Festival, the Arts Festival, the Fringe Arts Festival, the Beer and Cider Festival, and the Dance Festival. Wow! And there are more. If you are an avid British TV program watcher, Happy Valley, the crime series, was set in and around Hebden Bridge.

Lindisfarne, Northumberland

Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the north-east coast of England and is also known as Holy Island. It has a long history dating back to the 6th century and was an important centre of Celtic Christianity. After Viking invasions and the Norman Conquest of England, a priory was established here. A small castle was built on the island in 1550. Lindisfarne measures 4.8 kilometres/3 miles from east to west and 2.4 kilometres/1.5 miles from north to south. The nearest point of the island to the mainland of England is 1.6 kilometres/1 mile. It is accessible, most times, at low tide by crossing sand and mud flats which are covered with water at high tides. The island is surrounded by the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, attracting birdwatchers and where 330 bird species have been recorded. Some of the other attractions on the island are the Lindisfarne Castle, which can be seen from miles around and which offers spectacular views, and Lindisfarne Priory, a famous Benedictine monastery well worth visiting.

Wales

Hay-on-Wye

Located on the border with England in south-east Wales, Hay-on-Wye is a small, pretty market town which is known for its literary associations. It has been described as "The Town of Books" and is the National Book Town of Wales. There are possibly as many books in book stores as people in the town (maybe a slight exaggeration but you won’t find a better ratio elsewhere).  Every year, a major literary festival is held called the Hay Festival which attracts thousands of visitors over a 10-day period at the beginning of June. It brings together well-known writers from around the world to discuss and share stories. Someone once described the festival as "The Woodstock of the Mind." Another festival here is the HowTheLightGetsIn, a combination of philosophy and music which again attracts thousands of visitors. Other attractions in and around Hay-on-Wye are the Thursday Market, offering a myriad of items, the fortress and castle dating back to the 12th century, and the nearby countryside, perfect for short and long scenic walks.

Portmeirion

Portmeirion is situated on the north-west coast of Wales and is famous for being a replica in miniature of a picturesque Italian village. It was the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1884-1978) who dreamed of recreating an Italian village in Wales. Portmeirion is located on a promontory next to the beautiful Gwylt Gardens. There is also a hotel in the village, formerly a mansion owned by the creator, plus shops, restaurants, gardens, and beaches. Surrounding the village are 70 acres of woodland walks.

Llangollen

Every year, the International Music Eisteddfod takes place in Llangollen, North Wales during the second week of July. Singers and dancers, who come from all over the world, are invited to perform in more than 20 quality competitions. This is followed by, every evening, concerts given by both the competitors and professional artists. Over 5,000 singers, dancers, and musicians attend from around 50 countries to perform to audiences of more than 50,000 over the 6 days of the event. Well-known past performers have included Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Red Army Ensemble.

Brecon Beacons

The beautiful Brecon Beacons are one of four ranges of dramatic mountains and hills in South Wales which make up the Brecon Beacons National Park. Within the park are rushing streams and rivers, reservoirs, and Wales’ largest natural lake. There are colourful market towns and pleasant country villages to visit on UK holidays. There are several medieval castles such as Carreg Cennen Castle, which is perched high up on a craggy hill. Other activities available include attractive waterfalls, wildlife to be seen in nature reserves, and the ability to cycle and hike.

That concludes my "off the beaten track" suggestions for Great Britain. Perhaps, you might stumble across more gems on your UK holidays.

By Robert Glazier