Welcome to Tourist Heaven, an insider guide to the best of Britain. From where to stay in London to the best tips for Cornwall, walks to discover the beauties of Bath, and off-the-beaten track destinations in secret Shropshire, I offer suggestions and ideas to make your UK travel better than your dreams.
This is a practical guide to some of Britain’s highlights. It’s wildly selective, as I build up content on favourite places I know and love; with holiday ideas, a run-down of things to see and do, and lots of practical information. You’ll discover itineraries that will take the effort out of choosing where to go, and will give you a great introduction to England’s variety and charms, travelling from London’s highlights to Cotswold villages, border castles, historic cityscapes and breathtaking coastline.
These are some of my favourite destinations in England. If you want ideas on where to go, a picture of what you can expect or to choose the best hotel, this is the place to start.
Discovering Roman London
The traces of Londinium are not many, and some aren’t easy to find. But here’s my guide to the Roman sights of London, from an enigmatic chunk of timber to a riverside bath house. Fill a day in the City of London exploring the Roman origins of the fortified town on the Thames.
Sennen Cove
Take a trip to the most westerly settlement of England’s mainland. With its glorious beach and spectacular cliff walks, Sennen Cove is a great destination for an atmospheric break or enjoyable day out, with a walk to Land’s End among the attractions:
Carbis Bay in Cornwall – G7 base and more
Did you see coverage of the 2021 G7 Summit which took place in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, and wonder what it’s like to stay there now the politicians have gone? Read about its pros and cons as a holiday destination, how to get there, what to do, and where to stay:
Bath, England
Bath is probably the UK’s most beautiful city, and it’s also one of the most historically fascinating, thanks to England’s only thermal springs, beloved of invading Romans and partying Georgians. The city of Bath today is a masterpiece of Georgian architecture and town planning, great sweeping crescents curve along the hillside, while the centre is lined with parades just made for promenading. My dedicated Bath website, Beautiful Bath, includes highlights and walks (my Bridgerton walk is a reader favourite) as well as articles about nearby towns and villages.
Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh is a fascinating and popular destination all year round, but its two tourist peaks are the August Festival and Fringe, when the city overflows with culture and entertainment, and the rowdier Hogmanay, when crowds see in the New Year with mass choruses of ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Visit our Edinburgh pages.
Beyond Britain
I moved from London to Rome in my 20s. Over the years since then I’ve divided my time between the UK and Italy, and created the large and authoritative Italy Heaven website, along with publishing a detailed guidebook to Venice. If you’re thinking of a European vacation combining Italy and the UK, you’ve come to the right place! Travel between the two countries can take just a couple of hours by plane – or you can spend a day or more travelling the slow and scenic way by train or car through France and maybe Switzerland too. Italy Heaven