By train to London and beyond – Visit Britain at its most fun and sustainable
How wonderful are the English cities? London, Manchester, Bath, Liverpool: you name it. All different, but fortunately also enough similarities. So you can eat, drink and sleep deliciously everywhere and all these cities are very easily accessible by train. Yes, when you are in England itself, but certainly also from the mainland. You can get from the heart of Amsterdam to central London within four hours. You don't have to be at the airport hours in advance, you can keep all your bathroom supplies in liter bottles in your bag and you are much freer to do what you want on the train. Even more benefits? No probs. It is also very sustainable and that alone makes it a great start to your weekend away or longer holiday in the UK.
For even more tips by train through and to Great Britain you should really take a look here. Packed with inspiration for the next trip!
Anyway, then you're in London. And then? Of course we have lists with the best places to eat and drink, places where you won't immediately make a hole in your budget en the nicest hotels to spend the night. And if you are tired of London (unbelievable, but okay), we will also tell you how easily you can travel by train to other wonderful cities in the UK.
Je carbon footprint making/keeping it as small as possible is still an important thing. We certainly fly sometimes or it is so much easier and faster by car, but the train: that is a top option in many cases. To London by train is such a top option. The capital has twelve major stations, of which St Pancras International the Eurostar hub is directly connected to several European cities (including our own Mokum, yay!).
In London itself it is only advantageous not to have a car with you. When you travel from Amsterdam to St. Pancreas by train, you are immediately in the middle of the metropolis and you have numerous public transport options to choose from: trams, buses, boats and of course the Underground. Or stay Dutch and rent a bicycle (then you'll be just fine). carbon footprint).
You can also find really useful tips on the Visit Britain site: about the train from the Netherlands to the UK, practical tips about train travel in Great Britain, night trains (which is always a double adventure, we think) and much more. All inspiration and answers to all your questions about traveling by train can easily be found here.
We have eand a long list of hotspots in London collected, so something for everyone. Just a little bit different The Ampersand's Science Afternoon Tea. Here they give a twist on the traditional classic, the typical English High Tea, with a towering platter full of edible experiments and dramatic touches. People who don't shy away from heights should definitely visit us Duck & Waffles (open 24/7 so always a good choice (and always busy)) where, you guessed it, they serve duck & waffles, but also all kinds of other dishes. Angus beef tartare, oysters, lobster rolls and a ox cheek donut are a few random selections from the menu and all worth ordering. You will find one floor below Sushi Samba and if you manage to get a spot here (because that's a thing) you know you're going to eat really well. A mix between Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine with the best cheviche in town. It is a breakfast favorite Riding House Cafe. The breakfast menu is wonderfully extensive and always sufficient. Whether you want a light or heavy breakfast, healthy or less healthy. In a nutshell, The Riding House Café is a damn clever combination of hip and happening ? c.
Chiltern Firehouse – perhaps the biggest favorite of them all. Because you can drink Ruinart at 10 o'clock in the morning in the beautiful cocktail bar and adjacent 'suite' and that is completely normal. The terrace is fantastic in summer and winter, the gate of the Chiltern Firehouse is located on one of the most beautiful streets in the city (including the Monocle Café on that street), and the restaurant is exactly that classic dining (or lunch) as you expect that in a city like London. And then we haven't even talked about the bedrooms yet.
Whether you want budget, completely over-the-top luxury or want to wake up funky: London has it all. The Lost Poet in Nothinghill is exactly as romantic as it sounds with its narrow stairs, soft cushions and bright rooms. Book yourself The Muse, then you even get a roof terrace and sunroom. For an incredibly nice hotel that won't break the bank, this is the place to go Half Moon Hotel being. Affordable, cozy, beautiful, made and managed with love, in possession of a good restaurant (one that you would want to visit without an overnight stay) and did we mention affordable? Half Moon Hotel is a bit out of the center, but with public transport you can be where you want to be in no time. Locke at Broken Wharf is a hidden gem. Right on the banks of the Thames and within walking distance of theatres, markets, shops, restaurants, in short: the whole rat plan. Rooms are light and sleek, with soft pastel colors and sweet details.
Really, all rooms at it Treehouse Hotel are absolutely great, but if you go anyway: book a room with a nice window seat such as the Look Out. Then you look out over Marylbone, over the All Souls Church and over the rest of the city actually. And why exactly Treehouse? In your bathroom you will find real birch trunks, the rooms all have a birdhouse and you have a bird's eye view of London. That's why, we think. Favorite place (besides that little niche by the window) is The Nest, the hotel's rooftop bar with terrace. You immediately want to take the interior home with you, the drinks are good and the food is the same.
For wonderful breakfast spots, good coffee spots en budget eateries in London you should really take a look here.
Hidden beer gardens, authentic pubs with ditto pub grub, really good restaurants, inspiring hotels and boutiques, lots of culture and everything still a bit raw and young. That's exactly why we love Liverpool and if this is your thing too, then Liverpool should be high on the we're-going-there-soon list. You can eat there at the highest level (when in Liverpool you actually really have to Röski put on. For less than 90 pounds you can eat like a king), and then in the morning Liverpudlians to start the day at The Riverside Café. Nothing hip, fancy or exciting about it (and if you feel like dining for hours, you shouldn't go here), but here you will find a real English breakfast and exactly how the locals do it.
From London to Liverpool by train will take you less than three hours and they run at almost all times of the day.
More tips for Liverpool? Voila: what to do in Liverpool.
So, this is one of them. The Cozy room is no less than 50 m² (no idea what they would call a really cozy room?) and is the smallest of the fourteen rooms that you will find in this monumental Georgian mansion on Duke Street. Locke and Key is still quite nice for your weekend budget, has a distinctive decor with floral wallpaper, black and white zigzag carpets, velvet headboards and shell-shaped cocktail chairs. Not mentioned in it for nothing The Sunday Times' 100 top British Hotels so. Also only a ten minute walk to Albert Dock (and that's where it is again). PANAM where you have a very nice one bottomless brunch).
Mowgli has two restaurants in Liverpool (and more throughout the rest of the UK, including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and London) and man, what good news that is. Whether you go to Bold Street or Water Street: a night out it is. Really delicious Indian food, but slightly different, because it has a bit of a modern twist. Whether you like meat, fish, vegetarian or vegan: there is plenty of choice for everyone. Absolutely recommended are the treacle tamarind fries and the Indian School Tiffin. The latter are four vegetarian dishes, reserved in an authentic tiffin and chosen by Mother (because she is always right). Doing!
Hip, different, industrial and grand. Yes, we're talking Manchester! What used to be busy factories are now reinvented restaurants, boutiques, bars, markets and hotels. The innovative spirit of the past is still present and that translates, very nicely, into microbreweries, foodie tours and art routes. To hip restaurants, modern and attractive hotels, all with an industrial look. You will find it right in the center The City Arms Pub, which may not seem like much, but is so wonderfully English that it is great. Various ales and cask ales on tap.
At Three little words join us for your cocktails and spirits. Nestled in the historic Grade II listed railway arches beneath Manchester Central, so the place also gets ten points. Or such a wonderful place: The Botany Didsbury. Quite a bit away from the center, but the interior and the map more than make up for that. And hey, you see some of the rest of the city (tip: the neighborhood Didsbury is anyway very young and happening, great for a day of eating and going out).
More tips and all the great places to eat, drink and sleep in Manchester can be found here.
Don't be put off by the purple YOTEL that hangs pontifically above the entrance. As ugly as we think the logo is, it is just as beautiful and wonderful inside. While YOTEL often has sober rooms, in Manchester they have added some color and funky wallpaper. And that, folks, works very well. But in the end you go towards YOTEL for the bar, motley. This is also possible if you sleep somewhere else. Motley is a melting pot for both locals and hotel guests. From lunch until late, the menu is packed to the brim with uncomplicated, eco-friendly and good for the soul dishes that are low-mileage, ingredient-based, homely, local and seasonal. They have a top selection of beers on tap. If you come during the weekend, reservations are very useful.
Manchester's food scene has been key to the city's regeneration, with many of the old waterfront warehouses transformed into thriving hotspots with good street food and live music. Bee Escape to Freight Island (a former freight depot, it doesn't get much more industrial) you can go to numerous international ones food stands, from Vietnamese pho to Mexican tacos. Of course, that includes a drink in hand, and you will certainly find something here to enjoy: cocktail bars, local craft beer and a large selection of all kinds of wines. Five times a week there is the opportunity to join in for live music, a movie or... comedy show.
Of course there is much more to do and see in Manchester. All tips and tricks for Manchester can be found here.
Bath is located in the middle of the always-goodnever-boring Cotswolds and is therefore actually already a favorite. But hey, the city itself has in itself There is also plenty to offer, not just the location among all that greenery. Bath is called that because of all the Roman baths that you can still visit. There are plenty of spas and wellness areas to be found (fortunately they have had an update). Also many museums, theatres, galleries and festivals all year round. Wild swimming in the river Avon and paddle boarding in the Kennet and Avon Canal. Nothing is too crazy. The food and drink businesses? Yes, of course. They come!
From London it is really a piece of cake: less than an hour and a half by train and you are in the heart of Bath.
We'll start off right with this location: Guesthouse No. 15. This monumental building can be found in one of the most beautiful streets in Bath (and that says quite a bit). The interior exudes warmth and luxury, with a touch of Roman flair and cool modern details. A mix of different times without a clash of excess. They have a restaurant and, how could it be otherwise in Bath, a very nice spa. What we like most about No. 15 is that they take into account the children who may also come along, without mom and dad having to compromise on luxury, beauty or space. Everything has been devised to keep them busy all day long, such as teepee shelters in the room, their own menus and ready-to-go cameras for practice. And, and, and: dogs are also welcome. Only love for this place.
The menu at OAK is constantly changing, because the folks in the kitchen only cook with what is available. Brunch, lunch and dinner are always a surprise. Don't feel like/have time to dine? Then you can also pick up surprising vegetables or a bottle of natural wine to eat/drink at another time. If you read the menu, you would almost overlook that they cook purely vegetable here (with the occasional addition of butter or cheese, but really minimal). Don't feel anything about it, because it's fair. The growers, grocers and chefs behind OAK thoughtfully sell and serve simple dishes (that really aren't that simple) that also come from land that has been properly farmed, without chemicals or over-cultivation.
Hop over the River Avon from the train station and within minutes you can be drinking beer in the walled garden of The White Hart. The relaxed atmosphere in this pub has been carefully curated; Cozy fairy lights have been hung outside, the flower beds are strewn with herbs and the walls are full of local artwork. The changing menu is lighter than normal pub grub (and a bit more inspired), but the portions are no smaller. We think it's rustically chic.
