Do you ever sit at home on a rainy day and browse the internet for inspiration on places to visit which are beautiful, interesting and somewhere you haven’t been?
I know I do. Here you will find a selection of personal favourites, which never fail to disappoint no matter how many times we visit, we always find something new, from new attractions, different restaurants, shops or just a side street we had never been before, you can always find something wonderful and interesting if you are open to a bit of exploring.
Sometimes, getting lost on travels can be a good thing and open up a whole new world you never knew existed.
Salisbury
Salisbury is a historic city located in Wiltshire, England, known for its stunning medieval architecture and rich heritage. The most prominent landmark is Salisbury Cathedral, which boasts the tallest spire in the UK, Britain’s largest Cathedral Close and Cloisters and houses the best preserved original 1215 Magna Carta.
For more information on visiting the cathedral please visit www.salisburycathedral.org.uk.
Shopping
The city is also famous for its vibrant market square which dates back over 800 years, where local produce and crafts are sold. The twice weekly Charter Market is open every Tuesday from 8:30am until 3pm and Saturday from 8:30am until 4pm in Salisbury Market Place.
Food and Drink
Salisbury offers a delightful array of food and drink options, from traditional pubs to fine dining restaurants. Visitors can enjoy local specialties such as Wiltshire ham and cheese, as well as international cuisines. The city is also home to several charming cafes and bakeries, perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely afternoon tea.
Where to Stay
Offering a variety of accommodation options to suit every traveller’s needs. From charming bed and breakfasts to luxurious hotels, you can find the perfect place to rest after exploring the historic sites.
Consider staying at the Rose and Crown Hotel, a thirteenth century riverside coaching inn with beautiful views of the Cathedral and just a short walk to shops and the bustle of the city.
Another great option is the Best Western Red Lion Hotel, 5 minutes away from Salisbury Cathedral , with original features, a beautiful courtyard and award winning restaurant this is the perfect place for quality time away.
If you prefer a more personal touch, check out The Old Mill or Websters Bed and Breakfast, both of which provide cozy accommodations and a hearty breakfast.
Nearby
Salisbury serves as a gateway to the ancient site of Stonehenge, one of the world’s most famous places, attracting visitors from around the globe.
With events planned over the summer it’s a great place to experience the majesty of this incredible monument and the unforgettable atmosphere of the stone circle. You don’t need to book your ticket in advance, but you’ll always get the best price and guaranteed entry by pre-booking online, and this is highly recommended.
The blend of history, culture, and natural beauty makes Salisbury a unique destination.
The New Forest
The New Forest is a beautiful destination, and one of my favourite places in the UK, You can’t help to escape everyday life and embrace the serenity of the forest, find idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland and cliff top walks.
A perfect place for walking and cycling you will come across, pretty villages, (Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Beulieu home to the National Motor Museum to name a few), to local pubs and produce and over 100 miles of car free cycle trails, it is a really family friendly place to visit.
Here are some top things to do:
Explore the Trails: Enjoy walking or cycling through the forest. Forestry England with have a New Forest National Park Cycle Route map. Download a copy here. No bike, don’t worry there are plenty of places to rent one for the day.
For a great day out: Why not visit the New Forest Wildlife Park. Details can be found here
Visit Beaulieu: Home to the National Motor Museum and Beaulieu Abbey. Step back in time and then back to the future with this vast display of vehicles. See here for what’s on over the coming months.
Horse Riding: Experience the forest on horseback with various riding schools available.
Have a picnic: You won’t be short of places to sit.
Food and Drink
There is no shortage of great places to enjoy a delicious meal out, the food and drink scene is rich in flavour, tradition and creativity. Find local farm shops, artisan bakeries, cosy cafes and tearooms as well as fine dining.
Maybe try afternoon tea at The Old Station Tea Rooms in Holmsley, one of our favourite places to visit and just along from an old train track turned cycle path, perfect for families.
Where to Stay
There is an abundance of wonderful places to stay in the New Forest. Whether you’re after a touch of luxury in a countryside hotel, a cosy cottage tucked away in the trees, or a night under the stars at a woodland campsite, there’s something to suit every style and budget. The New Forest is perfect for motorhomes, caravans etc. to really explore nature at its finest, check out Camping in the New Forest for inspiration.
For a touch of luxury why not try Rhinefield House Hotel in Brockenhurst, an award winning hotel surrounded by natural beauty deep within the New Forest National Park, known locally as the ‘Jewel in the Forest’
To experience a relaxing English countryside getaway with log fires, serene gardens and delicious locally sourced food, consider The Crown Manor House Hotel in Lyndhurst, a beautiful 15th Century listed hotel.
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or looking for a peaceful retreat, the New Forest has something for everyone.
Edinburgh
The capital city of Scotland, famous for its stunning architecture, vibrant arts scene, and rich history makes Edinburgh is a population destination for tourists.
Getting off the train at Waverley Station you are thrust into the hustle and bustle of this vibrant city with Waverley Market beside the station. With cobbled streets, hidden gems and long history, this is one destination which doesn’t disappoint.
Shopping
Princess Street is traditionally the main street in the city where you will find several department stores and smaller international brands and high street favourites mingle with independent stores.
The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s most famous street. It connects Edinburgh Castle (to the west) with the Palace of Holyroodhouse (to the east).
Things to Do
There are a whole host of things to do in Edinburgh, here are few suggestions.
The Royal Yacht Brittania explore the five decks of the ship and discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating palace.
Edinburgh Castle set in the heart of Scotland’s capital city explore the rich history of this magnificent building and hear tales of its time from a military fortress, royal residence and so much more.
The Royal Military Tattoo celebrating 75 years in 2025, this show brings together the best of British military with international performances from a global cast.
Food and Drink
For a good selection of food and drink, including a kids menu, try The Botanist in St James Quarter, a two minute walk from Picardy Place/Tram stop.
Doctors, Edinburgh from the outside looking like a Tardis, on the inside a traditional British pub, built to mark the opening of the Old Royal Infirmary which originally stood across the road in 1874.
Where to Stay
Dalhousie Castle in Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh. Just outside the city centre within its own grounds, this is where history meets modern luxury, the place where we got married and revisited on our 20th wedding anniversary. This place holds special memories for us.
For a budget friendly option why not try Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre a 10 minute walk from Waverley Station, 20 minutes’ walk to Edinburgh Castle and less than a mile from the hotel the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
From its medieval Old Town to the elegant Georgian New Town, this UNESCO World Heritage site is brimming with fascinating stories and hidden gems.
City of Bath
The city is home to an array of fascinating museums, such as the famous No. 1 Royal Crescent, where you can experience life as a Georgian in Bath. The city is also an ideal base for exploring nearby sites like the photogenic villages of Lacock, where scenes for the Harry Potter films were filmed, Castle Combe with it’s racing circuit and Stonehenge’s mysterious megaliths.
Shopping
Located near the city’s railway and bus stations, Southgate is a modern shopping area with a wide variety of high street shops and designer brands.
Stall Street, Union Street and Milsom Street collectively form a vibrant route of shops through the length of the city centre, colliding with colourful adjacent alleyways including Union Passage, The Corridor and Northumberland Place.
Bath is famous for its Christmas Market, usually held between the end of November to the middle of December. The city centre is transformed into a winter wonderland adorned with wooden chalets, twinkling lights and smell of mulled wine and mince pies in the air.
Things to Do
Afternoon Tea at the Pump Room. This Georgian pump room has been serving patrons for more than 200 years with Jane Austin and Charles Dickens said to have visited. Relax and indulge yourself in the morning bakery and brunch or treat yourself to a Jane Austin Afternoon Tea of hand blended teas, savoury selections, pastries and scones and add a glass of fizz for a special occasion.
Take an afternoon to relax, refocus and reenergise at Thermae Bath Spa. Using the hot, mineral rich waters from the Kings Spring, the Hetling Spring and the Cross Spring, Thermae Bath Spa offers a genuinely unique experience in the UK – residents and visitors to Bath can once again bathe in Britain’s original natural thermal Spa. You can choose from a few hours to a full day with treatments, my daughter and I go for a special treat and can highly recommend you take to time visit if in the area.
Consider hopping on an open top bus and take a tour of the city at your own pace. Get off when you see something interesting and get back on the next bus to the next destination.
Food and Drink
I can highly recommend Bandook Indian Kitchen, Indian street food with a modern twist and original creations. Located in Milsom Place, Bandook Bath offers great hospitality and an impressive and eye-catching interior inspired by the colonial era. Perfect for a meal before heading off to the theatre.
Another favourite is Yak Yeti Yak the restaurant menu is a mix of classic Nepali cuisine and more contemporary Nepalese dishes, all cooked to order. A quirky, intimate dining experience with a combination of exotic flavours and colour.
Where to stay
Bath has accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes from cosy bed and breakfasts and grand guesthouses to five-star hotels.
Recommended by Visit Bath Brooks Guesthouse provides boutique-style bed and breakfast accommodation in the centre of Bath serving award winning breakfasts.
One of the Good Hotel Guide’s five favourite Bath hotels is The Royal Cresent Hotel and Spa. The Royal Crescent is iconic and a testament to the splendour and elegance of the city.
Whether you are looking for a romantic break, a trip to the theatre or just a great day out, Bath has all you could wish for and more.
Jurassic Coast
Millions of years ago this area was a swampy tropical sea and along the coast you’ll see there are lots of ways to find out more about Dorset’s pre-historic past, when dinosaurs ruled the earth.
This stretch of coastline provides some of the most jaw dropping scenery and views that will live long in your heart. It’s a favourite destination for walkers and nature lovers alike.
Places to visit
Southwest Coast Path
The Southwest Coast Path follows the entire length of the Jurassic Coast and carries on around the coastline through Devon and Cornwall to Minehead in Somerset. It is Britain’s longest national trail totalling 630 miles in length.
Why not try fossil hunting at Charmouth just two miles from Lyme Regis Charmouth provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
A visit to the Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is must for any avid young dinosaur fan. Hear the sounds and smell the breath of a T-Rex as you explore Jurassic Dorset.
For more places to visit, things to do and places to stay take a look at the Visit Dorset website for inspiration.
Things to Do
Fancy getting wet and I don’t mean from the weather. Splashdown Poole is leisure complex home to no less than 13 thrilling indoor and outdoor flume rides along with 2 under 5’s splash zones, a great day out for all the family.
If outdoor adventure is more your thing Insight Activities in Dorset has a range of outdoor activities for everyone. From axe throwing, crossbow shooting, bushcraft and a woodland zombie slaying 3D activity, not for the faint hearted.
From horse riding to outdoor activities, gardens and parks, cycling and mountain biking, heritage and culture, Dorset and the Jurassic coast has plenty to see and do.
Shopping
If a traditional market is what you are looking for then you will not be disappointed. A market for every day of the week, Dorset is the place to be.
With an assortment of clothing, hand crafted gifts, local produce, crafts, flowers and more, there is a market somewhere in the county on any day of the week.
Market Days
Bournemouth (Boscombe): Thursdays & Saturdays
Blandford Forum: Thursdays & Saturdays
Bridport: Wednesdays & Saturdays
Christchurch: Mondays
Dorchester: Wednesdays
Poole: Thursdays and Saturdays
Sherborne: Thursdays & Saturdays
Swanage: Fridays
Verwood: Fridays
Wareham: Saturday
If you have a craving for a bit of retail therapy, every major town within Dorset has a selection of major retailers, independent shops, high street fashion stores with something for everyone.
For traditional English style goods, Forever England in Sherbourne sells a selection of individual home accessories with a unique and ever-changing stock of products.
Lyme Regis Bookshop a pebble’s throw from the beach is an independent book shop in the town of Lyme Regis. This is the place to go if you are looking for books and maps on the local area for walking and exploring.
Food and Drink
Bankes Arms Studland dates back to the 16th century, built from local quarried stone and surrounded by the beautiful Purbeck Countryside.
Alongside ten comfortable, stylish bedrooms The Bankes Arms is also the home of the Isle of Purbeck Brewery where five core beers, plus several seasonal ales and cider are brewed. All the beers are available on draught and in bottles from the pub. So why not pop down and have a taste.
For a sweet treat with a touch of history Lulworth Castle Tea Room could be just what you are looking for. Found in the castle basement, which was once the servants hall, visitors can enjoy light refreshments including cream teas, ice creams and cakes.
Where to stay
For a holiday with difference why not take a look at Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park and Spa and book yourself, family and friends a unique deluxe three bedroom safari tent with hot tub for the ultimate glamping experience.
The Grand Hotel in Swanage with spectacular views across Swanage Bay and Peveril Point this classic Victorian hotel dates back to 1898. Complementary to hotel guests the Burlington Cub Health Spa & Fitness Club includes a heated indoor plunge Pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna, and extensive Gymnasium boasting cliff-top views of the sea.
If relaxing with a spa treatment is something you would prefer there are many treatments available for an additional charge.
Looking for inspiration, advice on where to stay and prefer a holiday cottage or lodge, then the following self-catering agencies may just be able to help.
Dream Cottages have over 400 independently owned cottages to choose from in Dorset
Dorset Hideaways a holiday cottage agency with a wide range of cosy cottages to luxury retreats. With dog friendly and suitable for young children, the dedicated team are there to help both before and during your stay.
UK Lodge Breaks offers a vast selection of holiday lodges across Dorset to suit all tastes and budgets. For those who love the sea, many lodges are positioned near Dorset’s picturesque coastline, offering stunning views and easy access to sandy shores and clifftop walks.
Wherever you choose to go, embrace the adventure of discovering a new place, meeting new people and trying new foods. Enjoy.
