twenty twenty one: the year i finally wandered this island i call home. leaving bristol and venturing into the depths; high, low, east and west of great britain. perhaps a trip fabricated due to some good old covid serendipity. however, a trip that’s rounded my view of the country and contributed to my soul searching. an approving nod to slowthai’s debut album; these are some things great about britain.

cornwall

(port isaac, padstow, newquay, perranporth, st ives, lands end, penzance, praa sands, gwithian, kynance cove, lizard, falmouth and the eden project).

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first on the road trip agenda was one of britains gems: cornwall. a part of england where time had seemingly froze. its inhabitants relaxed and sparsely spread across the counties luscious landscape. flower mania, particularly of the hydrangea kind, seemed an integral part of the countryside aesthetic. shades of blossomed blues and propagated purples spewing out of gardens and roadsides. all a while accompanying the thin streaks of cloud whimsically jiving across the azure skyline. magic is found everywhere in cornwall: in every nook and in every cranny. even when you’re heading down any random country lane (which is very often) you know it’s leading to something adorable. the county just really holds this enchanted feeling, an enchanted feeling delicately covered with a blanket of beauty and serenity. an area of the country that seems utterly detached from the worlds issues. I think that is perhaps the biggest reason i adore it so much: it’s welcomed solitude.

in the absence of busy city atmospherics and towering corporate buildings, you’ll find alluring nature, quintessentially british villages and cute cornish towns. there’s newquay, the surfing capital and the place with the most city-like feel; coffee shops, pubs and clubs galore. however, still true to its laid-back cornish culture. padstow is another busier part of cornwall. particularly popular for tourists adding to its vibrancy yet still maintaining it’s quaint market-town ambiance. the endearing and small port isaac is a place for a brief stop off and wander and of course home to the famous doc martin! st ives, a part of the world of which it is near impossible to obtain a poor picture of. home to a charming harbourside, impressive art scene, numerous surfing beaches and the place to go trinket shopping amongst the many alluring back-alley coblestone lanes.

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the list continues with falmouth: another one of the larger towns in cornwall that fits the english seaside stereotype to a T. if you want to escape the mainstream but have all the perks of cornwall still, then perranporth, gwithian and praa sands are the spots. the unsung towns of cornwall. both wonderfully niche areas of the county where you can catch swell surf and enjoy a pint and seafood dinner whilst pondering over the beach. then there’s the host of national trusts: kynance cove, lizard and lands end. breathtaking beauty, natural nuances and the bluest blues. hike and then enjoy the transparent sea depths of kynance cove, spot seals at lizard point or ponder over the dizzying delights of britains ‘lands end’ coastal view.

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to summarise, cornwall is everything great about britain. a capture of quintessential britishness: lovely locals, cream teas, pale ale pubs, colourful bunting, fish and chips, pasties, kellys ice cream, seals, dolphins, shetland ponies, surfing, hiking, farming, themed gold, emerald and cerulean colours. it’s probably very, very safe to say that i found a new love in cornwall.

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the north of england

(newcastle, manchester, blackpool, the lake district)

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newcastle was an incredibly brief stop, but a pleasing one. on arrival the cities peach skies reflected off the steal curves of sage gateshead leaving the cities river tyne glistening in its glory. the cities many bridges stood high remaining as opaque outlines one after the other whilst each enjoying the view. a blissful riverside stroll, some local ales, a full english breakfast served with a ‘enjoy pet’ by a warm geordie local and a quick snap of the angel of the north was to epitomise the time spent in newcastle.

manchester is possibly one of the coolest cities in the world. it has this cutting edge about it. streets decked with bees, fred perry and manchester football galor; the city oozes fashionable statements. manchester has a cosmolitan feel to it, packed with diversity and beaming with vitality no matter the time of day. this expressive city full of soul and style is the northern brother to bristol and a place i will continue to swing by time and time again.

the most notable stop in the north has to be blackpool – a fascinating place to say the least. a seaside town with a distinctive appearance and one of a king ambience. a place eclectic with experiences on offer but all under an umbrella of seaside surrealness; likened to the souths weston-super-mare but on steroids and some very strong ones at that. it’s an overload for the senses. the stench of spliffs mixed with fish and chips fills the air. blackpool rock aplenty and the extremely fluorescent nature of the tacky out in full force for all to see. diabetic donuts, chip cones and irresistible ice cream make the menus across the vibrant seafront. a walk along pleasure beach made it impossible to fixate on direction with absolutely anything and everything unfolding in sight. sometimes a sight for sore eyes, sometimes pure brilliance.

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whilst admiring possibly one of the prettiest sunsets i have had the pleasure of witnessing, i was accompanied by a group of chavvy kids carving a large penis in the sand in the immediate forefront of my view and slightly to my left was a huge distasteful bra placed a couple meters from my feet. i feel this is something that would only happen in blackpool, let alone britain and this being an example of it’s obscure brilliant nature. go to blackpool, it’s barking mad.

the final stop in the north was a camp in maybe britains most stunning national park: the lake district. glacial ribbon lakes and rolling mountaineous ranges. every twist and turn revealed a jaw dropping site that no picture would do justice. stanley gyll waterfall is one of many discreet areas of outstanding beauty – with a disgustingly gorgeous view of lakes and deep greens. there are endless intricate woodland walks, adorable wooden bridges and remarkable hikes lead you to the greatest of rewards. whether its windermere or coniston, the idyllic energy will consume you and make you want to stay. it won’t be long until a return to windermere and scafell pike are had.

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scotland

(edinburgh, glasgow, the highlands (glencoe, fort william, ben nevis)

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next it was time to cross the boarder and enter scotland for the first time. starting with the countries capital: edinburgh. scotlands most celebrated city famed for both it’s history and appearance. the architecture varies from the medieval character of the old town to it’s classical georgian new town. much of harry potters influence extremely evident across the city; attracting tourists from all over. sunset kissed buildings fill the streets, cobblestone pavements and slightly shadowed stairwells present themselves appropriately with an alluring charm.

as well as edinburghs recognition being drawn from it’s architecual appearance, natural beauty holds a pleasing presence throughout. most notably is arthurs seat. a peering peak in holyrood park providing the chance for a slightly adventurous hike with natures reward being a sweeping view across the whole city. perhaps the perfect spot to escape the seemingly always busy edinburgh.

despite it’s glory, scotlands capital was slightly disappointing. whilst not taking anything away form the pleasures to be had there, and certainly not in denial of its deserved hype, i simply discovered yummier spots across scotland.

glasgow was one of those. a city built on pride, passion and tradition which shone through with it’s authenticity. glasgow can truly be described as special. it holds this unique ambience that can only be owned by a city with a distinct feel and lots of character. there is something remarkable about the sky, too. the type of sky that creates atmosphere and make you feel so comfortable. the people are down to earth and present and bring about this vitality amongst the streets. if it isn’t in the streets, then it’s below in glasgows adorable subway system. it would be rude to dismiss the footballing hold over the city; with it being home to the worlds ‘old firm derby’. ibrox, home to rangers, full of raging devotion in the form of song, glasgow rangers jerseys, union scarfs, bottles upon bottles of buckfast and a rocking post-match subway. the ibrox stadium had a crazy electric atmosphere and incredibly dedicated supporters. to conclude, the cute glaswegian buildings, whimsical sky, abundance of parks and down to earth locals make this a city beyond liveable.

perhaps the yummiest spot was the world renowned scottish highlands. a mountainous range with a huge abundance of nature: endless mountainous range, thousands of lochs and deep forestry. the highlands are a nature fanatics deepest dream. wild camp and be at one with nature, ponder over the scattered viaducts, swim in the many lochs or hike the UK’s highest peak at 1345m (ben nevis). solitude, solace, comfort, peace and serenity are all to be found in this beautifully isolated part of planet earth. just waiting to be discovered, enjoyed and respected.

the cotswolds

(bourton-on-the-water, honeybourne, northleach, winchcombe)

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the last stop on the great british journey and a staple in british rural culture: the cotswolds. home to the chocolate box villages, rolling green hills, thatched roofs, gently trickling rivers and limestone properties. a place where camping on someones farmland and throwing them a £5er in exchange is totally acceptable.

the cotswolds is an area of natural beauty and it’s very plain to see why. made up of spots like bourton-on-the-water, honeybourne, northleach and not to forget lower slaughter – home to britains most romantic street. these idyllic villages all unspoilt, preserved and rich with history. you’ll find trinket shops, vintage stores and antique fares throughout each delightful market town. at every turn theres honey-hued stone architecture, calming streams paired with charming foot bridges, thriving markets and of course the areas stunning nature.

the cotswolds encompass the proper west country feel. go for a wander across mother earths special baby and finish the day sat with an ale in one of many, many, quirky english pubs.

the surface has been more than touched, yet still with much more to see. i am blessed to be able to call this island home.

an ode to my first road trip in britain

fish and chips, thick cream teas and just one more morning tea,

rolls, baps, tea cakes and butties,

scons, and SCONEs.

countless fascinating regional dialects,

friendly faces, welcoming wanderers and persistent politeness.

forrest, fields, farms

mountains, ocean.

seasides, waterfalls, rivers and lakes.

the greenest greens, the bluest blues.

surfing and hiking.

dolphins, seals, ponies and lots of bee saving,

narrow country lanes; boisterous motorways.

victorian, georgian, medieval and brutalist architectures,

fluffy clouds, azure late afternoons, whimsical evenings;

pink undertone sunsets and grey gritty visuals.

lands end, lizard, ben nevis;

the quintessential british mix.

these are some things, great about britain.