Western Europe’s most populous country doesn’t always spring to mind as a low-cost destination. However, in a place this big and diverse, there will always be a smarter way to spend your euros.
21.07.2023 - 07:41 / roughguides.com
While images of far-flung landscapes and tropical sunset spots may stir the soul, the same can be said of unique photography that captures the streets that surround us. And the great thing is, armed with a smartphone, a smart eye, and smart intel about where to go and what to shoot, anyone can bag stunning shots of the UK's top 20 most photogenic streets.
To spark inspiration, and in collaboration with Sony, we’ve identified the UK's top 20 steets that look incredible in photographs — from arty urban hubs, to picturesque villages, to timeless ancient harbours.
If you’re looking for the perfect handset to match your passion for photography, you might want to check out the Sony Xperia 1 III.
Boasting cutting-edge street art, world famous curry houses, and countless galleries and bars, 21st-century Brick Lane in London presents photographers with thrilling options at every turn.
Visit during the day to shoot the ever-changing street art, eclectic architecture and vintage stores while absorbing the hip(ster) and happening vibe.
Alternatively, arm yourself with our tips on night photography and head here in the evening to capture this distinct district in all its neon glory. Afterwards, you could reward yourself with a legendary curry.
If you fancy sampling more local food, read up on alternative eating in Hackney, another East London area with bags of character and plenty of cool places to eat, drink and make merry.
Browse more places to stay in Tower Hamlets.
Brick Lane, London – taken on the Sony Xperia 1 III by @cmrileyphoto
Though a mere hop, skip and jump from Paddington Station, Conduit Mews presents a rainbow of terraced houses that look like something from the set of a children’s TV show. This is thanks to the candy-coloured homes lining its stretch of quaint cobbles.
Though these days buying a pad here will set you back a packet, such mews used to be coach-houses and stables for the seriously wealthy.
If you're not one of the super-rich who could afford to live here, read up on fab free things to do in London. You can thank us later.
Discover more places to stay in Paddington.
Conduit Mews, London, one of the UK's top 20 most photogenic streets — taken on the Sony Xperia 1 III by @cmrileyphoto
If it’s brooding Dickensian ambience you’re after, it doesn’t get better than Godwin's Court. This row of near-perfectly preserved Georgian houses occupies a site that was first mentioned in 1690.
Stepping onto this street from the pandemonium of Covent Garden (mime artists, magicians and shopping tourists) feels like you’ve slipped back in time. It's obvious why this is one of the UK's top 20 most photogenic streets.
Though you’ll most likely have this atmospheric alley to yourself, it’s best to visit early —
Western Europe’s most populous country doesn’t always spring to mind as a low-cost destination. However, in a place this big and diverse, there will always be a smarter way to spend your euros.
Georgia’s oldest city, not to mention the first capital, was established on the Savannah River in 1733 and, for nearly 300 years, has beckoned visitors to the Spanish moss-lined trees and charming homes. It’s one of the nation’s biggest ports, and its hospitable locals helped earn the nickname the “Hostess City.”
A recent report released from travel marketing engine Sojern, analyzed travel trends from January 2015 to April 2016 and found the top international destinations for U.S. travelers as well as the top emerging and declining international spots.
Jacob Keanik scanned his binoculars over the field of ice surrounding our sailboat. He was looking for the polar bear that had been stalking us for the past 24 hours, but all he could see was an undulating carpet of blue-green pack ice that stretched to the horizon. “Winter is coming,” he murmured. Jacob had never seen Game of Thrones and was unaware of the phrase’s reference to the show’s menacing hordes of ice zombies, but to us, the threat posed by this frozen horde was equally dire. Here in remote Pasley Bay, deep in the Canadian Arctic, winter would bring a relentless tide of boat-crushing ice. If we didn’t find a way out soon, it could trap us and destroy our vessel—and perhaps us too.
It may be hard to believe, but there’s a place in England where the sand is fine and white, the sea is turquoise blue, and the sun shines more than just about anywhere else in the country. In this dream-like place, you can surf, you can sunbathe (and even get a tan), you can hike coastal paths, valleys, and moors, and you can stuff you face with cream teas and pasties. You guess it, Cornwall, England, is a must-see when in Britain. Lucky for you, it’s only a direct train ride away from London.
Glasgow has a rich history and culture, with plenty of attractions to explore like the Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, or the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The city also offers lively nightlife, excellent shopping opportunities, some of the best live music venues in Scotland, an ever-growing selection of world-class restaurants and cafes, and an array of cultural activities like theatre, dance, and art galleries. These Glasgow Airbnb rentals put you close to everything.
For five days of the year each summer, the somewhat soulless exhibition centre in Earls Court is transformed into a giant pub (pictured above). Or at least that’s what it feels like. Gone are the trade stalls and suited delegates, replaced by an army of (mostly bearded) volunteers manning hundreds of kegs, dispensing beers few people have ever heard of to thousands of squiffy punters – a lot of whom are wearing traffic-cone hats or sombreros for no apparent reason.
Britain is a nation bursting with song. While this most musical of islands has nurtured numerous world-class singers and bands, it almost bursts with festivals and concerts all year round. Here's five favourite escapes for music fans. Add yours below.
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In a city where it’s possible to pay up to US$250 for a rib eye steak, it is no surprise that most feel daunted at the prospect of visiting the pricy Russian capital, Moscow . Yet there are plenty of quirky cafés, hidden restaurants and expat haunts that will not break your budget. Here is a selection of some of the city’s best.
The Ridgeway really is as old as the hills — well, almost. For over 5000 years, travellers, farmers, soldiers and, more recently, cyclists have followed this 87-mile-long trackway (pictured above) between Avebury in Wiltshire and Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire — part of an ancient trading route that once stretched from the Dorset coast all the way to Norfolk. The chalky downland ridge that comprises the Ridgeway's western half is open to cyclists all year round, and provides a moderately challenging 42-mile ride.
If you fancy indulging your inner artist on your next British break, try one of these excellent galleries and art spaces across Britain.