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The Top Five Budget Rental Cottages in the Lake District

Opting to holiday within the United Kingdom has become increasingly popular again, particularly since there have been many scares concerning travel agents going bust and holidays simply being incredibly expensive.

Opting for holiday cottages UK is a great way to have a budget holiday, particularly in the Lake District.  Whether you are going on holiday as a couple, as a family or with a group there will be Lake District holiday cottages available that suit all your needs.  Let us look at the top five budget cottages in the Lake District, to give you a feel and idea of what is available.

 

Best Budget Rental Cottage Lake District for Romantic Breaks 

 

If you want to go on a romantic break with just you and your partner, where you can take the time to get to know each other and fall in love all over again, but only have a small budget, the Low Jock Star Country Guest House and Cottages are for you.

Lily Cottage in particular is great for a budget holiday, at only around £40 per night.  It has only one bedroom and the entire cottage is stylishly decorated with solid oak furniture.  All necessary equipment is available to make your stay comfortable and romantic.  

Although you may want to spend all your time simply being in each other’s presence, there are also plenty of things for you to do in the area, including individual photography classes.  Being right near the historic market town of Kendal, you can also go on a nice daytrip, or alternatively visit the Lake District National Park for a fantastic walk in nature. 

Best Pet Friendly Budget Cottage Lake District 

If you want to bring your four legged friend with you on holiday, you will obviously be looking for cheap holiday cottages UK that are classed as pet friendly.  Pet friendly almost always refers to a dog, so if you are thinking of bringing a different pet (cat, lizard, bird, fish or rodents for example), you need to contact the cottage owners. 

A great example of a pet friendly cottage is the Old Sunday School in Slaggyford.

This is on the border of the Lake District and Northumberland.  It sleeps six people in three bedrooms and is a fantastic character property, including an old fashioned potbellied stove.  And at just £269 per week, it is very affordable.

Around the cottage you will find a great village pub and the Moors are right on your doorstep for long and fun walks. 

Best Budget Historic Cottage Lake District for Families 

 

If you like the idea of a cottage that is steeped in history and if you want to take the kids on holiday with you as well, the Peat House near Windermere is for you.  This cottage, placed in the small Row hamlet, was awarded a four star graded listing.  This means it is not only historical, it is also in excellent condition and comfortable for those who are staying in it.  Prices vary, but can be as low as £295 per week. The cottage has two bedrooms, sleeping four, so it’s perfect for families.   

There are many towns within driving distance of the cottage, but you could also decide to stay on the grounds and go for walks through the fell or use the leisure club at the nearby hotel, which is included in the price of the rental.   

Best Budget Unusual Cottage Lake District for Families 

 

If you are looking for an unusual cottage on a budget, Berts Cottage in Westmorland is certainly something to consider.

It sleeps four in two bedrooms, so you can take the children.  It is classed as an upside down cottage, making it very unusual.  It has a gorgeous sitting, living and dining area with oak beams on the ceiling and stones on the walls.  Prices depend on when you are going, but they start at just £210 for a week. 

Berts Cottage is in a great location if you enjoy golf, cycling or walking, as there are some fantastic nature areas right on your doorstep. 

Best Budget Cottage Lake District for Large Groups 

 

If you want to go out with a large group, be they family or friends, and are on a budget, Irton Hall is a fantastic choice.  It is a listed building, thought to date bake to the 13^th century.  It comprises of several different buildings, with the Pele Tower (the oldest building) sleeping up to 15 people in 5 bedrooms, for just £1,300 per week. 

As you can see, there is no need to spend an arm and a leg on holidays anymore.  The Lake District is one of the most beautiful areas of the United Kingdom and it is right on your doorstep.  Regardless of the type of cottage you are looking for, you can find it in the Lake District and at a price you can afford as well.

 

Please note that this post is by Tom Brennan, courtesy of Holiday Rentals.

 

Best places to eat and drink in Salisbury + the New Forest

 

Regular contributor + Salisbury resident, Katy Stewart gives us the lowdown of the alterntive best places to eat and drink in her hometown Salisbury and the New Forest. No chain pubs and restaurants- think country pubs and quirky cafes...

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury is a historic medieval city, largely untouched by the modern era. Many of the rhythms of traditional life continue unchanged, with a twice-weekly market, where people from the surrounding villages meet to gossip, socialise and stock up on essentials. It is situated just a few miles north of the New Forest, once the hunting ground of William the Conqueror and home to the famous wild ponies. Opportunities abound for long country walks and cultural sightseeing, at the end of which you’ll be in need of a satisfying meal. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit different than the average chain restaurant, you’re in luck. Independent eateries - from country pubs to quirky cafes - thrive in this part of the world; here are four of the best.

 

1.    The Lamb Inn

The Lamb Inn is situated in Nomansland, a very pretty area of the New Forest, despite its name. It is just a few minutes’ drive from Salisbury and one of the best places to meet the ponies up close. The Lamb Inn is not hard to spot – there are only a few houses here. This is truly a locals’ pub, where the customers all know the landlord. Don’t be put off however; they are generally harmless and even friendly on occasion. The pub offers a constantly changing range of real ales and the food is delicious. It’s traditional pub grub, but good quality and value for money.

 

2.    The Chough

This pub is located in Salisbury and is housed in a slightly crooked medieval building. Inside, the heavy beams and split levels provide cosy corners to enjoy a drink with friends without being disturbed by anyone else. It also offers an extensive food menu and has an evening programme of karaoke and live music events, which you can get involved in, watch or hide away from as you please!

 Homebaked goodness at The Boston Tea Party

3.    The Boston Tea Party

A relatively new addition to the city, this cafe-restaurant is not entirely independent, being part of a west-country chain, but it prides itself on its homemade food and family-run ethos. As well as promoting local artists, charities and events, it has revitalised a medieval Great Hall, which provides grand and atmospheric surroundings in which to have a cup of tea. It is a family-friendly environment and offers good-quality, unfussy food, with plenty of fair-trade and organic ingredients on the menu.

4.    Fisherton Mill Cafe

Fisherton Mill is an independent art gallery and exhibition space which occupies a former grain mill building. This is a unique place to have a light lunch or a coffee. The cafe is on the ground floor, where there is also an open-plan shop selling the work of local artists, while upstairs are exhibition rooms and working studios. This is a hive of activity, with everything from stonemasonry to millinery going on. The cafe is often busy, but the staff are delightful and will do everything they can to get you seated as quickly as possible. The emphasis is on homemade soups, gourmet sandwiches and fabulous cakes, perhaps a little more expensive than in chain cafes, but worth it for the quality and the atmosphere. 

So if you’re visiting, don’t settle for the usual chain restaurants. Discover the true spirit of the area and whether you fancy a rural, historical or artistic setting, you’ll find it here.

KS

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Say hello!, follow me on twitter http://www.twitter.com/katyabroad  

 Website: www.postcardfromtheworld.blogspot.com

 

11 Things to do in Liverpool on a budget

 

With over 1.7 million visitors annually Liverpool is becoming one of the hottest must see European cities. Here is our list of 11 things to do in Liverpool on a budget.

Liverpool: More than just Beatles and football

It is clear that Liverpool has been experiencing a renaissance over the last decade and now waking upto its potential to be one of the world’s greatest cities. Being home to the greatest band of all time, the Beatles has helped the city achieve cult status across the world.

However there is more to Liverpool than just the Beatles and football.

It has Europe's fastest-growing regional airport thanks to the growing use of popular budget airlines like Ryanair . The historic centre and dock areas have been spruced up thanks to significant investment flowing into the city through regeneration projects like the £750 million Paradise Street project while Liverpool 's stunning waterfront is now a World Heritage site.

Allied to its stunning architecture and bustling nightlife, there has never been a better time to visit Liverpool. Plus the great news is that even if you are on a tight budget, Liverpool has plenty to offer you in terms of visitor attractions, places to eat and sleep.

Liverpool: The city of museums

Liverpool in fact has more galleries and national museums than any other city in the United Kingdom apart from London. Head to William Brown Street which consists a wide variety of museums, galleries and libraries. You can find a great range of neo-classical buildings that lead to the Steble fountain and Wellington Column. It also hosts World Museum Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery and Liverpool Central Library

1.Walker Art Gallery

(Free Entry  www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker, 0151 478 4199 Open 10am - 5pm daily)

Walker Art Gallery part of National Museums Liverpool, sits in a splendid building on William Brown Street. Its Neo Classical building holds one of the largest art collections in England outside of London. The gallery holds the John Moores exhibition every year as well as temporary exhibitions.

2. The World Museum

Free Entry

The World Musuem another of Liverpool's museums is just round the corner from the Walker Art Gallery. It's got five floors of amazing artifacts and activity areas. Great for kids and adults.

Albert Docks

4. Head to the Albert Docks to visit the The Tate Liverpool. Compared to its London counterpart, The Tate Liverpool is more intimately bound together and contains a few gems of modern art. Early or late midweek is the best time to enjoy it as its quiet with not so many tourists. (Free Entry! Tate Liverpool, Albert Docks www.tate.org)

5. The Beatles Story

While visiting the Tate Liverpool you can visit The Beatles Story which for me was the outstanding highlight of my tour and a must see for any Beatles fan. The audio guide is fantastic - it's narrated by John Lennon's sister Julia and available in 8 different languages. There are some great pieces of memorabilia including John's glasses, George's first guitar and the reconstruction of the Cavern is incredibly atmospheric. Average time from start to finish is an hour and a half but you could easily spend longer there. (Cost: £12.25; concessions £8.30; children £6.35. Opening Hours: 9am-5pm Albert Dock www.beatlesstory.com Check on ebay.co.uk for 2 for1 offers on Beatles Story)

6. Penny Lane 

I thought I’d make special mention here of Penny Lane which is one of my favourite Beatles Songs. From the shelter in the middle of the roundabout and onwards, most of the things mentioned in the Beatles' song are still there: the barbers, the bank, the fire station (slightly down the road). Penny Lane is the middle of one of Liverpool's suburban shopping areas and is well worth a visit for a taste of Liverpool as the Beatles knew it.

Catch the number 86 bus from town and get off at the Penny Lane bus shelter.

 

7. Where to catch the best view of the city: Belltower of the Liverpool Anglican Church

For music with a different beat and to enjoy the best view of the city, a visit to the belltower of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (Hope Street, Liverpool) is a must.

The cathedral's bells are the world's highest, at 67 metres, and heaviest, at 31.5 tonnes. Plus with 10,268 pipes, the great Anglican building's Grand Organ is probably the largest operational organ anywhere, too.

Treat yourself to a magnificent view when you reach the top of a heart-stopping climb inside the tower,above the bells.

8. Liverpool Football Club : Visiting Anfield

For those who love the game of football , Anfield (Anfield Road, Liverpool, Bus 26 or 27 from anywhere in central Liverpool. Museum & tour £14; concessions £8; Museum only £6; concessions £4. time: Museum daily 10am-5pm; Tours up to every 15 minutes) home ground of Liverpool Football Club is another major highlight of any visit to the city. Go on the stadium tour and visit the museum where you can view five European Cups including an original (the only one in the country)

9. Heading out of Liverpool? Visit West Kirby

(C)PhotogeniquE

Liverpool is surrounded by some stunning countryside and beautiful scenery.

I would throughouly recommend a visit to West Kirby, a seaside town a train ride from the city centre. Very old fashioned, donkeys, bouncy castle, ice creams, chips from The Marigold Cafe before coming home. 

Take a picnic, enjoy sand, windsurfers and, on a good day, jaw-droppingly lovely views of the Welsh coast and Hilbre Island. Hilbre Island ( www.wirral.gov.uk/er/hilbre.htm) are a group of tidal islands cut off from the land for 5 of every 12 hours. Check your tides and make your way across the sands (preferably barefoot) with beautiful views in all directions. Great wildlife, birdwatching etc too.

West Kirby is on the Wirral Peninsular at the end of the M53.Trains every 20/30 mins from Central Liverpool.

 

10. Where to sleep in Liverpool on a budget

All of our picks are in the Albert Dock area

Premier Travel Inn, Albert Dock (Albert Dock, L3 4AD. Entrance by the Beatles Museum. Nearest Station: James Street Prices starting at £29 www.premiertravelinn.com)

Premier Travel Inn, Albert Dock offers budget travellers great value plus also a lot of character with its vaulted brick ceilings and cast iron pillars.Request rooms with view over the Albert Dock. Great location and in close proximity to number of local attractions.

Hotel Formula One (25 Wapping, Baltic Triangle. Opposite the entrance to the Albert Dock)

Budget hotel located opposite the Albert Dock and five minutes' walk to the city centre - cheap and cheerful. You can have a single, double or triple room for £29.

YHA Liverpool. (25 Tabley Street, off Wapping Liverpool Merseyside L1 8EE)

 

A relatively modern hostel right by the Albert Dock that offers excellent value for money, offering private ensuite facilities if you book well ahead. Good basic restaurant. Secure, free car park on site.

 

11. Where to eat in Liverpool on a budget

Liverpool is a treasure trove for budget foodies. Here is our selection of highlights from our stay

The Egg Cafe and Gallery ( Top Floor, 16-18 Newington Liverpool Merseyside 0151 707 2755)

 

Popular with Liverpool locals, especially gap year and arty types, the Egg does great vegan food, reasonably priced and really tasty. The cafe is not just for vegans and veggies, but for anyone who wants a real taste of Liverpool culture. You have to keep your eyes peeled to spot the entrance though!

Cafe Porto (14 Rodney Street; telephone number 0151 708 5276, open Monday to Saturday)

A great cafe on Rodney Street in central Liverpool, not far from Liverpool Lime Street. They serve a wide range of food; from light lunches to amazing cakes. Recommend it for convenience, price, atmosphere and generally being a really nice place to hang out for the day.

Great fresh coffee plus a fantastic selection all at incredibly reasonable prices, including some Portuguese dishes as well as the old favourites like salads, sandwiches and paninis. Wife went for the roast vegetable bruschetta, while I plumped for the cod fishcakes. Both were excellent and cost around £4.

The Maharajah. (34-36 London Road , Liverpool , L3 5NF Tel: 0871 811 4798)

Keralan restaurant on the London Road in Liverpool, round the back of Lime Street Station.

One of the best South Indian restuarants in the northwest, take advantage of their lunchtime thali deal (£6, veg or non-veg with fish) which are a lipsmacking treat, especially the fantastic tangy tomato curry that comes with the vegetarian options.

More options available from their a la carte menu in the evenings, including superb pot-roast lamb with coconut. Their vada and aloo bonda are excellent as well and they'll quickly prepare a take-away bag of snacks if you're catching the train. Highly recommened.

The Green Fish

Vegetarian cafe with limited but delicious homecooked choice of lasagne, salads, chili. Large portions, small prices and a relaxing atmosphere. No alcohol. Largely undiscovered but it's been around for years. You can find it on the side road between Mountpleasant and Renshaw Street.

Liverpool: Getting there

Train

Liverpool’s main station is Lime St located in the northeast of the city centre. Virgin Trains (tel: 0845 722 2333; website: www.virgintrains.com) operates numerous services to Liverpool including a fast service from London using the new tilting Pendolino trains capable of speeds of up to 125mph.

Tip: For the best deals book ahead - buy in advance and travel on specific trains. You can upgrade to First Class at the weekends for £15.00 (children £5.00). 

 
Other rail operators running services to Liverpool include Arriva Trains (tel: 0845 606 1660; website: www.arriva.co.uk), Central Trains (tel: (0121) 634 2040; website:www.centraltrains.co.uk) and First Great Western (tel: 0845 700 0125; website:www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk). For all train information contact National Rail Enquiries (tel: 0845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk).

Bus

The National Express Coach Station (08705 808080; Norton St) is situated 300m north of Lime St station. There are services to/from most major towns, including Manchester (£5.80, 1¼ hours, hourly),  London (£22, five to six hours, seven daily), Birmingham (£10.20, 2¾ hours, five daily) and Newcastle (£18.40, 6½ hours, three daily).

Air

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (0870 750 8484; www.liverpooljohnlennonairport.co.uk) serves a variety of local and international destinations , the ever popular Ryanair (www.ryanair.co.uk) now increasing their presence there will make it cheaper than ever to fly there.

 

 

 

Where to stay in London on a budget: Generator Hostel Review

 

I recently was invited to stay and review the Generator Hostel, London. Given the accolade they've received as the best budget accommodation in London in the Visit London 2010 awards, I was curious. It is always notoriously difficult to know where to stay in London when you're on a tight budget. Here is my review of my stay.

 (Btw...welcome to Europebudgetguide.com : the Europe Travel Guide for budget savvy travellers. If you looking to travel Europe on a budget and want a regular dose of budget travel europe inspiration then why not subscribe to our RSS blog feed. )

 

What I enjoyed about my stay…

 

Warm Welcome

 

I loved the Aussie bloke at the entrance, freezing his butt off on that very cold night. The moment I landed at the doorstep of the Generator-he welcomed me, opened the door and in less than 60 seconds gave me the lowdown on all the evenings entertainment, special drinks offers. It was the elevator pitch of all elevator pitches: a great start.

 

Welcome desk and check in

 

Despite the huge queue in the evening, I though the reception staff handed it pretty well. Quick explanation of all the facilities was handy.

 

Great range of value based offerings

 

Free Wifi (Brilliant for a hostel!), free drinks offers, good value 3 course dinner, Happy Hours, free breakfast- Generator fulfil the wishes of almost any budget traveller. The concierge service –something I haven’t seen in too many hostels or budget hotels is a great feature: You can buy your all day Travelcard at the same cost at the Tube station so saves you a lot of hassle-great!

 

Plus there’s always something being organised in the hostel-from discos, poker nights so there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained. I love their Internet Surfing room- very cool, funky and great alternative for travellers who just want to catch up with their emails, Facebook friends while on their travels.

 

 

Ladies Dorm- Very pretty in pink

 

The new ladies only dorm rooms are the ace up their sleeves- even as a bloke I digged the whole girly feel about it from the pink pastel walls, mirrors everywhere plus handy features like light switches beside every bunk and also the huge metal lockers. The moment you walk into that room-you feel like you are in the powder room getting ready for some wild crazy party. All that was missing was the Lambrini.

 

 

What could be better…

 

The bathrooms

 

If only I was better at maps. Using the wee map handed to me at checkin, it took me a wee while to figure out where the toilets and showers were on my floor.  Once you find it, its pretty much your ‘bog standard’ communal shower rooms and toilets.

Having the clothes hook outside the shower was weird. Unless you are Adonis, its a tough call having the shower curtain half drawn, butt naked trying to hang your clothes on the hook outside. Plus with your room keys inside the trouser pocket- throughout my shower I felt a wee bit restless. There was no soapdish to keep the soap so I was constantly bending over to get my soap from the floor. It was good exercise mind you for the back. A soap dish-plastic, non rusty - mouldy type would be handy.

Since my review, I have been told by the management team at Generator that will remedy that problem and get a soapdish plus reconsider the positioning of their clothes hooks within the shower. Plus am v.glad to hear in their new hostels ( Copenhagen, Hamburg) there will be ensuite bathrooms for their private rooms. ( Note to readers:  Maybe am getting too old to stay in hostels!) 

 

The rooms

 

I understand the building was previously a police station of some sort and unfortunately in my private room, it did retain a bit of its stern former glory.

 

After the moodfreshening pastel pink of the ladies party pad, the dark blues and mean reds of my private room seemed a bit of a party pooper. How about some bright funky light pastel shades to brighten up those rooms?  Otherwise the bed was very comfy and I had an excellent nights sleep.

 

The verdict!

 

This is a hostel that know its audience well and caters perfectly for all their needs. With prices starting from £15 including free wifi, breakfast and a drink on arrival-this is brilliant value for London and perfect especially if you’re in a group, visiting with friends and looking for a good central location. The private twin rooms could be a bit more cheerful with ideally ensuite facilities- compared to my recent stay in Tune Hotels, I think I'd prefer Tune for overall comfort and convenience.  Overall the twin rooms are adequate and for the price and location, you can’t complain.

Great value hostel in London-highly recommended.

 

Generator Hostels, London

37 Tavistock Place
Russell Square WC1H 9SE
T:  020 7388 7655

 W: www.generatorhostels.com 

 

5 places to eat in Edinburgh for under £5

 

If you’re visiting Edinburgh for Hogmanay, the Fringe or anytime of the year and on a tight budget-then here are some handy Edinburgh tips for lunch- 5 places to eat in Edinburgh for under £5

 

The Amber Rose

22-26 Castle Street

 

The Amber Rose is part of the Hogshead chain of pubs which besides serving a great of Belgian Beers and Ales (at v reasonable prices) it also does a decent selection of British pub favourites- Fish and Chips, Scampi, Chicken Tikka Masala (with rice, popadoms) Pub food- I hear some of you groan but with offers like 2 meals for £8.99, it makes a more convenient, budget friendly alternative to snacking at McDonalds or a Subway. 

The other reason I like eating here is because it is in a very handy location just off Princes Street so great if you’re visiting, on a shopping trip and looking for a decent refuelling stop.

 Tapa: Probably Edinburgh's best budget restaurant

 

Tapa

97 Hanover Street 

 

Reviewed earlier on the blog, Tapa have built on their success of their Leith Venture and opened a second outlet on Hanover Street.

 

I nipped early in this week amidst the Xmas mayhem for a quick bite and was pleased to see that they have they are still running their popular Tapas for 2 offer for £10 (from 12 till 5pm) where you can enjoy a selection of 5 tapas dishes including house specialities like thin slices of cripsy Aubergine dipped in honey- delicious food and superb value this is probably the best budget diner in Edinburgh : must visit on any trip to the city.

 

Bene’s Fish and Chips

162 Canongate

 

There’s few places I would recommend to a stranger but Bene’s would be one of the first to roll off my lips. Situated in the quieter end of the Royal Mile (Canongate) just before the Scottish Parliament/ Holyrood Palace, Bene’s offers you freshly made pizzas, calzones, fish + chips (best in town) and sausage suppers, quality is amazing and the prices are fantastic for this part of town. Also if you’re brave you can sample that famous Scottish speciality- the deep fried haggis bar. Great service with a smile- definitely one to visit on your travels to Edinburgh. 

 

Red Box Noodle Bar

51/53 W Nicolson St

 

A new entrant on the Edinburgh Food scene, I have been hearing some rave reviews of the Red Box and with prices of just £5 for a noodle box, no wonder this is becoming a fast food favourite with Edinburgh Diners. Noodle Box allows you to mix your choice of noodles with a selection of meats, seafood, then add your asian veggies plus a choice of 8 or 9 sauces

 

Tempting Tattie

 18 Jeffrey Street

If you are rambling down the Mile and suddenly you get the delectable waft of potatoes –follow the scent which hopefully will lead you to the Tempting Tattie on Jeffrey Street.

Potatoes are baked-warm and crispy plus you get a nice choice of fillings ranging from the humble baked bean, tuna or Greek salad to the native Haggis or just be old fashioned like me and have it with some warm butter and black pepper-delicious! With prices just from around the £4 mark this is a great local treat at a very tempting price.

 

Discovering the Tudor Fantasy, Cambridge on the cheap

 

 

Cambridge based contributor, Julia Rampen gives us the budget lowdown on discovering the world behind the ancient and mysterious doors of Cambridge..

 

On arrival in Cambridge, visitors may be forgiven if they feel that they have wandered into a Tudor fantasy.

 
Kings College, Cambridge

A quick look at the prices in this fabled place though, and spirits can be punctured as swiftly as one of the city’s many bicycle tires.

 

 

The prime attraction of Cambridge is the university, which essentially means the thirty odd colleges that pin the city together. Unfortunately, the colleges are well aware of this fact. It may be possible to enter the ivory tower these days, but not without paying around £5 for some of the most famous colleges.

 

But if you do want to dodge the men in purple robes, here’s a few things to bear in mind. Firstly, a great many colleges don’t charge. Enclosed within the brick walls of Newnham is a jewel of a garden – it was also one of the first women’s colleges in the university.

 

Just down the road is Robinson, a modern college that nevertheless has an atmospheric chapel and wonderful, rambling grounds.

Secondly, it’s a university. If you are vaguely interested in studying there you have the right to introduce yourself as a prospective student (though be prepared to meet the Admissions Tutor). Students are allowed to take guests into the colleges: it’s looking for a friendly student to let you in as a guest. Be discreet though, and remember that the college is a working environment.

For many visitors, attending evensong is one of the most memorable parts of a trip, and it’s absolutely free. Although Kings College holds the most famous evensong, it is far from the only one. Trinity, Selwyn, St. Johns and many other colleges also have crisp-voiced choirs.

Finally, the vigilance with which colleges are guarded depends upon the season. Taking a walk along ‘The Backs’ (Queens Road) any time from autumn to early spring is likely to reap rewards. It also offers one of the best views in Cambridge: Kings College Chapel across the meadow and this, at least, won’t cost a penny.

 

About the author....

Julia Rampen grew up in Edinburgh, but after a trip to South Africa aged 17 has taken every excuse to travel abroad. Her wanderings range from the mountain deserts of Ladakh to slow night trains in Romania. As well as travel writing, she enjoys journalism, and writing poetry and fiction.

 

Celebrate New Year in London for just £15

 

Very pleased to have onboard Alison Armitage (Director, Generator Hostels) and Steve Lowy (Director, Umi hotels) masterminds behind two of London's top budget accomodation providers , guest posting and offering their top budget travel tips to readers. In the first part of this series, Alison gives her tips about how to celebrate New Year in London for just £15. No kidding.....

 

 

I don’t know about you, but I always find New Year’s a bit stressful. All that pressure to have the best night of the year, not to mention the expense after you’ve just bankrupted yourself paying for Christmas.

Finding a budget way to celebrate in London can seem impossible, especially with most restaurants, bars and clubs putting up their prices up. However if you can raid the loose change tin and scrabble together £15 it turns out that London has lots to offer for budget travellers and cash conscious residents alike.

Here are the top five tips from myself and the gang at Generator Hostels London:

Dine out early and save – most London restaurants have set menus for New Year’s Eve, making a meal out prohibitively expensive. Opt for an early dinner or late lunch and start your celebrations early to avoid the evening price hikes.

 

Celeb spotting on a shoestring – put on your best outfit and head to Claridges for a look at its designer Dior Christmas tree. Head to the bar, splurge £15 on a glass of Champagne to sip while the clock strikes twelve and bring in 2011 like a star.

 

 
Fireworks galore without burning a hole in your pocket – you’ve paid taxes all year so why not let the Government pay for your New Year’s Eve and enjoy London’s free firework display. Wrap up warm and take a picnic to make a night of it.

 

Laugh your way into 2011 – take a friend and head to Highlight Battersea for a night of laughs. Take along a copy of Time Out magazine and you’ll both get to see the show for £24.95

.

Go to a gig – check out lesser-known artists, they won’t charge the earth for a New Year’s gig. Rockabilly troupe, Derriere are playing The Book Club for just £15.

I guess all that’s left to say is happy New Year!

Where to stay in Dundee on a budget: Travelodge Central Dundee

 

In the third and final part of the Dundee series, our intrepid explorer , Kash Bhattacharya revisits the dance floor of his old student union at Abertay Dundee University ...which is now strangely a budget hotel:Travelodge Central Dundee!

 

 

Budget accommodation is limited in Dundee but with the recent arrival of Travelodge UK on the scene, that problem has been conveniently solved.

I would recommend the Dundee Central branch of this chain. Its in an excellent location just around from Dukes Corner (check our review )and also across from Fatsams Nightclub. It is also beside the casino (which has a late license!)

Being a newbuild Travelodge, the rooms are spic and span.

Towels provided at no excess charge plus you have in room complimentary tea/coffee making facilities-this is a very British thing that I love and miss out on my travels in Europe. We stayed in one of their family rooms: very spacious, comfortably fitting two on the double bed and one adult on the sofa bed. With room prices on average around £50 and starting at £9 during their famous sales period, it’s a great budget priced option for Dundee.

The other reason which makes this particular Travelodge interesting is that in a previous incarnation, Dundee Central building was owned by the University of Abertay Dundee. Called the Marketgait Building , this was where the School of Social Science was located and where I was taught Economics for 4 years. Plus the top floor was the old Student Union where I was the Student President (2003) so a lot of memories are in this building. It’s a surreal feeling to say the least when you walk into a hotel where once upon a time you were a student, sat your final exams, had your first drink , enjoyed many a drunken night and ermmm..I’ll stop there.....

Sleeping in the room, even though the interiors of the building have been changed beyond recognition, me and my friend figured out that the bedroom we slept was exactly where the end of the dance floor was in the old union. Who would have thought all those years ago I’d sleeping on a bed in the union dance floor? Hehehe... It was funny walking out of the room and seeing in the corridor a bunch of middle aged ladies quite drunk on wine stumbling around in the corridor- familiar drunken scene but altogether a different setting….

Staying at the Travelodge Dundee Centra has to be the most unique budget hotel I will ever sleep in...highly recommend it, nostalgic reasons aside.

 

 

 

 

 

Things to do in Dundee: Nightlife highlights + Best breakfast fryup

 

Editor, Kash Bhattacharya revisits Dundee for 24 hours . In Part 2, samples the city's thriving cultural & nightlife scene.

 

 
Mixologists par excellence: Dukes Corner, Dundee

After all the energetic sightseeing during the day, put your feet up for a wee bit and reserve your energy for a night out in the town to check out some of the local bars or sampling some of the local culture.

 

The beginning of Perth Road on the west end fringe of the citycentre, is also known as the city’s ‘Culture Quarter’ where you can enjoy award winning theatre and jazz nights at the lovely Dundee Rep Theatre or catch up with the best of independent, world cinema at the DCA-Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre. The DCA also has a lovely bar known as the Jute Bar which has a nice restaurant and open seating area (great outdoor area –perfect for sun lounging and drinks in the summer) attracting an eclectic mix of young trendy professionals, art students and IT geeks.

 

In terms of the local nightscene, there is a limited number of local nightclubs to choose from including the popular but overcrowded Fatsams and the hip Underground Bar.

My top tip however would be a trip to the new kind on the block: Dukes Corner. (13 Brown Street, Dundee. 01382 205052)

Staff are friendly and service is topnotch. The menu is simple, food made on the premises with a good range of tasty treats and also budget friendly. There are over 30 beers from all over the world plus an excellent range of mouthwatering cocktails to choose from. There is the added benefit of an excellent outdoor beer garden.

 
Dancing the night away... Dukes Dancefloor hots ups

You can socialize here at varying times of the day according to your mood. During the day its very chilled out and in the evening there is a more upbeat vibe. Enjoy a variety of entertainment from international and local bands and afterwards if you’re in the mood, they have a DJ on which you shake a leg into the wee hours of night ( till 2:30 am !)

Highlight: Best thing I enjoyed about the place and this may seem a bit weird but they have the cleanest toilets I have ever seen in a nightclub. The toilet is a wee bit of upstairs jaunt from the bar but worth the trip.



Kick off the hangover Blues: Pay a visit to Drouthy Neebors

 

To end your 24 hours in Dundee and kick off your hangover blues,  I would recommend a nice, not too greasy fryup at Drouthy Neebors on Perth Road. It’s a wee jaunt up Perth Road but the food is worth the wait. Under new ownership, Drouthys has undergone a big facelift and has a very fresh, not too loud, funky look inside. Though predominantly a student pub, it attracts a mixed varied crowd of all ages. Moving onto the food, the weekend allday hangover breakfast is excellent cure plus for those who are not a fan of fryups on the menu you can enjoy soups, sandwiches and the Drouthy Gourmet Burger- very tasty.

 

This is hearty, very decent pub grub in a nice relaxed ambience.

Tune Hotels, Westminister: Is this London's best budget hotel?

 

 

Branson vs Fernandes -Battle of the travelpreneurs

 

The Tune Hotels is the vision of entrepreneur-Tony Fernandes, Malaysia’s answer to Richard Branson. These guys have a lot in common besides being insanely rich. Both have a need for speed and own a Formula 1 team in which they fought a very close battle in this year’s title race. Which Fernandes’s Lotus won. Plus are travelpreneurs and own a very successful budget airline brand. Its surprising to think that Branson hasn’t yet started a budget hotel brand. This is where Mr Fernandes is one up on his close rival with the launch of Tune Hotels. Tune has already a major presence in Malaysia and plans to expand in other key overseas markets like India. (which desperately needs more budget conscious hotels) Tune Hotels in Westminster, is his attempt to muscle into the dominance of key budget hotel players in London like Travelodge, Ibis, Premier Inn and Holiday Express.

 

 

Worth the hype? The review

 

 

‘5 star beds at 1 star prices’ is the slogan of Tune. Located in Westminster, just a stone’s throw away from Lambeth North Tube Station, Tune Hotels is in a great location with easy, quick access into Central London via the Bakerloo line.

 

Check-in is a smooth process. Note: Being a no-frills hotel there is a minimalist feel about Tune. Besides receptionist/night guard (round the clock 24 hr security) there are no staff in the hotel. The hotel knows its audience well, openly encouraging visitors to bring their own towel and toiletries. However if your backpack is tightly packed- they offer a towel with free toiletries for just £1.50- great. They also have another key essential for any budget traveller- Wifi. This is just £3 for 24 hours which is very competitively priced. However, in the future I’d like to see this being offered for free.

 

 

The rooms are pod like and snug, similar in concept to Yotel and easyhotel. Most 3 star/4 star rooms in London are tiny mind you. Tune have managed to fit in everything nicely- you have a flatscreen 19 inch Samsung plasma TV ( £3 a day add on) , a small clothes rack to hang your clothes, handy bedside desk with power point to use your laptop or charge your phone. The beds are the centrepoint of the whole experience. I had a long day travelling so was absolutely knackered so am pleased to say I had a very blissful, deep sleep. I sank , without a trace into the 250 count thread duvet and emerged bright eyed , rested and happier the following morning. Being on the fourth floor, there was no noise pollution. I bagged one of the roadside rooms which offered great views of the central London skyline at night.

 

The bathrooms were quite tiny but compact with an amazing power shower that shook me out of my morning stupor. I couldn’t ask for more.

Being a no-frills hotel, there is no breakfast at the hotel but with prices starting at just £25, a night who is complaining. They have a very nice tie-in with the neighbouring Costa Coffee where you can grab a special breakfast consisting of a medium coffee of choice, fresh orange juice and a pastry for just £4.95. Well worth the extra investment to kickstart a busy day of sightseeing or power networking in London.

 

Verdict

 

Tune Hotels is a revolutionary concept in budget hotels. Pricepoint is perfect, location is superb and standout features are their beds and showers. The only minor gripe if I could mention one would be offering free wifi. That would be truly budgetastic.

Given their soaring popularity and buzz since its launch, I recommend you book well in advance to get their best fares. Tune Hotel, Westminister for me, along with the Hoxton Hotel  are the leading lights of the London budget hotel scene at the moment.

 

Tune Hotels, London

118 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7RW, England

www.tunehotels.com

Prices start from £25. Advance booking recommended