Visiting UK

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is a great day trip from London. Located near the capital in Kent, it is a short drive away and makes for a great day out for families, couples, groups, and solo travellers.

Leeds Castle is a beautiful stone structure surrounded by a moat filled with black and white swans. Originally built in Norman times, the castle is known as the Ladies’ Castle because it was the home of six medieval British queens.

In modern times the castle was privately owned, and the last owner, an American named Lady Baillie, worked hard to restore many of the rooms to the way they looked in medieval times.

If you take a day trip to Leeds Castle from London when you are visiting the UK, you can go on a tour of the castle itself, or take a self-guided visit. When you have seen the state apartments and modern living areas, you can explore the grounds. The castle has a large aviary, a vineyard, walking paths, and cafes. There is also a golf course on the premises.

Throughout the year there are many medieval-themed events taking place at the castle. Visitors on can participate in falconry shows and other events.

To get to Leeds Castle on a day trip from London, you can drive or take a train to Bearsted station and then a shuttle or taxi. Shuttles only run from March to October, so if you visit outside of those months, you will need to take a taxi from the station.

Leeds Castle

The best places to visit in Kent, England are also some of the top destinations in the whole of the UK. Kent is located close to the capital, so it is easy to visit many of the highlights on a day trip from London.

Here are what I consider to be the best places to visit in Kent:

Leeds Castle – Leeds Castle is straight out of a fairytale. The large stone fortress is surrounded by a moat, and the castle is known as the Ladies’ Castle because it was the home of no less than six medieval queens. When you are visiting, you can take a tour of the castle itself and explore the gardens, aviary, vineyard, and grounds.

Sissinghurst Castle – The jewel in the crown of the Garden of England is Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. The castle’s gardens are known throughout the UK for being some of the best in the country, and they are well worth a visit during the spring and summer.

Hever Castle – The childhood home of Ann Boleyn, Hever Castle is a 13th century structure set over 125 acres of land. The stunning castle is surrounded by a moat and features everything from a maze to rowboats. It is a great place to visit in the warmer months, as there is a lot to do outdoors.

Canterbury – Home of the most famous cathedral in the UK, Canterbury is one of the best places to visit in Kent. The highlight is Canterbury Cathedral, a massive church that is the most important place of worship for Anglicans. Centuries of history can be witnessed there, and visitors come from all over the world to see it.

Whitstable – The coastal city of Whitstable is a great place to visit if you like seafood. The Whitstable Oyster Company is one of the top seafood restaurants in the region, and the shopping streets are lined with great stores and boutiques. If you visit Whitstable on a warm day, you can head to the beach for some sunbathing.

Royal Tunbridge Wells – Royal Tunbridge Wells is a great place to go for a a day of shopping or for afternoon tea. The picturesque town is full of great boutiques and shops, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can relax after a long day of retail therapy.

Dover Castle – Located atop the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, the famous Dover Castle is one of the best places to visit in Kent. The castle is full of history and offers activities to entertain the whole family. Visitors can also take tours of the miles of tunnels that were used during World War II.

Belfast

Belfast is a great city to visit, and has an abundance of things to do. From museums to live music venues, people visiting Belfast won’t be hard pressed to stay entertained. To help you figure out how to spend your time, here is my list of the top 10 things to do in Belfast:

1. Visit the Titanic Belfast museum. Opening in March 2012, the museum is dedicated to the story of the ill-fated ship that was built in Belfast in the early 20th century.

2. Take a taxi tour. Black cabs drive visitors around the city to see the famous Belfast murals and other attractions.

3. Go to a pub. Belfast is famous for its pub culture, and most nights there is live music at any number of the city’s watering holes. If you want to visit a particularly pretty pub, don’t miss The Crown pub on Great Victoria Street.

4. Have dinner at Mourne Seafood. Reservations are hard to come by at this always-packed favorite, which is one of the best restaurants in Belfast. If you can’t get a table, head to the secluded Mourne Oyster Bar around the corner for equally good food and service. Once you try the seafood chowder you will know why eating at the restaurant is on my list of the top 10 things to do in Belfast.

5. Admire the architecture. From the Belfast City Hall, which dominates the city centre in its neo-Renaissance glory, to the sparkling exterior of the new Titanic Belfast museum, there is no shortage of great architecture in Belfast.

6. Take a day trip from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway. Many companies offer bus tours to the Giant’s Causeway and other sightseeing highlights in Northern Ireland. Most trips include stops at Carrickfergus Castle, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Bushmills Distillery, and Dunluce Caste. Along the way visitors can enjoy the stunning views along the Causeway Coastal Route as it winds through the nine Glens of Antrim.

7. Drink whisky. The nearby Bushmills Distillery was the first licensed whisky distillery in the world, and no trip to Belfast is complete without a tipple.

8. Visit The Belfast Barge. For many years Belfast’s economy relied on the shipbuilding industry. Today visitors can learn about the history of the trade at an exhibition aboard The Belfast Barge in the River Lagan. Every visitor gets a guided tour, and there are interactive multimedia exhibits for children and adults alike.

9. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day. If you are lucky enough to be in Northern Ireland on March 17th, you can celebrate with those that know the holiday best. From parades to concerts, Belfast has no shortage of things to do on St Patrick’s Day.

10. Take a walk. One of the top 10 things to do in Belfast is walk around the city and explore the sights on foot. There is so much to see that it is worth spending several hours exploring the pedestrianized streets and walking around to see the highlights.