Backpacking across UK

Tripoto
15th Aug 2015
Photo of Backpacking across UK 1/28 by haarika kanuparthy
London
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Pieminister - Pie, Gravy and Mushy Peas
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Westminster Abbey
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Hyde Park
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Radcliffe Camera
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Oxford - Aerial View
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Stonehenge
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Salisbury Cathedral
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Canterbury Cathedral
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Cathedral Souvenir anybody?
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Wonderful Views - Dover Cliffs
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Dover
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Dover Port
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Edinburgh Cathedral
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Edinburgh
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Tomatin Distillary
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Isle of Skye
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Original Banksy
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Portree (PIc Credits Venkata Ram Karthik)
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Virgin of the Rocks National Gallery
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Roman Baths
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Van Dyck National Gallery

Why To Visit?

UK something to offer everyone. From Ancient Ruins to Beaches to Scottish Highlands. It is a trip which will satisfy all kinds of travelers.

Places Visited

My trip included London, Oxford, Salisbury – Stonehenge, Canterbury, Dover, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Isle of Skye, Glencoe, Sterling, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bristol and Bath.

Logistics

Visa for Indian Citizens - Yes. Before the trip.

Accommodation - Mostly Hostels, Stayed at Holiday Inn in Liverpool and Birmingham.

Transportation - Trains, Buses if the trains turned out to be too expensive. In Edinburgh, London and Liverpool I did walk a lot instead of relying on public transport. It helped in not only saving money, but also was a lot of fun exploring these cities by walk.

Tours - I personally dislike planned tour and travel companies. But, I wanted to explore in Scottish Highlands, personal transportation was not possible so I ended up taking a three day tour from Backpacker company called Haggis. They were fantastic. Plus I could see the Highland beauty without stressing out too much. Rest of the trip I avoided tours like a plague.

Planning?

I did pre-plan extensively before I went to UK, but I kept changing it so much. Unexpected stops, Staying longer than intended was becoming a norm. So, when I went to Edinburgh, I decided to stop pre-booking my hostels a week ahead and started to plan two days at a time. Yes, your expenses might be a tad bit on the expensive side, but it gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of what do you want to do.

Also, sometime things do go out of your hand, like when my trip to Cambridge didn’t go as planned because of incessant rain. My stay in Edinburgh got extended cause I didn’t want to leave the place. I was stranded in Dover for a night in shady hostel because I missed my bus to Brighton. I spent more days in London than intended cause I wanted to see the museums in my pace.

Things I loved?

Although travelling on itself is an amazing experience, I find few places which captivate you and haunt you. These are the few places in UK which I will never forget. These are personal experiences which I treasure the most.

London - Museums - Borough market - Food!

I loved Edinburgh. I happened to be there during the peak of Festival season and it was fantastic. The streets were vibrant and lively till wee hours in the night. Check out Edinburgh Castle and if you can book in advance the Annual Military Tattoo is fantastic.

Visit during Festival Season (August-September), the prices are on the higher end but it is so totally worth it. Catch some shows in the Fringe where the whole town turns in to a live auditorium. Great Food, do not miss Haggis. Pubs in the Old Town are great. Go to the Free Walking Tour, my Guide was fab, we bonded over Harry Potter and he is one entertaining Scot.

I recently read something which Neil Gaiman wrote about Isle of Skye. "There are people who discover Skye and will not leave, and even for those of us who do leave, the misty island haunts us and holds us in its own way." Though I paraphrased a little it is exactly how I feel.

I bawled like a baby after visiting International Museum of Slavery in Liverpool. It changed the way I looked at life and my perspective on humanity.

Bristol - Street art - Bohemia - Eclectic Hipster Crowd - Great Night life - Dismaland - Banksy - Amaze Balls!

Things I would have skipped / would have loved to go

Personally, I think I did see what I wanted to see and I wouldn't skip anything on my list. I would have loved to go to Cumbria and also would have loved to see Hadrian's wall. Maybe for the next trip?