LISTINGS OUT OF TOWN

OUT OF TOWN

BATH, SOMERSET
How far? 114 miles, 1hr 30min by train.

Why go? The most-visited British city outside London offers a wealth of history and entertainment — from the Roman baths which gave the city its name to its excellent shopping centre and thriving nightlife.

The many historic buildings and museums include beautiful Bath Abbey. The city hosts two festivals — one in February/March celebrating well-known and new writers and an international music festival in May.

What next? T: 0906 711 2000 (50p/min). www.visitbath.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM
How far? 115 miles, 1hr 30min by train. Why go? England’s second largest city has reinvented itself and has a lively centre with great shopping, a thriving nightlife and the famous Balti Triangle and Jewellery Quarter. Birmingham also boasts more canals than Venice, as well as attractions such as Thinktank, Cadbury World, the National Sea Life Centre and the reincarnated Bull Ring Shopping Centre. There are several football teams and top cricket and golf events, too. What next? T: 0870 225 0127.
www.beinbirmingham.com

BRIGHTON
How far? 50 miles, 1hr by train.

Why go? Since the 1800s, holidaymakers have been fl ocking to Brighton for seaside fun. The lure of munching fi sh and chips and Brighton rock along the seafront is hard to resist. And don’t forget the attractions of the Palace Pier, with its funfair, restaurants and arcade halls. Brighton’s nightlife is legendary, with clubs and bars to rival London — little wonder it’s known as ‘London-by-the-Sea’. What next? T: 0906 711 2255 (50p/min). www.visitbrighton.com

CAMBRIDGE
How far? 60 miles, 1hr by train.

Why go? For history, culture, countryside and sporting events. Catch an open-air performance of a Shakespeare play at Queen’s College or explore one of the most beautiful buildings in Cambridge — King’s College Chapel, the city’s emblem. Trinity College is noted for its statues of Nobel Prize winners who studied there.

What next? T: 0871 226 8006.
www.visitcambridge.org

Out of town: History lesson

With its old and modern-day attractions, Kingston offers tourists

an informative and varied day out, says Kellie Smith

Offi cially known as The Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames, Kingston
— as it’s more commonly known — is a historic market town dating back more than 1,000 years. Historical buildings and architecture dot the town, including Kingston’s famous Coronation Stone. It’s claimed that seven Anglo Saxon kings were crowned on this ancient slab, with silver pennies set into the stone to mark the reign of each one.

An ideal way to learn about the town’s past is by opting for a walking tour with Kingston Tour Guides. For a mere �3, you can learn all about the kings and queens as well as the nasty villains that graced the streets of historic Kingston.

Kingston is also within reach of Royal Parks and historic houses — venture further and you’ll fi nd Hampton Court Palace, once home to King Henry VIII.

Once you’ve discovered Kingston’s past, spend some time exploring
its present; the riverside lined with pubs, excellent shopping, and nearby Chessington World Of Adventures and Thorpe Park. Or simply visit one of the town’s many cafes and bars lining the streets. If you’re staying overnight, there’s the riverside development at Charter Quay, packed with restaurants, or The Rotunda Kingston, an entertainment complex with cinema and bowling.

How far? Located in Zone 6 of south-west London, around 12 miles away from central London and approximately 30 minutes by train.

Why go? History and modern-day life come together to give visitors the best of both worlds. What to see? Go on a guided walking tour of Kingston to learn about its rich past, sit in a pub along the riverside or take a boat ride to Hampton Court Palace.

How to get there? Overland train from Waterloo.

What next? T: 020 8547 5757. www.kingston.gov.uk

IMAGE: CHRIS CAPSTICK

W2L WINTER 2009 71