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Popular with Liverpool locals, especially gap year and arty types, the Egg does great vegan food, reasonably priced and really tasty. The caff 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!
Top Floor
16-18 Newington
Liverpool
Merseyside
0151 707 2755
Cobbled streets, tiny whitewashed cottages tumbling down to a massive expanse of beach, seagulls wheeling - Robin Hood's Bay is a haven of peace. Walk along the cliffs towards Ravenscar, shimmering in the distance, the moors rising above the headland, cloaked in heather. Stroll back along the sands, where there are rock pools and fossils - a happy hunting ground for grown ups and kids.
The light is pearlescent - and the fish & chips at The Bay Hotel very good indeed.
Half a mile of golden sand, and stretching a good distance back to the cliff slopes. Ideal for an afternoon in the sun, swimming and with a wonderful surf - it's one of the UK Surfing Championship locations. In the cooler months it's perfect for walking, jogging and sport; you'll even catch the Toon training there on occasions.
Tynemouth is an old village bursting with charm and history. Located at the mouth of the River Tyne, (surprisingly!), ten miles east of Newcastle it is easily accesible by the local Metro service or car.
Stunning golden sand gently shelving - safe for kids.
West Wales Pembrokeshire.
One of many beautiful green spaces in this city of surprises. Great place for a walk, game of frisby or just to sit and watch the world go by. In the summer they run 'Bard in the Botanics' so you can waste away an entire evening in the company of some of theatre's greatest characters.
For all those who think Glasgow is a grey, dull and depressing excuse for a city - be prepared to have your socks very pleasantly knocked off.
In the West End, at the top of Byres Road.
Firstly, one of THE best looking neo Gothic buildings in the world - a truly magnificent piece of architecture, on a street packed with architectural gems.
Once inside, you'll find everything from Holbein to Hockney with everything in between.
It's also a great place for kids with regular activities aimed at the little artist in the family (and you don't have to be a master to join in - my two year old loves it!)
William Brown Street
Simply the finest fish and chips in the country. If the fish were any fresher it would be flapping on your plate. The portions are massive, the mushy peas reassuringly green and you eat off real formica tables. Tea, bread and butter accompany your order. It doesn't get any better than this.
Marshall's, Tynemouth, North East of England.
Tynemouth is around 8 miles east of Newcastle
Always packed, great quality fish suppers. Queue for a takeout and then eat it outside by the harbour or wait for a table inside.
Pittenweem, the neighbouring village also has a great place, too.
Anstruther, East Neuk, Fife
anstrutherfishbar.com/
Upstairs or downstairs, both are a charm. Downstairs holds the exceptional restaurant and upstairs belongs to the more laid-back bar.
Fabulous selection of wine and whiskies and much better than the rest of the G1 guff that populates much of Glasgow's bar scene.
www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk
Nearest Underground station: Hillhead, and then literally around the corner to the West End's famous Ashton Lane - all fairy lights and cobbled street!
It is a small, cosy, beautifully thought out bar on Queen Street away from the crowds of George Street. Lovely generous cocktail menu, gorgeous friendly staff, perfect lighting, comfy seats and cocktail menus bound inside the shells of literary gems (the guts of which went to a good home). It's the attention to detail which stands out here.
Weekends see decent house music played by friends and guests. Just don't tell anyone you don't like about it.
Queen St, Edinburgh
A wonderful, casual cafe with excellent food at reasonable prices. It is located in the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square, access off Duncannon Street. Profits from the cafe stay at St Martin-in-the-Fields and help to support, among other things, it's care of the homeless and vulnerable.
St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, England
www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/page/cafe/crypt/crypt.html
Plonked in the middle of the road, the Temple pub was once a public toilet, and can probably accomodate no more than 20 people at a time. Owned by the same people who run Big Hands - an aftervenue for the Manchester Academy - the Temple attracts an arty crowd of the long hair, stubble and Spanish music variety.
Great Bridgewater Street, 0161 228 9834
Fantastic beer bar with a great juke box, a nice beer garden and friendly, freaky staff. Best toasties in town.
Swan Street, Manchester not far from Piccadilly and Victoria.
The best no frills curry cafe in the city centre. Rice, 3 vegetable curies and naan for under £4. The food is always freshly cooked and delicious. Follow it with a drink at the Odd Bar or Bay Horse further along the street.
Thomas Street, city centre
Kitted out in the finest Bollywood kitsch, this restaurant does one thing but does it well - thali. There's live music on Sunday evenings and they operate a tiffin takeout system, which explains why Montpelier residents keep coming and going with insulated take-away towers.
12 York Road, Montpelier BS6 5QE;
tel: 0117 942 6687;
www.onestopthali.co.uk
This restuarant offers wonderful Spanish/North African cooking. The tapas menu is delicious, with simple, flavoursome dishes that allow each ingredient to speak for itself.
34-36 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE
tel: 020 7833 8336;
Downstairs there is a bar and cafe with a decent menu to choose from and bean bags to recline in. Upstairs there is exhibition space for artists and a theatre. On the third Sunday of every month there is an ever popular market selling local and organic produce. Architect George Ferguson's salvage and renovation of this building has done a great deal to revive this part of south Bristol. A great place to visit for those with an interest in urban regeneration or who may just fancy a bevvy.
Raleigh Road, Southville BS3 1TF;
tel: 0117 963 0960
www.tobaccofactory.com
The matador, chicken of aragon, thai chook, the heidi. A pie revolution has sprung out of Stokes Croft. Pies so good that they're now able to boast being the sole pie supplier to Harvey Nichols. Minty mushy peas, mash and gravy are compulsory.
24 Stokes Croft
www.pieminister.co.uk
A lovely out-of-town place with a wonderful pub, The Cramond Inn, which has a big beer garden and parking space, and serves loads of good and traditional food for really good prices and has also drinks from a small, independent brewery Scintilla and spectacular beers and ales.
Its near the wonderful seaside promenade, with about 45 min if walked in full.
The path to Cramond Island is only walkable when the tide is out, so take some water with you in case you'll get trapped there with the tide rushing in.
Nice for doggies, kiddies and their owners as there is a big beach, too.
Take bus no 41 directly to Cramond or 42 to first walk the seaside promenade to Cramond;
Cramond Inn: 30 Cramond Glebe Road, EH4 6NP;
tel: 0131 336 2035;
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/cramond/index.html
A warren of underground streets and houses hidden beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Costumed guides take you around this amazing site, revealing the stories of the former residents. Very eerie and supposedly very haunted. Great for adults and older kids alike.
Mary King's Close, off the Royal Mile;
Bookings: 08702 430 160;
www.realmarykingsclose.com
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