http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30931 Tip 2: Book three weeks off work.
Tip 3: Use internet auction site to buy a cheap diesel estate.
Tip 4: Buy ferry crossing.
Tip 5: Pack car, include a tent.
Tip 6: Set off and plan where to go when you get on the ferry.
Tip 7: Don't make the first leg of your journey Leeds to Berlin - it's too far.
Tip 8: Head as far east as you can, if a country's not in the Euro then it will be cheaper.
Tip 9: Going to the various major cities along the danube is a good idea, Prague, Krakow and Budapest all have camp sites reasonably close to the city centre.
Tip 10: make sure you've got an extra couple of days off work when you get back, you'll need a break after the driving.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30931 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25540 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25540 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25530 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25530 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25299 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25299 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25266 www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/nu/-devon/684126113096767600]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25266 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25264 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25264 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25265 The route levels out and the camel estuary opens to the riders right with glimpses of the open sea on the later parts of the route.
Before this, the famous,award winning, camel vineyards, may(on boxing day?)offer inspiration for wine purchases for the new year celebrations.
Padstow ,with it's beautiful views towards the beautiful beaches of Rock and harbour side pubs,is a welcoming prospect.
Richard Tassell]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25263 wonderful ancient university town south of Milan; there, using one of the few bridges spanning the Ticino, I go west to San Marino
Siccomario before then heading north again, this time riding towards Vigevano. For those who have never been there - Vigevano is famous for its Piazza Ducale (the Duke's Square), a beautiful renaissance ensemble with a lot of cafes in the arcades. This is where I will have a cup of Cappuccino (or a hot chocolate) before heading back to Abbiategrasso. I hope to have burned enough fat during the past four or five hours to be ready for the Boxing Day dinner...


Here's the route on bikemap.net:

www.bikemap.net/route/358624]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25263 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25262
The Manifold Track in the Peak District provides a perfect ride along a picturesque Staffordshire valley. It’s a disused railway track, so there are no difficult gradients – and there is car parking at either end (Waterhouses at the south and Hulme End at the north). Although it’s a linear route, viewing the scenery from a different direction makes the the return journey just as interesting – and there are pubs close to each end of the track!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25262 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25261 maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=sandbanks%20ferry). After the five minute journey across the mouth of Poole Harbour it’s a pleasantly flat start flanking the yellow curves and dunes of Shell Bay and Studland, eventually climbing up and over the viewpoint by the Isle of Purbeck Golf Course, where you can take in the panorama of Studland Heath, Poole Harbour and the surrounding area (unless you’ve got your head down!).

 

Carry straight on the B3351, which climbs and descends a few times, to the villageof CorfeCastle (maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=corfe%20castle); when you reach the castle itself, turn left and cycle clockwise round it, climbing out of the village. Now comes the strenuous bit; after half a mile or so take a right on to the B3069 to Kingston Hill - a very steep and winding tree-lined road leads up the hillside to the Scott Arms at the top. Carry on out of Kingston, then after a mile or so take a right to Worth Matravers; if you started your ride mid to late morning then the Square and Compass (squareandcompasspub.co.uk/) should just about be open for a lunchtime pint and a pie (both guaranteed to be of exceptional quality).

 

After that, it’s a long fast descent down through the picturesque Purbeck villageof Langton Matravers(www.langtonia.org.uk/) and on to Swanage seafront, where you take a left along Shore Road, gently threading your way past the Boxing Day walkers, with the beach on your right. Climb back out of Swanage, past the pubs and hotels, and make your way back through Studland village and the return journey on to the ferry.

 

The entire journey is just under thirty miles and should only take a couple of hours’ worth of actual cycling. If you’re feeling both fit and adventurous the Purbecks can offer a number of off-road variations to this route, taking in most of the locations described, although time-wise it could take twice as long, depending on the course you choose.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25261 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25260 From South Shields head west and meet any other riders at the Tyne Tunnel 'pedestrian' entrance (more info here:www.bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/tyneped.html).

Come out of the tunnel and turn right.  Follow the cycle route up the slight incline and bear right.  Cross the road after about 500 metres and go along the side of Percy Main Cricket Ground.  Pick up the cycle way and continue straight on, following cycle way marked '10' - part of the Reivers Route.  Continue for around five miles and as you hit a new cycle way turn off the route '10' heading north easterly to East Hollywell.  Head down the farm track and follow the track into Hollywell village, tacking a right had turn into Holywell Dene Road. The road turns into track after about 100 metres and after a further 400 metres turn right onto the old railway track, a few miles on you reach a road where you turn right and pass Seaton Deleval Hall, a national Trust property of some granduer (see www.seatondelaval.org.uk/Hall.html).  Continue down into Seaton Sluice for great views of the sea and the spot where Robson Green says he learned to swim!  We usually stop at the Waterford Arms (www.waterfordarms.co.uk/) which does great fish and chips.
From here its south all the way, following Route 1 and the coastline. Past the spectacular St Mary's lighthouse and on to Tynemouth Priory, the burial place of three English Kings, though I can never remember which ones.  From here it's best to head for the Ferry and avoid any traffic.  The ferry runs every 15 minutes and takes you into the heart of South Shields, two minutes from the market square.  There's a great pub called the Allum House right next to the ferry landing but I'll be giving it a miss - just because if I stop off there on Boxing Day I might not want to leave!

A good ride of about 25 miles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25260 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25259 Head towards Haverhill on the A1017. Turn right onto Ashen Road and then right into Tilbury Road. Weave along this narrow strip of tarmac for three-quarters of a mile before turning left at a sharp right-hand bend. Immediately on the right are 14 moss-covered steps.
These steps lead to an area now given over to a small group of modern houses. But 64 years ago they led to a site that was once the headquarters of the US Army Air Force 381st Bomb Group based at Station 167 RAF Ridgewell.
Continue up the narrow hill between steeply banked hedgerows and follow the lane to its end. You now reach the wide plateau on which RAF Ridgewell was originally built. At the end of the lane, turn left. The road you are now following led somewhere entirely different during the Second World War as it was originally a taxiway used by British and American bombers to reach intersecting runways before heading off to Nazi Germany.
Follow the road's acute angles, passing Essex Gliding Club on the right. Directly ahead is an iron gate. Beyond this (on what is now private property) sat two hangars which were eventually demolished during the 1970s. It was inside one of these that Bing Crosby briefly entertained the US troops.
Descending slightly, you arrive in the small parish of Ashen with its 15th century buildings and royal connection (Lionel, son of King Edward III, is known to have been one of its residents). Turn left into The Street and follow its course. On exiting Ashen's western edge, watch the vista open up ahead to reveal undulating farmland.
Follow the road until it reaches its conclusion in Ridgewell. Turn left and follow the A1017 to the southern edge of the village. On the right hand side is the 18th century White Horse Inn. It was here that many of the wartime servicemen drank to forget their troubles. It now serves as a peaceful reminder of a time and place that should never be forgotten.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25259 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25258
Mountain bike required
Level: intermediate/difficult in places
1.5 hours
Park at the Inn at Whitewell (53.917584, -2.521362)

Head north on the road towards Dunsop Bridge. After a mile take a left onto the road immediately after crossing Burholme Bridge. The gradient steepens considerably and you pass one farm entrance on your right. After half a mile, towards the top of the hill is a second farm track on the right with a cattle grid and a bridleway sign. (53.916567, -2.53943).
The road snakes and undulates for a third of a mile. Just after the hen huts on your left make sure you bear right on the road where the left fork takes you to a farm.
After another 200 metres the bridleway should be signposted to your right, guiding you right up a great little climb through a conifer forest
On exiting the woodland the conditions change again, initially to open moor singletrack and then to a semi-technical descent down a rocky path incorporating one or two stream crossings.
At the bottom of the descent navigation isn't all that easy but you should be able to pick out the track as it crosses rough grazing land heading up towards a gate in the corner of the field (53.937874, -2.546529).
This is the top of the ride and a good time to replenish on snacks if you manage to find shelter from the inevitable wind.
Passing through the gate, you head diagonally right for 500 metres, the sketchy track becoming more defined as it turns right and begins the descent.
The descent itself is a real surprise, the track leads you down through undulating pasture where the grass is so tightly grazed it's more like carpet. The geological humps and bumps of the field present too great a pull and you end up abandoning the track altogether until you arrive at the farm at Hareden next to a brook.
You then have to make a decision, head back the way you came and enjoy it all in reverse or turn right onto the public road back towards Dunsop Bridge and the Inn at Whitewell.

Finally to the inn, dry yourself in front of one of the open fires while soaking up the jaw dropping views, the newspapers and of course the real ale. Only leave the two club chairs by the door, they're reserved.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25257 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25257 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16406
Those looking for a hotel-style accommodation with hostel prices, this is the one. Been going there since 1998 and makes part of why Berlin is so special to me! Has nice big rooms and cosy art deco style. So good, even real Germans stay there. Also has very nice and comfortable cafe adjoining it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16406 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16392 The war tour the hostel operates is a must (if not to be taken with a pinch of salt) and helps you truly understand the importance of the place.
The setting of the hostel is great, with a bakery next door and the markets and cafes sprawling off the square all close by.
The guests enrich themselves during the day and enjoy themselves in the evening - the hill behind the hostel, where the final scene of ‘Welcome to Sarajevo’ was filmed is a great spot for some alfresco rakia drinking.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16392 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16391 The downstairs basement bar has a set of decks in the corner, permanently prepared for impromptu parties…that seem to take place nightly.
For a bunch of arty ravers, they put together a cracking continental(ish) breakfast, served in a basement room covered in top notch wall art.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16390 They screen films pretty much all day on to a projector screen in the lounge, have barbecues on the front porch, and the staff will frequently lead guests off to their favourite bars.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16390 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16389
The 24-hour bar (essentially a fridge) and adjoining lounge are great to meet people and play some free pool. It’s a party place as well, so expect to have some messy evenings. A little bit of a mission to find, but definitely worth it. AND make sure you do a shot of Unicum at the bar. Medicinal apparently. Can't really remember.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16389