UK Archives - Planet Whitley

The best place to shop in Manchester

Affleck’s in the Northern Quarter is often regarded as the best place to shop in Manchester. But there’s a strong argument for the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, too. Shopping in Manchester’s Northern Quarter Manchester’s Northern Quarter is renowned for its bars and restaurants, but…

England, Manchester, shopping, UK

Inside the John Rylands Library, Manchester.

How to get into Manchester’s Rylands Library if you’re not a student

There’s no entrance fee to go inside Manchester’s John Rylands Library, but opening hours are limited for this Victorian wonder. Manchester’s most enjoyable heritage building? In Manchester, much of the history leans towards the industrial side of things. This is why the John Rylands Library…

England, Manchester, UK

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.

Fascinating naval origins of common expressions in Greenwich

Pushing the boat out at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich One of the unexpected delights of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, is learning where certain phrases come from. The Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery of the museum focuses a lot on Navy life…

England, Greenwich, language, London, museums, UK

A perfect day in Edinburgh: 24 hour travel guide

An ideal 24 hours in Edinburgh includes climbing Arthur’s Seat, the Royal Mile without the crowds and a ghost tour at Real Mary King’s Close. Why Edinburgh is worth visiting Edinburgh’s a rare character - both instantly loveable and fascinatingly complex. Age has bestowed distinguished…

Edinburgh, itinerary, Scotland, UK

The cheapest night to stay in London

Sunday is the cheapest night to stay in London. The cost of a four star hotel room can be less than half price when compared to a midweek stay. And here’s the proof… Bringing down the cost of visiting London A couple of days in…

accommodation, England, hotels, London, UK

Pubs and poems | Edinburgh literary pub tour review

The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour combines beers in historic Edinburgh pubs with stories about Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Poetry in the Beehive Inn, Grassmarket In the upstairs room of the Beehive Inn on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, a gathered crowd sits utterly…

Edinburgh, literature, Scotland, tours, UK

The best weather for visiting Thorpe Park

If you want to avoid crowds and long queues at Thorpe Park, take a close look at the weather forecast before booking tickets. The best time to visit Thorpe Park The best time to visit Thorpe Park is when heavy rain is forecast. To most…

England, London, theme parks, UK

How to get on the Harry Potter Studios Tour when tickets have sold out

Harry Potter Studios Tour tickets often sell out. But there is often next day availability on packaged tours from London to the Warner Bros Studio. Advance booking Harry Potter Studios Tour tickets For many fans of JK Rowling’s schoolboy wizard, doing the Harry Potter Studios…

England, Harry Potter, London, tours, UK

Alongside the Water of Leith in the Dean Village.

Dean Village: Edinburgh’s secret, scenic escape

The historic mills, green gully location near the New Town and quirky monuments make Dean Village a beautiful escape from the crowds in Edinburgh. Escaping the crowds in Edinburgh Particularly in August during the Fringe Festival, Edinburgh can get overcrowded and overwhelming. Many visitors find…

Edinburgh, neighbourhoods, Scotland, UK

National Museum of Scotland review: The bit to visit first

With limited time at the National Museum of Scotland, the Beginnings and Early People sections are the best bet for first time visitors. How big is the National Museum of Scotland The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is a vast attraction, spread over nine…

Edinburgh, museums, reviews, Scotland, UK