Hi, I'm Alex, a travel writer based in London, I love writing about travel as much as traveling itself. I’m a scrappy researcher, and a hoarder of info, whether it's trivial or mind-blowing. I get a lot of joy doing justice to worthwhile places, and I’m always excited to share the stories behind them.
I have a real affection for Tarragona in Catalonia, from the golden sandy beaches to the mountains. I love Hamburg and its harbour and many waterways, especially in spring. And I'll always be drawn to the rolling countryside in the south of England, especially Wiltshire. I'll go anywhere with a great art museum, and ruins, ancient or medieval.
In a region of heavy industry, Warrington ballooned during the 1960s when it was earmarked as a “New Town”. Manufacturing is still a big local employer in Warrington, but as with much of England, services have taken over from the old factories and there’s plentiful open space ensured by a “green belt”. Warrington has some …
In the early 19th century Cromer, long known for the high quality of its crab, became a getaway for affluent families, and in 1815 was mentioned by Jane Austen in Emma. Cromer is a town of dainty gardens and ornate Victorian houses and hotels, and on its beach is a pier with the UK’s most …
A harbour town on the North Cornwall coast, Padstow sits snugly in the Camel Estuary. Now a magnet for tourists, the port was a centre of trade for centuries, and the base for a lucrative pilchard industry in the 1800s. Holidaymakers flock to beaches on the estuary and the Atlantic coast, where newbie surfers can …
Thirty miles northwest of Central London, Luton grew dramatically in the 20th century, and its town centre is filled with functional architecture from this time. Most travellers heading to Luton will bypass the town completely on the way to the international airport. But there’s a surprising amount to see and do in the town and …
A cosy market town and tourist escape, Bakewell is in the White Peak in the southeast of the Peak District National Park. The town is a springboard for two of the England’s most celebrated stately homes. Chatsworth House is the magnificent seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, replete with art and often voted the country’s …
A market town and tourist getaway, Kendal lies in the Kent Valley under the eastern fells of the Lake District. The town’s cottages, mansions and old traces of industry are built from rusticated limestone with a solemn grey tone, earning Kendal the nickname Auld Grey Town. In the Lake District, walking trips have to be …
Steeped in history, the city of Lancaster has royal ties stretching back to the House of Lancaster in Medieval times. Under the title of Duke of Lancaster, Queen Elizabeth II still has large holdings in this picturesque patch of Northwest England. Lancaster has a sophisticated character that comes partly from the local pale sandstone used …
At the eastern flank of the Peak District National Park, Matlock is a town famed for its Victorian spa and the spinning industry launched by Sir Richard Arkwright in the 18th century. The Derwent Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and within minutes you’ll be at the Cromford Mills, where Arkwright invented the modern …
Inverness means “Mouth of the River Ness” in Gaelic. This city lies within the Great Glen and is the northernmost city of the UK. It is also one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, where the people are really warm and welcoming. Inverness has a wide variety of magnificent places to visit including the historic buildings …
This New Town in Shropshire has lots to keep you inspired, especially if you’re fascinated by England’s industrial past. Telford is a jumping off point for the World Heritage Ironbridge Gorge, where Quaker entrepreneurs kick-started the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. On the vertiginous banks of the River Severn are old mines, blast furnaces …