A Guide to the U.K.

Bath

Milton Keynes

Neath

Kidderminster

Crawley

Glasgow

Hull

Swansea: At the top of Cwmdonkin park in the Uplands area of the town. You can see all the way round from Port Talbot to the Mumbles Lighthouse, and Devon on a good day.

Scarborough: It doesn't quite over look the sea, but it is a top bench. It can be found at the top of the McBean(sp?) steps at Scarborough, and is a bench placed there by Jimmy Saville. The story is he was sat in a cafe and saw a bench that had been dedicated to the memory of someone who had died. Sir Jim thought it looked a little lost on its own so he had a bench placed next to it, and as he is not yet dead the dedication reads "Jimmy Saville - not quite yet!"

Whitby: I would suggest the bench(s) atop the cliffs in front of the Abbey at Whitby. Wonderful views over the North Sea in ahead and fantastic views of one of the oldest monastic establishments of the UK behind. Also there is the Count Dracula connection, if you're interested in that sort of thing. To access these benches there is the flight of 101 steps out of the old town or you can drive up, but there is a minor parking charge during the summer months.

Plymouth: Pick any bench along Plymouth Hoe and you get a beautiful view, with battleships and submarines parked in the Sound. Go on a Thursday and you'll see all the HMS's out on their playday.

Bangor: There's a bench in Bangor, on top of the hill to the north of School Road that has a lovelly view over the Menai Straights. Can't remember exactly where as it was dark and I've only been there once.

Kent: The bench half way up the cliff at Bishopstone (on walk between Herne Bay and Reculver Towers - an English Heritage site) is one which gives a beautiful view, taking in not only the sea, but also the recently added windfarm turbines.

Robin Hood's Bay: In between scarborough and whitby, you really should stop at the bench on top of the hill at Robin Hood's Bay. Then go down to the beach and walk the length of it, and back up the hill, stopping off of course for a half pint at the pub at the bottom. I recommend half a pint rather than a pint, not just because I'm a girl, but because you might not make it back up to the bench at the top on a full pint. It's a steep hill.

The University chaplaincy
Verdi's
Cafe cesso
The new upstairs tea rooms in Waterstone's

Sundry facts about red phoneboxes
The 10 best laybys
The best fish and chips (with price guide)
The bookshops with the most haphazard shelving
Favourite railway halts
Nicest tasting swimming pools (this was not my idea)
How many A-roads lead in and out of various towns
Music instrument shops with friendliest staff who let you play with expensive instruments for hours without even the smallest chance you'll buy them
Best hot chocolate purveyers
Most picturesque arcade (in the Victorian, rather than the modern entertainment) sense of the word
Best walks with a decent pub at the end