5 English towns to visit in the summer

A recent BBC article boasted this headline –  “UK summer warmest, driest and sunniest since 2006”. It was amazing…especially considering last summer’s weather; during which I regularly wore my winter sweaters, and my rain coat became my most important coveted object! So when you’re fortunate enough to get some wonderful summer days, here’s my recommendations for places to visit outside of London –

FOR THE SANDY BEACH:  

Bournemouth

Many of the beaches throughout Europe are rocky. Very beautiful – but rocky. As an American who’s used to beaches in New Jersey and Maryland, I love sand! There’s nothing like taking off my shoes and putting my feet down into the soft, smooth sand to make me feel that summer has arrived. If this is how you feel, too, then Bournemouth is the place to go. The seafront town lies on the south coast of England, about a 2 hour train journey from London’s Waterloo station, with a long, fantastic stretch of sandy beach.

Jim and I recently visited during the Bournemouth Air Festival and almost every space of the beach was filled.

FOR THE BEACH ATMOSPHERE & PARTY SCENE: 

Brighton

With an eclectic mix of people and culture, the city of Brighton is a cool place to visit. On one spectrum I’ve enjoyed the peaceful side;  the  great scenery during a bicycle ride from Brighton to coastal towns east, and a leisurely  morning I spent writing at a cafe located on a narrow old street lined with coffee houses and artsy shops. On another spectrum, I  observed the vibrant, party scene – crowded streets, bar fights, empty beer bottles that lined the sidewalks, and some revealing party attire (i.e. a sea of girls in short skirts with fabric barely long enough to cover their butts!).

FOR THE OLD FISHING VILLAGE CHARM:

Weymouth

A seaside town on the south coast in Dorset county, Weymouth is an ideal town to explore on foot, relax on the sandy beach, and eat at your choice of pubs or restaurants along the beautiful harbor pathways.

Weymouth harbor area

Whitstable

Renowned for its famous oysters, Whitstable is a quaint fishing town in the Kent area of England. An ideal place to enjoy a walk through the local shops and along the coastal paths where you can enjoy some oysters and Whitstable Brewery beer.

FOR HISTORICAL CHARM & LONG WALKS:

Rye

Start your day walking the  Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, where there a number of pathways you can choose that will guide you along pleasant routes bordered next to the river Rother.

Rye Harbuor paths

Later, back in the town of Rye (3 miles away from Rye Harbour), you can admire the old architecture, go for an afternoon tea, have a pint in the pub (I recommend The Ship Inn or the Ypres Castle Inn), and browse through small independent shops and pubs throughout the town.  Don’t miss the climb up to the top of St. Mary’s Church Tower to see the 450 year old clock. At the top, you have a beautiful 360 degree view of the town below!

Rye from the top of St. Mary’s Church Tower