Willow Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Interesting list in daily mail of Top 50 things to do in Britain http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2607636/The-50-things-Britain-lifetime.html I'd agree with some of these but there are others I'd put that aren't on the list (1) Taking small children to feed the ducks (2) Attend Henley Regatta (3) Row a boat (i don't mean the 4's and 8's just a dinghy) (4) Go to a football match (not done this yet) (5) Go to a rugby match (6) See the mummies in the British Museum (7) See the dinosaurs in Natural history museum And I'm sure if I thought about it for 5 more mins I'd come up with loads more Picking Blackberries would have to go on... What would you put on your list of top things to do in Britain ? Ideally free or cheap or do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I've done about 14 of those but there are a few that I don't think I'd ever do. What would be on my list? Go round a National Trust property A bonfire and fireworks event on 5th November (a proper one with jacket potatoes and sausages!) Go to beer festival Visit a cathedral I think I'd put 'village green cricket match' above going to a test match Go to a West End musical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I've done 13, and agree there are some I wouldn't want to. Here are a few I'd add: Cycle to the seaside for ice cream Go strawberry picking Go on a nature trail Investigate rock pools Fly a kite on a hillside Lift some veg at an allotment Visit welsh castles (particularly Castell Coch) Visit roman ruins Cuddle a hen Olly, you've added some great ones there! And I've done them all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I would add go underground as in caves. I've done three I think: Cheddar Gorge Heights of Abraham Honister slate mine. Honister is my absolute favourite, apart from the geology, it has some pretty cool jewellery in the shop and a Via Ferrata that I might be brave enough to try one day. If you have teens you want to challenge then get them on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I've only done 8 but lots of them aren't that handy for those in Scotland. I would add these (they're obviously a bit Scotland-biased!) 1. Visit Eilean Donan castle (and the Isle of Skye while you're there) 2. Visit Scottish castles (once you've visited the Welsh ones ) 3. Go to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 4. Visit Mary Kings Close in Edinburgh 5. Visit Shetland 6. Visit Sutherland - less touristy than John O'Groats! I could go on but I already sound like a Scottish Tourist Board employee . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Yes ANH tattoo a must,it was on my bucket list and we went two years ago.Edinburgh was lovely.Love to visit Shetlands,like a lot who have watched TV show,scenery looks lovely.Prob a bit like Ireland,bring a warm coat....in August Isn't it lovely how the simple things in life are the best as everyone says,blackberry picking,feeding ducks etc.I am in Normandy for Easter and feeling quite homesick!This has happened recently on holiday ( maybe its old age?)so we got a touring caravan as I thought I would feel happier with own stuff when away,but it doesn't seem to be working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Re your number 2. Sad to report that despite being born & bred in Henley, I have never attended the Regatta proper. I have however jostled on the sidelines, got roaring drunk, abused the hoorays & had my pink mohican photographed for a national paper in my youth..does that count? (in my older years now, I must admit that I would never, never ever attend it now) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Strangely, I have attended Henley Regatta . When I was a student and visiting a friend in London, the friend I was with got us in because she knew some rowers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 Caves what a wonderful suggestion! I went to cheddar gorge as a child but I've never taken my boys. To my shame i've never been to Scotland I have a list of things to do now. Simple things are often the best I've done a lot of work travel in the past and air travel is not fun these days anyway but put me on a ferry and I'm transported back to being an excited child My eldest will be leaving home in Sept and we asked our boys what they want to do as family holiday this summer. They both wanted to go camping in Devon and body boarding as we didn't manage to go last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Sledging down a local hill Sailing a model boat on a lake Playing conkers (or acorns) Walking in the Peak District A "99" on a sunny day Making bread Sunday roast As other people have said, simple things keep us happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 What a sad indictment that imagination runs out so quickly that "try a deep fried Mars Bar" and "watch Only Fools and Horses" are in the top 50. I also wonder what the respondees wanted to gain from fulfilling their respective bucket lists. For me, a bucket list should help to open my eyes, broaden my mind, or enrich my life in some way, culturally, emotionally, spiritually or otherwise. The Ffestiniog Railway would certainly earn its place, for instance, but "having a pint in the Rover's Return" is just chewing gum for the soul; not necessarily unpleasant, but intensely superficial. I'm happy to say the same affliction doesn't seem to affect people here; all the suggestions on this thread would definitely earn their place (although there are several I wouldn't want to do - like caving - they're certainly not superficial). To the list, I'll add the suggestion of taking a holiday at home. In other words, spend a week doing all the touristy or cultural things you would normally do on holiday, but do them in your local area, returning home each evening. We've done this a few times, and it's amazing how little you find you really know about the area in which you live. Hobby horse.....DisMOUNT parade ground voice> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted April 23, 2014 Author Share Posted April 23, 2014 Major "chewing gum for the soul" what a wonderful expression Sarah, I included Henley Regatta as I think it is quintessentially genteel British and the non British part of me feels a bit like a anthropologist observing foreign social rituals . I particularly like that there are still standards on the dress code, I find the sight of old men squeezed into their old school rowing blazers delightfully absurd and the bowler hatted ancient stewards in Stewards enclosure rather wonderful. The whole thing including the picnic in the car park complete with tables, chairs, tablecloths, vases of flowers and full silverware including candelabra is just wonderfully British. The rowers are also very easy on the eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I'd add: Take a walk on a PROPER beach (by which I mean, one that's quiet, where dogs are allowed off lead all year round, with rock pools and big waves!) Watch dolphins from Chanonry Point (sp?) near Inverness Family picnics anywhere, but specially somewhere that's totally silent other than birds singing, waterfall etc Spend time in a caravan when it's raining - I LOVE the sound of the raindrops on the roof! Go for a walk in a good forest in autumn and scuff about in the leaves! Fossling Grow Your Own (I guess that's not specific to Britain, but it's still essential!) even just some basil seeds on the window ledge! Paddling (in the sea or a nice clear stream!) Crabbing! ... I could go on!!! (As someone has already said, feeding the ducks is ESSENTIAL!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
