Northumberland

Beadnell Bay

Follow the path from Beadnell village and you get to Beadnell Bay sweeping towards ruined Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance. The beach is backed by an 18th century harbour wall and rugged dunes, and although it is on the east coast it actually faces west, making it a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Suffolk

Southwold Beach

There is a decidedly retro appeal to this one, the pretty multicoloured huts lined up on the beach are so quaint they make you want to put on a frilly-skirted swimming costume and pack a wicker picnic hamper full of ham sandwiches and lashings of ginger beer. The beach itself is a breezy stretch of golden sand with the chi-chi town of Southwold just behind it.

East Sussex

Camber Sands

In the 50s, Camber Sands on the South coast was the epitome of kiss-me-quick seaside fun but recently it has been reborn as a cool resort. Is sunny aspect and sweeping golden dunes make it popular backdrop for fashion shoots when the budget's too tight for Miami. It has also played a supporting role in films (notably standing in for the Sahara in Carry on, Follow that came!)

Bristol

Airport

The Bristol International Flyer connects the airport to Temple Meads train station, Bristol Bus station and Clifton, with stops around the city.

Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is an ancient and beautiful medieval stepped hill flanked by independent shops, galleries and cafes.

Migrations is a world music festival running through the year at St George's Bristol. Enjoy films, talks, exhibitions and music events with global artists appearing alongside the best of Bristol's diverse local talent.

The lively neighbourhood of Southville lies south of the centre. Seek out North Street for trendy shops and cafes.

Day trip

Slimbridge. Discover the world's largest collection of swans, geese and ducks at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Slimbridge of Bristol. Up the road is the village of Berkeley, home to Berkeley Castle and Edward Jenner Museum.

Windsor

Weymouth

Oxford

The university of Oxford is made up of a large number of colleges all of which having been established separately and at different times, enjoy a considerable measure of independence. Christ Church is the largest of the colleges and the buildings at Merton College are among the oldest in the city.