'Leaving from London' getaways: Bath

This series will cover a range of UK-based trips that are relatively easy to take from London.

Bath has been a destination for relaxation since the Roman times. People flocked here to chill out way before it was even called ‘Bath’. It’s the OG getaway from London, some might say. Okay, only I’m saying it, but maybe it’ll catch on?

The city lies a two- to three-hour drive from London, or a 90-minute train ride from London Paddington. It’s perfect for a range of travel companions: as a couple, with family, with friends - I’ve done all three over the years - or as a solo traveller. There are many beauty spots around the city, so grab your camera and get snapping!

Roman Baths

Let’s start with the big ‘un and the reason the city has its name in the first place. The Roman Baths were constructed around 70AD and were a place for people to socialise while relaxing in the thermal waters. Today, you can explore the baths with a guide or audio guide; you can’t swim in them anymore, but you can head to the nearby Thermae Bath Spa to recreate the Roman experience. I originally visited the baths as a teenager, and I’m yet to visit the spa, so that’s one on the list for the next trip!

Royal Crescent

The Royal Crescent is a beautiful road, shaped in a crescent (obvs), lined with Georgian houses. It is set around a large green where many people have picnics and walk their dogs. We visited under the crisp January sun, and followed our visit with a walk further along the path, passing an array of fancy houses and little gardens.

Pulteney Bridge

I’ve visited Pulteney Bridge on every trip I’ve taken to Bath so far, often finding a spot nearby that overlooks the bridge and Pulteney Weir. While the water feature looks pretty cool, it was actually created to serve a functional purpose: originally helping to drive the water wheels and power mills, and today, it helps regulate water levels. In the area surrounding the bridge, you’ll find greenery and some Georgian archways, perfect from an impromptu photoshoot!

The Pump Room Restaurant

With its high ceilings, glittering chandelier and grandfather clock, The Pump Room is a lavish affair. I dined on a delicious afternoon tea here, but there is a varied seasonal menu too. There is also the opportunity to taste the spa water from the fountain (though this is closed during Covid times), and the chance to listen to a live pianist while you dine. A real Jane Austen-style experience.

Bath Abbey

The city’s church is beautiful both inside and out. It was originally founded in the seventh century, but was rebuilt over the centuries, most recently in the 1860s (lol, yeah, so recent!) Its grand columns and frescoes ceilings are truely something to be marvelled at, and the exterior is equally as spellbinding.

Final notes

On my next visit - yep, I’ll be back for visit number 5 at some point soon - I intend to visit the Jane Austen Museum and the Thermae Spa, as well as revisit the Roman Baths. Look out for updates to this post.

'Leaving from London' getaways: Lake District

This series will cover a range of UK-based trips that are relatively easy to take from London.

A getaway to ‘the lakes’ is synonymous with a fun-filled break, combining relaxing strolls and water activities with hikes and hearty food. Many countries have their own version of ‘the lakes’ and the UK is no exception.

The Lake District is a bit of a trek from London - about five hours’ drive and roughly the same via train with multiple changes - but so worth it when you arrive. Glittering, clear waters punctuated with mountain ranges; you’ll feel like you’re in another country, especially when compared with the concrete jungle of London.

The entire national park spans an area of 2,362 km², so you’ll need a few trips to see it all (or, you know, a sabbatical from work). I’ll keep adding to this list as I visit more and more areas.

Lake Windermere

Windermere

The largest natural lake in the national park - and country - and the first one I visited. We stayed in Bowness-on-Windermere, where we could take an easy 10-or-so-minute walk down to the waterside each day, passing a lovely cafe with an outdoor area. Which we sat in. In November. We cray. However, the heaters were warming, and the hospitality even warmer.

As it was off-peak season, we did many long walks rather than high octane activities. We walked down towards Parson Wyke, snapping photos as we went, and also caught a ferry to the other side of the water to explore the woodland paths between Claife Heights and Wray Castle.

Another attraction we visited, though located away from the lake, was The World of Beatrix Potter, a museum about the writer and her characters, with statues, recreations and a garden. I loved Peter Rabbit as a child, and the big kid in me and my friend loved the visit.

Windermere

Ullswater

Pooley Bridge to Gale Bay walk

The second largest lake in the Lake District is Ullswater, and this time, I visited in May - though you wouldn’t have known it given the need for jumpers, coats and even a wooly hat on one of the days! Walks are the name of the game here, with routes ranging from flat, chilled lake-side meanders to intense hikes with scrambling required. We did both.

Given the weather forecast, we made the most of the sun on our day of arrival and enjoyed the leisurely Pooley Bridge to Gale Bay walk. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Switzerland with the icy-blue water surrounded by various-sized mountains. It’s a nice, easy, short walk with plenty of pretty views and opportunities for skipping stones.

In comparision, the hike up Helvellyn was not easy or short, but it was nice! The third-highest mountain in the area, Helvellyn has multiple routes and we opted for one of the harder ones as a birthday challenge. Thankfully, we had many snack stops along the way to refuel and, of course, I had to stop to properly take in the gorgeous view around us… definitely just stopping for that, not as ruse for a little rest…

At the base of Helvellyn

We had every weather under the sun on that climb: dry with a little sun, pouring rain and even snow once we got to the top. I was absolutely spent by the time we got to around 200m from the bottom on our return trip and had to be bribed with the promise of cake and rum as not to just set up camp and sleep in the mountains. However, I am so happy we conquered it!

Bassenthwaite Lake

Halfway to Dodd Summit

During that same May stay, we also embarked on a hike through Dodd Wood to reach Dodd Summit, which lies on the right bank of Bassenthwaite Lake. The incline was less intense than Helvellyn - thankfully, given that I left the snacks in the car - but still a good few hours and rather rewarding. We did a spot of orienteering with our map and phone compass too. Unfortunately, due to the weather, we saw nothing but cloud once we reached the top, but nonetheless, snapped a photo at the summit sign. Between the woodland and the views on the way up though, I almost felt I was back in the Blue Mountains, just with different types of trees, and more layers of clothing on my body.

Check back for more updates to this piece as I visit more lakes in the area.

'Leaving from London' getaways: York

This series will cover a range of UK-based trips that are relatively easy to take from London.

While I love travelling (obviously - it is the basis of this blog) and can live out of a suitcase for weeks on end, I also enjoy having my home comforts around me embarking on a day trip strikes the perfect balance: the excitement of discovering a new city, but the familiarity of returning home - plus the convenience of not needing to drag a suitcase or hold all about. I’ve been known to do day trips to the likes of Paris and Brussels, but this time we’ll focus on a city a little closer to home: York.

Around a two-hour direct journey from Kings Cross (not unlike Paris or Brussels actually, lol), York offers historical landmarks, delightful afternoon teas and a plethora of Harry Potter stores. If you decide to take a trip for the day, here are some top tips, so you can make the most of your time:

Arrive early

I chose to get one of the earliest trains to really maximise my time. One of the first places I visited was the famous Shambles, which had barely another human strolling down its cobblestones at that time of the morning. I was able to admire the 14th-century, sloping buildings without having to dodge other tourists; the same could not be said for a few hours later!

The Shambles - a few hours’ later!

Strap on your trainers

The city is relatively small - well, for a Londoner, anyway - so you may opt to explore on foot. A stroll along the city walls is a must do while you’re here. York has been a walled city since roughly 71 AD, and while the ones you’ll walk are a little more recent, they’re still pretty old: we’re talking 12th to 14th century. You’ll get views of the whole city, and pass through both old and newer areas.

City wall strolls

Clifford’s Tower is another spot that should be on your walking list. Now, don’t be decieved by the car park it finds itself in today; it is one of the city’s most iconic historical structures. Also known as York Castle, the building sits atop a steep hill, but you won’t need your hiking boots as there are stairs straight up - 55 of ‘em.

Clifford’s Tower/York Castle

A trip to York would be incomplete without a stop at York Minster, and it appeared to be even more beautiful than I’d seen in photos. Once you’re done admiring its exterior (and taking a peep inside if you wish, although we didn’t at the time), make a beeline for the quaint book shop nearby. Although I didn’t buy anything, I loved the narrow staircase and admiring the collection. It felt like I’d stepped into someone’s home.

Grab yourself an afternoon tea

You cannot go to York without visiting Bettys Tea Room. We visited York in November, so although we didn’t have a booking, we were able to get a table at Bettys Stonegate Shop, the smaller outpost around the corner from York’s flagship outpost, after a little wait. The cakes, scones and sandwiches were delicious and the service was fabulous.

Plan your return visit

While a day trip is definitely enough to get a taste of York and see many of its landmarks, a return trip, or a longer trip, is definitely needed if you’d like to explore the surrounding area or museums in detail. If I were to return, I’d probably stay the night and visit the nearby Yorkshire Dales to get a country fix, alongside my city exploration. Heathcliff, Cathy, wuu2?

'Leaving from London' getaways: Cornwall

This series will cover a range of UK-based trips that are relatively easy to take from London.

Clear waters, soft sands and keen surfers. There are very few places in the UK that can tick these three off; however, Cornwall has buckets (and spades) of it.

Sitting a five-hour drive, or train journey, from the capital, Cornwall boasts coastal walks that wouldn’t look out of place in Australia or Italy. For those craving a beach holiday, this area in England’s South West is a great alternative to heading abroad.

The below suggestions are based on my trip to Perranporth, but there are many other famed Cornish towns worth a visit, such as St Ives, Padstow and Newquay.

Coastal walks

The aforementioned coastal walks are arguably the area’s biggest draw. The Perranporth to St Agnes walk - part of the much larger South West Coast Path, which encompasses the whole Cornwall area - will take you past craggy coves and up across wild fields, all the while with stunning sea vistas to your right. I could wax lyrical about this walk, but they say a picture paints a thousand words, so here are two.

Pubs

At the end of our walk, we rewarded ourselves with a drink and an ice cream - yes, ice cream in a British October because it was that good. Despite its pretty beaches, Cornwall is obviously still the UK, so a good ol’ pub is never far. Of course, you can opt for the pub grub classics - your pie and mash, your burgers and chips - but why not take advantage of your seaside location? The oysters here are pretty good, as are most fish and chips options. We visited The Perranporth Inn and Summer House, and in St Agnes, The Railway and The Driftwood. Most pubs are dog-friendly, but be sure to ring up and check before.

Cornish pasty

From one meal to another. You can’t visit Cornwall without eating a Cornish pasty! Traditionally, the buttery, flakey pastry is filled with a warm steak, onion, swede and potato filling. Of course, I had to do things a little differently: on our coastal walk, we stopped on a bench overlooking the sea to eat our (still warm) pasties, mine being pork, onion and apple. Absolutely delicious!

Cyder farm

All the walking and eating will no doubt make you thirsty; a couple of hours at Healey’s Cyder Farm is a must. Here, you’ll learn how proper Cornish cyder (not cider) is made, and get to sample a wide selection of fruity, tart and flavoured cyders, as well as apple juices, wines, jams and sauces. I waddled away feeling very full, but very content, from all the bubbles.

Outdoor pool

What is a holiday destination without an outdoor pool? Summer visitors, you must check out Jubilee Pool in Penzance. With one heated pool (though previous visitors have described it as more lukewarm than hot) and another natural saltwater pool, it will make your staycation feel as if you’re abroad. However, I must confess, although we bought our tickets, the low October temperatures did scare us away this time.

As soon as it is safer, I am looking to return to Cornwall once again. Check back for updates to this piece!

'Leaving from London' getaways: the Peak District

This series will cover a range of UK-based trips that are easy to take from London.

Amongst other things, my time in Australia gave me a new lust for exploring the outdoors, be it hiking bushland (or now, in the UK, woodland) or doing something a little more adrenaline pumping. At the moment, COVID has rendered it safer and more responsible to stay within the country for when looking for a holiday, rather than travel on a plane, and the UK really does hold some beautiful natural landscapes under its grey skies.

View from Thorpe Cloud

The Peak District, around a three-hour drive from London, sits in Derbyshire, between Manchester and Sheffield, above Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent. Abound with rolling green hills, bountiful farms and beautiful cobblestone towns, you’ll be charmed wherever you stay in the area. There is plenty to explore - the Peak District covers an area of nearly 1,500 km2, after all - so we chose to stay in the small village of Monyash, which, as of the 2011 census, has a population of just 314, and explored the surrounding area of the southern Peak District.

Lathkill Dale

Lathkill Dale sits a stone’s throw from Monyash, just a 10-minute walk out of town. Traverse this beautiful craggy valley between sweeping hills, past wild forest, waterfalls and the River Lathkill; you’ll honestly feel like you’re in a fantasy adventure. While it’s not an overall challenging walk, especially when taking it at a leisurely pace, there are slippery rocks to manoeuvre and you will need to do an uphill climb to get out of the dale.

Rather than turning back on ourselves, we decided to exit the dale at the waterfall. Here, I had my most outdoorsy experience to date: climbing stile after stile, ambling across field after field, amongst cows and their cowpats for about 20 minutes. It was like a purgatory of sorts!

Dovedale

Dovedale boasts miles of steep limestone valleys and a river where, at one point, lies its famed stepping stones, which you can use to hop over the river - just don’t slip into the water, like the little dog we saw! Close to the stepping stones, you’ll find Thorpe Cloud, which presents a medium-level hike up to stunning views. Apart from the incline, be wary of the slippery mud, but otherwise, enjoy being immersed in beautiful green surroundings (with the odd cow too).

Dovedale

Mam Tor

Mam Tor, aka Mother Hill, is pretty well known and offers far-reaching, 360 views of the surrounding towns, villages and countryside. It’s not as hard a walk as you’d expect, especially if you start from the car park entrance at Sparrowpit Buxton; the walkway is all stones and slats, making it pretty easy. You can also continue on, walking high in the sky from peak to peak, after you reach the top. We decided to go in the morning, which was great due to the weather - the clouds rolled in on the way back (see view comparison below) - and it was far busier later in the day, which is not what you want amidst a contagious virus pandemic.

View from Mam Tor

Heights of Abraham

The Heights of Abraham encompasses both heady heights and dark depths, and is whole day attraction for the family. You enter through a lofty cable car ride, which was very fun but felt a little perilous on such a windy day. I’m glad I wasn’t ridin’ solo (it’s limited to one household per cart, due to Covid, even if your household is just one person) as I’d have been s.w.i.n.g.i.n.g. Once you get to the top, it’s like a whole village, with playgrounds, restaurants, lookouts and more. There are two mining caves, Mason Cavern and Great Rutland Cavern (Nestus Mine), which were used to dig for lead and other minerals (some of which was sent to London for rebuilds after The Great Fire). The tour of the latter cave used fun gimmicks and effects to tell its story.

Exploring the little towns

One of the Peak District’s most lauded towns is Bakewell, home to the Bakewell tart. You’ll find queues outside bakeries and patisseries here, but there are many other enjoyable sweet treats too. We stopped at a fudge shop (fudge shops seem synonymous with little UK country towns, or is that just me?) where you can watch the fudge being made in the window. Don’t forget to get your savoury fill too; The Wheatsheaf Pub has great food. A little closer to home - well, Airbnb - the Bull’s Head is a great pub in Monyash. Large and spacious, enjoy a hearty menu of British classics.

We had a great time in the quintessential British countryside, and it surprised me that I had never really taken a look at the great places we have to explore and outdoor challenges to conquer closer to home (a true Brit with notions of ‘conquering’ eh…) That’ll change for sure now…

A local's guide to the City of London

The original. The numero uno. The settlement for the Romans all the way back in 1st century AD. An old-time area in the heart of cosmopolitan central London, the cobblestone streets of The City will enchant you… right into one of its many, many pubs.

The City of London is one of my favourite boroughs in the capital, and one I was lucky enough to live in for a few years. Despite its lack of parking (something Dad loved to remind me of whenever he visited), it’s a great spot to stroll around on an afternoon.

The oldest in town

As the original settlement to the Romans, there’s some pretty old stuff about. As I learned on a Halloween ghost tour, Cloth Fair is home to the oldest residence in London, while sections of the original London Wall built around the city (well, the settlement of Londinium at the time,) still stand, peppered around the borough. Conveniently, many wall fragments sit within a five-minute walk of tube stations, including Tower Hill, Liverpool Street, and St Pauls, and often along the aptly named London Walk road - check out all the points here. If you fancy a night-time stroll, I do recommend one of the ghost tours in the area; they serve more as a cool history lesson, rather than a fright night. Oh, and Christmas time; it really is like something out of the Christmas Carol.

London Wall

Tourist attractions

A number of London’s main tourist attractions sit in the area, all within walking distance of one another. Let’s start with a big one - literally. The Grade I-listed St Paul’s Cathedral sits in all its Renaissance glory at the highest point of the City of London. Built in 1675, you can admire it both inside and out: it’s free to enter for a church service, or under £20 for tourist purposes (this includes the galleries, tombs, etc).

To find out about the Cathedral’s conception, along with the rest of London as it is today, take the seven-minute walk to the Museum of London (please note, location change pending circa 2024). The museum walks you through London chronologically from the Romans to the current day, with old maps and original artefacts. It was really interesting to be able to put our little existence into perspective.

The brutalist Barbican Centre is a five-or-so minute walk from the museum, famed for its arts centre and self-sufficient residential area. While, years later, I’m still sour at its lack of movie popcorn at the (beautifully designed) cinema, I will sing praises for the afternoon tea at the Barbican Conservatory. Enjoy tea, bubbly, sandwiches and cake at the glorious indoor garden with 1,500 different plant species. On your way home, be sure to stop to admire the original Banksy in the tunnel leading to Barbican station.

Quirky aesthetics

After all the sightseeing, quench your thirst at one of the many, many pubs in the area. To put it in perspective, I had 5 different pubs within a two-minute walk of my front door… Some look old, some look a little newer, some can fit about 20 people tops inside. I loved the vast differences between them all and looking back, I really didn’t make the most of it. Make note though, many of them are closed at the weekend.

Other than the pubs, another quirky factor of the area are the bollards, each colourful with the coat of arms. Speaking of coats of arms, similarly, the area has strong links with Companies, as in the Clothworkers and the Freemasons. In fact, one of my housemates and her family were part of one, so it was great that she got to live in the area (with bollards that by default she owned, which we liked to laugh about). The uniqueness of the area hasn’t gone unnoticed by the big screen either; scenes in James Bond, Four Weddings And A Funeral, and Last Christmas were all filmed here (plus many others).

Location, Location, Location

Once you’ve soaked up all the area has to offer, anything else you may need is SO accessible. The Thames is minutes away from the edge of the borough; my flatmate and I once enjoyed a leisurely two-hour walk along the water from Chelsea all the way home. You can also get to West End, Chinatown and Soho in 30 minutes by foot, and Liverpool Street in 15. Public transport wise, as mentioned, Liverpool Street is nearby, as is Kings Cross, for all your further afield pursuits.

An ode to London's fried chicken

Image: iStock/villagemoon

It's no secret: I love fried chicken. This isn't just a casual, passing love; but more of a could- eat-morning-noon-and-night type of thing. It’s probably 70% of the reason I’ve started to hit the gym (begrudgingly) again and also probably 50% of the reason I’ll be heading to Sydney next year: HELLO, CHICKEN SALT.

While ‘chicken shops’ are a defining feature of London’s urban landscape, as I’ve got older, so has my fried chicken tastes. While a trip to the chippie will never be well and truly out of my system, here are a couple of spots in the UK’s capital you can hit up with a knife and fork.

Dirty Bones

One of my absolute faves. With outposts in Kensington, Soho, Carnaby Street and Shoreditch (plus Oxford, if you need your fix past the M25), the restaurant has a cool high-class American vibe and, as well as the chicken, serve some great cocktails too. My go-to is the chicken and waffles with maple syrup (salt and sweet balance out perfectly, as do the crispiness of the skin with the softness of the waffle…) but you can opt for full or half plates, with sides. Their chips are world-class - the garlic fries taste like cheese and onion French Fries crisps.

The Jam Tree

With branches in Chelsea and Clapham, the clientele of The Jam Tree are not easily impressed. However, boozy brunch? Yes, please! The fried chicken and waffles here is amazing, too. (Are you seeing a theme?) Piled high, no amount of Bloody Marys or Prosecco will equal that plate perfection (even though I love them, as well).

Kimchee

There’s something about Korean fried chicken that is just unbeatable, in my humble opinion. The best I’ve ever had was at an unassuming restaurant in New York’s Hell Kitchen area (my mum watched in awe as I sunk about 8 drumsticks, pushing aside the rice, cos who needs that distraction?), but Kimchi, near Holborn, comes pretty damn close. Chimaek is a popular starter dish, often served with beer and pickled radish, and you can choose to cover the delicious meat with an even more delicious sauce - hot and spicy soy is my fave.

Absurd Bird

Need a vessel for your fried chicken? A burger bun? A waffle? A salad (lol)? Absurd Bird brings crispy fried chicken with an array of vessels and an array of dips; the tamarind BBQ was delicious FYI. Their bottomless brunch menu is pretty good - you actually feel like you’ve got a decent amount of food with the two courses, and not just been plied with booze - but they’re quite strict with the arrival time, and you can’t swap in any options from the main menu (fried chicken, bacon jam and peanut butter waffle, I’m coming back for you one day).

KFC

I’m sorry (not sorry), but you can't go wrong with the Colonel! And, in some places in London, you can get it delivered right to your door via Deliveroo. Which I do. On the regular. I often get into disagreements with colleagues and pals about what the best bit of the chicken is, but I stand by the fact that it’s the drumstick: they're wayyy juicier than the other bits, and the delicious skin is a lot more readily available for eating on its own. Also, popcorn chicken makes a great side.

I’ll be adding to this list on the reg; let me know your recommendations!

How to live a thriving London life on a budget

#firstworldproblems, but living in London is hard. According to an article published by the Independent last year, London is the 30th most expensive city to live in in the world and, with well over 4,000 cities in the world, that is pretty high up! How are we supposed to work hard, travel the world and conduct full social and family lives while comfortably saving for the future, eh?

I am very lucky to live where I do; for all his quirks, our landlord charges us very favourable rent, which in turn allows me to avoid spending a grand a year for the pleasure of spooning with strangers deep underground (ew). Still, with all my outgoings like rent, house bills, phone bill, contact lens payments, pension, food shopping… there’s not a lot to go around for actually living. 

Obviously, I have a travel OBSESSION, so any savings I actually make right now seem to go straight towards getting out of London but, since August last year, I have somehow managed to stay firmly in the black (apart from a few wobbles - thanks for the bailing out, Mother Goose!) I promise, it is doable to live life wild and (almost) carefree with a couple of small changes to your spending habits, even when you’re on a less than sizable salary for ol' London Town.  

Be realistic with budget

There’s no point setting a £50 weekly budget if you know you spend £40 on travel a week. £10 ain’t gonna get anyone anywhere. Hop onto Excel and write down the amount that hits your account each payday, then realistically note down your outgoings. Divide what's left by 4.5 (the v.rough the average amount of weeks in a month). This is your money to spend as you will. Clothes, alcohol, drugs, a collection of Sylvanian family figures; go for your life. Just don't go over that limit, and don't get in the habit of taking from another week's pot. Chances are that week you think you'll only need £20 will be the week Britney Spears tickets come out (I love you, Britney!)

Do I actually need it?

It may sound like a basic question, and most of the time your instinct is to answer 'yes', but actually think about it. Do I REALLY need this? Am I going to get at least five different outfits out of this new jumper? Do I really need to switch over my moisturiser to this fancy new one? Is this hot chocolate actually going to benefit me? I’m not saying deprive yourself of all of life's joys, because sometimes we genuinely need a little pick me up, but just watch how often this is. When I see a new item of clothing or lippy I want, I take a photo then leave it for a few days. If I still want it, then I treat myself. 

Make your lunches

Okay, forget those visions of soggy sarnies and limp lettuce. Ain’t nobody gonna wanna eat that. I work quite centrally with an array of tempting takeaways and restaurants within spitting distance, which was always the draw for buying lunch. However, just use them as inspo! Loving that salad from Hummus Bro? Buy all the ingredients, and some round Tupperware, and make five batches! Fancy a Chipotle? Make a burrito AND bowl for the same price as one standard meal. 

Also, preparing can sometimes be a drag, especially after a long day at work (or hitting the pub) and all you wanna do is crawl into bed. I absolutely swear by weekend prep and freezing everything. On a Saturday or Sunday, I set aside a couple of hours and cook two to three different meals that can be separated into about six different portions. If you do all the chopping in one go, and wash up as you go with music blaring, it literally flies by. Pop four of them in the freezer and take out as and when you need during the week (in case you have that craving for a fish finger sarnie on a Tuesday night and need to push the meals back a day). You'll literally only need to cook a couple of times a week and all you’ve had to do is wash up a Tupperware, or two, a day. 

How to drink alcohol

Take inspo from your 18-year-old self and drink to get drunk, but *only* drink to get drunk - as in only drink when you’re going out out; NOT crack out the funnel and see how many pints you can down in seven minutes. That tenner you’ve dropped on a couple of G&Ts, what did you get out of it? Did it really take the edge off? Did it really make a difference to your evening? A plain ol’ tonic would have tasted pretty similar and you would have saved yourself half the cash. 

Peer pressure to drink is still prevalent, even in your 20s and 30s, but stand strong, ignore the jibes about being boring/preggers and think of your bank account. You could even focus on putting that 40/50 quid you've saved from staying on the soft drinks during those thrice-weekly pub visits (which, when you think about it equates to about £15 a night) into one night every week or two where you can be a little less stringent. Avoid the midnight £20 drop on bar snacks, or the obligatory Maccers, by taking your pre-cooked dinner to work and just eating your meals a little earlier, if possible, before a night out.

Tap into your personal network 

Networking isn’t just for driving your career forward; you’ll be surprised how many people you know who could save you a few bob in your personal life. According to research conducted by TotallyMoney.com last year, the average UK individual spends almost £4,500 on their looks each year! Think how much you could save if you got your talented mate to do your brows every few weeks (obviously compensate them for their time with something though), or you did your nails yourself. I haven’t had bare nails since I was 11 years old, and that would be a pretty expensive habit if I didn’t do them myself. Yes, I may have dropped £16 on a base coat last weekend, but that thing is gonna last me eight months, as opposed to a professional infill that would need to be done every three weeks. 

It’s not just beauty, either. According to that same research, us Londoners spend about £601 on the gym - or, more specifically, on gym memberships for those of us who admire the card in our purse as we snuggle back into bed with a bucket of KFC. I’m very lucky in the fact that one of my friends is a personal trainer and was able to kick start my fitness at an affordable price, as well as giving me the tools and motivation to maintain it myself when I couldn’t pay for a few months. There is SO MUCH you can do at home with little, or no, equipment that gets great results if you’re committed, or have a housemate to keep you in check. That extra £601 could fit nicely into the 'entertainment' section of your budget spreadsheet...

So, there you have it. Try these tips out and, although you may not see a beautifully high number left in your bank account left at the end of the month, you won't be seeing that overdraft or have missed out!

A beginner's guide to surviving Notting Hill Carnival

The August bank holiday is the last long weekend before Christmas and we are going to make the most of it: we’re going to dance, eat and drink our way through the streets of London’s Notting Hill!  

This coming bank holiday Sunday and Monday, mahoosive crowds of all races, ages and genders will descend on West London to celebrate the colourful Caribbean culture and have a grand old time, just as they have for the last 50-odd years. 

If you’ve never been to Notting Hill Carnival, it can be daunting; especially with the negative coverage in the news. Fear not though, there is a heavy police presence and, when they’re not wiggling their hips to the music, they’re there to keep everyone safe. With a little bit of caution and a lot of wining (in both the drinking and dancing sense), you’ll literally have your happiest day of the year so far (I'm not kidding) and love the unbelievable vibes. So, make like those dancing policemen and get yourself down to London’s biggest street party this weekend…

Find a good spot

Whether you go on Sunday -  also known as Family Day, where paint, liquid chocolate, glitter and general happiness fly high in the sky – or Monday – the beautiful costume day – you do not want to miss a thing. Grab your drinks, snacks and sit your butt down on the best bit of pavement you can find. You can find the official route on the Notting Hill Carnival official website, so you can place yourself perfectly between the food, parade and sound systems.

‘Run’ with a float

Alternatively, don’t just watch the parade, be in it! Granted, you need to be prepared for this one. Tickets start selling around April/May time, but are still available right until the week before the bank holiday. I run with Colours Carnival, a massive, seven-hour paint party on the road on Sunday, then mesmerising costumes come Monday. These teams sell packages that include unlimited drinks (and, boy, is that rum punch GOOD), food, t-shirts, souvenirs, toilets, international DJs and a full security team to set your mind at ease as you party away.

Drink a little slower

It’s a full day, and there are shit loads of people about. You need your wits about you if you ever want to find your friends again after lone-wolfing it to the food stand, or if you want to catch any of the many UK and international DJ sets. Now, OBVIOUSLY I'm not saying don’t drink, just saying drink a little slower, or with water in between. Something I've not yet mastered, but will... soon. 

Plan your route home

There are a lot of road closures and station closures in the area during Carnival, so it's best to plan how you’re going to get there, and home again, in advance. Head to TfL's website to work out your best route.

Just have fun

The whole point of the weekend is celebrating and enjoying yourself. That means every size, race and type of person are welcome to just let loose. Don’t feel self-conscious; embrace the paint, chocolate and costumes, and sing and dance your heart out!

See you there!

Head to Colours Carnival’s website for more information about the day, beauty tutorials, testimonials, and more.

First time at the Royal Ascot?

I attended my first Ascot this year - in fact, I've now been twice in the space of three months. I'd never been to a racing event or placed a bet before, so this was a whole new field for me. Literally.

In my head were two opposing expectations: people falling all over the shop and making fools of themselves and the Queen very regally watching the horses race. My first experience erred towards the latter... but only just about. It was a friend's birthday, after all! Okay, so I may have only won £3.50, but it was faaaaaaabulous, dahling.

Dress appropriately

The different enclosures have different dress codes. From all-out hats with diameter requirements to colours of suit pants allowed, check before you rock up in that off the shoulder, thigh-length dress. The cheapest enclosure, Windsor, doesn't actually have a dress code, but everyone still dresses formally anyway. It just gives you an excuse to forgo the hat and shoulder straps.  

Get there early for a good spot

It goes without saying, really, but even more so in the Windsor Enclosure. We got to the track itself by half 11, and easily got some chairs and a table in what we thought was going to be a "quiet bit" with a great view of the track, and was really close to a bar and betting stand. Fast forward half an hour, and we were surrounded by people. And potential chair stealers. 

You can also take blankets, or mats, and sit on the grass too. Make sure you don't end up with mud on your butt though - we saw many ladies and gentlemen with telling mud marks on the back of their outfits.

Word of warning, get to the town in time to get to a cash point. The majority of bars and betting stands are cash only.

Get the group together

I would say Ascot is more of a group day out than a couple, or pair, kind of activity. The races themselves are only about 2 minutes long, so the rest of the time is spent chatting and enjoying each other's company. 

We were a group of 9 and came armed with a picnic full of snacks and a cooler full of alcohol. Those of us who came via the Ascot Express were entitled to a free glass of champagne (which was appropriately downed at 11:45am), from which we kept the glasses to refill with our own stuff. It was basically a day-long piss-up with the added bonus of potential winnings, being outside and getting dressed up!

Feeling lucky?

Going to Ascot and not placing a bet is like going to the hairdressers and not getting your hair done. You don't have to bet big money: a little £2.50 on an outright bet will mean you only stand to lose just that... or you could double your money at the very least if you win! 

Make sure you know exactly what you're betting though; a £5 each-way bet on 7 horses tots up to seventy quid, as one of my friends learned pretty sharpish. "Each way" means you have more of a chance at winning - as you get money if your horse places first, second or third - but it doubles your bet. So, £2.50 each way on Belgravia would mean you parting with £5, but getting money back if Belgravia placed first, second or third (she didn't. Hmf.) This is how I won my grand total of £3.50, on a second-place horse. Oh yeeeeah, the BIG BUCKS.

Although it might be tempting to leave collecting your winnings until the end of the day, be warned that some of the betting stalls start closing up soon after the last race. By all means, you don't have to collect after each race, but just make sure you do so in a timely fashion after the last horse has passed the line.

If you can, make sure your group has at least one race card. These can be purchased at one of the stalls, or it comes free with your Ascot Express train ticket. This details each of the horses and their ratings for each race. It doesn't show the odds, but this can be Googled pretty easily. I would recommend going for at least one horse that's a favourite to win, but also, throwing caution to the wind and betting on one you just like the name of. We had winnings for both in our group - one of our lot won £50 in the end!

Look out for Liz

Don't miss the Queen doing her rounds before the first race. On our day, the fourth day, this was at about 2pm. Whether you're into the royal family, or not, it a pretty cool moment to see ol' Liz waving right in front of you (in a rather nice mint green suit and hat!) and it will definitely impress any friends who aren't from England: "Oh my gawd, you saw the Queen with your OWN eyes?!" 

Also, be very thankful that this is an event with royal attendees. Although they sure as hell won't be gracing the loos in the Peasant Pound, as one of our group coined our enclosure, the temporary toilets are actually okay! They have faux wooden floors, are stocked with loo roll and soap, don't smell and there are loads of them!

Happy horse racing! I'm off to drive one's car around one's manor...