Balance March Issue 2018 - 63

C O U N T RY C O U S I N S

THE ROMANTIC
BREAK IS...

Oxford

MILES FROM LONDON: 59

WORDS: JONATHAN THOMPSON; IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK, STOCSKY

The City of Dreaming Spires is not
just home to the oldest university
in the English-speaking world, it's
also one of the most enchanting
overnight options in Britain
(Oscar Wilde dubbed it 'the
capital of romance'). Dine at the
idyllic Cherwell Boathouse
(cherwellboathouse.co.uk), an
Edwardian lodge on the banks of the
River Cherwell. During summer you'll
eat al fresco next to the river, while
in winter, settle inside and tuck into
hearty, warming fare. Afterwards, go
deep into the city's heart and seek
out one of the country's cosiest
pubs hidden down a twisting, Harry
Potter-esque alley adjacent to the
famous Bridge of Sighs. The Turf
Tavern (turftavern-oxford.co.uk)
features low beams, a crackling fire,
an extraordinarily long drinks menu
plus a rich sense of history and
tradition dating back to 1381.

OVERNIGHT OPTION: The Old
Parsonage (oldparsonage-hotel.co.uk)
TRAIN FROM PADDINGTON: 60mins
approx. See experienceoxfordshire.org

THE BARFLY'S
BREAK IS...

Margate

MILES FROM LONDON: 76

THE LUXURY
BREAK IS...

Stoke Poges

MILES FROM LONDON: 24

Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire is a
pretty, green-fringed village within
ludicrously easy reach of London.
But what really makes it star as a
destination is the luxury mansion at
its heart, Stoke Park. Now a top end
leisure estate, it has everything you
could wish for from a pampering
perspective, from world class tennis
and golf facilities to one of the best
spas in Southern England. Not only
that, but it has cinematic credentials
with key scenes from Goldfinger and
Tomorrow Never Dies, to name but
two, filmed here. Nobody does it
better when it comes to living out
your 007 fantasies.

Yes, Margate. These days the
once-rundown Kent seaside town is
something of a hip, happening place.
Driven by 20 and 30-somethings
relocating here to commute, Margate
is having a major moment. Make for
Dreamland (dreamland.co.uk), a
refitted retro amusement park
that's become one of the hippest
hangouts in the home counties.
Nearby rooftop bar Ziggy's
(ziggysrooftop.co.uk) boasts the best
sunset views along the seafront, while
there's an embarrassment of riches in
terms of pubs and late night cocktails
bars to pick from afterwards - all
within walking (or staggering) distance
of the front. Pick of the bunch is
The Glass Jar on Marine Drive
(theglassjarmargate.co.uk). B

OVERNIGHT OPTION: The Reading
Rooms (readingroomsmargate.co.uk)
TRAIN FROM ST PANCRAS OR
VICTORIA: 1h 39mins approx.
For more, go to visitthanet.co.uk

OVERNIGHT OPTION: Stoke Park
(stokepark.com)
TRAIN FROM PADDINGTON: 15min
(Slough). See visitbuckinghamshire.org

TWO-HOUR FLIGHTS OF FANCY

Tried all the
best London
rail escapes?
Here are their
equivalents
within two
hours' flight
of the capital

THE BEACH
BREAK is
Barcelona.
It has 5km of
golden sandy
beaches situated
just 10 minutes
from one of the
world's most
dynamic cities.
Flight: 2hrs
barcelona
turisme.com

THE COUNTRY
BREAK is
Bergen.
Gateway to the
Fjords, World
Heritage City
Bergen sits
amid some of
the continent's
most beautiful
countryside.
Flight: 1h 55min.
en.visitbergen.com

THE SPORTING
BREAK is
Paris.
The City of Lights
is also the city
of races, with
major meets
regularly held at
Longchamp and
nearby Chantilly
racecourses.
Flight: 1h 15min
en.parisinfo.com

THE ROMANTIC
BREAK is
Prague.
The City of 100
Spires is still
both cheap and
fairytale beautiful.
See the Golden
Well Hotel, below
the walls of
Prague Castle.
Flight: 1h 55min
prague.eu/en

March 2018 BA LA N CE

THE BARFLY'S
BREAK is
Berlin.
Some of the
friendliest locals
and best drinking
spots of any
global city. It's
known as the New
York of Europe for
a reason.
Flight: 1h 50min.
visitberlin.de/en

THE HISTORY
BUFF'S BREAK is
Amsterdam.
Brimming with
history, it's
home to some
of Europe's
finest museums
from Anne Frank
House to the
Rijksmuseum.
Flight: 1h 10min
iamsterdam.com

63



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance March Issue 2018

Balance March Issue 2018 - 1
Balance March Issue 2018 - 2
Balance March Issue 2018 - 3
Balance March Issue 2018 - 4
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