Blair Drummond

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The GuardianAug 23, 2026

My best ever British holiday: ‘I’ve travelled further, at greater expense, and had nothing like as much fun’

Five travel writers share their favourite holidays at home, from gravel biking in Scotland and a steam train ride in Yorkshire to rowing all the way from Oxford to London One of my best UK holidays was the week I spent in June 2013 rowing from Oxford to London with two friends, James and Tom. Continue reading...

23 things in this story
  • The SmiddyRestaurantFarm shop selling cheese and chorizo scotch eggs
  • Elsewhere
  • KelpiesAttractionFalkirk, United KingdomSteel horse heads alongside the M9
  • Thames Skiff HirePlaceOxford, United KingdomHired a 130-year-old mahogany skiff for rowing trip
  • Three Men in a BoatPlaceOxford, United KingdomFictional adventure inspiration for rowing trip
  • The SwanPubPangbourne, United KingdomPub where fictional companions abandoned their skiff
  • Medmenham AbbeySightMedmenham, United KingdomHeadquarters of Francis Dashwood’s Hellfire Club
  • Oakley CourtHotelBray, United KingdomLuxurious faux-gothic hotel, immortalised in film
  • TrossachsNeighborhoodAberfoyle, United KingdomScotland's first national park
  • Stirling CastleAttractionStirling, United KingdomImposing castle seen en route
  • Wallace MonumentCaféStirling, United KingdomMordor-esque monument seen in the distance
  • Cardross EstatePlacePort of Menteith, United KingdomOffers glamping pods, cottages, and B&B
  • Ben LomondSightAberfoyle, United KingdomMountain framed by glamping pod picture windows
  • Lomond ViewTrailAberfoyle, United Kingdom18.2-mile route for gravel biking
  • Aberfoyle Bike CoPlaceAberfoyle, United KingdomHires bikes and offers hot drinks
  • Bracklinn FallsTrailCallander, United Kingdom3.5-mile circular hiking route
  • Mhor BreadBakeryCallander, United KingdomBakery selling baguettes with generous fillings
  • Nick's at Port of MenteithRestaurantPort of Menteith, United KingdomScottish chef Nick Nairn’s namesake restaurant
  • Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNeighborhoodAberfoyle, United KingdomNational park with lochs and valleys
  • Ynys MônNeighborhoodHolyhead, United KingdomIsland also known as Anglesey
  • Newborough ForestTrailNewborough, United KingdomNature reserve with pines, dunes, and beach
  • Ynys LlanddwynSightNewborough, United KingdomSmall tidal island with lighthouse and church ruins
  • Saint Dwynwen's churchSightNewborough, United KingdomRuined church on Ynys Llanddwyn
  • Monkey IslandSightWindsor, United Kingdom
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