If you’ve ever gone driving in the English countryside, you’ve probably seen signs along the road saying “Bed and Breakfast Vacancies”. These signs dot the roadways where bed and breakfasts are one of the best ways to get a real glimpse of English life in differing areas of the country.
Bed and breakfasts in the United Kingdom are located in private homes, for the most part. You live with an English family, share their home and accept their hospitality. There are as many different types of bed and breakfasts as there are types of U.K. citizens! If you’re looking for a holiday destination in which to relax and participate in leisure activities, they are plentiful in the coastal holiday spots. If instead you are on a long road trip and need a night’s respite, those can be found easily as well.
Although the United Kingdom bed and breakfast doesn’t usually boast some of the bigger hotel amenities, like full restaurants and bars, it does offer a more intimate look into the everyday lives of the English people as they go about their days. Also, you needn’t worry about quality. U.K. tourist officers anonymously visit thousands of bed and breakfasts. They grade the quality, cleanliness, food and comfort and publish a guide for visitors.
The “breakfast” part of the stay might be your favorite. Many U.K. bed and breakfasts are located in farmhouses on working farms. Here the breakfasts are made with the working man in mind and will fill you up. It may include eggs and bacon, fried bread and/or potatoes and tomatoes. Local specialties, like black pudding, are and added treat. If you prefer, continental breakfasts of cereal, toast, coffee or tea and juice is always available.
Even London, one of the largest and busiest cities in the world has plenty of great bed and breakfasts for your holiday pleasure. London hotels are marvelous, but the romantic appeal of a European bed and breakfast has been the focus of many a book and film as ideal getaway spots. And indeed, they are very cozy, romantic and beautiful. No matter how lush and luxurious a hotel, it doesn’t offer the personal touch and home-like feel of a bed and breakfast. If you’re looking for a comfortable retreat with home-cooked meals in between your busy site-seeing ventures, a London Bed and Breakfast should be on your list of possible accommodations.
The Irish Sea coast is another wonderful holiday destination. Blackpool is one of the most popular of these. Here the bed and breakfasts are diverse and you can find one to meet any requirement you may have. Many are themed and have daily activities for the kids, allowing you some “time off”. Blackpool has become a popular gay and lesbian vacation spot and you can find bed and breakfasts that cater to them. The newest trend is weddings in Blackpool. Although the B&B’s aren’t usually large enough for this type of event, they’re great for the overnight guests attending. It would be a nice idea to look up the B&B’s in the neighborhood of your wedding facility and give you guests a list for their choice of accommodations.
Going to Dublin? There are some find bed and breakfasts throughout Ireland, too. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or you’re going on yet another business trip, Dublin bed and breakfasts have something for everyone. Each has its own distinct style and many offer space for events, such as reunions, weddings and business meetings. Most are more reasonable in cost than a city hotel or motel.
So if you’re Europe-bound and intend to spend a few days or more in the United Kingdom, you’ll want to research the bed and breakfasts near your chosen destinations. You won’t be disappointed!
