It is impossible to sleep in London. This city bustles day and night, with its beauties and the number of monuments per square kilometer it somewhat reminds of St. Petersburg. But if the latter is a jaded decadent with a heavy gaze, then its English prototype is a cheerful and well-mannered nonconformist who knows a lot about art and entertainment.
No one will feel lonely in London. The English are quite sociable and often romantically inclined. Drop into a pub in the evening, and you will surely meet a handsome native of foggy Albion. After another couple of hours over a mug of hoppy ale and lively conversation, all subsequent days you will rush on the wings of love to dates, now to Piccadilly, now to the monument to Admiral Nelson.
But one fine day I felt cramped in London. To get rid of this feeling, I decided to travel around the country a bit. A pleasant surprise was the highly developed system of bus lines covering the entire state. Given the small size of the country, bus travel here is not only budget-friendly, but also a fairly fast and safe way to get around. My route lay to the south of England. I dreamed of seeing the beauties of Cornwall, the cities of Penzance and Land's End.
The largest London bus terminal is located very conveniently in the city center at the major interchange hub of the Victoria Station metro, which is also served by railway lines. Buying a bus ticket is quite simple. You just need to show an ID at the ticket office and pay the fare. Buses run daily in all directions, so even the most tireless have every chance to leave in the chosen direction on the same day.
The whole journey from London to Penzance takes about nine hours. I preferred to leave early in the morning, as it was very interesting to see one-storey England from the bus window. As soon as the bustle of the big city was left behind, endless green fields opened up to the eye, covering the whole country like a carpet. English suburbs resemble a neatly trimmed lawn, alternating with alleys and flower beds.
Naturally, all long-distance buses are equipped with a toilet. Several times along the way, a 'stewardess' appears in the aisles, offering various snacks and drinks, but if a passenger prefers to bring their own provisions, that is not forbidden. The worldly wisdom of those who set bus fare tariffs is quite pleasant. There are about 15 types in total, including special tickets for the elderly and disabled, and standing places 'for a tenner' for nimble youth, and various options for booking and refunds.
Having arrived in Penzance, I did not have to think long about the question of housing. Numerous bed and breakfasts, located in almost all private houses, will hospitably receive any guest. Of course, there are excellent hotels in Penzance, but staying there, you remain just a tourist, depriving yourself of the chance to see the real England.
Cornwall is a true northern South! A temperate climate without the suffocating heat typical of warm countries. The energy of the tides now brings closer, now moves away from you the medieval fortress of St Michael's Mount, the pearl of Penzance, reminiscent of the era of daring freebooters and noble knights. Small second-hand shops are piled with fantastically beautiful forged candlesticks, antique chests and other delightful trifles at ridiculous prices. And in the morning you open the window of your room, and the fresh breath of the English Channel bursts into the house, mixing with the scent of flowers and the cries of albatrosses soaring over the rolling waves.
Having returned to London, that very evening I packed my bag and went to conquer Liverpool. An overnight stay was not in my plans; I was going to leave the legendary city the same day, almost at midnight. But that is a completely different story...
On average, you can get from London to Penzance and back for €50, to Liverpool – €30. A standard B&B in the suburbs will cost from €15 per night.
You should travel around the UK on your own only when you know the language well yourself, or you go with someone who speaks English perfectly.
Fare on London public transport, including the metro, is 1.5 pounds. It is profitable to buy travel passes valid throughout the day on all types of transport, including rail. The cost of such a ticket is from 4 pounds.
Be sure to take bus route No. 73. It will take you through the city center in such a way that you will see most of the main attractions of the capital.
When going to England, it is best to have a budget of 300 pounds per week, provided you have a place to stay.
Natalya YAKUBOVA, Elizaveta KOTAEVA,
Inna ROZHDESTVENSKAYA.