Planet Whitley

Five excellent reasons to visit Cambridge

Great reasons to visit Cambridge include the Polar Museum, evensong at King’s College and punting on the River Cam. Why visit Cambridge? There’s an element of truth in Cambridge’s reputation as a nerdy place of purist academia, with a rarefied air of knowledge and study.…

Cambridge, East of England, England, UK

The dining room inside the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh.

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh: My experience on the Queen’s yacht

The striking thing about the room fit for a queen is that, well, it doesn’t seem fit for a queen. The embroidered silk panel above the bed is the only nod to royal decadence. Otherwise, everything seems rather austere – a few sentimental personal possessions…

Edinburgh, Scotland, ships, UK

The MCG is Australia's largest sports stadium.

I walked to the MCG, then took a tour of Australia’s largest stadium

A review of what I found interesting on the tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground - plus the practical details on how to book it yourself when visiting Melbourne. Yarra River walk and Birrarung Marr The walk along the Yarra River is considerably nicer than…

Australia, Melbourne, sport, stadiums, Victoria

Exploring Bletchley Park’s code-breaking history | Plus visitor info and how to plan your trip

Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes offers a fascinating glimpse into WWII code-breaking, early computing and cryptography. This review of my visit also includes essential visitor details on opening hours, admission, parking and accessibility. You can buy tickets here. The legacy of Bletchley Park during World…

England, history, Milton Keynes, South-East England, UK, World War II

Port Lincoln adventures: Shark-diving, Fresh Fish Place & Coffin Bay oysters

At Port Lincoln on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, tour options include shark cave diving, visiting the Coffin Bay oyster farms and seeing behind the scenes in the hugely lucrative seafood business. The journey towards the Neptune Islands The fish that most have come for are…

Australia, Eyre Peninsula, food, South Australia

6 underrated Spanish cities

The likes of Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Seville may attract the tourist attention, but Spain has several great cities in reserve, including… Toledo The home of Spain’s still-powerful Catholic church, but once home to a thriving mixed Christian, Muslim and Jewish community, Toledo wears its…

Cordoba, Girona, Jerez, Salamanca, Segovia, Spain, Toledo

The swirling sands of Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island, Queensland.

How to go inside Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island | Which tour?

The only tour company allowed inside Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island, Queensland, is Ocean Rafting. These high speed RIB tours from Airlie Beach sacrifice comfort and style for accessibility. What is Hill Inlet? You’ve probably seen Hill Inlet before. It’s that fabulously photogenic swirl of…

Airlie Beach, Australia, cruises, Queensland, tours, Whitsundays

Eridge Rocks Nature Reserve in East Sussex.

Eridge Rocks, Sussex: Hours, prices, parking & visitor tips

A first time visitor’s guide to Eridge Rocks in East Sussex. Including information on the history, climbing, walking and parking. Eridge Rocks overview Eridge Rocks is a nature reserve run by the Sussex Wildlife Trust near the village of Eridge Green, East Sussex. It is…

England, South-East England, Sussex, UK, walks

The Pooh Sticks Bridge in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex.

Pooh Sticks Bridge, Sussex: How to get there, parking & visitor tips

The Pooh Sticks Bridge – where Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin played in the AA Milne books – is in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. Here’s how to get there and what NOT to do. What is the Pooh Sticks Bridge? The Pooh Sticks Bridge…

England, literature, South-East England, Sussex, UK

The remaining Heffalump Trap tree in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex.

Heffalump Trap, Ashdown Forest: How to find the Winnie the Pooh site

Google Maps has misplaced the site of AA Milne’s Heffalump Trap in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. Here’s how to get to the real tree and hollow from the Winnie the Pooh books. What is the Heffalump Trap? The Heffalump Trap in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex,…

England, literature, South-East England, Sussex, UK, walks