Whitby is a seaside town in Yorkshire, northern England, split by the River Esk. Whitby is famous for many things: its traditional seaside resort with Blue Flag Beach, the world-famous steam train, North Yorkshire Moors Railway and some of the best fish and chips. Whitby is the perfect place for a family holiday because it has everything a seaside town should have if not more. Beaches, sunshine, shops, ice creams, fishing, history and more.

Whitby has an interesting history because of the gothic setting. With the famous author of the vampire novel Dracula, Bram Stoker was the original author that popularized the vampire Dracula. Whitby is the town where Bram Stoker stayed during the creation of his most famous tale. Whitby ends up featured in the tale too.

Bram Stoker did not supply feature Whitby in his novel, but in fact, he found Whitby surprisingly suitable for a gothic theme, as the vibe around the town, and buildings like Church of St Mary and Whitby Abbey, which makes Whitby a perfect fit.

Around the town, there are many services that offer the history and tale-telling of the Dracula by tour or animation. It has become a theme that locals of Whitby love and embrace.

“199 steps up that provides a fantastic view. Definitely a nice spot for a picnic. Great activity for 1/2 day.”

Erika S. Johansson, Tourist

London is a busy city and it is full of exquisite buildings. It is a must-travel city to experience the city culture of the UK. On 9th August to 12th August, 9 of us TAR UC Public Relations students travelled to London and begin our journey in London. We recorded down all the footage during the 4 days to visualize and preserve our memories.

We enjoyed a lot and will definitely revisit this city some other day. Although it is a busy city, it is still a great experience in culture if you are more into urban cultures.

“The London eye is an iconic landmark on the Thames and at the top you can see from miles around. I would love to go back again and will recommend everyone to visit the place if you are a tourist.”

Nevan Kiernan, 31

Managing your budget while studying overseas isn’t easy, but there are several ways you can keep your costs down.

If you are planning to travel around the UK, it is better to plan your trips 1 or 2 months earlier. Train and plane tickets can be cheaper if you book early. Train tickets can cost 100 pounds if you’re buying tickets for the same day, but it will only cost 50 pounds if you purchase it for 2 weeks in advanced 

General shops recommended

It can be very expensive to have a shopping spree in the UK, especially when you’re coming from a country with a very high exchange rate. Saving a few pence will save you a lot over time. Places like Aldi, Ozmen, Poundland are great places to go for grocery shopping. Primark is also a great clothing brand to shop. You can find more recommended shops in Sheffield here.

Buy alcohol from supermarkets rather than in pubs

If you love alcohol, it is good to know that beer from convenience shops or supermarkets are cheaper than drinking in pubs.

Apps that can save your bucks

Download apps like UniDays to find the latest offers and get the best deals around the UK if you love shopping. Apps like WeVat can also get you a tax refund when you leave the UK. There are many useful apps available here.

Keep track of your spending and money management

It is good if you monitor your spending often. You could set a budget of spending around 100 pounds per month and work hard and try not to go much above that.

Always ask for a student discount

Believe it or not, many shops and cafes offer a great deal and discount for students. Don’t be shy and always ask if there’s a student discount!

If you had the same childhood as I, Robin Hood was definitely a part of your childhood. The popular tale of Nottingham’s hero Robin Hood, who stole from the rich to the poor. Nottingham shire is proud to be the motherland of this spirited outlaw.Learning the history of Robin Hood while travelling around Nottingham is a must. There are several places you might want to go if you love Robin Hood very much.

As the land of Robin Hood, surprising there are only one Robin Hood Statue, which is located outside Nottingham Castle. In typical outlaw style Robin Hood stands outside Nottingham Castle, holding a bow and the point of his arrow aimed at the gatehouse and the establishment within. You could take a photo with Robin Hood and post your pictures on social media with the hashtag #LoveNotts.

If you visit Sherwood Forest take a quick trip to the town of Edwinstowe where you will find St Mary’s Church. This medieval church is over 800 years old and is supposedly where Robin Hood and Maid Marian got married!

Over the year, Nottinghamshire hosts a variety of events themed around the noble outlaw, including the Robin Hood Festival at Sherwood Forest and the Robin Hood Pageant at Nottingham Castle. There’s also the annual Robin Hood Beer Festival at Nottingham Castle and the Robin Hood Half Marathon to look forward to.

However, Nottingham has plenty of other attractions rather than what it was famous for. You could travel around Nottingham and experience the local culture. Click here for more attractions recommended.