Running from London to Surrey Hills (Reigate Hill)
I had an idea of visiting Surrey Hills National Landscape two years ago, and planned to start from London on foot - running! The route has long been saved on my Strava app. However, the plan has never been fulfilled until this week……
When free stuff is better than paid products; when cheaper things are better than expensive those
Under capitalism, life is always easier when we make use of our money to pay for products or services. However, there are also things for free, which can be worse than purchasing, while some can be better. Based on my experience in London, I am here to list a few free and cheap stuff which are worth.
Z Hotel in Bath — paying attention to details contribute to nice staying experience
During my trip to Bath in March this year (2025), I stayed in two hotels. Besides Travelodge on Sunday which had a very great price for SuperRoom, I also tried Z Hotel.
A visit to Crossness Pumping Station
I have longed for visiting this beautiful Victorian pumping station in Abbey Wood, east London, and it finally came true this summer.
Cheam and Ewell — crossing the border of Greater London
I know the place Cheam when I started travelling from Putney to Wimbledon by bus route 93, which ends North Cheam in the south. Driven by curiosity, I googled and decided to visit there…
Another View Hotel stay in Folkestone this time, following Eastbourne
Remember my previous View Hotel stay for my birthday? About a month later, I stayed another one which was in Folkestone.
Is Worthing worth visiting?
I didn't know Worthing until Travelodge website showed me. I have been there twice in March this year (2025), and believe I will come back.
The Rise and Fall of the Pier — Bognor Regis
During my trip to Bognor Regis in April this year, I visited their local museum and bought three small books. One of them is called The Rise and Fall of the Pier.
Where did I visit during these two weeks by bus and tram only in London?
In the previous article, I talked about my experience of going all-in bus and tram only in London, with less than £25 per week visiting various places. Here are my list of places I went to in the recent two weeks.
A visit to Caterham — a day trip outside London by London bus only
Bus services in London not only cover the city but also cross the border to other towns surrounding it. Caterham is one of the examples you can escape Greater London with only £1.75!
A visit to Croydon Airport
Croydon has had a very reputation for many people: a dangerous place in London when they heard the news. But in fact Croydon is more than that, especially when there was once an airport: Croydon Airport.
My second trip to Margate, and the first time to Broadstairs
I visited Margate in August last year for a day trip, and I knew it was a great place that I should revisit. This time I planned to stay overnight so that I could have more time to visit Broadstairs which is nearby as well!
Some sketches in Croydon
Within a few years, I have accumulated more and more sketches in this borough. In this article I am going to tell some stories starting from some of my sketches.
A visit to Wanstead Park
The maximum temperature reached 26-27c in London as of writing so I had an idea to go to somewhere cool down. Visiting parks is always a great idea because of groups of trees, or woods/forests — the natural air conditioner which won't damage the environment by greenhouse effect. Thus I gave Wanstead Park — where I only passed by through running not seriously visiting — a chance.
My Serpentine Pavilion sketches from 2021
Since coming to the UK for my new life, I have been following Serpentine Pavilion every year. If you don’t know what it is, it is a meanwhile public space designed by the architects invited by Serpentine Gallery. Available usually between June and October.
Crystal Palace Park revisited
I have visited Crystal Palace Park many times. This time, I needed to show my new friend around. Although I am already familiar with the park and its history, there were still new discoveries during the revisit.
Bethlem Museum of Mind, Psycho Killer, and speaking of seeking professional help
Bethlem Museum of Mind is located in Bethlem Royal Hospital, which is believed to be the world's first psychiatric hospital. The hospital is still running, while the museum shows the change in the treatment of patients over 800 years, including the therapy through art creation since the 19th century.
A trip to Portsmouth, Gosport and Bognor Regis
Under such the perfect weather in early April, I had a trip which was a little bit different because of visiting more than one place/town at once instead. I started from Portsmouth and ended in Bognor Regis.
Back to hostel — The Bristol Wing
Last year (2024) when I was visiting Bristol and decided to extend my stay, I suddenly wanted to stay in a hostel again, and I booked The Bristol Wing in the last minute.
Folkestone Harbour station, as well as historic branch lines in coastal Taiwan
Folkestone is a coast town in England. The nearest current station, Folkestone Central, is located away from the coast which needs 20-min walk. But can you imagine if the train can reach next to the sea so that you can even connect a ship to France?