The world’s best countries to travel in a campervan…

Let’s be honest. The words ‘Motorhome adventure’ seem about as out of place as a nun and a hunky underwear model holding hands in a cathedral.

The first word in this careless semantic coupling invokes images of house sized monstrosities thundering down miles of god-forsaken tarmac in the middle of nowhere, with pensioners at the wheel giving it their last go – the proverbial last throw of the dice in the game of life before the bucket list gets emptied and a good innings comes to timely end.

Adventure, on the other hand, conjures up images of bold journeys into the heart of lands and cultures where the only thing one can expect is the unexpected. This is where the inexorable pull of new, vibrant experiences and hard, gritty challenges will leave you standing at the end of it all with a much keener appreciation for your life and much more intimate awareness of who you are and what you value as a human being. Danger and delight line the hidden path and courage and curiosity are the fuel that propels your journey.

In the traditional sense, an adventure is undertaken upon horseback, or straddling the well-worn seat of a clapped out motorcycle, or simply on foot. Clambering on board a house on wheels and casting off with cries of ‘All aboard’ is not what one envisions when thinking of an adventure.

So long to the stereotypes

Thankfully, those stereotypes no longer apply, and the motorhomes and campervans of today have come a long, long way from the iconic Winnebago monstrosities most recently brought back into the limelight by that classic opening scene from the hit TV series Breaking Bad – where Walter White wrestles that out of control leviathan in nothing but his signature ‘tighty whities’ through the New Mexican desert.

The motorhome adventure is now something that can be undertaken by budget conscious travelling vagabonds looking for freedom on four wheels to those whose shoestring travel days are behind them and who prefer to step out in true glampervan style and comfort.

The chariot of your choice is there, but the hardest decision to be made remains just where to go. Ruling out war zones, the arctic, and crime-riddled hotspots where after a few hours away from your home on wheels you’re more likely to come back to a chassis on bricks, four obvious choices remain.

1. The USA

The USA is a Winnebago wanderer’s dream. There is so much on offer in this huge country that more often than not the hardest part of the campervan trip deciding just which route to do. We still reckon the classic National Historic Route 66, which stretches from LA to Chicago across some of the most bewildering and awe-inspiring scenery Murica has to offer, is the best way to go.

Glide through the unforgettable hairpin bends in the majestic Black Mountains, hideout in the very secluded cave system that the legendary outlaw Jesse James used to conceal himself from the law in the Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri and be sure to refuel and refresh at the Dixie – Route 66’s most iconic and oldest truck stop which has only been closed 1 day in the near 70 years it has been open.

2. Europe

No other region on earth manages to combine such an alluring fusion of culture, cuisine and dynamic, diverse and startlingly beautiful scenery as Europe – both the west and the east.

Tour the iconic cities of Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona and Munich; lose yourself in the endlessly crisscrossing tarmac ribbons that trail through Alps, forests and along pristine lakes. Some of the most enticing coastal driving awaits and for those with a thirst for off the beaten path adventure the whole of Eastern Europe awaits.

3. Australia

Big, bold and beautiful – Australia is a land teeming with an almost unrivalled offering of wild open spaces, first class cities brimming with culture and fine cuisine and a coastline that stretches on and on and on. Australia is a country practically tailor made for campervan travel – It has a great road infrastructure, it is safe and its natural diversity is truly astounding.

Arguably the most noted campervan route is the iconic Adelaide to Darwin route – which will have you coasting along the Lasseter highway past Australia’s most famous natural landmark – Uluru. This route is extremely campervan friendly with a host of very affordable campsites dotted along the way – many of them situated in national parks.

4. New Zealand

The jewel in the campervan hire holiday destination crown. The land of the long white cloud is synonymous with unrivalled natural splendor, vast and dramatic coastline teeming with a rich diversity of wildlife and the kinds of settings that dazzled audiences around the world on the silver screen as Peter Jackson brought J.R.R Tolkien’s masterpiece to life.

A huge part of what drives New Zealand’s economy is tourism, and a big portion of that is driven by campervan adventurers. In keeping with the theme of adventure we would recommend a circuitous route of the South Island which offers a huge range of natural diversity in so small an area of land.

Start off in Queenstown – the adventure capital of the world and head down through the Southern Alps to the majestic Milford sound, and then up the rugged and wild coast past glacier country and the old gold mining towns that dot the coastline. Tour some of the finest wine regions in the world as you head north past Picton and Nelson and then loop back down towards Christchurch.

Campervan hire in New Zealand is extremely easy and budget friendly. The industry and infrastructure is tailor made for these kinds of trips, making NZ the perfect spot for families, couples or even just a group of friends keen on a road trip in some of the most beautiful settings on the planet.

Nige Burton explains how his wondrous continental rail journeys always start with a trusty Eurostar trip from London’s St Pancras

I looked up at the destinations board abstractedly as I shouldered my way across the concourse of Paris’s Gare du Nord, a smirk of delight spreading across my countenance. Zurich, Cologne, Charleroi, Amsterdam… these were places that I used to think of – and I now really don’t know why – as only being feasibly reachable by flying.

In fact, flying had always been my transport of choice, even for a short hop from Manchester to London. I thought it was quicker. I’d never really had a fear of flying, but I also can’t say that I particularly enjoyed it either; it was always a means to an end, a necessary part of travel.

And then came the three dodgy flights, all in a row like so many spiteful buses, to shake my confidence in aeronautics for life. Having never really given it much heed aside from the boredom, I was suddenly and indubitably aware that hurtling through the sky at over 500 miles an hour six miles up, with nothing but a rinkydink aluminium tube, a seatbelt and a laminated safety card for protection, was no longer so de rigueur after all. Sure – the statistics tell us the chances of anything happening are slimmer than slim, and all the ancient Sages advise that ‘if it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go’, but – what if it’s the pilot’s time to go?

Travel to cities such as Maastricht is surprisingly easy by train, and affords a closer exploration of some of the hidden gems of Europe

Anyway, notwithstanding any of this, and from a pure enjoyment-of-the-journey point of view, I had taken the decision to explore alternatives, and thus found myself all aglow with exultation on the Parisienne terminus. In theory, I could get anywhere by train! Well, nearly anywhere. And it was a revelation.

I have since come to call this little adventure my Pan European Odyssey: in short, my exploration of no less than eight European cities – each in a different country – over a two-and-a-half-week period. I had plenty of time in each one, beginning my adventure in London, from where I gained Paris, Zurich, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, Bratislava and finally Munich before returning to the United Kingdom.

Chill in laid back Leuven, Belgium’s oldest university seat

All this was undertaken on trains various, each leg revelling in the ever-changing landscape incumbent upon it to be presented with mawkish pride; arriving in the stately Austrian capital with its fine architecture and grandeur; watching the Hungarian countryside melt into the deep blue of the night before settling down in my compact but comfortable sleeper car; slowly sipping a glass of wine whilst dining on the rolling stage of a sunset behind the Transylvanian Alps – all these exquisite moments sparkle in the memory of this behemoth expedition. There was something very special indeed about looking out of window and seeing more than a carpet of clouds whilst holding my breath at every bump or thump, despite the fact that most all of these sounds are perfectly ‘normal’. On a train, I don’t have to look at the flight attendant’s face to see how ‘normal’ the sound was to them; on my dodgy flights, I realised that fear is pretty much fear, and can stare out of the most well-trained and professional visage just as much as the meagre passenger one.

It was at this point I made my decision that, wherever possible, I was going to travel without wings. So many exciting destinations were available to me without my once having to set foot inside an airport terminal – I would just have to plan things a little more carefully.

Time is undoubtedly the biggest single factor you need on your side if you’re going to adopt a similar principle, and it certainly helps that my working life allows me the freedom to operate from most anywhere on the planet. But I still have cats to feed at home, and whilst friends and family will step into the breach and dish out a regular daily bowl of kibbles, for Irma and Gomez that’s no substitute for the first hand company of their Dad. And so I set about experimenting with places and time-scales that would not present a too chronologically challenging undertaking to the vast majority of holidayers who are subject to the vagaries of a more restricted working practice – the 96% of the working population of Great Britain.

The Hague is one of Holland’s best kept secrets and makes for a superb romantic retreat by train

I have since, apart from my eight country extravaganza, taken many wonderful jaunts by train, including a beach holiday in Menorca by rail and ferry. The total trip was completed in exactly two weeks, although just one week was spent on the island. The trick here is to make the journey as much a part of the experience as the destination itself; there was a great satisfaction in hurtling through a vista that slowly, but very perceptibly, changed from the bustling skyline of metropolitan Paris through to the lush, verdant pastures of southern France, and on into the drier, equally impressive Spanish plains. And sailing into Mao harbour at a little before eight on a sunny September Saturday morning is nothing short of sublime, and without a single butterfly in my stomach save for those more welcome ones anticipating the excitement of the week to come. I have also explored those cities which most of us hear of but would never dream of visiting, and I’d surely have been a lesser person without the experiences; the romance of The Hague, the ancient charm of Leuven or the majestic beauty of Maastricht to name but a handful. Oh, and for a true summer break without even the need for a ferry, I became deliciously acquainted with the lazy, hazy, long-shadowed, sun-baked walled city of Avignon; now there is a little corner of perfection.

But, residing on one of our great British islands still seems to present a barrier to some fellow journeymen, psychologically informing thoughts which in turn entertain the notion that one must fly to escape to climes more exotic and meaningful. To these uninitiated creatures, I utter one word of encouragement and hope: Eurostar. That magical conveyance has whisked me tout de suit to either Lille, Paris or Brussels on so many occasions now that I have genuinely lost count. And it is from these three wonderful cities – all worthy of thorough and regular exploration in themselves – that so much more adventure beckons.

Avignon proves that a sun-baked summer holiday doesn’t need a coastline and can still be easily reached from the UK by train

Services are quick and easily undertaken, with journey times shorter than those of many domestic rail trips, Lille being a mere hour and twenty minutes from London’s state-of-the-art international hub of St Pancras, and Paris a very little over two hours away. With eleven daily services from Brussels Midi to St Pancras, and journey times often as swift as a minute over two hours for fares from €88 return, flying seems to make less and less sense. Onward travel is a divine piece of cake, with connections and timetables making planning pretty much as easy as any UK rail journey, allowing the intrepid sojourner a freedom only bound by the limits of his own imagination. But for me, one of the true great advantages of travelling by Eurostar in particular is the generous baggage allowance; each passenger can take on board two suitcases and a single item of hand luggage – after the limitations imposed by airlines, this is extremely liberating.

So, as I plot my next expedition with an eagerness that can be known only to those who have already joined the fold, those fortunate individuals who know that flying is not the only passport to foreign adventure, I oftentimes prepare to simply stick the proverbial pin in the map. I think of the true promise of adventure, and I feel the words building inside me. I can’t stop them, or tell you why I say them, but as I trace imaginary lines across the page, entertaining thoughts of wonder and bliss, these words come to me in a whisper; I say them as prayer, as thanks, as praise; I say… Eurostar… Eurostar…

Tickets are available from eurostar.com or 08432 186 186.

Main image courtesy of Eurostar

Article images by Nige Burton

With 2015 now being upon us, many holiday go-ers and traveller fanatics are looking forward to booking their next trip away. But where are the hottest locations to live it up this year? Here are 10 great examples of where to head:

Chile

Heralded as the driest desert in the world, Chile’s Atacama plains are a great place to go and take in some natural wonders. The land is plotted with salt flats and geysers, and even gets the occasional downfall of snow!

Iceland

If you are a fan of the outdoors and adventure, then look no further than Iceland. Offering activities for all of the seasons, you can take a trip snorkelling in the country’s clear lakes in the summer or enjoy the snowy conditions from the warmth of a hot tub.

(Main article image: rural church in south-west Iceland)

Morocco

With the country’s tourism industry booming in recent years, Morocco has become a hotspot for travellers. Visitors can enjoy the sandy beaches of the coastline or take a trip around the famed Marrakesh markets and get yourself a classic Moroccan fez!

Cuba

Offering culture and fantastic beaches, Cuba has something to keep everybody happy. The country has an ‘old partnered with new’ attitude, so you can take a trip through the country’s history by visiting the buildings from by-gone eras.

Serbia

A bustling street in Belgrade, the Serbian capital

You may not think Serbia is the best location to enjoy a trip away, but you would be very wrong. Belgrade is renowned for one of the hidden gems of Europe and is highly underrated for its culture and character.

Macau

Over recent years, Macau has become one of the World’s main destinations for entertainment and culture. The country has seen a huge boom in tourism thanks to its casino industry attracting people who play online casino at sites such as iPhoneCasino.ca, but it also has a much more tranquil side, with temples and ancient ruins on offer to visitors as well.

Britain

Eilean Donan Castle in the stunning Scottish Highlands

Although it doesn’t have the most tropical of climates, there is plenty happening for tourists to get involved with in Britain this year. Scotland are celebrating the Highland Games’ 200th birthday this year and 2015 marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta being sealed, with both throwing events to mark the occasions.

New Zealand

New Zealand’s tourism trade has always been popular, with travellers visit the country to take in some of the most picturesque pieces of scenery in the world. To get more involved in the inner city vibe, the likes of Auckland and Wellington are also popular with tourists.

Turkey

2014 saw Turkey named as one of the most popular tourist destination and the country hopes this will continue on into the New Year. Turkey offers the best of both worlds – the sunny beaches and hotel resorts and the bustling markets of Istanbul.

Singapore

Singapore is celebrating 50 years of independence from Malaysia in 2015, so expect there to be a lot of partying! The country is to host the South East Asian games in June, before they celebrate their national day with parades throughout August.

Exploring a town, city or region for the first time is always great fun, and there are various ways you can go about it, from the conventional to the wacky, weird and wonderful.

Playing it safe and taking the traditional city tour can be great for those of us looking for a dependable, reliable way to make sure we don’t miss out on any highlights.

But for those among us seeking a little spirit and adventure in our voyages of discovery, there are usually fairly inexpensive alternatives to the humdrum, injecting that frisson of excitement into our experience of a destination.

Take a look at these five delicious European mad modes of transport from east and west, to guarantee your sightseeing has an air of eccentricity about it! Click the numbered headings to read more about each quirky conveyance.

1.) Enjoy a city tour of Prague in a shocking pink Škoda Felicia convertible…

Although Prague is culturally and economically on a par with the rest of its European counterparts today, you can still hark back to cold war days with a tour of the city’s hotspots in this iconic communist convertible.

2.) Take the longest trolleybus ride in the world – from Yalta to Simferopol…

Most tourists opt for a plane or taxi, but you can cruise through the Crimean mountains in a genuine old Škoda trolleybus on this epic 86 kilometre journey at the pace of a snail.

3.) Ride the meanest, greenest solar train to see what’s what in Maastricht…

It’s quirky, clean and fun, and will get you round the sights of the Dutch city of Maastricht using nothing but the power of old Phoebus himself.

4.) Drive your own Trabant around Berlin’s east side…

Get behind the wheel of a real, live genuine Trabant and explore Berlin as part of a Trabi Safari. It’s not so bad once you’ve mastered the revolver gear shift…

5.) From the French frontier to the Dutch border, discover the scenic Belgian coastline on the Kusttram…

The De Lijn Belgian Coastal Tramway is a great way to cover the whole of Belgium’s diverse coastline – all 68 kilometres of it!

Some cities tend to rule the roost when it comes to city breaks. They’ve obviously earned their places in our collective hearts, but the sad thing is that they can overshadow some equally wonderful cities – often right on their own doorsteps.

So when planning your next trip, why not take a break from the obvious and try out one of these alternatives – same country, same language, same travel card currency as their more famous neighbours, but offering you a whole new experience…

Hamburg, Germany, may seem like a strange choice with which to start this tour of the lesser known city break destinations. It is no shrinking violet and there is no question over the height of its profile – one of the world’s foremost ports, an important place in the history of The Beatles and the setting for a string of Hollywood movies. BUT… competing for visitors with capital Berlin and its unique west meets east atmosphere, or with Munich and all the oom-pah surrounding Oktoberfest, can’t be easy. There’s no end of things to do in Hamburg, whatever pace you’re looking for – marvel at the stunning architecture of the Rathaus, watch the giraffes being fed at the Tierpark Hagenbeck, or simply relax with a drink overlooking the fountain on the Binnenalster.

When people think of city break and Spanish coast they immediately think of Barcelona and that big church. Valencia’s the place to be though – it too has a golden sandy beach (and a lovely one at that), a cool and cosmopolitan feel, plenty of shops, bars and restaurants and – while Gaudi maybe didn’t make his mark here – it has some eye-catching architecture of its own. Highlights of this bold and bustling town include the Mercado Central, where you can sample some delicious local produce in art nouveau surroundings, and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. The latter is a cluster of cutting edge buildings housing museums and exhibitions, including L’Oceanogràfic aquarium – the impressive blue and white structures present an almost cooling sensation in the Spanish heat.

Being capital of the free world should make you the most famous city of all, right? There’s a friendly rivalry between Washington D.C. and its not-so-far-away neighbour New York, and that’s in no small part down to the latter hogging the limelight with its skyscrapers, famous department stores, Broadway shows… But the Big Apple didn’t hog all the good bits – head to D.C. for some truly iconic Americana. There are the landmarks – the White House, the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial to name a few. And it’s not just an open air museum – all these government types need classy stores and cool bars too. And finally, is walking past “her from that thing” on Fifth Avenue a patch on being outside the White House just as the President takes off in his helicopter?

Caxton FX offers the best available exchange rates on both the Euro and US Dollar with its prepaid currency card – the perfect companion for visiting these unsung city break heroes.

You can pretty much guarantee that London will give you a good time, no matter who you are.

Whether you’re a tourist visiting the bright lights of England’s capital for the first time, or a hardened Londoner who chews on jellied eels, bellows Knees up Mother Brown at passers-by and understands why taxi drivers don’t go “sath of tha riva”, there are always new discoveries to be made in this sprawling city.

Of course, other guides might try to fob you off by recommending the staples – Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the National Gallery. But we’ve put together something a little different, the places that it might not occur to you to visit.

If you’re travelling from Gatwick Airport, drop your car off at the Gatwick Meet and Greet, make your way into the city and get ready for a good time.

Have your Great Expectations met at the Charles Dickens Museum.

Charles Dickens – writer of Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and countless others – used London as the canvas for almost all his tales. Famously, the esteemed writer would wander around the most impoverished areas of the capital at night, using the squalor as inspiration.

The Charles Dickens Museum is the home to this legend’s canon, and features a slew of facts, relics and manuscripts from the writer’s life. Situated in the house where Dickens once lived, it’s a truly unique experience that almost lets you breathe the same air as one of Victorian England’s true greats.

The finest grub in Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the finest places to eat in all of London – that is, if you’re a fan of Chinese food.

To start with, try out the modestly priced Four Seasons, a restaurant famed for its Cantonese-style roast duck. If you’re heading down Wardour Street, you’ll find it easy to spot – it’s the one with the barbecued meats displayed in the window.

If you’re looking for a more authentic look to your dining, try out Longji on Charing Cross Road. Kitted out just like a Hong Kong fast food joint, it’ll give you the flavour of Asia in both sight and taste.

A laugh of an evening

The Comedy Store has become a mecca for stand-up comedy in the UK, priding itself on presenting the best in up and coming comics.

Originally making its name during the alternative comedy scene of the 80s, it played host to figures like Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall, Paul Merton, Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French, among others.

Now, it’s where comics come to make a name for themselves and, if you’re up for a laugh, it’s the perfect end to your night.

Unlike the Bermuda Triangle – where getting lost is bad news – the so-called Balti-Birmingham triangle is a great place to get lost in the city’s surprising signature cuisine

Serving Suggestion

A fun fact is that this Asian-style curry dish has a very good chance of being invented in the English Midlands. Counter claims put the origin in the northern Pakistani region of Baltistan. Either way, Birmingham is a hot-bed for sampling this spicy dish – and the dish itself is the reason for the name, with the metal bowl, similar to a wok, called the balti bowl. The Birmingham Balti Association has applied to give the term “Birmingham Balti” protected status as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed product (TSG), meaning chefs would need to cook specific fresh ingredients in the same utensil as that in which the curry is served the Balti itself.

In a recent visit to Bath I ordered a Balti in order to take an original photo for this post and sure enough, delicious though the curry was, the geographic constraints meant that the serving was not in a Birmingham bowl (see the main image above – the “fake” Balti is on the right).

Specific, Yet Flexible Recipe

In terms of the recipe flavouring itself, garlic, ginger and fresh coriander often feature prominently and a naan bread is essential as the utensil for enjoying the curry – often shared by the whole table (wash your hands!).

As with many other curry-style dishes, once you have the sauce perfected, the “main” ingredients can be quite varied – allowing for a choice of meat or vegetarian options.

Finding a House

If you follow your nose to the middle of the Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane and Stratford Road areas of the Midlands city, then you’d be well on your way to being lost in the triangle, which serves parts of the Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Balsall Heath regions. Once here, you are not far from a great selection Balti Houses – not restaurants; another specific requirement to being authentically Birmingham.

With so many recipes, I couldn’t select one, so here is a video to watch while you enjoy your favourite – maybe back in your hotel with a take-away!

Video courtesy of Balti Birmingham

Residing neatly on a corner, at Parijsstraat 37, is authentic Moroccan restaurant Toeareg eethuis.

You’ll only need to have one foot in the door of this stunning little tardis of an eatery, bedecked throughout in tastefully beautiful North Africana, to realise you’ve stumbled across something extra special.

Its considerable menu comprises deliciously traditional Moroccan fare, and there’s even a daily lunch special catering for both veggies and carnivores. All is rounded off nicely, of course, with a refreshing glass of mint tea.

Alternative dining experiences are plentiful throughout most Belgian cities, but they really don’t come much finer than this. Highly recommended.

Toeareg eethuis
Parijsstraat 37
3000 Leuven
Belgium

Visit www.toeareg.be

Tel.: 0032 16 23 15 55

Brasserie Notre Dame Quasimodo, situated on the Grote Markt and sprawling back almost to Brussels, is a tour de force when considering restaurants in Leuven.

Huge, but still bursting at the seams, it has a quiet yet convivial atmosphere, making it one of those rare places that suits most tastes and palates.

Hearty food, served in more than ample proportions, and cooked to perfection, place Notre Dame Quasimodo streets ahead of its competition.

Add to the mix an expansive selection of Belgian beers, some of which boast an almost obscene ABV, together with a plethora of fine wines and a fairly priced menu, and you have dining perfection.

Undoubtedly, this is one of Leuven’s finest, and should not be missed.

Brasserie Notre Dame Quasimodo
Grote Markt 11
3000 Leuven
Belgium

Visit www.notredame-leuven.be

Tel.: 0032 16 22 37 62

Email notre.dame1@telenet.be

The Exmouth Arms in Camden represents traditional English pubs at their best, and has a fabulous furry feline to boot…

It has been my habit by choice, of late, to undertake journeys to northern and central Europe, wherever possible, by train. This adventure starts within twenty or so minutes of my home, at which point I catch my trusty Virgin Pendolino along the west coast mainline to London Euston where, if I have the time, I like to enjoy an evening in the capital. Sometimes this might include a trip to the theatre, others a relaxing dinner and, more often than not, a couple of beers in what I now refer to as my London local, the Exmouth Arms.

Situated on Starcross Street, a mere stone’s throw from my hotel and, indeed, Euston Station itself, this lively London institution is named after one Edward Pellew, the first Lord Exmouth, and the street itself after the village of Starcross, which can be found, predictably, just outside Exmouth in Devon. According to the pub’s website, Pellew masterminded the great victory against piracy at the battle of Algiers and was truly one of our foremost naval heroes. His remains rest at Christow in Devon.

Although tucked away in a quiet corner of suburbia, there is nothing more pleasant on a sunny day than sipping a quiet beer among the abundant and bountiful hanging baskets, simply letting the world go by. With its fairly constant and eclectic chorus of both locals and commuters, this is a traditional English pub in every sense of the word. As warm and cosy in winter as it is airy and inviting in more clement weather, the Exmouth offers a pleasing range of bitters, lagers, ales and, for those connoisseurs of the black stuff, beautifully kept Guinness. There is also a varied menu available, with classic pub grub to satisfy the hungriest of bellies – many’s the time we’ve intended of an evening to move on to a restaurant, but been in such thrall from this establishment’s charm that we’ve opted to stay on and avail ourselves of its excellent, tasty fare. It’s never been a mistake!

Staff are friendly and personable, but without doubt the master of the house is your host, Sylvester, the pub’s fabulous, friendly, sleepy black and white cat. Only the thing is, a few years ago we named him Camden, and that’s who he’ll always be to us, although we have reached amicable agreement with the licensee and her team to call him by his new, official, full name, Sylvester Camden. If you’d like to see a picture of this magnificent and ancient moggy, check out the gallery on our Frittens of the World volume two.

Exmouth Arms
1 Starcross Street
Camden
London
NW1 2HR

Visit www.exmouth-arms.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)20 7387 5440

Email: info@exmouth-arms.co.uk