United Kingdom

Gay Wales – The Globetrotter Guys

by
Gay Wales - The Globetrotter Guys

Wales has a special place in our hearts given Sion grew up in North Wales.

For those that have not been, Wales is part of the UK (i.e England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland) and is a beautiful country with incredible landscapes and lots of adventures to be had.

But what about gay Wales?

From Sion’s perspective he did not see the gay side of wales at all growing up, it was non-existent at that time. It was only when he arrived at University in the gay capital of the North, Manchester, that he experienced his first gay bar.

So instead, we connected with fellow gay travel blogger Jack who is from South Wales to tell all about what is on offer to the gay traveller coming to Wales today and how accepting the country is from his personal perspective.

For more about Wales, check out our guide to North Wales (we had so much fun!)

Gay Wales: An interview & travel advice with Jack

Hi Jack! If you could introduce yourself to our readers first that would be great before you tell us about gay Wales..

Hi! My name is Jack and I live in South Wales.

I created a travel Instagram and blog under the name Jack Runs The World, to be able to write about my travels, share travel tips, and share travel content.

It was something I had wanted to do for a while, but wasn’t sure how was best, and in the end I just decided to go for it, and it was one of the best things I’ve done!

I also write novels, mainly murder mystery, I work in TV when I’m not travelling, and I’ve recently started making music! 

By Sion & Ben – Full Story at the Globetrotter Guys

Wales Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian London – Our Taste for Life

by
Lesbian London - Our Taste for Life

London is one of the most gay and lesbian-friendly cities in all of Europe. I’ve lived and worked in London for almost all of my life. And I’ve always been grateful for its tolerant and open-minded attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. As not only can you be yourself without fear of discrimination, but the gay and lesbian nightlife in London is some of the best in the world. From pulsating gay nightclubs and exclusive lesbian bars, to the cities world-famous PRIDE events, gay and lesbian London has a lot to offer.

London’s fabulous gay scene aside, the British capital is a thriving metropolis, bursting with culture, history, fashion, architecture, and an eclectic culinary scene. Not only that, but the city boasts an endless realm of attractions and places to visit that will keep you entertained for days on end. So if you’re looking for an action-packed, gay-friendly, city break in Europe, lesbian London is a winning choice.

You can honestly never get bored in London and all it has to offer. And this guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to have an unforgettable time. I’ve listed all of the hottest gay bars and nightclubs; gay-friendly hotels and hostels; the best LGBT+ centred events; as well as all the top things to do around the city. We will also touch on LGBT+ rights and social opinions in the UK, so you come fully prepared.

By Charlotte & Natalie – Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Lesbian London Travel Resources

Gay Manchester – The Nomadic Boys

by
Gay Manchester - The Nomadic Boys

My coming out story started out in the late 1990s when the British Queer as Folk version first aired on our screens. Back then, a confused and extremely repressed young teenage Stefan watched in awe as 3 gay blokes, Stuart, Vince and Nathan, went about their daily lives in Manchester’s Canal Street Gay Village. 

I was flabbergasted! Stunned!

This was the first time I had ever seen “normal” gay guys popularised on screen. It was also the first time I had ever seen gay urban life dramatised in such a way that it felt so real! Finally, that “feeling” that up until this point I had been forced to suppress by the society around me was, in fact, something totally natural. What a relief! I wasn’t ill or abnormal. I was in fact part of a large LGBTQ family that also felt the same way. As that young teenage Stefan continued to watch Queer As Folk, he also dreamed: maybe, just maybe, I could grow up and be just like Stuart, Vince and Nathan living so freely in the gay streets of Manchester…

Gay Manchester

Fast forward a few decades and I’m galavanting down those same historic gay streets, with Seby to hand, together exploring one of the coolest and most progressive places in Europe. 

I will always love Manchester! 

As well as having a special place in my big gay heart, it has an exciting gay scene, one of the best gay Pride events in the UK and is one of the few places in the world where I feel comfortable walking the streets holding hands with my Seby. It’s also super close to London (just 2 hours by train), which makes it ideal for a weekend trip.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

England Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Brighton – Our Taste for Life

by
BLOG - Lesbian Brighton - Our Taste for Life

The quirky seaside town of Brighton is known as the unofficial ‘gay capital’ of the UK. Not only famed for beautiful beaches and sticks of rock but also a liberal and open-minded attitude when it comes to diversity. Brighton has been at the epi-centre of LGBT+ culture since the 1930s, and Gay & Lesbian Brighton continues to thrive. Boasting a wealth of gay bars and clubs, LGBT+ centred events, and gay-friendly hotels, Brighton makes for an ideal gay or lesbian holiday in Europe.

Having grown up in England, Brighton has been in my blood since I was a child. Being only a 1.5 hours drive from London, we would often visit during the Summertime. So visiting Brighton now, as a (young) adult, I can’t help but feel incredibly nostalgic. The great thing is, not much has changed from the Brighton I once knew. From the iconic pier and stripy deckchairs to the beautiful pebbled beach and scent of fish & chips, it’s all pretty much how I remember it. Only, it all seems a little more ‘gay’ now.

You see, Gay Brighton’s welcoming and unbiased attitude is evident throughout the beachside town. You only have to wander the colourful streets, to find there are rainbow murals and references everywhere. And by everywhere, I mean everywhere. By the end of our visit, I felt as if I had rainbows coming out of my a*se! Wait a minute, I probably do. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, you needn’t worry about being accepted in Brighton. Show up as you are and you’ll seamlessly fit in.

So with all this in mind, we have put together this comprehensive travel guide for Gay & Lesbian Brighton. We’ve listed all of the hottest gay bars and nightclubs; gay-friendly hotels and hostels; the best LGBT+ centred events; as well as all the top things to do around the city. We will also touch on LGBT+ rights and social opinions in the UK, so you come fully prepared.

LGBTQ+ Rights in Lesbian Brighton

Like most places around the world, the road to LGBT+ acceptance in the UK has been a volatile one. Historically, being gay clashed with the idea of being a ‘good’ Christian. Which meant acts of homosexuality between men were punishable by death. Women were never subject to the same legal restrictions; however, would often be punished by the law nonetheless. 

By Charlotte & Natalie – Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Brighton Travel Resources

Gay North Wales – The Globetrotter Guys

by
Gay North Wales - The Globetrotter Guys

North Wales is fast becoming the adventure capital of the UK. Despite this being my home town, I had never truly appreciated what was available. Having the chance to experience North Wales as a tourist was an eye-opening experience and I am very excited to share some of the best things to do in North Wales with you.

We spent 48 hours in North Wales this winter with Visit Conwy to showcase the best things to do in North Wales for a weekend away.

One minute we were driving through the lush green countryside and half an hour later we found ourselves zip-lining though a deep underground mine! Our time here was exhilarating to say the least!

We loved the fact that even though it was winter, we could still just get wrapped up in our cosy winter jackets and have an amazing weekend away full of activities, adventure, scenic beauty and some good food to top it off!

Below you will find our 2-day North Wales Itinerary and a list of the best things to do in North Wales.

About Gay North Wales and How to Get Here

North Wales has so much to offer including dramatic coastlines, rolling green hills, beautiful beaches, adventure activities, plenty of castles and a rich historical culture.

By Sion & Ben – Full Story at the Globtrotter Guys

Wales Gay Travel Resources

Lynton Hotel London – Gay Friendly B&B in London

by

Lynton Hotel

The Lynton B&B is a small friendly centrally located B&B in London. We are not a hotel although a bygone era once did call it a hotel once. We provide simple no frills accommodation in a great central part of London, positioned between the safe areas of Belgravia, Westminster and Pimlico. The West End, Soho, Vauxhall Cross, Oxford Street and most of London’s tourist attractions are close.

In our area you will find pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, fish and chips, supermarkets, a post office Plus the Victoria Palace and Victoria Apollo theatres are a 5-minute walk away. The location is also a transport hub with Victoria offering the tube, main line trains National express coaches and London red buses. All airports can be reached by Public transport.

See the Lynton Hotel Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

London Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

 

Lesbian Edinburgh in 3 Days – Go Girlfriend

by

Lesbian Edinburgh - pixabay

Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-borough, not Edin-burrr), Scotland – the name for me conjures a mental image of a turbulent medieval history with stone fortresses, ancient battles and has it’s roots easily dating back to pre-Norse and Roman expansion. Kings, Queens and historic nobility have crowned Edinburgh as Scotland’s capital on the notable bay of the Firth of Forth and shops on the Royal Mile have made their mark evolving Edinburgh into a modern city rich in it’s arts, sciences, and cultural offerings.

The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s tourist gem – the mile-long stretch of markets, shops and restaurants that tempt tourists as they explore grand Edinburgh Castle atop Castle Rock at one end and the Palace of Holyroodhouse aside majestic Arthurs Seat and the Salisbury Crags at the other end. To catch the flavor of what Scotland has to offer, Edinburgh is where you begin.

Since Scotland is such a wonderous country offering spectacular scenic vistas, vibrant castle-icious lochs and Scottish clans and their kilts, Edinburgh wraps all of these up to give you just a taste of what’s in store across it’s moory lands. Here’s Edinburgh in a 3-day weekend …

How to Explore Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in 3 days
Book your accommodations (or an Airbnb on the Royal Mile) and get set to see the highlights in 3 days.

Day 1 – Get acquainted with the Royal Mile

Hop On, Hop Off Bus (Edinburgh Tours) – you’ve arrived in Edinburgh, stepped on to the cobble-stoned Royal Mile (almost being hit by a passing bus if you’re touring on the Royal Mile from North America as you look the wrong way stepping off the curb!) and are overwhelmed with the options both right and left. Our recommendation is to head down to the Waverley Station bridge and get a ticket for one of Edinburgh’s Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours. For £15 (British Pounds) per adult you get a 24-hour pass and guided CitySightSeeing Tour of the Royal Mile’s highlights to get your bearings and determine what you want to include in your explorations. See something right away you want to explore, hop off at the next stop, explore and resume your CitySightSeeing Tour. If you’d like a broader view of greater Edinburgh, consider the Edinburgh Tour, the Majestic Tour or the 3 Bridges Tour.

By Stacy Rosien at Go Girlfriend – Day One

By Stacy Rosien at Go Girlfriend – Day Two

By Stacy Rosien at Go Girlfriend – Day Three

Edinburgh Gay Travel Resources

 

Walled Garden – Gay Friendly Dorset, England Bed & Breakfast

by

Walled Garden - Dorset

Our home and rooftop terrace give stunning views over the medieval hilltop town of Shaftesbury and miles beyond.

Walled Garden is situated at the junction of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. We are located within the citadel area of Shaftesbury with its Arts Centre, museums, High Street leisure shopping and restaurants. Remember the famous Hovis advert made here on Gold Hill?

Walled Garden has delightful places to sit in sun and shade where you can relax and let the world go by or just watch the koi in the pond from the garden room. Go naturist on the rooftop in privacy for an all-over tan.

See the Walled Garden Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Dorset Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

48 Hours in Gay Edinburgh – Gay Star News

by

Dan Beeson

Struggling through changeable weather year-round, Edinburgh, the UK’s most northerly capital city, has better things to offer than endless days of unbroken sunshine – it has class, heritage and candlelit folklore to keep you warm.
We should mention, It was unusually sunny and hot during our visit in late May – but we promise everything in this guide is, pretty much, weatherproof and true to ‘usual’ climates.

Now that’s been cleared up, let’s take a five-pillar approach to what makes a good trip; relaxation, culture, LGBTI spaces, food and drink and the outdoors.
We had exactly 48 hours from the time the plane touched down to when we departed from the tarmac once again – so it was on to cram in as much as possible but still feel chilled.

Here’s a quick round-up of guide of where we found ourselves in those 48 hours:
Wake up with the dawn chorus and head to a spa for relaxation.

Have you ever had an hour-long exfoliating facial massage? It’s a definition of living.
One Spa at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa offers a huge range of treatments designed individually to suit men and women, as well as an outdoor hydropool and signature spa experience, ‘Escape at One’, that leads relaxation-seekers around various treatment rooms.

Diving in bright and early, around 9am, starting our adventures in Edinburgh with a vigorous workout followed by intensive therapy sessions was just what we needed to unwind from a busy week we’d just left behind – and truly left behind.

By Dan Beeson – Full Story at Gay Star News

Edinburgh Gay Travel Resources

London Pride – The Nomadic Boys

by

London Pride - The Nomadic Boys

God made the rainbow so we could sashay down the catwalk to heaven…

…and of course along the streets of London during Pride!

But can you imagine, in other parts of the world, the cover image for this blog post alone would likely get us arrested or even killed.

Whilst we are lucky to live in a place where we can love who we want freely, there are still 74 countries where being gay is still a crime, and many others where the mere mention of being gay can lead to you losing your job, being ousted by your family or even worse, beaten up and killed.

We saw this a lot during our big trip in Asia, such as with our friend Joko from Java in Indonesia, Kaluu from Colombo in Sri Lanka and particularly in Russia.

This is why we think it is important to come to Pride events – to march for those who can’t. Whilst the parades are always a lot of fun, they are also a strong and symbolic message of love, unity and acceptance for our LGBTQ family around the world, who we want to be celebrated, respected and embraced by all – #pridematters

We’ve attended numerous gay pride events around the world including the gay pride festival of Puerto Vallarta, the Canada Fierte pride in Montreal and the gay Pride of Cyprus in Nicosia. Our favourite, which we always look forward to every year is Pride in London. As proud Londoners, we are of course very bias, especially as this is where we met back in 2009. But each time we go to Pride in London, we have an amazing time.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

London Gay Travel Resources