Travel for work often? Then you’ll know the frustrations of staying in an unfamiliar town with no idea of how to kill time or where to get a decent bite to eat.
Well, those frustrations can vanish when you stay in these five transit towns.
From Crawley to Inverness, here’s your guide to food and activities that do more than kill time.
1. Crawley
A business hub for West Sussex, Crawley’s also right by Gatwick so if you’re flying in or out a Crawley hotel is a good alternative to the airport variety. Why?
Because you’ll be close to the town’s morning run-friendly Tilgate Park, a green and pleasant open space with lots of paths.
If a swim, the gym or a tough climbing wall are more your fitness line, then you’ve also got the K2 Leisure Centre on Pease Pottage Hill. It’s roughly 20 minutes from your hotel on the Number 2 bus towards Tilgate.
Take dinner at local favourite The Crown at Turners Hill for good-quality British classics without the stodge.
2. Darlington
Ideal for drivers, our Darlington Travelodge has free parking space and is just 44 miles from Newcastle Airport.
If you’re looking for small presents to bring home or gifts for clients, then the specialty shops in Darlington town centre are your best bet. Think local delicacies and flowers, alongside popular high-street brands.
Motoring enthusiasts should definitely make the 7 mile trip to Croft Circuit. Watching the pros spin round the track is an easy way to make your work trip better. Check the calendar to see if you’ll hit Darlington on a driver experience day.
For a meal out, try longstanding Sardis Restaurant for home-made Sardinian food. Or stop off at The Old Farmhouse pub for a pint and your meat and two veg.
3. Exeter
The first place to head once you’ve checked in at your Exeter hotel off the M5 is the Quay, just 4 miles away. Make like the locals and take a waterfront stroll past the outdoor cafes and antique shops. Or take a 45-minute cruise along the River Exe for long views from the water.
Then do the must-visit: Exeter Cathedral is all pristine carved stone in the sunshine. If you fancy something more interactive, then take a Redcoat Tour for bite-size local history and fine performance by your guide.
Eat and drink at Bar Venezia for super tasty northern Italian in a fun atmosphere.
4. Feltham
Heathrow Airport is just 2.5 miles or 30 minutes’ bus ride from our Feltham Travelodge. Stay here and you’re about 200m from Feltham train station too, giving you easy links to London Waterloo and southern England. But don’t miss these local things to do.
Refresh your general knowledge with a visit to the Kempton Great Engines at the Steam Museum. These 1000-tonners are up and running, so be ready for plenty of noise and photo ops.
Get to Kempton Park Racecourse in less than 10 minutes by car. There’s at least one race per week during the season, so it’s a smart way to spend the afternoon.
If all you want is a film, food and a good rest then you don’t have to drag yourself far to get to Feltham Cineworld in town. Grab a richly flavoured (but not heavy) dinner at modern Chinese-Indian InLust, then head back to your hotel for some shut-eye.
5. Inverness
Clear your head and stretch your legs with a long walk around central Ness Island or along the Caledonian Canal towpaths.
Check what’s on at the Eden Court Theatre on Bishops Road. They cover all the cultural bases, with everything from Highland music to new-release films.
For more live music with more of a party atmosphere, drop by Hootananny in the evening. Expect a big local crowd, lots of fiddles, Black Isle beers and malt whiskies. This is also your chance to tuck into haggis, stovies and Highland venison.
Stay with us to be just 2 miles from Inverness train station and 10 miles from the airport. And your trip’s sorted.
