Hello everyone and welcome back to The World Vegan Travel Podcast! I'm Brighde, and this episode is part 5 of our spring travel mini series—this time, we’re heading into the lush, layered landscapes of the British countryside.
If you listened to the last episode, you’ll know that we would have just wrapped  up a spectacular vegan group trip in France, Seb and I flew from Bordeaux to Bristol, where we picked up our hire car at the airport—and that trusty little vehicle became our travel companion for the next week, right up until we dropped it off in London. It gave us the freedom to explore villages, coastlines, and country pubs at our own pace. And honestly, I love the spontaneity that comes with road tripping—especially when the weather is this good. 
Yes—June in the UK, when it behaves, is magic. The roses are blooming like mad, the days are long, the air smells like cut grass and elderflower (my new obsession), and—maybe I’m imagining it—but people seem just a bit more cheerful. We were blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather the whole time, and it made everything from seaside strolls to garden lunches just that bit more delightful.
So, in today’s episode, I’ll take you through the places we visited—Bristol, Cardiff, Avebury, Bournemouth, West Dorset, Lymington, Bosham, and more. I’ll share some historical background, plenty of vegan finds, and the real moments that made this countryside week so special.
And be sure to stick around till the end, because I’ll also share a little teaser about next week’s episode, which will be all about our time in London—theatre, food, fancy hotel, and a bit of a rooftop surprise.

Segment 1: Bristol – History, Contrast & Comfort Food
Let’s start with Bristol, a city I’d never explored properly before in fact I can hardly remember anything about my last visit back in my early 20s.
Bristol’s got a gritty, artistic, progressive vibe. It’s a place that doesn’t shy away from its history anymore—especially its role in the transatlantic slave trade. The city’s wealth in the 18th century was built largely on slavery, and that legacy is very present in its architecture, museums, and public memory. You might remember the toppling of the Edward Colston statue during the Black Lives Matter protests a few years ago—Colston being one of Bristol’s most infamous slave traders. That moment felt like a reckoning, and walking around the city now, you can really sense the push to acknowledge and heal from that past.
But there’s also so much creativity here. It’s the birthplace of Banksy, and his influence is everywhere. Murals pop up on backstreets, and the whole city seems to hum with independent spirit.
After checking in at the Marriott and navigating a bit of traffic, we joined the Friday night buzz along the River Avon. Locals were out in force—drinks in hand, basking in that warm early-summer glow.
And of course, we had to eat. We went to Oowee Vegan, which serves gloriously over-the-top comfort food. Think: spicy burgers, gravy-covered dirty fries that gave off poutine energy, and a Biscoff milkshake so thick we had to work for it. Not health food—just pure, glorious indulgence which we experienced twice.

Segment 2: Cardiff – Castles, Concerts & the Charm of Wales
The next morning, we hit the road again and crossed into Wales, arriving in Cardiff, the country’s capital. Cardiff is so walkable—compact and full of character. There’s the big stadium right in the centre, and just behind that, winding streets, arcades, and the beautiful Cardiff Central Market, which has been around since the 1890s.
We checked into the Marriott and waited for the family to arrive—James from London, and Emily and Theresa from Dorset. Google Maps sent them on quite the adventure to find the hotel, but eventually, everyone made it. Reunions like that always feel good. I had not seen these family members since before the pandemic.
Dinner that night was at ASK Italian. Now, I wasn’t expecting much—it’s a chain—but honestly, it was great! I had a lovely vegan pizza, and the server was so excited about helping us navigate dietary needs. Like, genuinely thrilled to get everything right. It was super sweet.
Then… the main event: Tim Minchin.
s that spans layers of history. Originally a Roman fort, it later became a Norman keep, and in the 19th century, the Marquess of Bute—who was absolutely rolling in coal money—transformed it into a fantasy palace. The interiors are WILD. Think gilded ceilings, celestial motifs, and even a room called the Arab Room, which looks like something out of a jewel box. Emily said it reminded her of a storybook reading nook, and she’s not wrong.
On the way out of Wales, ee also stopped for lunch at The Queen Inn, a completely vegan pub in a small Welsh village near Newport. And I have to say—it was one of the best meals of the week. I had the juicy marbles “steak” with creamy peppercorn sauce, fries, peas, and sautéed mushrooms. Comfort food perfection. Their menu is incredible! We stopped overnight in Bristol (as we had tickets to see Ricky Gervais which we enjoyed, but I did prefer Tim Minchin the night before)
Segment 3: Avebury, Vegan Pub Heaven & Dorset Reunions
The next day, we were back on the road and made a special stop at Avebury. I’d actually been here before when I was a kid, but it never gets old.
If you’re not familiar, Avebury is home to one of the largest Neolithic stone circles in Europe—older than Stonehenge, in fact. What makes Avebury unique is that the stones are everywhere, weaving through the village, next to cottages, even inside pub beer gardens. And unlike Stonehenge, there’s no barrier—you can walk right up and touch them. There’s something incredibly powerful about that. The site is managed by the National Trust, and I highly recommend it if you love a bit of ancient magic.
That night, we arrived in Netherbury in Dorset, where we stayed with Seb’s sister Theresa and her husband Steve. I hadn’t seen Steve since Christmas 2019—over five years ago and where we were based for the next 3 nights.

Segment 4: Bournemouth, Bun, and Pause Cat Café
Next up: a day trip to Bournemouth.
Bournemouth is a classic British seaside town on the Dorset coast—with long beaches, gardens, and a buzzing town centre. It was hot, but we loved the summery vibe. For lunch, we went to Pho, the Vietnamese chain that’s become a vegan traveler’s best friend. I ordered a dish called Bún—a cold rice noodle salad with crispy spring rolls, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a hot day.
But the unexpected star of the day? Pause Cat Café.
It’s a rescue-forward cat café, home to around 15 cats—all chill, all adorable. We sat in air-conditioned peace, sipping drinks and watching sleepy kitties curl up on armchairs. It was calm, cute, and deeply restorative to get some kitty time!

Segment 5: Hell Lane, Hidden Gardens & Elderflower Cocktails
Back in Netherbury, we spent the next day exploring Symondsbury Estate, a beautiful estate just outside Bridport. It’s part farm, part lifestyle destination, part walking paradise. We stumbled onto a sunken trail called Hell Lane—which sounds dramatic, and kind of is.
Hell Lane has this mythic quality. It was once used by highwaymen—robbers who ambushed carriages—and now it’s a tree-shaded tunnel of twisted roots and moss-covered stone. It was cool, green, and just a little bit eerie. Along the way, we passed sheep, lambs, and even a few shy pigs hiding in tall grass. There are always mixed feelings for us when we see these animals. They seem happy enough enjoying the grass and warm sun, but you know what their destiny is. 
Later, we had drinks in a walled garden café overflowing with wildflowers. The scent of lavender, the buzz of bees, and crisp fries under the roses—it was peak June in England.
That evening, we visited the grounds of Parnham House, which was gutted by fire in 2017 under very suspicious circumstances. It’s being restored now, and the new restaurant and garden bar are open and the gardens were simply lovely. I ordered a Hugo Spritz—my summer drink of choice: elderflower, mint, lime, and bubbles and we enjoyed the family chat, laughs and reminising

Segment 6: Lymington, Bosham & the Cheese to End All Cheeses
On our final travel day, we said goodbye to family and headed east, stopping in Lymington. It’s a port town on the edge of the New Forest, with a long history of shipbuilding, smuggling, and ferry crossings to the Isle of Wight. The cobbled streets, historic quay, and salty air give it this breezy, timeless charm.
We had lunch at a Wetherspoons—not glamorous, but nostalgic. I had vegan sausages, chips, and baked beans with gravy. Slightly odd combo, but it took me right back to childhood. This dish is a very common quick dinner in the UK.
That evening, we arrived in Bosham , a village on Chichester Harbour with a dramatic tidal range. At high tide, the sea floods parts of the road so you have to be pretty careful about when and where you walk as you can get cut off.
We visited Holy Trinity Church, which dates back to the 11th century and appears in the Bayeux Tapestry. Local legend says King Canute’s daughter drowned here and was buried in the churchyard—Canute being the king who once tried to command the sea to stop. Spoiler: it didn’t.
Dinner was a Waitrose Indian feast—Bombay potatoes, vegan “butter chicken,” naan, and the real showstopper: vegan tiramisu. Probably the best I’d ever had, yes - better than in Italy.
But the true finale? The La Fauxmagerie vegan cheeses we picked up earlier. We tried the “Shoreditch Smoked,” “Brixton Blue,” and a Camembert-style “Bri.” They were outstanding. No qualifiers. Just good cheese.
Honestly, British supermarkets have a lot of vegan sandwiches, salads, ready meals etc which makes selfcatering, picning (on a day trip or in your hotel room) so easy.