Stirling Canterbury Train

The Scottish city of Stirling is the largest city on central Scotland and is build around the fortress of Stirling Castle. The castle sits on top of Castle Hill and is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs. Several Scottish monarchs have been crowned at Stirling Castle including Mary Queen of Scots in 1542. The castle is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is now a popular visitor attraction which is managed by Historic Scotland.

The Top of the Town is made up of Broad Street, Castle Wynd, Ballengeich Pass, Lower Castle Hill Road, Baker Street and St Mary's Wynd which all lead up to the castle. This area is popular with visitors who also visit the Old Town Jail, Mar's Wark (a ruined building dating back to the 16th century), Argyll's Loding and the castle itself. Ballengeich Pass leads to the graveyard at Ballengeich and the Castle Wynd winds past the old graveyard. Craft shops and tourist-focused shops are evident on the way up and once at the top, panoramic views are available across Stirling and beyond.

Stirling is a major centre of sports training and education in Scotland. The headquarters of the Scottish Institute of Sport is a purpose-built facility on the campus of Stirling University, which opened in 2002. Also at the university is the Scottish National Swimming Academy, as well as the Gannochy National Tennis centre, which is seen as a tennis centre of excellence.

Located in the south east of England in the county of Kent, Canterbury is an historic city with its cathedral being the centre of the world wide Anglican Church. The cathedral, the oldest in England, dominates the city's skyline but there is more to Canterbury than its cathedral. The ancient ruins of St Augustine's Abbey and St martin's Church form Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canterbury is a small city and is best explored on foot. Walking trails or guided walks will help you make the most of your time here and to enjoy the winding lanes and streets, all with their own unique identity. Alternatively you may wish to relax and absorb the wonder of the city with a boat trip along the River Stour where will be able to appreciate Canterbury's finest and historical architecture set against outstanding, scenic views. The crystal clear waters of the Stour offer a home to ducks, swans, fish and other wildlife while the river banks have an array of bending willow trees and wild flowers. North of the city is the award winning Crab and Winkle Way which is mostly a traffic free, seven mile cycling and walking route based on an old railway line running between Canterbury and Whitstable. It's safe for children and provides a perfect place to picnic along the way in the heart of one of England's oldest forests.