Saturday 19 August 2017
HOME: The best places to visit in Tring
It’s over a year now since we decided to move to Tring (our actual move will be a year in December – buying a house takes time, you guys) and I honestly think it’s one of the best decisions I (well, we) ever made. As much as I’m happy with our house – and I am, I feel incredibly lucky to have such a lovely home and to have parents who supported and helped us to get there (and I will always be honest about the fact that we DID have help, because it would have been so difficult to do alone) – I’ve really fallen for our little town.
Whenever I Instagram a picture of the pretty high street or the incredible views from the top of the park or my latest favourite restaurant, I hope that I’m inspiring someone, somewhere, to pay Tring a visit. Sure, it’s a 45 minute train journey from London and then a bit of a walk from the train station once you get there (that 35 minute walk is, I think, why Tring was still just about in our budget), but it’s so worth it once you get there! It’s surrounded by breathtaking scenery, it’s full of cosy pubs and independent eateries and it’s just so bloody nice. It’s the kind of place where there are boxes of fresh flowers along the high street, flowers that horrible teenagers don’t rip out when they’re bored. It’s the kind of place where people chat to strangers, where people saw us looking in the windows of estate agents and asked if we were joining the community. It’s the kind of place where every building on the high street, even the Costa and the Prezzo looks like it has an interesting history behind it.
I’m a fan.
Anyway, I really do think you should visit Tring for the day, or even a weekend. It’s only a 25 minute drive from Watford, it’s a direct train from Euston and it’s worth it when you get there. And if you do visit, I’ve compiled a little list of my favourite places in Tring... so far. There’s so much more I haven’t had the chance to discover, so please make recommendations if you know the area!
EAT / DRINK
Jack & Alice
We actually had to wean ourselves off Jack & Alice because we started to go there all the time and felt like we weren't exploring enough. But it's just so very US. They have a fondue night! A burger night! A gin night! They do brunch! They do cakes! And it's all decorated in a cute vintage style, too. It's named for the grandparents of the owners, and their ever-changing menu has SBV faves on it like mac'n'cheese, pulled lamb and piiie.
Black Goo
This coffee shop is named for a Johnny Cash quote, and sells the most epic cakes along with their extensive coffee menu (I don't drink the stuff, but I hear it's nice). In the week, they do pastries, sandwiches and salads and then at the weekends, their amazing brunch menu comes out to play. It has various scrambled eggs and avocado on toast options, and even a Dishoom-inspired chilli cheese on toast.
King’s Arms
It's hard to miss this pub if you go exploring in Tring - it's big and it's bright pink. There's a lovely, friendly atmosphere inside - it's definitely not one of those places where you'll be ignored if you've never been in before. They do an excellent Sunday roast, a range of ales and one of the biggest gin collections in the area (they're big fans of gin here - we even have our own distillery). I haven't tried the non-Sunday menu yet, but I have my eye on the ribs and the halloumi and pesto burger.
SHOP
Ruby Tuesday
This interiors shop is new to Tring, but it had my mouth dropping open when I first walked in - this is a seriously beautiful collection of pieces. I started to worry about falling in love with something I couldn't afford, but actually the prices are really good. I picked up an amazing copper wine rack for about £20, and I'm eyeing a dragonfly cushion for my sofa. And also this orange chair, even though I don't have any space for it. And this copper unit.
Nineteen 49
This awesome vintage shop is owned by the Emmaus Trust, but is a more thoughtfully curated selection of secondhand items than you'll usually find at an Emmaus. Everything in here is to die for - from amazing furniture to crockery and smaller items - and it's all at surprisingly great prices. There's a gorgeous old record player unit in the window that I want so much even though it won't fit in my house and I don't own any records. Guh.
Amelia George
If you're in the market for a wedding dress, Amelia George sells ex-samples and preowned dresses. They have a big collection, lovely service and the owner of the shops does all the alterations herself so you can talk through exactly what you're thinking when you're trying on. If you don't want to spend a fortune, definitely head here (I did!).
EXPLORE
Tring Park
Matt persuaded me to join him on ParkRun a few weeks ago. I walked it rather than ran (I am SO not a runner), but that gave me more of a chance to take in the breathtaking scenery. The park is miles and miles of untouched scenery, with stunning views and wooded areas to explore. Along the top runs the Ridgeway, one of our most ancient roads (which Bill Bailey walked recently - true facts!). If you've ever driven along the A41 between Watford and Aylesbury and admired the scenery on either side of the road, chances are that's Tring Park. Nice, right?
Tring Natural History Museum
Damn straight we have a Natural History Museum! I used to go a lot as a kid. It's got a huge collection of stuffed animals and other zoological marvels. I haven't had the chance to go yet since we moved, but there used to be a flea wearing clothes and a giant stuffed shark that might be to blame for my lifelong phobia. It's now owned by the NHM in London, so there are lots of family friendly activities around there if you're visiting with small ones.
Tring Memorial Garden
If you want something a little closer to town and a bit more landscaped than Tring Park, head to the Memorial Garden which commemorates those who died in WWII. I love it there. It's beautiful - there's a huge bed of flowers at the entrance that is always changing. Sometimes it's dozens of pink hyacinths, right now it's full of dozens of red, white and yellow carnations. And then inside, it's all swooping trees and shady areas around a huge fishpond. The perfect place for a picnic, or to hide with a good book on a nice day.
Tring Reservoirs nature reserve
Tring sits on the Grand Junction canal, and if you wander up there you'll get to the reservoirs - a collection of stunning lakes, perfect for bird-watching, fishing or just admiring the views. Bring a picnic, or enjoy some cake at one of the cute tea rooms around there to give you some energy from all that walking.
Like I said, I haven't covered everything - we have a Champneys, some amazing independent shops, a gin distillery, a brewery, countless pubs, lots more restaurants, farm shops... there's a lot for a little town. And I haven't even touched on the surrounding areas - the Chilterns has some beautiful villages that I need to spend more time in.
So. Have I persuaded you to visit yet?
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Essbeevee | Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, St Albans, Tring food, lifestyle, & parenting blog. All rights reserved.
Tring sounds great! Hopefully I'll get the chance to visit one day, if only to check out that vintage store :)
ReplyDeleteAh all those places to eat sounds heavenly!
ReplyDeleteSophie
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A Story of a Girl
I never realised how pretty it was - I go through it on the train a lot but would never think to visit!
ReplyDeleteNINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Lifestyle Blog
Yay, bit excited to see Tringaling pop up! I went to school here, and work here now :) you mustmustmust head out to College Lake- it's on the canal just outside of Tring and is beaaaautiful :) would love to see you blog about it!
ReplyDelete