Roy, aka Andrew, is one half of the classic studio ‘Dog Judo’ and the animation house Dog Rabbit. The story goes that Roy is a traditional judoist who loves proper music, and proper judo. Unfortunately he lives with series counterpart Rexley, who drives him mad. Rexley’s brand of ‘new judo’ involves dangerous electrical wiring, spitting and shoplifting. Roy sees it as his mission to civilise Rexley with proper judo.
Roy brings a distinct country and western vintage glamour to his 120 From® ‘In Transit’ playlist. Pulling away from his Camden home with trepidation, wondering if he has packed everything, Roy then stretches out with some classic introspective road trip anthems from Frank Zappa and The Beach Boys, through to ‘A Gringo Like Me’ from Peter Tevis. We arrive into Brighton with a spring in our steps from the likes of The Sea and Cake, and Mary Wells.
You can get more from Roy here.
Heralding from the great Isle itself, one time actual philosopher, Daniel is now a famed journalist focussing on the relationship between culture and capitalism. He loves pop – that is all – so it will come as no surprise that he thinks Britpop was the best invention – ever. His soundtrack reminisces over those magical moments spent staring out of train and ferry windows, absorbing himself into the songs that have marked happy milestones in his life.
Daniel’s 120 From® ‘In Transit’ playlist is one massive National Lampoon indie style sing-a-long packed with classics for a family weekend, or the 40-something Dad imagining himself into an episode of Top Gear. Bustling out of the city with a Britpop battle between Blur and Oasis. Leonard Cohen then ushers in the open road half way through, while The Dresden Dolls and RiFF Raff & DOLLABiLLGATES wind us into our short vacation and harbour side resting retreat.
You can read Daniel’s musings for FAD here.
Weekend field notes to be added in 2017.
Just 53 minutes on the now infamous coastal ‘bullet train’, Folkestone is fast becoming a destination for the cool kids looking to take their first step on the property ladder.
Some say Folkestone is the new Hastings; while there are fish and chips and sticks of rock, it is missing that sand and shandy atmosphere that your typical coastal town evokes. Here instead the air smells of change because Folkestone is in polarizing conflict. UKIP flags fly in the wind, while real ale pubs advertise charity cross-channel swims. The creative quarter boasts real (and tasteful) seaside modern trinkets and its own triennial art show, while the centre is quiet (read borderline bleak).
A zig-zag path leads you down from the faded gem and into The Lower Leas Coastal park, which is a wonderful walk taking you right to the beach. Also on the front is The Leas Lift, a community run funicular railway, a standout highlight at just £1 – and of course the harbor arm, undergoing its own artisanal regeneration.
Fully recommended is the short trip west to Hythe. The shop windows here are full of character and charm, ideal for the avid window shopper. Departing from Hythe is the exquisite light railway. Small but perfectly formed, a return trip to first stop Dymchurch is under a tenner. Dymchurch will make you feel like you are at the seaside proper. Here you will find the amusements and rides that make the salt air of Britain truly come to life.
Just 20 miles along the West Sussex coast from Brighton, the pretty historic market town of Arundel couldn’t be more different from its noisy neighbour. What it lacks in craft beers and artisan coffee it more than makes up for in cream teas, cobbled streets, quirky antique shops and old-fashioned pubs.
Most start with the castle (and it is a proper castle) that can be seen from pretty much everywhere, you can’t miss it. You can wander around at your leisure taking in the beautiful Collector Earle’s Gardens with ornate fountains and the slightly mental ‘Floating Crown’- the tourists seem to love it. Down the hill from the castle you can rent a boat and paddle out onto Swanbourne Lake, or for twitchers there is a whole array of wildlife on show at the 65-acre Arundel Wetlands Centre nestled at the base of the South Downs National Park.
Looking for beaches? Off the beaten path is the wild and unspoilt Climping; pebbly at high tide, sandy at low tide. Travel 30 minutes west however, and you reach The Witterings (a 2 hour return leg back to London, but so worth the journey). West Wittering beach in particular has it all; soft sand, dunes, beach huts and enough flat surface for a family game of rounders – a perennial Blue Flag winner. It is no surprise that many a celebrity, including Michael Ball!, have their little piece of heaven here. While a mile away, East Wittering boasts the Wittering Surf Shop, inspired by NYC’s Saturdays surf imprint; it recently bagged Coast Magazine’s ‘best new business by the sea’ award and runs the must-see Retro Board Challenge (read fancy dress surf comp) in October.
Just over an hour from London by train, Eastbourne or ‘Ebo’ as the local kids have coined it, has a mood of nostalgia and coastal heritage familiarity about it. You should never resist the obvious; the stroll along the seafront and visit to the bandstand and pier. The ‘Sheikh’ of the pier, known locally as ‘Goldfinger’, recently painted its dome and ornamental lions gold – well worth a look. But the town’s beauty lies in its ability to charm and surprise with its modern cultural offerings, and natural outdoors.
For eye candy, The Towner Art Gallery offers exhibitions that resonate with contemporary tastes. Camilla’s Bookshop in town is a cavernous shop for the literary explorer, complete with £1 gems on its outdoor library wall. While ‘How We Lived Then’, aka Museum of Shops, is an uber-kitsch attraction that transports you to a time devoid of current digital excesses.
For a breath of fresh air The Beachy Head costal walk out to Belle Tout Lighthouse is one the UK’s finest. The marriage of the sea and sky, with the white chalk cliffs as its aisle, you realise such beauty really does exist. No wonder Sherlock Holmes chose this place for his twilight years. Be sure to have halfway ales at The Beachy Head Hotel perched at the top.
Poised as an alternative English seaside destination, Eastbourne is now pulling its weight against the likes of neighbouring Brighton and Hastings. So much so that it celebrates its Bonfire night a month ahead in early October. A local explains it’s so that punters would actually come, as opposed to competing with Lewes in November!
P.S. Cycle or train it to Bexhill-on-Sea. You’ll find the architectural beauty that is The De La Warr Pavilion exhibiting outstanding international contemporary art.
Weekend filed notes to be added in 2017.
The Isle of Wight might be shorter holiday than two or three night weekend getaway, but of late the island has undergone something of a renaissance after decades as a bucket and spade hotspot. Much of the island’s moment in the spotlight is driven by its fabulous calendar of festivals, its famed eateries for gourmands heading across the Solent for a good time and its unpretentious low-key charms that make it feel like Devon or Cornwall, just without the mileage. But do get over there before it is too late.
Portsmouth is just over an hour from London with the wind behind you. From there a short Hovercraft or catamaran trip lands you in Ryde on the island; a classic seaside town where you can get your fill of fish, chips, fudge and dirty postcards to send back home. 10 minutes west is Wootton Bridge; Briddlesford Lodge Farm is perfect for a cream tea or ice cream overlooking the river. 10 minutes further west is Queen Victoria’s beloved Osbourne House in East Cowes; “It’s impossible to imagine a prettier spot” she once said – it is worth a visit, if for nothing else to check-in on the locals servicing their yachts down in the marina.
Pottering across the island you never get out of third gear, but the kids will love the spirit of adventure travelling on a ‘proper’ island. Compton Beach out West is the spot for open sands and crumbling chalk cliffs. Sandown out East is more your family resort, which also offers real dinosaur remains at Dinosaur Isle. While Ventnor in the South, offers its own brand of sophistication.
Jazz enigma, acclaimed radio broadcaster, some-time barside DJ, and magazine publisher with his own ‘Eight-Eight’ journal, Jamie can be credited with bringing jazz to a new generation. From his seminal cover of Frontin’, through to his collaborations with Roots Manuva, Jamie is the definition of our modern artist; boundary crossing with a toe firmly rooted in jazz.
Inspired by his Whitstable bound weekend trips down the M2, and with his Essex birthplace twinkling across the River Medway, Jamie gifts us a play list that roams from Bola Johnson, Tune-Yards, through to seminal hip-hop classics as London congestion gives way to the open road. 2 Chainz even makes an appearance on this very special 120 From® ‘In Transit’ playlist.
You can listen to more from Jamie here.
Ben’s Family Music is renowned in London’s ad-land for keeping their right index finger clicking and New Balance clad foot tapping; from his pioneering record club, through to now with his legendary monthly mixtapes, and errant ‘Thief Who Stole My Sundays’ sessions. Ben searches through sound, and whispers sweet nothings to keep our ears happy. For his 120 From® ‘In Transit’ selection Ben takes us on journey. Imagine heating up your Golf for a night drive out of the capital, a fresh flask of tea on the dash, and a scenic soundscape ready for the journey. We move from the hustle and bustle of the city with Owiny Sigoma Band and Calibre, to the rhythms and widescreen of the open road, and finally to a quieter, more contemplative place with Early Songs as we arrive at Deal. You can listen to more from Ben here.