Britain is leading the world in terms of sights, sounds and style. Madonna certainly thought so. After all, she married one of us.

A trip to our splendid collection of nations is both a holiday back in time and a fast-forward into the future. In one neighbourhood in London, you can explore The Tower of London — a castle founded almost a millennium ago — while the skyline is dominated by a new 40-storey building constructed to house the headquarters of Swiss Re. Locals know this strangely-shaped structure as The Gherkin, but members of the gay and lesbian population have other thoughts when looking at this phallic skyscraper.

London offers more than odd architecture and medieval madness to entice the pink traveller. A stroll through Soho is a veritable gay history lesson. These are the roads once trod on by such icons as Oscar Wilde, Quentin Crisp and film director Derek Jarman.

And while the capital booms year-round, early July is when the action reaches a peak in the form of the annual Pride parade. In 2006, London will also play host to Europride — the continent's largest gay festival — for the first time in more than a decade.

Old Compton Street is the hub of gay life in this town, thanks to a plethora of bars and eateries that line the sidewalks. Warm days bring the population pouring out onto the pavement for a dose of sun and fun.

Other neighbourhoods worth checking out include the hip arts district of Hoxton, sleek and chic Chelsea, and the city's original gay ghetto situated around Earl's Court — made famous by writer Armisted Maupin in his classic 'Tales of the City' collection of stories.

Bargains and beaches

If you love to shop, then your wallet is in for quite the workout. London is one of the style centres of the world as evidenced by the rise of designers like Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Stella McCartney. Be sure to hit the big three department stores of Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. All the famous names are represented in their various style sections. You may even spot a label that your fashion radar has missed.

For the best bargains, markets are a must. Camden, Kensington and Greenwich all have amazing stalls on display and are often patrolled by savvy stylists looking to spice up their next Vogue magazine photo spread.

Brighton beach gets packed in summer

An hour south of the capital is Britain's gay beach getaway destination — the beautiful city of Brighton. Thousands of gays and lesbians have transplanted themselves to Brighton over the past decade thanks to its combination of lower property prices and stunning sea views.

The city gained popularity during the reign of Queen Victoria after it became a secret love-nest for the Prince Regent in 1823. Today, Brighton boasts a hip, happening nightlife, glorious Georgian architecture and quaint boutiques.

If you can, try and go in August when the rollicking gay pride festival kicks into gear — many Brits claim it's the best in the land thanks to its policy of offering everything absolutely free. A true sense of community pervades the day and a good time is had by all.

Up north

From the south coast to the north-west we go — and on to England's second-largest city, Manchester. Formerly known primarily as an industrial city, Manchester has transformed itself over the past decade into a magical metropolis.

The hit TV series 'Queer As Folk' was originally set in the city's Gay Village along Canal Street and has experienced a boom in gay culture ever since. Five-star dining spots and hotels have moved in to grab a slice of the action — The Lowry Hotel is now considered one of the chicest addresses in the land.

But there's more to Manchester than hip hotels, gorgeous gourmets and topless boys at the T-dance. This town is also host to the UK's first cultural festival celebrating homosexuality — Queer Up North. For the past twelve years, Manchester has been transformed every May by performers from around the world.

A recent addition to Britain's queer cultural map can be found on the other side of the island in Newcastle. Locals, known as 'Geordies' by the rest of the country, are a hearty lot. While their accents may seem strong, their friendliness more than makes up for it. A gay 'village' is in the planning stages in the streets around the Central Station and local support is high.

Bonnie Scotland

Glasgow and Edinburgh are Scotland's two biggest cities and both are within a two-hour drive from Newcastle's city centre. The two cities benefit from a friendly rivalry: they are so different in character that they are both well worth exploring.

Art nouveau architecture, thanks to the contributions of local hero Charles Rennie Mackintosh; a vibrant clubbing scene and museum culture are what makes Glasgow proud. Edinburgh's graceful Gothic buildings, famed Fringe Festival and history-drenched Royal Mile provide plenty of options to the visitor.

The choices on a British holiday are almost endless. Whether you're a dyke who likes bikes or a Mary into fairies, our proud union of Jacks (and Jills) is sure to have what you're looking for. We guarantee you'll feel like a Queen in no time.

Gay travel to Britain
• For more information on Britain as a gay and lesbian destination, including a full events calendar, see www.visitbritain.com/gay.
• South African passport holders do not require a visa to enter Britain for holiday purposes.
• Not sure how much you've got to spend? Here's a helpful currency converter.