A train to Bridgnorth, then buses and walking boots open up the delights of this rural corner – including a clock that goes backwardsBridgnorth has one of England’s oldest cliff railways, a holiday cottage with a hidden cave and a tower that leans more…
Blooming marvels: where to find 10 of Britain’s best snowdrop displays
Seek out these welcome harbingers of brighter days, from a 20th-century Cornish garden to a 700-year-old Norfolk priory – plus cosy places to stay nearbyIt’s said that soldiers returning from the Crimea brought back Cringletie’s first snowdrops. Thanks…
Seeking solace in the hills: why the Malverns are perfect for walking
Sandwiched between Worcester and Hereford, the small yet perfectly formed peaks offer hikes to suit every mood – and fresh spring water gushing through ancient rocksOn the western slope of the Malvern Hills, along the border of Worcestershire and Heref…
Brooding beauty: why Carmarthenshire is Wales’ best-kept secret
With its glacial lakes, silky beaches and verdant hills, it’s a wonder this brilliant county for walking is often overlookedThank God no boozy poet or philandering painter was born or buried in Llandeilo in the heart of Carmarthenshire. If there were, …
Kickstart for bad birdwatchers: joining an expert-led tour on the Thames
Hugh Thomson identifies as a ‘bad birdwatcher’: someone who likes birds, but doesn’t really know much about themOnce or twice a year I’ve been gifted with the sight of a kingfisher flashing past, a mesmeric blur of blue far too exotic to belong in Brit…
10 of the best eco-friendly places to stay in Europe
These sustainable stays offer the chance to share mountain views with bears, sleep easy in a low-carbon hotel and wellness experiencesThe Holenberg forest is the gateway to the Maashorst nature reserve, a rewilding pioneer in North Brabant, home to roa…
Hut parade: cool Scandi cabins on the Kent coast
The Romney Marsh coast is peppered with striking designer huts – and a new complex of cabins makes the perfect base for exploring Dungeness and Camber Sands“That one’s cool,” my son George points out. “The big dusty pink one in the sand dunes?” I say. …
Golden slumbers: 10 glorious woodland retreats for an autumn break
With our forests about to burst into colour, we pick cosy woodland cottages and eco-cabins for making the most of a British autumnGlamping is an understatement for these two spacious, well-equipped forest boltholes: one lodge and one safari tent, surro…
Bristol’s slave trade history laid bare on a Black History Month tour
A year after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was toppled in Bristol, we join a historic walking tour that ‘helps us understand the present’, as well as more Black History Month events“Important bit of history that,” a warm West Country voice …
Core needs: wellbeing holidays bounce back to tackle ‘pandemic posture’
Wellness tourism continues to grow with demand driven by the ageing boomer generation and health-conscious millennialsAt 8am, six women and one man are saluting the sun in an airy barn in Sussex. They are focused on their breathing, visualising their i…