Breaking down in the motor home on a lonely country lane with diesel streaming onto the road was not the best start to my holiday in rural Wales. We were miles from the nearest garage, it was a Sunday morning and everything in Cardigan Bay was shut. Worse still, […]
When I told friends that I was going to Skye for a week’s holiday, they warned me that rain, hail or thick fog would descend and ruin the trip. “It always rains in Scotland” was their warning cry. But they were wrong – when I arrived, it didn’t […]
Eyemouth is something of an undiscovered treasure. This busy fishing port is tucked away on the Berwickshire coast and it’s easy to miss if you’re heading to St Abb’s Head, its picturesque neighbour. This authentic coastal town is worth a visit, even if it is a little rough around the edges. […]
Northumberland is one of Britain’s most beautiful counties, but this wild and wonderful place is also one of the least visited. It’s on my doorstep so no surprise that I’m its biggest fan. With fabulous beaches, historic castles and a stunning coastline, it’s a shame that more people haven’t discovered its […]
Saltaire is a strong contender for the title of ‘coolest day out’ in Yorkshire. It’s a fantastic place for anyone who loves that heady mix of heritage, culture and retail therapy. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of my favourite places in northern England – and winter is a great time of year […]
Do you know where the first modern Olympics were held? If you guessed Athens, Paris, St Louis or London, you’d be wrong. The answer – unbelievably – is a small town in England called Much Wenlock in rural Shropshire. Much Wenlock’s Olympian Games first took place in 1850, almost 50 years before […]
Tyneham is hidden in a beautiful valley in Dorset where time has stood still for over 60 years. It’s the forgotten village. Locked in a time warp, nobody has lived at Tyneham since 1943. This small, isolated village became trapped in time during World War Two when villagers were told by the […]
Hadrian’s Wall is one of the most impressive ancient monuments in Britain. It was once the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire and covers 84 miles of rugged countryside from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend on Tyneside. Today this is spectacular walking country, whether you’re a serious walker or a casual visitor […]
Amble is one of the most under-rated tourist centres on the Northumberland coast with its fish, ships and picturesque harbour. It’s a great place to stroll along the beach, watch the boats come in, and enjoy some of the best fish and chips in Britain. This unpretentious coastal town has something for every taste. It may not […]
Cornwall boasts the most gorgeous gardens in Britain so I was thrilled to discover a new addition to its great outdoor attractions. Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens is hidden in a lush valley with woodlands, a stream and dramatic vistas which provide the setting for contemporary art installations. International artists such as James Turrell and David […]