Having a holiday or weekend break is something we’ve all taken for granted over the last few years. But the travel industry changed beyond recognition in the blink of an eyelid when the Covid-19 pandemic struck . The world of travel is now a very different place to […]
Does anyone send holiday postcards any more? One of my old holiday rituals was to pick the perfect postcards for friends and loved ones. For years, I even held a competition with my friend Dave to see who could send the tackiest! Today, social media is king, and […]
Autumn has arrived finally, and I’m dreaming of booking a cosy getaway to the English Lake District to lift my spirits. The Lakes are the perfect place for an autumn or winter break. The summer crowds have long gone and there’s a more relaxed feel to one of England’s busiest tourist destinations. Add to this […]
Ullswater is often described as England’s most beautiful lake and it’s hard to disagree with its top billing. Not only does it boast stunning scenery with a mix of mountains, woodland and water, there are plenty of hiking trails and scenic walks for hardened ramblers and leisure walkers alike. But by far the best way of […]
There’s nothing better than the sight, smell and sound of classic steam trains in the English countryside. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a sight to behold as its miniature trains steam their way across the dramatic landscape of the western Lake District. Jump on board the train at […]
The English Lake District is renowned for its wild walks but my trip to Hardknott Roman Fort proved to be wilder than I’d anticipated. Spring is one of my favourite times of year in the Lakes but it’s also when you can experience four seasons of weather in 24 hours. Overnight […]
This is my favourite season for wildlife because it’s the time of year when migrating birds head back to the British Isles. It also marks the return of the fabulous Osprey from Africa. This thrilling white bird of prey is one of my favourite summer visitors. Not only is it […]
I love islands. There’s something about their isolation and separateness from the modern world that intrigues me. It’s almost as if they exist locked inside a time capsule, bound by their own sense of space and time. Horizons unlimited. Sometimes they’re wild and forgotten places but they can […]
Blackwell is one of my dream houses sitting in a beautiful location overlooking Lake Windermere in the English Lake District. It has everything to make you swoon – a stunning setting, spectacular views over the Coniston Fells and a beautiful interior. It’s unusual for me to choose an older […]
Winter is a time when you want to wrap up warm, hunker down and enjoy a cosy weekend break close to home. The village of Cartmel in the Southern Lakes is ideal for anyone looking for a day out in a picture perfect English village untouched by the ravages […]