25-03-2024
In search of a weekend escape that both you and your dog are guaranteed to love? The Cotswolds has got this one in the bag. This designated area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) – spanning 800 square miles – is famed for...
28-02-2024
London has so many unique places to drink, from pubs that double as theatres, to pubs that are divided in two by a public footpath, or that rattle every time the Bakerloo line trundles below. There are pubs that still retain...
25-01-2024
From full moon retreats in the South Downs National Park to cold water dipping on the east Coast of Scotland, Natalie French shares some of the best wellness retreats for 2024.
12-12-2023
Cornwall is a stunning location to host a wedding. But we know it can be tricky to find the perfect venue that checks all the must-haves on your wishlist. So we’ve rounded up 10 showstopping Cornwall wedding venues to make t...
23-11-2023
England’s West Country has earned a solid reputation for its dramatic windswept moors, windy country roads and endless sandy beaches. It’s no wonder there’s an annual invasion; the lure of the wild Atlantic coast is strong. B...
25-10-2023
Britain’s southernmost counties hold on to summer longer than anywhere else in the UK. Choose your location well and you can still swim and sunbathe in October. Even as autumn grips the rest of the country, Devon and Cornwall...
28-09-2023
Surprisingly the term “a pub with rooms” only dates back to 1979 when The Daily Mail made reference to this very British phenomenon in an article about UK staycations. Until then pubs always had a bar and maybe a lounge, but...
29-08-2023
The Scottish Highlands have it all: dramatic coastline, majestic mountains and captivating wildlife. Home to Britain’s Highest peak, Ben Nevis, and one of the most spectacular beaches in the world, Luskentyre on the Isle of H...
27-07-2023
With August upon us the time has come for a glorious weekend getaway but summer holidays need not necessarily mean the seaside. In fact given that we all have cheap access to Mediterranean beaches these days why waste your ho...
28-06-2023
When the sun shines over the rolling fields of Hampshire, there’s nowhere better. Blessed with the perfect blend of countryside, coast and city, it’s also home to two beautiful National Parks – the New Forest and the South Do...
30-05-2023
From its long stretches of golden sand and rugged clifftops to dramatic moors and subtropical gardens, the West Coast of England has UK holidays licked. Whilst there’s heaps of luxury hotels in the region - spanning Somerset,...
27-04-2023
Today the Lake District is one of the most popular places to stay in the whole of Britain. And yet back in the eighteenth century travellers were wary of crossing this landscape, populated almost entirely by farmers, sheep an...
30-03-2023
With Easter just around the corner, April is the ideal month for a spring break. Daffodils and lambs are now giving way to longer sunny evenings and eruptions of blossom in the British countryside, an event that the painter D...
27-02-2023
Tourism came to Wales during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. With Europe far too dangerous a destination for English gentlemen who longed for towering mountains, serene lakes and plunging chasms, adventurous to...
30-01-2023
From fairy tale castles and country house estates to award-winning spas and English vineyards, West Sussex is one of the UK’s most diverse counties. What’s more, it spans both the rolling South Downs National Park and quintes...
28-12-2022
When it comes to weekend breaks, Bath has got it all: natural hot springs, sweeping honey-hued Georgian architecture and cobbled paths dotted with independent shops and restaurants. There are plenty of places to rest your wea...
30-11-2022
As we hurtle at breakneck speed towards the end of the year – with the (official) arrival of the festive season and all its to-do lists – lots of people are tinkering close to the edge. So, instead of pressing the pedal to th...
31-10-2022
Christmas definitely comes around more often these days. It hardly seems a year since I was writing about the best places in Britain to head off to before the season to be merry for a restorative break and now, I’m back with...
30-09-2022
Cornwall is almost synonymous in the British imagination with the word “holiday”. True, it takes forever to get there but the journey is well worth it – picturesque villages and broad beaches with soaring cliffs on the north...
30-08-2022
From royal boltholes fit for frolicking to ancient spa towns with awe-inspiring architecture, the East Midlands has a little black book of hotels with a rich, full-bodied history.
20-07-2022
From the world-famous Savoy to regency-inspired Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough, Natalie French shares the best places to enjoy this much-loved British pastime in the capital.
28-06-2022
We do seem set for wonderful summer holidays in Britain this year - even if train travel may prove unpredictable. Personally I enjoy weekend breaks away just as much as a weeklong holiday by the sea or somewhere in the countr...
26-05-2022
Looking to holiday with your hound? Head to England’s largest National Park, The Lake District. This World Heritage Site offers endless walks, soaring mountains and breath-taking views.
28-04-2022
The South Downs National Park is England's newest national park, and also its biggest. It was designated on 31 March 2010 and covers an area of 628 square miles, stretching from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the eas...
30-03-2022
There’s something truly special about Britain’s most far western peninsula; with over 250 miles of rugged coastline - lapped by the wild Atlantic Ocean – many childhood memories are made here and the pull for grown-ups never...
28-02-2022
London has some of the best hotels in the world. I think many of us missed them bitterly during the pandemic lockdowns. Whether it’s somewhere to stay whilst sightseeing or shopping- or when catching a show, part of the joy o...
26-01-2022
The Peak District is one of Britain’s oldest national parks. It was created in 1951 out of the non-industrial area at the southern end of the English Pennines. Most of it is in Derbyshire but it also includes parts of Cheshir...
22-12-2021
Whether you’re dreaming of a fairy-tale castle, a beautiful country bolthole or an alfresco wedding fest’ - Natalie French shares 10 exciting venues just a few hour’s drive of the big smoke.
17-11-2021
Britain’s best hotels are always fully-booked at Christmas time. This is, after all the happiest -and most expensive- time of the year and what better place to put your feet up and be waited upon over the Christmas holiday th...
18-10-2021
Rolling countryside, ancient woodland and 230 miles of coastline – Hampshire’s got the weekend break in the bag. Beyond the landscape, there’s the local produce - Buffalo mozzarella, watercress and eye-watering wasabi. Not fo...
29-09-2021
It seems we all love Cornwall. And why not? It has broad beaches and colossal cliffs, tiny castles and even tinier villages. It has seafood and surfing, cozy coves and cream teas. It has art galleries and pasty shops on just...
25-08-2021
Dreaming of escaping to a spa? Then you’re probably imagining hot footing it to a countryside retreat or a spa with far-reaching views of the Cornish Coast.
02-08-2021
Visitors to Britain could easily spend an entire holiday motoring out from London and never once leave the Home Counties. So if you are tempted to visit during these “staycation” times here is a guide to ten delightful hotels...
28-06-2021
So here are ten theatres that I’d recommend visiting this summer and autumn. Britain has some of the oldest and some of the best theatres in the world. Now is the time to get back outside and enjoy them. While you are at it,...
26-05-2021
If you're off to the coast with your four-legged friend, you'll definitely want to stay at one of these locations! Travel writer, Natalie French picks out her top ten dog friendly hotels and pubs with rooms.
28-04-2021
Embrace the inner-child this summer and escape to a hobbit hole, luxury tree house or shepherd hut hidden away in the British countryside.
25-03-2021
This year has seen a huge surge in the popularity of self-catering accommodation, places where families can holiday all over Britain without mixing with other households. Add in the UK government relaxing rules on self-cateri...
25-02-2021
I don’t know about you but until recently when I stayed in a hotel I tended to just stay in it. And quite rightly so. Many British hotels are so beautiful they’re a holiday in themselves, regardless of what is going on beyond...
13-01-2021
Today a visit to a British whisky distillery – be it in Scotland, England or Wales – is a delight. Adrian Mourby takes us on a trip to ten of Britain's Finest distilleries and where you should stay during your visit.
21-12-2020
We all deserve a little rest and relaxation - and where better to unravel than at a spa? Natalie French shares some of the best spas to retreat to here in the UK
25-11-2020
From twinkling tunnels of lights and giant luminescent sculptures; to gently flickering fire gardens - get your much-needed festive fix at some of the UK's best Christmas garden light trails.
26-10-2020
With winter approaching and the night's drawing in, travel writer Adrian Mourby takes a look at some of Britain's Best Hotels for a cosy weekend break this Autumn.
23-09-2020
As UK staycations remain so popular this year, there are few better places to visit in Britain than the Lake District. Travel writer Adrian Mourby has been to ten of the region's finest Hotels.
29-07-2020
Britain’s pubs and hotels are back! We’ve missed them and they’ve missed us. Here are ten of my favourites which are great fun and perfect, not just for spending the night but – in case you’re not ready to sleep away from hom...
23-07-2020
Forget far-flung adventures, UK travel has been given the green light and there is plenty of fun and fresh air to be had on our doorstep.
26-02-2020
Being green is now a priority for tourists, so more sustainable and eco-friendly places are becoming available throughout Britain.
29-01-2020
Who says that 14 February has to be spent with a romantic significant other? Say goodbye to Cupid and pack a bag with your chum. This year, here at Britain's Finest, we're celebrating with our besties.
23-01-2020
Expert and owner of Daisy Alexandra Weddings, Hannah Benn, helps brides and grooms to be plan their special day with her professional hints and tips!
13-01-2020
Adrian Mourby gives us the lowdown of England's top 10 private dining rooms found in hotels or pubs with rooms, which savour the best of both worlds: privacy and fine dining.
11-12-2019
Here we are again; it's approaching Valentine's Day and you haven't planned a thing yet. Don't worry! We've gone all Cupid and picked out our favourite spots to enjoy a touch of romance with your partner this February.
Britain is a country of eccentricity and individuality, and this is reflected in some of its more unusual hotels. Adrian Mourby chooses ten luxury hotels, dotted around Britain.
It can be a daunting prospect when you're standing at the top end of the school summer holidays with weeks to fill. Julie Vuong selects five of Britain's finest child-friendly summer holiday destinations that take care of all...
21-11-2019
Wedding planning can be overwhelming and it's easy to forget something. Hannah Benn of luxury wedding planning service, Daisy Alexandra Weddings discusses the most common things couples forget to consider.
Flowers add a personal touch to any wedding and there's plenty to consider. Bloom HQ's owner, Aimee Jay talks through her favourite trends coming into 2020.
Natasha Jackson at Trinity House offers a few tips and suggestions to bridal parties considering an historic venue for their wedding.
17-10-2019
For me the run-up to Christmas is as exciting as Christmas itself. Every day in December Britain office workers seem to get less and less work done as shopping, food preparation, writing Christmas cards and planning parties t...
06-09-2019
If you're starting to consider the impact that your holiday has on the environment, you're not alone. More and more of us are opting for more sustainable travel these days but some of us are still left a bit unsure as to how...
21-08-2019
From foodie havens to spa hideaways, these boutique hotels are escape-it-all retreats to rest and recharge in – so you can return to the capital with renewed vigour.
27-06-2019
Everyone needs a hobby. Unlike some politicians I don't make model buses out of old wine box-thingies. I prefer gin. Drinking it with tonic, mixing it into martinis or visiting the distilleries where it is made and meeting fe...
09-05-2019
While England has been going through its “Ginaissance”, Scotland has seen its national drink –unfashionable as late as the 1980s - reach stratospheric levels of desirability around the world. Wealthy people want to own bottle...
24-04-2019
Once upon a time Britain's pubs and hotels were places where you stayed the night if you lacked friends or relatives nearby. But you certainly didn't go to a pub or hotel to eat. That's what cafés and restaurants were for. Bu...
22-03-2019
Everyone loves spring. Grey clouds and damp streets transform into a floral tribute to the changing seasons and, well, you just feel that little bit better for spotting some daffs in the park. So, time to treat yourself to a...
25-02-2019
Walking is good for us. When Bill Bryson hoofed it along the Appalachian Trail, he was delighted how much wisdom he gained and how much weight he lost. Wordsworth used to tramp all day composing poems in his head and Rousseau...
19-02-2019
London is one of the most exciting places in the world to go out drinking. And drinking is a fine way to spend an evening as long as you're sensible. In London, there are watering holes to cater for just about every taste. Th...
28-12-2018
Many hotels in Britain were once the homes of lords and ladies, barons and dukes. When Evelyn Waugh published his <i>Brideshead Revisited</i> in 1945 he did not believe that the English country house would survive in new post...
23-11-2018
Come on, EVERYONE loves a bit of glam hotel in their lives every now and again. You know, with posh toiletries that you can swipe, super high thread-count sheets to wallow in and the sort of high-end service last spotted in a...
23-10-2018
We all complain that Christmas seems to go on forever. It certainly starts too soon. Even before the bonfires of 5 November have fizzled out is done, department stores will be playing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"...
24-09-2018
Yeah, yeah, we've all been to the National Gallery and the Science Museum but who has sampled the delights of the Cumberland Pencil Museum or engaged in the goriness of the Old Operating Theatre? Britain is crammed with compl...
17-08-2018
In the summertime hotels are bases from which we can venture out and explore the world. In the autumn, as nights get longer and we feel the first chills of winter, the British hotel becomes a place for hiding oneself away - o...
14-08-2018
Hampshire is a county known to fly somewhat under the radar. Adjacent to Dorset with its beautiful beaches; and Sussex, which contains one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the whole of the UK in Brighton, some might...
26-07-2018
We lead busy lives, with no escape from the trill of the mobile, the tyranny of the work email arriving on a Sunday and the commuting chaos every Monday. We all deserve a break from this, right? Course we do. So here are my t...
29-06-2018
Once upon a time summer time in Britain was synonymous with coastline for most of us. From June till the end of August steam trains delivered families to busy seaside railway stations all over Britain. I remember that the fir...
25-05-2018
When it comes to fun family outings and attractions, Britons are spoilt for choice with hundreds of fabulous amusement parks, zoos, museums, historical sites and outdoor activities to wear your little tikes out. It's hard to...
24-04-2018
There are still some countries in Europe where dining rooms hide the fact that they are part of a hotel. It's taken the Italians in particular decades to accept that one can dine well in a hotel. Even so they usually still gi...
20-03-2018
Dare we utter these words… winter is over! Cyclists everywhere are abandoning their triple-therm gloves and hats, peeling off some of the lycra layers and itching to get out into the countryside for some serious biking.
21-02-2018
Not long ago taking a room over a pub was what the traveller did if there were no hotel or boarding house nearby. In the twenty-first century however the British pub with rooms has taken off as a place to stay. The transforma...
29-01-2018
The world is far too full of cookie cutter hotels so this month we thought we would celebrate the different, the quirky and the sweetly unusual in our ten fave accommodation options round up. Who said sharing the bar with cat...
29-11-2017
Let's face it, New Year's Eve can be a terrible let down if you haven't arranged something special. Soggy mince pies at the neighbour's, anyone? Treat yourself to a great start to 2018 with a New Year's Eve getaway at a luxur...
31-10-2017
Cocktail bars, as opposed to pubs and private drinking clubs, used to be very much a big-city phenomenon in Britain, but the modern hotel has brought what was once a very exclusive drinking experience within reach of most of...
31-08-2017
Fancy hearing what Ian Rankin has to say about his Rebus novels? Or maybe listening in on journalist Emma Freud chatting with actor Bill Nighy? October (6th - 15th) means Cheltenham Literary Festival time – and we've got ten...
28-06-2017
Summer is finally upon us which means, if you are British, that you'll probably be thinking of a trip to the seaside. This nation has a curious relationship with our storm-tossed coast.
24-05-2017
It's only when you try hiking in other countries that you realise how very blessed Britain is with its National Trails. I've walked down footpaths in Greece that terminate abruptly in someone's newly built villa or strolled...
28-04-2017
Winter be gone! Spring is now fully fledged and in blossom, so get out there and see nature's glorious floral offerings in ten of our favourite UK gardens…
10-04-2017
My home is in Oxford which can sometimes feel like living in a film set. It's a familiar experience to find the road you want to walk down closed off by a lighting van and location caterers. But the whole of Britain is a gift...
10-03-2017
There is something about water – lakes, lochs, rivers, and the sea itself - that answers a very deep need in us all. We are drawn to it. We want to swim in it , sail across it or just walk alongside it listening to the sounds...
25-01-2017
I proposed to my first wife above a launderette in Middlesbrough and to my second in the tiny kitchen of my Oxford flat. Neither location was inherently romantic but the end result - in both cases - was positive.<br><br> T...
02-01-2017
Soon it will be New Year and all over the country Drinkcember will give way to the hairshirt self-denial of Dry January. Anything that seemed celebratory over the Christmas period is out, and we will become a nation of herbal...
01-01-2017
Congratulations! If you're reading this we assume you've recently got engaged and are pondering the vast minefield that is wedding planning! Where to start we hear you say! We promise you that once you have your venue the re...
09-11-2016
Many years ago I worked out there are two ways to make it pleasurable. One is to collect presents for people throughout the year as you see things they'd like. This means that – as long as you can remember where you actually...
03-10-2016
Oh no. It seems like we have only just completed the exhausting keep-the-kids-busy-athon that is the summer holidays and now it's almost time for October half term! Fortunately, we live in a country brimming with fun stuff to...
01-09-2016
Autumn is the only British season that gets us all quoting poetry. Keats put it well with his “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” and all those “gathering swallows” twittering in the skies.
01-08-2016
These days our dogs are not just our pets, they are family members. And you wouldn't want to go away without a member of the family, now would you? Well, there's actually no need, anyway. Britain's Finest is packed with place...
01-07-2016
This year we are celebrating the tercentenary of the world's most famous landscape gardener (no, not Alan Titchmarsh) and here at Britain's Finest we can think of no better way to mark the genius of Capability Brown than to s...
25-05-2016
In the opening to his novel The Portrait of a Lady, American author Henry James declared, “under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea”...
21-04-2016
This month Alice through the Looking Glass is released in the UK, yet another British film that makes the most of our countryside and its historic buildings. Not surprisingly a lot of classic hotels have featured in British f...
23-03-2016
Darlings, forget about those corporate monstrosities known as pop festivals this spring and summer. Those REALLY in the know realise that the literary festival is where all the coolest people go to unwind. Think sunny afterno...
23-02-2016
One of the best ways to see the British countryside – if not the best – is from the back of a horse. The view is different up there, you can see over hedgerows and walls, you can go through fields without getting your feet m...
09-02-2016
If you're going on a family holiday, for a perfect time away it's good to choose accommodation that is near really great activities for kids. You may have selected the best accommodation in the world for your next break, but...
21-12-2015
After the toxic delights of Drinkcember and our Christmas bacchanalia, comes Dry January and everyone telling us ‘Tis the Season to Detoxify. For many years January was as joyless as a 31-day hangover with nothing pleasurable...
26-11-2015
I've long had a theory that there are tribes when it comes to alcohol. There are beer people, there are whisky people, there are white wine people and red wine people (two sub-tribes) and there are gin people. It's not to do...
24-09-2015
As the seasons change we often cling on to the last of the summer sunshine. Sometimes I think the British are still pagan, fearing that the shortening of the days means the sun will soon disappear never rise again. While some...
24-08-2015
Once upon a time a hotel was just somewhere to lay your head if you didn't have a club to go to or friends in town. Now hotels are visions of a better life, a refuge where we can live in greater luxury than any lord, a buildi...
27-07-2015
It wasn't until I had two cats of my own that the words “pet friendly” suddenly began to leap out at me from hotel web pages. What a discovery! While most hotels usually mean well-behaved dogs when they say “pet”, there are...
23-06-2015
It's that time of year again when, if we aren't enjoying the delights of Britain during the summer, we head off abroad. As we plan our trip to the airport we realise that our flight is so horribly early we'd better book into...
22-04-2015
Summer is almost upon us, which means that across Britain there will be a host of festivals of many different kinds. Last year I wrote about some of the biggest and best UK festivals and where to stay if you were attending t...
17-02-2015
Not all countries have great country hotels. I've travelled in parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans where you always aim to get to a city by nightfall because rural accommodation is very basic. But in Britain we're very fo...
16-12-2014
It's a new year, with a fabulous line up of sporting events on the calendar including the much anticipated 2015 Rugby World Cup. But why not go one better than slumping in front of the TV to watch your sporting heroes this ye...
23-10-2014
The summer may be a distant memory but we're willing to bet the sun, sea and sangria has gone to the heads of a fair few of you out there and you've gone and popped the question. So now you need to find somewhere to hold the...
02-10-2014
Sun tans have faded (along with all those holiday memories) and the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is upon us. It's time to pull on the walking boots, dive into your favourite woolly jumper and go on an autumn walk....
02-09-2014
Brace yourself for some fresh salty air; we're off to the coast. Whether you like to rest your head at a contemporary bolthole with sleek modern styling or prefer your lodgings to be rather more traditional in their decor, in...
31-07-2014
We are a nation of dog lovers so it makes sense that we would want to take our faithful Fidos on holiday with us. This is something the hotel industry is more than aware of and enlightened managers now positively welcome pooc...
24-06-2014
Everyone loves days out with the kids, but sometimes parents can overdose on zoos, amusement parks and aquariums. Here at Britain's Finest we like to think of the adults as well as the kids so we have put together some sugges...
28-05-2014
Whether you are an enthusiast or not, the sight of seeing the world's top cyclists whooshing past at incredible speeds in the Tour de France is pretty special. And this year, fabulously, you don't even have to cross the chann...
08-05-2014
Let's face it, life is about compromise and no more so than when choosing a family weekend getaway. Mum and dad want a bit of peace and quiet, swanky hotel bedrooms with fluffy white towels, attentive staff, great food and dr...
30-04-2014
Purpose-built hotels are a late nineteenth-century phenomenon. Before the word “hotel” became respectable in Britain we had public houses and coaching inns. In the twentieth century many of these were upgraded to become hote...
24-03-2014
The Georgian era in British architecture lasted from the accession of George I, three hundred years ago, until the Regency period. Many people would claim that under the Prince Regent (later King George IV) Britain's experime...
Most brides-to-be have at some time in their lives dreamt of being whisked away and marrying their chosen one in a fairytale castle. For some the dream still lives on long past childhood. But now with the changes in the civil...
04-03-2014
The British have been celebrating their landscape since Constable, Gainsborough and Reynolds took their sketch books outside in the eighteenth century. This tradition continued during the nineteenth century with Turner and th...
21-02-2014
The days when the kids had to sit outside a pub with a lemonade and a packet of crisps are well and truly over. The gastropub revolution, spawned by David Eyre and Mike Belben at The Eagle in Clerkenwell in 1991 has become a...
31-01-2014
Champagne has been drunk in this country for centuries but the idea of buying it by the glass really only took off with the rise of the cocktail bar in Britain's hotels. Suddenly rather than purchasing a whole bottle, it was...
30-01-2014
You have to be careful when selecting a restaurant for a romantic occasion like Valentine's Day. Yes, the food has to be great, but the surroundings, style of service, location and clientele attain even more importance than u...
24-01-2014
Half-term holidays can drag pretty endlessly if you've nothing planned – as well I know, being a mum of two young children who need running like terriers every day and are climbing the walls after more than a few hours stuck...
14-01-2014
Scotland is famous for many things but “Scotch” is probably its best known calling-card around the world. Written records of Scotch whisky can be traced back to 1494 in records of King James IV's accounts, but as a local prod...
07-01-2014
Gone is the time when stag nights meant the groom to be and his friends, hit the town for a booze fuelled night out, sometimes even the night before the wedding. Now grooms are looking at things more logically and taking a le...
It's a fact winter weddings can be just as romantic and spectacular as those in the height of summer. They just need a little more thought and planning. Its just as important to choose the right venue for a winter wedding as...
03-12-2013
If you think winter gardens are all bleak, barren and lifeless, think again. Those who brave the cold conditions are rewarded with ruby red berries, exquisite white birch and, as winter unfolds, the first glimpse of the delic...
20-11-2013
Who wants to spend Christmas making beds up, cremating turkeys and following complicated Jamie Oliver recipes? If you think you have been taken for a yule fool too long, let someone else do all the hard work this year...
18-11-2013
The return of the rain and gloomy skies can make you feel tired and sad - add that to dehydrating temperature changes from radiator-hot rooms to chilly winds outside and you definitely have no need to find excuses to pamper y...
11-11-2013
Christmas shopping doesn't have to be a chore. Forget manically searching tourist-packed Oxford Street and manically fighting over the last shirt on the shelf. This year is all about retail therapy, finding the perfect city t...
31-10-2013
As the days shorten and the winter nights draw in, the London 9 – 5 feels more like a 5 – 9! But away from the city slog this is when Britain's glorious countryside is at its most dramatic; breathtaking sunsets, glittering de...
30-10-2013
We are living in a golden age of British cocktails. Thank goodness. I can remember twenty years ago asking for a dry martini in a British hotel and being given a glass of Martini Rosso with ice cubes. The recent triumph of th...
24-10-2013
You can't beat an autumn walk. Pull on your boots, throw on a big chunky scarf and escape outside to watch the sun dance across a kaleidoscope of scarlet reds, burnt orange and golden hues. Whether you want to wander beneath...
17-10-2013
There was a time when wine-drinking in Britain was either very expensive and shrouded in mists of snobbery, or cheap and downright unpleasant. Those of us who wrecked our student-years trying to enjoy the dreaded trio of Lieb...
14-10-2013
“What shall we do for New Year's Eve this year?” My husband asks me routinely each December. Whether you turn into a party animal or prefer quiet gatherings with loved ones come December 31, deciding where to kick off the com...
01-10-2013
Ask most chefs and they'll tell you autumn is their favourite time of year. Native oysters are back in season, the woods are full of wild mushrooms but most importantly it's game season. Grouse might have been available since...
25-09-2013
Britain's hotels can provide a lovely backdrop to the countryside in spring and summer but to get the most out of them it's best to visit when the nights are drawing in and you can enjoy those cosy drawing rooms, snug bars an...
18-09-2013
With Downton Abbey commanding a world-wide following its influence has been seen in just about everything from fashion and furniture to food! And now with talk of a remake of Brideshead Revisited the stately home theme is se...
03-09-2013
As British summers go – this one has been pretty epic! Without the torment of torrential rain, the whole country has been basking in blue skies and glorious sunshine. It's only natural for us to want to eke out every last dro...
30-08-2013
What's your idea of the perfect autumn break? A cosy bolthole serving good food and wine, where you can pull up an armchair by a roaring log fire and watch the weather close in beyond the windowpane? A quaint country cottage...
27-08-2013
There is something about a good hotel that writers find irresistible. You might say it is because they need the fresh stimulus of change or that writers spend so much time occupying imaginary landscapes that they never really...
23-08-2013
One of the world's most ancient organisms, seaweed is really rather amazing; this mineral and vitamin-packed 'superfood' doesn't have roots and instead grows by clinging tenaciously to rocks which allows them to grow upwards...
12-08-2013
Every couple want their wedding to be special – but why not make it extra special by holding your ceremony and reception at one of the many unique wedding venues around the country.
31-07-2013
Although there have been high quality Japanese restaurants in London since the 70's, it wasn't until Yo! Sushi opened its first branch in 1997 and brought the cuisine to the high street that it really began to capture the Bri...
26-07-2013
Not everyone wants to escape to the country for their nuptials. Holding your wedding breakfast or civil ceremony in the heart of a town or city can be both romantic and exciting. Every city centre hotel has a “best kept secre...
23-07-2013
England's largest county and, depending on who you listen to, apparently God's own county, too; Yorkshire's blessed with some of the UK's finest countryside, and boasts no less than three National Parks (North York Moors; Yor...
09-07-2013
Long before The Great Gatsby was premièred it was setting the trend for the hottest looks in the fashion, beauty, jewellery and the wedding scene. Bridal designers created 20's style dresses, hats and accessories whilst ha...
25-06-2013
Sorting out a UK holiday with a group of friends is always time consuming: finding somewhere large enough and stylish enough to meet everyone's demands can take ages. In younger years it's all about booking a cool place to cr...
24-06-2013
Wherever you go in Britain you'll find plaques commemorating visits by our numerous kings and queens. These days a royal visit can be a fleeting thing bookended by car, train or helicopter arrivals and departures, but in the...
17-06-2013
When the summer sun sits high in the sky, is there anywhere better to be than in the bucolic surroundings of a beautiful garden? Perhaps you just fancy nosing around someone else's flowerbeds in search of inspiration for your...
12-06-2013
Sometimes, you just need to get away with the girls. Leave the husband, boyfriend, kids to fend for themselves and have some time to catch up on the gossip and put time and effort into those precious friendships that can last...
10-06-2013
Step away from the socks. Yes, dads can be a nightmare to buy for, but why not up the ante this Father's Day and spoil yours with a day to remember? From clay pigeon shooting in the Hampshire countryside; to honing his swirl,...
05-06-2013
For many Brits, donning wellies and dancing carefree in a field is the epitome of summer! But if the thought of roughing it in your two-man-tent sends shivers down your spine, why not ditch the muddy campsite and retreat to y...
31-05-2013
We rush around so much these days I feel we have lost the sense of glamour that used to attach to road journeys. Recreate the days when touring Britain by car was an adventure rather than a way to get from A to B.
30-05-2013
I can't be the only person out there who failed to keep up a strict winter skin routine of regular exfoliation combined with dedicated sessions of slathering my dehydrated skin with ultra-hydrating lotions and potions.
28-05-2013
One of the milestones in a couple's relationship is that precious moment when they first decide to make the commitment to spend their life together. Even when other memories have faded into the distant past, the proposal is t...
24-05-2013
With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to explore beautiful Britain... on horseback. Yes, Britain is home to some of the best hacking around and with stables that cater to all abilities you could be disco...
23-05-2013
There's no denying it, choosing the perfect getaway can be downright stressful. First you have to decide where to go… then there's the whole hotel/self-catering/B&B dilemma to deal with. But what if you could just select a to...
21-05-2013
Your poor feet. Wrapped up in boots and socks for months on end and then expected to look instantly catwalk-ready just because we get a day of sunshine and you want to wear flip flops. Make it easy on your tired winter-worn t...
15-05-2013
I'm 33 but I don't feel like it, so I sure as heck don't want to look like it. Spas that relax and rejuvenate are all well and good but if I'm worn down by work and stress, it shows all over my face. Prevention is better than...
If you've always dreamed of a beach wedding, you don't have to jet off to faraway places with all the hassle and expense of long haul travel as we have some stylish venues, just a pebble's throw from the beach in Britain. Wha...
10-05-2013
Hands up who's booked a room in a posh hotel only to fling open the curtains and find yourself gazing at a car park or fire escape. Gutted. To ensure you're only ever looking at beautiful lochs, lakes, sea, gardens, rivers or...
07-05-2013
Rolling lawns, fragrant blossoms, picturesque lakes, gazebos and fountains and even the odd secret garden are all essentials when it comes to planning a summer wedding. But there are other things that will make your day feel...
02-05-2013
From the second our dashing prince presented the nation with Kate, the tides turned. Up went the bunting, out came the union jacks, Britain's streets became one big party to celebrate the fairy-tale union. Now, with the royal...
29-04-2013
Does any country in the world have so many festivals per square mile? These days Britain's arts festivals run from early spring to late autumn and cover pretty much the entire country. It can sometimes seem that there are ver...
25-04-2013
In days gone by, most grand houses had a kitchen garden, which supplied the household with veg, herbs, fruit and cut flowers. Many of them are still in existence, although they're more likely to supply the cafe or farm shop t...
24-04-2013
These days every hotelier and his bellboy will tell you their establishment is family-friendly in a bid to fill rooms. But there's more to making families feel at home than putting chicken nuggets and chips on the menu and st...
19-04-2013
Staying at a hotel recently which had the most amazing exotic terraced gardens dotted with all manner of sublimely beautiful flowers and plants, I realised that sipping tea from a china cup and gazing out into a sunny garden...
17-04-2013
May is the month that everyone who is anyone in the film industry will descend on the French Riviera for the 66th Cannes International Film Festival. This year, Steven Spielberg will head up the votes as new films compete to...
11-04-2013
There's something indefinably relaxing about being near water – looking at it, eating in front of it or swimming in it. With that in mind, I've listed ten of my favourite places to enjoy the lapping of waves and the tinkle of...
10-04-2013
East Anglia crops up more frequently in jokes than it does vacation plans – trust me, I am a Norfolk girl! However, with dramatic coastlines, quaint villages and beautiful countryside this unique part of Britain has everythin...
02-04-2013
I'll come clean: spas which have plenty of water features are my favourite kind; swan pipes, experience showers, those amazing under-water loungers with billions of bubbles zipping away underneath - give me a couple of hours...
27-03-2013
Britain is ringed by beautiful islands, many of which make an ideal spot for a relaxing mini break: there's nothing like crossing a stretch of water to make you feel like you've really got away, but there's also nothing like...
22-03-2013
North of Birmingham rises the Peak District, an area of outstanding natural beauty - and architectural gems. It's a pleasure to motor round this landscape of farms, villages, stately homes and historic towns like Duffield, M...
18-03-2013
Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside - lakes, lochs and rivers, too. For, a watery theme can add a splash of something special to a holiday, whether you're heading to the countryside or the coast, romancing your honey or en...
14-03-2013
I find the northwest corner of this country is a curious mixture of three distinct areas. In the far north stands the Lake District, a hilly and desolate area until tourism took root belatedly in the early nineteenth century....
12-03-2013
The history of the Scottish Highlands has a very different narrative from the rest of Great Britain, even from the rest of Scotland. The clans ruled this rugged landscape for centuries, based around powerful families like the...
04-03-2013
No, not spas where you can have a relaxing time with a teenage heart-throb Vampire, but spas which have special deals so you can drop by for a few hours after work and enjoy an evening indulging in your favourite spa activiti...
22-02-2013
Travel through Hampshire, Dorset and Devon and you rapidly leave behind those seaside resorts that owe their existence to day-trippers from London. Christchurch, Lyme Regis and Torquay are old coastal settlements along what...
21-02-2013
Take the kids to a historic house? Are we insane? Far from it, for while there may well be stuffy stately homes where children are as welcome as the plague, a new breed of enlightened custodians are doing everything they can...
19-02-2013
The British seaside holiday was invented on the south coast of England when George III's family, and then the aristocracy, left London to go seabathing for their health. Once a new fashion had been created, the middle and wor...
15-02-2013
The UK has many beautiful gardens and woodland for the nature-lover to delight in, but what could be nicer than to wake up and find such beauty right outside your window. I've picked just a few of them for you – from a Georgi...
12-02-2013
If you're in search of a weekend destination for lusty debauchery and, perhaps even the first flutters of love – Edinburgh can provide. This city is sexy: from the dramatic silhouette of the old town dotted with medieval turr...
11-02-2013
It's not too late to take a break this Easter, there are still some charming self-catering properties available to book while school is out. Plus, there'll be plenty of fun for all the family wherever you choose to go. For Ea...
06-02-2013
Come February, that first soul-reviving, glimpse of spring can be galvanised by a delicate snowdrop - transforming a sparse winter woodland floor into a beautiful sea of white.
30-01-2013
The origins of Valentine's Day go back to the Middle Ages where the tradition of courtly love flourished. The colour red has become symbol of love, as have chocolates and roses. Valentine gives lovers the opportunity to expre...
22-01-2013
Whether you've been married five years or 50, it's great to acknowledge your time together and what better way to celebrate than checking in to a fabulous hotel? From treehouses for your fifth year (it represents wood!) to a...
14-01-2013
At this time of year the last thing you might want do is visit a garden – there will be nothing to see, surely? But make the effort and you'll be surprised. There's much more to gardens in winter than snowdrops, lovely as the...
11-01-2013
For me, the West Country begins in Bath and extends down to Bristol and into Somerset. It's an area of beautiful cities and gentle countryside framed by the M4 to the north and the M5 to the west. As soon as you leave either,...
08-01-2013
Get active in Scotland, amid some of Britain's most beautiful scenery. Whether you want to set your pulse racing by careering down a mountain slope on a bicycle, or enjoy some quiet contemplation on a riverbank waiting for th...
14-12-2012
The countdown to Christmas is well under way and the excitement is building. Christmas lights are festooned across the streets and trees are decked out with tinsel and baubles. Christmas is a magical time for children and you...
10-12-2012
Until the nineteenth century Wales was underpopulated and undervisited. Consequently it never developed a sequence of coaching inns as in England. Tourist hotels when they came to Wales arrived with the railways, large Victor...
30-11-2012
The borderland between Scotland and England takes in Hadrian's Wall, the fortified city of Newcastle Upon Tyne and many well-defended manor houses.
27-11-2012
The countdown to New Year's Eve has begun. So, how will you be seeing out the old year and bringing in the new - how about a get-together? There's still just enough time to book a venue where you can bring together friends an...
06-11-2012
In the days when Britain's trade was almost exclusively with Europe this country's east coast ports were important and wealthy. Some of the merchant towns like Lavenham (which has three of Britain's Finest hotels in close pr...
29-10-2012
It's that time of year when Britain embraces it's dark and gruesome past - from beheaded queens and killer surgeons to haunted castles and bricked-up bodies.
15-10-2012
It seems impossible to imagine but sometimes, even the most avid spa-bunny gets jaded. Bored of the same massage, facial or wrap routine, they long for a change of pace.
10-10-2012
Gloucester is the UK's Cotswold County with strings of charming villages built out of this mellow limestone. The wool industry has been kind to Gloucestershire leaving behind lots of attractive, pre-industrial towns and the R...
The historic wealth of the north of England has given rise to some beautiful cities and also swathes of country houses, many of which have been converted into hotels. I used to live near the North York Moors and found explori...
08-10-2012
There's nothing worse that walking into your hotel's restaurant with the kids in tow and realising you have brought along some very unwanted guests. But it doesn't have to be that way. Britain's hoteliers are wising up to the...
05-10-2012
A well chosen bottle of wine can lift a great meal to a truly memorable one. A good wine list can be one that is so extensive it runs to several volumes or a much shorter document that contains a range of well chosen, interes...
02-10-2012
You and your gal pals just want to have fun, or you're new to the world of spa-ing, then maybe a trip to a hushed temple of wellbeing might not be the day you had planned. So, don't forget the spa motto - there's a perfect s...
24-09-2012
You did it! You made it through the summer! Weeks of hectic theme parks, noisy cinemas and family jaunts. Yes, the summer holidays are over. Autumn is here, the young kids back at school the older ‘kids' are back at universit...
29-08-2012
As I'm sure you don't need reminding, summer in Britain can be rather hit and miss. Autumn, however, often brings some of our best weather, and as the leaves turn, it's reliably spectacular too. It's the ideal time to get out...
13-08-2012
I find Shropshire one of England's loveliest counties. For century this green, castellated landscape was part of the Marcher Lands, border territory where Welsh armies clashed with the English king's representatives. Sending...
08-08-2012
The 18th century was a time of extreme luxury for the haves (though sadly often at the expense of the have-nots), and consequently the period's architectural legacy is quite astounding.
02-08-2012
What could be better than a staycation by the sea? You're well away from the hustle and bustle of the city, ready to discover the many delights of the coast: whether bracing walks taking in the salty sea air, visiting a quain...
30-07-2012
Once upon a time, going to a spa was a one-way meal ticket to carrot juice and cottage cheese. You were expected to have a rumbling tummy and suffer to be beautiful. Thankfully, those days are gone. Nowadays, a trip to a spa...
12-07-2012
Great food, log fires, a sense of community and armchairs that you can sink into; the list of things that makes a hotel cosy are varied but always have comfort at their core. Most of them are small, but are run with real pass...
29-06-2012
Gone are the days of the archetypal hen night when girls staggered around town in pink tutus and L plates. Today's brides are looking for something different and choosing sophisticated breaks that will give them quality time...
18-06-2012
Your wedding reception is a wonderful time for celebration when you greet and entertain your friends and family for the first time as Mr and Mrs. So, the venue you choose needs to reflect your personalities, aspirations and w...
31-05-2012
Britain's national parks offer a startling variety of landscapes encompassing the countries largest mountains and broadest lakes, rolling moorlands and table-flat wetlands. For nature-lovers they're a haven, for the outward-b...
30-05-2012
Britain leads the pack when it comes to animal attractions. Not only are its zoos and conservation centres some of the finest and most respected in the world, but its range of fur- and feather-inspired days out covers everyth...
22-05-2012
Newsflash ladies, diamonds really are a girl's best friend. Well, diamonds, chocolate, crystals and caviar that is. You see, all these sweet treats are bursting goodness... Honey is a saviour for spot prone skin and as for ch...
14-05-2012
The enjoyment of a great meal out with a few glasses of wine can be immeasurably increased by delaying the journey home by a night or two. No worrying about catching the last train home, or being the designated driver.
09-05-2012
Britain is full of old manor houses and monasteries that have been turned into hotels, as well as coaching inns that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
03-05-2012
Britain's gardens frequently play host to film makers – not only do they usually have a splendid house attached, but they offer stunning backdrops too.
18-04-2012
There are hints of spring for ages – a snowdrop here, a crocus there... And then - whoosh! - It all finally happens. Seemingly overnight, trees are dripping in blossom, gardens are awash with daffodils and tulips, and every s...
16-04-2012
Hampshire is hot right now. Its handful of uber-sexy boutique hotels, with sumptuous spas to match, are coaxing discerning folk away from the big smoke and into the ‘green county'.
12-04-2012
Your honeymoon is something you will remember for the rest of your life. The beginning of your future life together, it's a time to chill and relax and enjoy romantic and intimate moments together in an idyllic setting. So th...
11-04-2012
The candlelit bath is running, the bed's covered in rose petals and the champagne is on ice... oh and the little one is screaming her heart out in the corner. A romantic break with the kids in tow? Impossible.
05-04-2012
Remember the Calgon ‘Take me Away' ads from many years ago? That is what you will experience at any one of these seriously wonderful rural retreats. Soak up amazing countryside views and then spoil yourself with a sumptuous...
03-04-2012
London's hotels are younger than many historic buildings in the city. Until the end of the nineteenth century, British hotels were often considered rather disreputable—even in the capital. But these great structures have live...
29-03-2012
It can be hard to find a hotel where your pet is as welcome as you are. But here I have picked out the top 10 pet friendly hotels in the UK where your dog isn't just allowed, but positively pampered.
26-03-2012
Britain may famously be an island nation, but even UK natives probably realise that the British Isles is in fact an archipelago containing over 6000 different offshore islands. Some may be merely a rock in the sea, some only...
03-03-2012
Britain has hundreds of spa hotels; from chic city crash pads perfect for pre-dinner pampering to rural country retreats promising to relax and revive. But with so many hotels to decide on and endless lists of treatments to c...
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