United Kingdom
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: A Festive Guide to Markets, Lights & More
It had been exactly three years since my last visit to Edinburgh and as it’s one of my favourite cities, that was far too long. So, to remedy the situation, we managed to squeeze in a short break to the Scottish capital just before Christmas. We travelled on a Cross-Country train that was over-crowded all…
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The Pheasant Inn, Highclere, Hampshire Review
Hotel Review Location This picturesque 17th century inn is located in the village of Highclere, Hampshire close to the Berkshire border. Highclere Castle, where most of the filming for Downton Abbey took place, is just up the road and the attractive market town of Newbury a fifteen minute drive away. The Pheasant has ample parking…
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The Inn at Whitewell, Clitheroe Review
Hotel Review Location The Inn at Whitewell is located in one of England’s 36 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the Duchy of Lancaster estate overlooking the River Hodder in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. This charming 14th century inn is easily accessible from the M6 motorway with Lancaster being 18 miles to the…
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Discover the Ribble Valley – A Foodie’s Paradise
After a traditional Lancashire breakfast at The Inn at Whitewell we were soon ready to see more of the beautiful Ribble Valley. Our first stop of the day was just up the road in the charming small village of Chipping. Narrow winding country lanes lead into the village centre, its attractive stone cottages bedecked with…
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A Day in the Ribble Valley – Clitheroe and the Trough of Bowland
The Ribble Valley is an idyllic part of the north of England located in north east Lancashire and covering 212 sq. miles of the Forest of Bowland, an area of deep valleys and peat moorland. It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but despite booming tourism with ever increasing numbers of visitors, it’s still a…
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Travel Guide to Wareham, Dorset – Things to See and Do
On arrival in the town we were following car park signs but managed to park on the road which was fortunate. Leaving the car, we walked past the Town Hall and popped into the Town Museum for a little look. Admission is free and its small galleries depict the town’s history and display historic artefacts.…
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The Great Yorkshire Show
After enjoying my visit to the Great Yorkshire Show last year I was even more excited to return to Harrogate once again to attend the 161st agricultural show. This three day event is one of the biggest in the English calendar and showcases the best of British farming, food and the countryside plus lots more…
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Discover Blandford Forum, Dorset – Things to See and Do
Blandford Forum is a market town in Dorset, 15 miles north of Poole. I’d read the town was noted for its Georgian architecture so I was keen to take a look. Approaching Blandford Forum we passed through pretty villages with quaint names such as Sturminster Marshall and Charlton Marshall. Arriving in the town, we parked…
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The Ultimate Guide to Upton House and Gardens, Warwickshire
The weather forecast was good so we planned a visit to Upton House and Gardens near Banbury in Warwickshire. Arriving around 2.00 p.m. on a glorious summer’s day the main car parks were already full but we were directed to an overflow parking area in a field which was only a short walk from the…
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The Wheatley Arms, Ilkley Review
Location This handsome stone inn stands proudly in the small village of Ben Rhydding set amid leafy lanes and in the shadow of the famous Cow & Calf Rocks on Ilkley Moor. The hotel lies 18 miles north west of Leeds and just one mile from the Victorian spa town of Ilkley which oozes charm…
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Heptonstall and Todmorden, Calderdale
Our short break in the picturesque South Pennine town of Hebden Bridge was nearing its end and we reluctantly packed our belongings into the car and bade farewell to Josephine, the friendly owner of the Croft Mill Aparthotel where we’d enjoyed a two night stay. It was then only a short drive up to the…
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Exploring Hebden Bridge, Halifax and Sowerby Bridge
After sleeping soundly in our comfortable beds at Croft Mill we prepared breakfast from the generous hamper that had been left for us, feasting on organic muesli with strawberries and grapes, free range eggs and wholemeal crusty bread. It was again another bright, sunny morning as we set out to explore the idyllic small town…
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Croft Mill Aparthotel, Hebden Bridge Review
Hotel Review Location Croft Mill Aparthotel is located in the centre of the attractive small town of Hebden Bridge which lies 8 miles west of Halifax and is perfectly placed mid way between Leeds and Manchester, both less than an hour away. The apartments have a car park which is a huge bonus in such…
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Why You Should Visit Halifax in Calderdale – History, Culture & Attractions
It was a long time since I last visited Hebden Bridge, a small market town nestled in the south Pennines, eight miles from Halifax. We travelled there by car, making our first stop at Shibden Hall one mile outside Halifax. This half timbered Tudor fronted house dating from 1420 is set in Shibden Park covering…
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A Day in Leafy Cheshire – Exploring Northwich, Middlewich & Little Moreton Hall
Our final morning in lovely Cheshire but still no signs of any sunshine. We started the day with another visit to Northwich as on the previous day we had focussed on its key attractions rather than the town itself. The town welcomes motorists as the first car park we came across right in the centre…
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Top Attractions in Cheshire – The Lion Salt Works & Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich
After enjoying a relaxing breakfast in our idyllic accommodation at Cheshire Boutique Barns, we set off for Northwich, 22 miles to the north. On our way we made a brief stop at Nantwich Marina where we had hoped to take a stroll along the towpath of the Shropshire Union canal but the weather wasn’t in…
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Cheshire Boutique Barns, Wrenbury Review
Hotel Review Leading such hectic lives we decided to enjoy a relaxing break at the lovely Cheshire Boutique Barns located in Wrenbury, in the midst of southern Cheshire’s rolling countryside and leafy lanes. Although the accommodation’s tranquil setting may sound remote, it’s actually easily accessible from the M6 motorway with Nantwich being only 5 miles…
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Exploring Nantwich and Staying at Cheshire Boutique Barns – A Perfect Countryside Getaway
We planned a short break in the gently rolling countryside of Cheshire, a part of the country we were both unfamiliar with. We frequently head to cities and large towns so just for a change we opted for a relaxing stay in a secluded barn tucked away down a leafy lane in the tiny village…
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How to Spend a Day in Abingdon, Oxfordshire – Top Sights and Activities
Abingdon is a market town in Oxfordshire nestled on the banks of the River Thames. I was long overdue a return visit as the previous occasion was more than 25 years ago when I attended a wedding in the town. Although Abingdon does not have a railway station the nearest one is located only three…
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Exploring Littlehampton and Petworth House – A Perfect Day Trip in West Sussex
The sun was streaming through the windows as we pulled back the curtains of our hotel room. The Premier Inn Worthing had been a good choice with its seafront location and our three night stay had been very comfortable. The Coastliner 700 bus service which we had used to get to and from Brighton continues…
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Visit Brighton Pier and Marina: The Ultimate Seaside Experience
We were up early once again so that we could make the most of our day, and arrived into Brighton shortly after 9.00 a.m. As we’d only had a coffee in the hotel room we looked for somewhere suitable for breakfast and soon found the ideal place amongst the labyrinth of narrow lanes in the…
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British Airways i360 and Brighton Pavilion
After waking early we caught the Coastliner 700 bus service into the centre of Brighton. Before leaving home our original plan had been to travel into Brighton by train but on noticing these buses passing along Worthing’s seafront at ten minute intervals we opted for the Coastliner instead. Despite the journey time by road taking…
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Worthing and Brighton – a weekend break
Another weekend at the seaside but this time on England’s south coast visiting Worthing and Brighton in Sussex. My day began with a short train ride into Leeds followed by a longer journey into London King’s Cross Station. From there, I took the underground across to Victoria Station for the last leg of my journey…
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The Holiday Inn Hull Marina Review
Hotel Review Location The hotel has a superb location overlooking the waterside at Hull Marina. For those travelling by car it’s just off the A63 which links to the M62 motorway and is only a ten minute walk from Hull Paragon station for guests arriving into the city by train. Arrival and Check-in The spacious…
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