The Fleece, Addingham

The Fleece, Addingham, West Yorkshire

Restaurant Review  The Fleece pub and restaurant is located in the village of Addingham which lies between Ilkley and Silsden in West Yorkshire. The pub stands in a handsome Yorkshire stone building and even in winter its large outdoor terrace looked inviting with its covered canopy illuminated with fairy lights.  On entering the door there's …

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Espoo snow covered trail

Espoo, Finland – the perfect winter break

Espoo lies close to Helsinki in southern Finland and despite not being as well known as the capital city, it is a lovely place to spend a few days.  The city boundary covers the attractive centres of Tapiola and Matinkylä and the beautiful Nuuksio National Park. Getting there: Arrive into Helsinki Vantaa Airport (flights from …

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Hotel Matts, Matinkyla, Espoo

Hotel Matts, Matinkylä, Espoo, Finland

Hotel Review Location: Hotel Matts is a luxurious 4 star hotel which has been open in Matinkylä, Espoo since early 2021.  The hotel has a metro and bus station just outside the door enabling guests easy access to travel around the scenic Espoo coastal area and into the centre of Helsinki in under 20 minutes. …

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Helsinki sign in Winter

Helsinki – the perfect winter city break

Finland's capital Helsinki is beautiful all year round and although it attracts more visitors during the summer months, winter breaks to this Nordic city are an absolute delight. Below are my suggestions for making the most of this winter wonderland. Market Square (Kauppatori) Start with a walk around the market square and admire the harbour …

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Silja Line boat, Helsinki

Tallink-Silja Line Day Cruise Helsinki – Stockholm

Whilst staying in Helsinki recently we planned a two day Roundtrip Cruise to Stockholm.  Cruise ferries depart daily at 4.45 p.m. and arrive in Stockholm the next morning enabling visitors to spend a day in the Swedish capital before returning to the ferry for the return voyage. Embarkation  Tallink-Silja Line have two identical cruise ferries …

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Golden Mummies of Egypt Exhibition, Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum and a meal at The Butcher

Manchester Museum I always look forward to a visit to Manchester as it's one of my favourite U.K. cities and when I learnt that the Manchester Museum was re-opening after a closure of almost two years I planned a day out. The museum is located in a beautiful Neo-Gothic building on Oxford Road and forms …

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Assheton Arms, Downham

The Assheton Arms, Downham, Lancashire

Restaurant Review The Assheton Arms lies at the foot of Pendle Hill in the picturesque village of Downham near Clitheroe in Lancashire.  After a lengthy closure, the pub has just re-opened with new owners, Bowland Inns & Hotels, the parent company behind Bowland Brewery and the James Places' collection of hotels, inns and restaurants. The …

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Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

Peak Edge Hotel, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Overview: The hotel's history began way back in 1788 as a small pub known as the Red Lion on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District.  The current owner Steve Perez used to live there as a child as his father restored the pub back in 1966.  In 2018 Steve bought back the property adding …

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Matlock Farm Park

Day 3. Matlock Farm Park

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the Peak Edge Hotel we checked out saying goodbye to the friendly staff who had looked after us during our stay.  With our luggage packed in the car we left the hotel at 10.30 a.m. and drove the short distance to Matlock Farm Park. This family oriented park is an …

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Decorative Denby Teapot

Day 2. Denby Pottery Village and Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire

After a good night's sleep at the Peak Edge Hotel, we popped down to the restaurant to enjoy a leisurely breakfast.  I couldn't resist my favourite of smashed avocado and poached eggs on toast whilst my husband started the day with a Derbyshire which also looked delicious. Two cappuccinos later and we were ready to start …

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