From introverted otters and obstructive goats to native squirrels and Siberian geese, the UK is a nature lovers’ paradise Continue reading…
Read More »10 challenging UK outdoor adventures for children and teenagers
Challenging yourself on an outdoor adventure and overcoming fears, be they of heights, injury or humiliation, is an important rite of passage for older children and teenagers, and a great way to boost self-confidence and resilience. And with many school activity trips cancelled for the second year running, here are …
Read More »10 UK self-catering places to stay still available for the half-term holiday
Swiss Cottage, Staffordshire Alrewas is the kind of village where roses grow over whitewashed walls and candlelit pubs serve good old-fashioned pints. This half-timbered cottage, just steps from the canal, has a patio with wrought-iron chairs. There are 150 acres to explore in the National Memorial Aboretum, just a walk …
Read More »From Suffolk’s Atlantis to Robin Hood Way: seven epic UK walks – and where to stay
The Suffolk coast path around Dunwich, 5 milesDunwich was one of England’s mightiest ports – a rival to London until the 14th century, when storms swept the town out to sea. Today, it’s a little village on a pebbly beach, with a ruined priory in which you might ponder Suffolk’s …
Read More »Sherwood, Snowdonia and the Solent: seven great UK escapes to make now
The Isle of WightBest for: Outdoor thrills Despite being only 38,000 hectares in size, the Isle of Wight – a short zip across the Solent from southern England – punches above its weight for outdoor pursuits. Pretty Bembridge, on the island’s eastern tip, is a brilliant jumping-off point for a …
Read More »‘It feels really special’: Manchester venues optimistic as doors reopen
On the long march out of lockdown, this was probably the most significant day yet. A day of reopenings and reacquaintances after months of restrictions and rules. And while the mood in Manchester seemed much sunnier than it has for some time – with museums, galleries, cinemas and music venues …
Read More »From London to Beijing on the old Silk Road – a photo essay
I set off on my dream journey from London to Beijing in the halcyon days of 2019. It’s a trip that seems unimaginable today. Travelling overland, I wanted to experience the transitions between cultures, to understand more about what connects us. I was also interested to see the legacy of …
Read More »It’s oh so quiet: silent whale watching on Iceland’s first electric boat tour
‘Look! Look! Over there …” The boat listed dramatically as 50 passengers raced to its starboard side. Seconds earlier someone had spied the distinct blow – a spray of airborne water – that signalled a whale was about to emerge. A silence fell over the crowd as we waited, patiently. …
Read More »England puts 12 destinations on Covid ‘green list’ for trips from 17 May
Portugal and Israel are among a dozen countries which have been placed on England’s first ever “green list”, allowing people to go abroad from 17 May and return home without the need to quarantine. Announcing the first easing of tight restrictions on foreign travel in months, the transport secretary, Grant …
Read More »10 British forests getaways – with great places to stay
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Mysterious and atmospheric, the Forest of Dean combines dense pine woods, rolling hills and the glistening ribbon of the Wye river, with plenty of family attractions dotted throughout. The big draws are Puzzlewood – a natural theme park – and the Clearwell Caves, while the Perrygrove …
Read More »