Hay Festival of Books 2024 Wales, UK
The Hay Festival in Wales is the leading book festival in the UK. Held in the beautiful Welsh town of Haye-on-Wye towards the end of May, the 2024 Hay Festival of literature will feature more than…
Travel Topics
The Hay Festival in Wales is the leading book festival in the UK. Held in the beautiful Welsh town of Haye-on-Wye towards the end of May, the 2024 Hay Festival of literature will feature more than…
Whether it is for ethical reasons or health, increasingly large numbers of people are turning towards veganism. According to the Veganuary website 620,000 people tried being vegan last January, from…
The Guernsey Literary Festival 2024 is a vibrant celebration of the world of literature set on the beautiful Channel Island in April and May. One of the leading literary festivals…
The family friendly, UK food festival returns to Roundhay Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire for the eighth time in May. The North Leeds Food Festival celebrates local and international food…
What started as a small family business in 2010 has turned into one of the major food festivals in the UK. The Great British Food Festival (GBFF) features the country’s…
Frieze Art Fair London is one of the most influential contemporary art fairs in the world. It is held in October in The Regent’s Park. It only focuses on living artists and contemporary art…
Hosted by Blur bassist Alex James at his Cotswolds farm and now in its 12th year, The Big Feastival is held over three days across the August Bank Holiday, and has become one…
Since Foodies Festival was started in Edinburgh in 2006, it has grown into what the organisers claim is the largest food and drink festival in the UK. Dubbed Gastro-Glastonbury, Foodies…
Mark Bibby Jackson takes a break at the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in the Lake District and receives a Michelin Star experience. There is something about the Lake District…
Neil Hennessy-Vass visits Christmas at Waddesdon Manor and declares that the festive season has officially commenced. After a hiatus of two years (we all know why) that glorious Victorian confection…
Hampton Court Festive Fayre is a wonderful festive food lover’s treat replete with artisan food, drink and perfect gifts. The fare ranges from Christmas puds to sausages…
Held in the Yorkshire market town of Malton, the Malton Christmas Festival is two days of food, music and fun held across the weekend of 2 to 3 December. The free festival…
Jonathan Hiltz discovers the amazing things to do in Plymouth in the south west of England. There’s something to be said for getting into the outer areas of a well-known…
This Autumn/Winter, the historic city of Cambridge invites travellers to explore boutique shops, experience calming wellness treatments and indulge in delicious food in local restaurants celebrating seasonal produce. Explore autumnal…
Down at the V&A at the moment is an unmissable exhibition called ‘Hallyu! The Korean Wave’, which showcases the vibrant world of South Korean popular culture. Also running is London’s…
The night before walking along the Pilgrims’ Way from New Alresford to Winchester, Mark Bibby Jackson dines at Kyoto Kitchen Winchester. I must admit to being a bit of a…
Mark Bibby Jackson follows a stretch of the old pilgrims’ way from New Alresford to Winchester, on the recently opened St James’ Way. Perhaps it was all the Chaucer I…
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise stay at Toppesfield Vineyard in Essex, to enjoy the excellent wine and luxury accommodation. It was the most ravishing of views. As the late summer…
An art trail of giant puffins across Hull and East Yorkshire has proved so popular that the 42 sculptures will now stay in place until 2023. Launched in July 2022…
Mark Bibby Jackson stays at the De Vere Wokefield Estate Hotel just outside of Reading for his cousin’s wedding. Reading has never been my idea of somewhere to visit from…
Mark Bibby Jackson stays at the De Vere Wokefield Estate Hotel just outside of Reading for his cousin’s wedding. Reading has never been my idea of somewhere to visit from…
Neil Hennessy-Vass discovers the fruits of tasting wine in the UK at Gusbourne Estate Vineyard in Kent. Started in 2004 by founder Andrew Weeber across 350 acres in south facing…
Supported by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the Wildscreen Festival is the leading natural world storytelling event. This year marks the 42th anniversary of the biennial festival, with the theme…
Inspired by the Marathon du Medoc, the Marathon du Malton 10K returns to the streets of Yorkshire’s foodie town on 15 September, 2024. “Britain’s Tastiest 10k”, the Marathon du Malton…
The UK has so much to offer with its rich history, galleries, theatres and concert halls, its commercial and scientific enterprise and its varied and undeniably scenic countryside.
UK National Parks
There are 15 National Parks in the UK, ranging from coastal areas to mountainous regions in England, Wales and Scotland. There are currently none in Northern Ireland. Unlike National Parks in other countries, in the UK parts of the designated, protected areas can be owned by private landlords. Such areas as the Lake District, Yorkshire Moors, Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Snowdonia and the Cairngorms draw hikers and naturalists to them like a magnet.
UK Weather
The British never tire of the weather as a talking point. Broadly speaking it is a temperate climate, although winters are becoming wetter and summers warmer, probably from climate change. Warmer in the South, wetter in the West and colder in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the UK climate can be subject to diurnal change on a sudden basis, although, with the advent of satellites, the weather forecasts are more accurate. It is wise to take a waterproof with you on an extended trip.
Northern Ireland
Since the Good Friday Agreement brought greater stability to this previously troubled land, visitors are on an increase. The Titanic Museum displaying memorabilia regarding that renowned disaster and Ulster Museum looking at 3,000 years of Irish culture and history, are well worth a visit. Outside of Belfast, the Mountains of Mourne in County Down and the Giant Causeway, 60 miles outside Belfast, are not to be missed.