Looking for a market town that serves up ancient castles, giant bookshops and gardens full of dangerously interesting plants? Alnwick (pronounced “Annick”) in Northumberland ticks …
Things to do in Alnwick for first-time visitors
For First-Time Visitors
Northumberland, where England politely stops
Right at the very top of England, where the land finally throws up its hands and says that is quite enough, you find Northumberland. It …
Half-timbered houses, cobbles and more churches than seem strictly necessary
Arriving in Norwich feels like stepping into a well-thumbed storybook. The train pulls in after skimming across the flat lands of East Anglia, where the …
East Midlands, quiet legends, cracking walks, and places that keep surprising you
The East Midlands is a bit of an enigma. It doesn’t boast, it doesn’t bluster, and it rarely makes headlines unless someone unearths a Roman …
Durham, secret corners, soaring towers and a castle you can sleep in
If you were to ask a roomful of Britons to name a city break destination, Durham probably wouldn’t make the top ten. It wouldn’t even …
10 curious things about Durham Cathedral (that will make you fall a bit in love with it)
Durham Cathedral is not just a building. It’s a time machine, a miracle of medieval engineering, and a place so beautiful it has made actual …
Derry~Londonderry, two names, one very interesting city
If you arrive in Derry by train, congratulations. You’ve already made one of the best travel decisions available to a human being. The railway line …
Welcome to Portmerion, the Italian village that isn’t
Portmeirion is a place that makes you question your map-reading skills. One moment you’re in a pine-fringed corner of North Wales, the next you appear …