Hunting the white truffle in Alba: The International Alba White Truffle Fair is one of the main events showcasing Italian luxury gastronomy of the Langhe-Roero region. Listed as a UNESCO cultural landscape since 2014, the region is known not just for the rare white truffle but for fields of hazelnut trees and for vineyards cultivating […]
The White Horse Hotel, Dorking
The White Horse Hotel Dorking – Boutique Hotel near Gatwick. Dating back to the 13th century, The White Horse Hotel is a historic inn in the charming Surrey market town of Dorking. The delightful traditional timbered building is centrally located on the High Street with the Denbies Wine Estate and Box Hill as near neighbours […]
The Welcombe Hotel – Review
Hallmark Welcombe Hotel and Spa – Stratford upon Avon: The stunning Welcombe Hotel is a former country mansion house near Stratford upon Avon, built in a grand Neo-Jacobean style for Manchester businessman Mark Philips who commissioned the building from designed by architect Henry Clutton. Completed in 1869, Philips died just four years later, leaving the estate […]
Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa – a Plymouth Sanctuary
Boringdon Hall Hotel Review It must have been Karma. Just as I was putting the final details to my recent trip to Plymouth exploring the Mayflower heritage, an email hit my desk about Boringdon Hall Hotel. What could be better than balancing a trip to the centre of historic Plymouth with one to a historic […]
Tewkesbury Park Hotel – the perfect place to stay, play or be pampered
Gloucestershire luxury resort hotel with something for everyone Tewkesbury Park Hotel sits on a low hill above the River Severn, a white outcrop of buildings, set in a sea of 163 green acres. First impressions are excellent. The heart of the hotel is an 18th-century manor which a recently concluded four-year, £10 million pound renovation has […]
The Mayflower, Plymouth UK – Sailing for the New World
Plymouth – The Departure of the Mayflower, the Demise of The Speedwell: She is open and leakie as a sieve; and thr was a bourde, a man might have puld of with his fingers, 2 foote longe, wher ye water cam in as it at a mole hole. I thinke, as others also, if we […]
Queensberry Boutique Hotel & Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath – Review
Boutique Hotel in Bath – Bliss at The Queensberry Hotel: Bath is such an elegant city blending its Roman heritage and elegant Georgian sense of style with a progressive and contemporary worldview. Just two hours drive from London it’s the perfect spot for a weekend away or a midweek staycation. In this most perfectly put […]
County Durham – Seaham Sea Glass and a Heritage Spa Hotel – Seaham Hall.
Seaham, County Durham – Byron, the Beach, a Spa and Sea Glass. Arrive at Seaham Hall at dusk to a stunning classic mansion fronted by a striking contemporary water feature. First impressions count – mine was one of fascination. I’m used to the juxtaposition of old and new, but the water feature at the approach to […]
Durham – Harry Potter, Prince Bishops, Spooks and Saints
A Castle, Cathedral and More – Things to do in UNESCO listed Durham: Why, it’s wonderful – a perfect little city – and I kept thinking: ‘Why did no-one tell me about this?’ I knew, of course, that it had a fine Norman cathedral but I had no idea that it was so splendid. I […]
The Mayflower Pilgrims in Delfshaven
Delfshaven and the Mayflower Pilgrims departure for the New World: In 1608 a group of religious Separatists who ultimately became known as the Mayflower Pilgrims escaped from England and made their way briefly to Amsterdam before the Mayflower Pilgrims settled for 11 years in Leiden. Here they enjoyed enough freedom to pursue their religious life as […]