Leisure & Travel / Features
Spooky days out: 10 of the most haunted houses in the UK
Ghost-hunters will love the grisly tales that cling to these medieval manors, ancient burial grounds and chilling castles, chosen by a gothic horror novelist - and all are open to visitors. Blickling Hall, Norfolk Blickling Hall is a handsome house that boasts gothic...
From grape stomping to truffle hunting: 10 great harvest festival trips in Europe
Autumn is a great time to join locals as they celebrate the fruits of the season, from the vineyards of Provence to the forests of Transylvania. Olive picking: Istria, Croatia Croatia’s northernmost region is famous for its olives, and the Meneghetti hotel and winery...
Slow seasons: How I spent 16 months journeying from the top to the bottom of England in a canal boat
From within sight of the Lake District to Surrey, an epic - and slow - journey along the length of England’s waterways. My home is a floating island on more than 2,000 miles of interconnected inland waterways in England and Wales. In my 17 metre narrowboat home, I...
Just get up and go! The 11 coolest places to park your campervan in the UK
Dreaming about a summer spent in a campervan? Check out these dreamy campsites where you can park and pitch up in the UK. Whether you’re imagining trekking legendary highways and gorgeous coastal routes or working your way between blissful nature reserves and bustling...
‘All the elements of the classic British seaside holiday’: Three unsung beach towns
Travel writers take a salty, summer saunter through old-fashioned seaside towns that have ‘not yet been Airbnb-brushed out of existence’. Weymouth, DorsetPhotographer Martin Parr’s 1999 film Think of England captures the nostalgic appeal of Weymouth: roast dinners at...
‘You can walk virtually everywhere in England by using the train’: The man connecting rail-based walks
A new website aims to offer a wide network of walking routes from British train stations, and is calling on hikers to add their favourites. Our writer accompanies the founder on a ramble to Bath Spa station. A British railway station can be many things. A place of...
Light fantastique: Paris through the eyes of the Impressionists
From Monet to Degas, the luminosity of Paris has inspired countless artists. As the city celebrates 150 years of impressionism it’s still shining bright. Paris is called the City of Light, possibly because of its early adoption of gas street lighting. But that would...
Diggin’ it: 12 of Britain’s best archaeology sites, events and family activity days
Learn the skills to unearth our ancient history - from excavations for children in York to guided walks along the Thames and residential courses in Wales. Vindolanda, Northumberland As the north-west frontier of the Roman empire, Northumberland is scattered with Roman...
The seduction of Seville: A local’s guide to Spain’s Andalucían capital city
Cobbled alleys, ancient bars, flamenco and the world’s biggest gothic cathedral are just a few of the Andalucían capital’s attractions. Some of the best places in Seville are found by taking a wrong turn. Like when you stumble into a time-worn taverna peddling crisp...
From Arctic art to the Disgusting Food Museum: Europe’s top 10 culture destinations for 2024
Malta’s first art biennale, Copenhagen’s repurposed Carlsberg district, the first Arctic Circle capital of culture… this year promises a feast of cultural activity. Germany, various locations Germany is celebrating the 250th birthday of one of its best-loved painters,...
Chilled destinations: 7 must-visit winter wonderlands around the world
From Canada to Croatia, these destinations wear the cold exceptionally well. Frozen waterfalls. Snow-dusted pine trees. Spectacular natural light shows. Some places were just meant to be viewed and visited in all their wintertime glory, with a fresh layer of powder...
Beds on a budget: 20 of the UK’s best hotels, pubs and B&Bs – for under £150 a night
In this extract from the new Good Hotel Guide, we choose places to stay with great cuisine, chic interiors and scenic walks from the front door. Best for food lovers Brockencote Hall, Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire You might think you’ve rolled up at a luxury...