Hold the tartan! This new look scores a hole in one

Sunday, 27 April 2008

Is it possible to be intimidated by bricks and mortar? It is when they form the shape of Gleneagles Hotel, the grand old lady of the Scottish Highlands. I was almost shaking in my shoes as I approached the entrance, and not just because of the grandeur of this faux French chateau; I was also a little nervous of the guests I might find inside, cobwebbed to the furniture.

Around The UK

Sunday, 27 April 2008

1. Make a pit stop at London's Lower Regent Street today, when it will be transformed into an A1GP World Cup of Motorsport grid, between 11am and 5pm. Other highlights include interactive competitions (a1gp.com).

Trail Of The Unexpected: Unsullied star-gazing in Northumberland

Saturday, 26 April 2008

It was past midnight and the moon scattered light upon the hilltop of Black Fell. The spruces shook with a bitter wind from the south but the breeze had cleared the skies of remnant clouds. The shine from the moon threatened to bleach out the planets and stars that seemed to shower the black sky, but I was lucky enough to have a good telescope to compensate. Having said that, if I'd been in the same place yesterday I would have been even more spoilt – the opening of the Kielder Observatory would have meant that I could have kept warm at the same time as I gawped at the galaxy.

If you want to be cool, head to Northumberland

Sunday, 20 April 2008

The fact that north-east England has been named one of the 30 up-and-coming destinations for 2008 in Lonely Planet's prestigious annual Bluelist should come as no surprise. This often overlooked region is packed with attractions, stylish towns and cities and miles of pristine sands; its coastline was revealed to be one of the lesser culprits in the Marine Conservation Society's recent survey about the increase in litter on Britain's beaches.

The Complete Guide To: Botanical Britain

Saturday, 19 April 2008

Norfolk: Steam trains, scary lakes and ancient woodland

Saturday, 19 April 2008

THE BURE VALLEY RAILWAY Steam through the Norfolk Broads on the Bure Valley Railway, the longest of its kind in the county: the nine-mile trip takes passengers from the ancient market town of Aylsham to Wroxham in around 45 minutes. The diesel and steam locomotives stop at three picturesque villages along the way. The line is flanked by a cycle path and a footpath.

The traveller's guide to artistic Norwich

Saturday, 19 April 2008

NORWICH – AN ARTISTIC CENTRE? Certainly. Complementing the city’s long history is a well established cultural tradition which covers music, literature, theatre and the visual arts. The city really comes to life during the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, which takes place every year in May and is one of the oldest festivals in the country. It was established in 1772 as a triennial event; Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Holst conducted their own music at the festival and a number of important works were played here for the first time.

Handbags and gladrags - Norwich's distinctive market

Saturday, 19 April 2008

Six days a week, the heart of Norwich is filled with market stalls lined up in neat rows parallel with Gentleman’s Walk. Each one is covered with a striped awning, the bright colours giving a cheerful air to the city centre. It is at its liveliest in the middle of the day, although some stalls open early while others, like the flower sellers, hang on until later.

24-Hour Room Service: Broad House Hotel, Wroxham, Norfolk

Saturday, 19 April 2008

Philip Search has spent his whole career in the hotel trade, and it shows. He started out washing dishes, at the age of 16, and went on to work for Marriott. Now, 25years later, he’s just opened his own hotel.

Norwich: getting there and getting around

Saturday, 19 April 2008

The ideal way to reach Norfolk's capital city is by train; Norwich is relatively unusual for an inland location in Britain in that it has a proper terminus, just on the edge of the city centre.