UK holidays
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The British countryside is especially dramatic in winter, and ideal for a walk to blow away the Christmas cobwebs. Ten writers choose their favourites – and pubs to thaw your feet in
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An inviting path and a cosy pub or cafe are ingredients for brilliant days out, whether braving the elements in the Highlands, crunching over fresh frost in the Midlands, or squishing through Yorkshire mud
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In winter, visitors can get close to hundreds of mating and pupping seals on the coast between Grimsby and Skegness, while sandy shores offer bracing walks and some of the UK’s finest seafood
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The best winter hikes end up in a warm, cosy pub. The author of Wild Pub Walks picks five glorious trails that will end in beers
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A pair of 15th-century coaching inns has been knocked together and renovated to offer romantic dining, traditional boozing and serenely cosy bedrooms
accommodation
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This altruistic B&B and restaurant funds social projects and oozes warmth and quirky charm, but the food and some of the decor need a rethink
top 10s
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The run-up to Christmas doesn’t have to be all shopping malls and panto: we pick cool, offbeat and cultural events and gift-buying opportunities across the capital
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To celebrate four decades of the Good Hotel Guide, editor Adam Raphael chooses his favourite places to stay – mixing affordable character and a spot of ‘pamper yourself’ luxury
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It’s notoriously tricky keeping teens happy on holiday, so these breaks focus on their interests: music, gaming, sport, food and art
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From Bristol’s new Concorde museum to spotting Sumatran tigers in the Kent woods, young children will love these autumn breaks. We’ve added hostels and affordable hotels, too, to make them overnight getaways
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Chocks Away! This huge, family-friendly museum is packed with jets and helicopters that children can climb into – and an exhibition on women aviators
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With miniature steam engines, a special Santa train, a boating lake and a maze, this charming small attraction near Newquay is a great day out for families with younger children
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Our pick of great days out this December ranges from skating on London’s rooftops to Santa steam train rides, fairy-lit gardens and carols by candlelight
budget holidays
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Phoebe Smith is keen to try a hiking route between two of the National Trust’s new camping bothies in north Devon, but is unsure how her recently retired father will take to staying in a ‘stone tent’
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A stay in a historic building with amazing views and convivial company sounds enticing – and even better when it comes free of charge. The author of the new Bothy Bible shares his favourites
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This pretty market town in lovely West Pennines countryside has several Christmas events, adding to the appeal of its quality shops, pubs and bistros
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The East Yorkshire market town hosts one of the most colourful festive events in the UK, with a market, street entertainers, rides and a Christmas parade
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Its new Remembrance Centre has just opened, in time for Armistice Day. But also take time to explore nearby lovely Lichfield and its medieval cathedral
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Get spooked for Halloween on a tombstone trail that covers five graves of interesting or scary characters in four area of south Wales
sport holidays
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The Hoo peninsula between the Thames and Medway estuaries has a rough-edged beauty, a landscape rich in history and a thriving bird reserve
restaurants
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This inn on the edge of the Ribble Valley has long had a reputation for good food and drink. Now it’s added a glam 24-bedroom lodge across the road
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This revamped old drovers’ pub above Wharfedale offers a roaring fire, real ales and a menu designed for those who’ve been out walking on the fells
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countries
coast & country
most viewed
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