Traditional outdoor winter ice skating has soared in popularity in recent years, both amongst children and families, those just wanting to have a go on the ice and, of course, the serious skaters. Each year, special outdoor rinks are installed in various locations throughout Scotland to indulge one’s skating passion. Like England and Wales, some excellent outdoor skating …
For six weeks each year, London’s Hyde Park is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. Set in 20 acres of parkland and located between Hyde Park Corner and the Serpentine, the annual Winter Wonderland experience runs from 10am to 10pm daily. The event attracts thousands of visitors each year, especially because it is suitable …
As the cooler weather descends and the run-up to Christmas begins, the traditional ice skating rinks begin to open across Britain. Many of the outdoor ice rinks are set up in historic or picturesque areas, so you get the added benefit of seeing Great Britain’s landmarks as you skate the rinks. Even if skating isn’t for …
Britain is awash with weird and wonderful customs and ceremonies and one of the longest running has to be The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. This ancient ceremony has been conducted every night for at least the last 700 years and involves the formal locking of the gates of the Tower …
Roast chestnuts, festive music, mulled wine and shopping ideas galore – these are just some of the ingredients that make up the traditional Bath Christmas Market. The annual Bath Christmas Market takes place in late November – early December and runs for 11 days. Traditional wooden stalls are erected in the city center, near the famous …
The British have a longstanding love of afternoon tea and, if you’re visiting Harrogate in Yorkshire, there’s one tea shop that you have to try out – Bettys Café Tea Rooms. Bettys Cafe Tea Room in Harrogate, England was opened in 1919 by Frederick Belmont, a young Swiss confectioner. He aimed to serve quality, traditional English tea, Yorkshire …
Best-selling crime author, Agatha Christie, hailed from Torquay in Devon, on England’s southwest coast. Literary fans can follow in her footsteps and see many of her favourite haunts on a trip to Torquay. On the 15th September 1890, Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Barton Road, Torquay. During her lifetime, she become one of …
Corfe Castle in Dorset, England is not only the name of a small village, but also the stunning ruined castle that rises high above it. Located in the Isle of Purbeck, and built from the local limestone (called ‘burr’), the ruins of Corfe Castle stand high atop a steep chalk hill, with a defensive ditch …
Located near the village of Mevagissey in Cornwall, England, the Lost Gardens of Heligan are one of Cornwall’s must-visit gardens. Originally owned by the Tremayne family for over 400 years, the gardens fell into a state of neglect after the First World War when many of the gardeners sadly lost their lives. It wasn’t …
There are a lot of stunning old properties still in existence in the UK and Ightham Mote has to be up there with the best. Ightham Mote (pronounced ‘Item Moat’) is a wonderful medieval and Tudor manor house set in a sunken valley near Sevenoaks, in Kent. It’s a fantastic example of period architecture, with …