Written by Simon Whaley (A Runner-up entry in the Off the Beaten Track Writing Competition.) “You’re in the School Room,” advises the Under Butler, as he carries my flimsy outlet-shopping-centre-bought suitcase into the room. I’m greeted by the beautiful, classical tones of Claude Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lume’ drifting through the air from the Roberts radio […]
Written by Julia Thorley (One of two winning entries in the Travel & Water Writing Competition.) Begin at Bamburgh Castle, holding firm its position on the Northumbria coastline for centuries. It is built on an outcrop of volcanic dolerite, a grim rock with toughness reflected in black and grey intrusions. The rock is part of the Great Whin […]
Senior Travel Expert Photo Editor, John Esser, reports on a heritage site close to home. Despite living in the area for nearly 30 years, I have only now got round to discovering Doddington Hall & Gardens, courtesy of a birthday treat from my wife – and what a discovery it proved to be. Doddington Hall was built in 1600, […]
When considering a visit to Birmingham, I had visions of heavy industry, busy roads and a dated, unimpressive city centre. Not exactly Short Break territory. A little research soon showed that to be a completely unfair view of modern Birmingham. Over the last few years the central area has greatly improved as the 20 year Big City Plan rolls forward. The city […]
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Historic Houses Yorkshire: Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens
Our first visit to Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens in East Yorkshire was in June 2020, just as the initial coronavirus lockdown was being eased. The Hall itself was closed, but the extensive gardens and woodland walk made up for the fact that we could only see the Hall from the outside. It took almost […]