If you think of a ‘girlie weekend-away’ where do you imagine going? Maybe a luxury spa break in a country house hotel? Or a city break with lots of shopping and eating out? Possibly a quick jaunt off to a foreign capital or sunkissed beach? What I bet you won’t...

Blackwell Arts and Crafts House Cultural tourism (or culture tourism) A subset of tourism concerned with a country or region’s culture, specifically the lifestyle of the people in those geographical areas, the history of those people, their art, architecture, religion(s), and other elements that helped shape their way of life.      Wikipedia In the...

‘The Night Before Christmas’ Grandreams pop-up book I can still remember the simple joy of reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ to my six-month old son as he lay in his cot on Christmas Eve. His bedroom, decorated with ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and Beatrix Potter figures, was dimly lit and...

Entering the ancient quarry, at first it was almost impossible to imagine what it must have been like in April 1917, when 24,000 British soldiers prepared to emerge into the midst of enemy lines in what was to become one of most renowned surprise attacks during World War 1. Wellington...

The ocean called a siren song as I wandered along the narrow path on a perfect English summer’s day. Then there it was, shushing onto the sand in gentle curls, vibrant blue reflecting the cerulean sky.  A crinkle of land floated on the horizon; the Farne Islands, home to a...

The plaque on the simple cross tells a tragic tale.  Two men sharing the same surname, both killed in war, but 25 years apart. Father and son crosses at Notre-Dame de Lorette M de Sars senior died in World War One in 1915.  His son Edmond was killed in 1940 in...

Discover the fascinating history of Raffles Hotel. Named after the Scotsman who founded Singapore, this famous hotel was an innovator of change, created a classic cocktail, survived wartime occupation and today is an iconic haven of elegance, grandeur and luxury.