The countryside down in the south-east heel is generally less dramatic, but somehow it is more Italian The hills less steep and altitudinous, but more full of truly ancient interest. restored and so is now more a boutique hotel than a farm, but you can still see the underground olive mill We also went south to visit the Torre Guacetto Nature Reserve where you can walk for hours through the The town of Villa Castelli is another must-see place in the hills of Apulia.

wrote about “England’s fair and pleasant land…” He used the phrase to add contrast to the “dark satanic mills luxurious shepherd’s huts and other intriguing abodes set in a forest — and both were impressively filled exactly surprising given happenings in the Middle East and daily TV reports showing airport queues filled Now officially known as the Cotswolds National Landscape, it spans nearly 800 square miles (it is the largest AONB in England and Wales) and stretches across six counties from just south of Stratford-upon-Avon

Starting at ancient Lelant Church, the route heads towards the mouth of the Hayle Estuary, passing Lelant Godolphin Hill: one of West Cornwall's great viewpoints Distance: 3.5 miles circular Difficulty: Moderate across huge swathes of the county: St Michael's Mount and Mount's Bay to the west, Goonhilly Down to the south If views are your priority, make for Godolphin Hill. Within a few miles of the town you can walk beside huge Atlantic beaches, climb granite hills, explore

recent times I bet you’d have counted more than 100 – but, of course, that could be much diminished next month barely a murmur, down past the ancient stone circle and eventually we joined the track that took us south SS325 815) north to Brightworthy Burrows, down to the footpath along the Barle, east to Withypool, and south to return over Withypool Hill. Distance and going: nine miles, fairly easy going, can be a bit squelchy after rain.

Located some 45 miles downstream from the high cliffs of the upper Dordogne, this beautiful estate offers It is the soothing sound of the ancient mill leat trickling through the grounds, the architectural precision The wooded hills and sweeping valleys around Trémolat make it one of the prettiest pockets in all of Le Vieux Logis is located in the charming village of Trémolat in the Dordogne (Périgord) region of south-west by road from Bordeaux and Toulouse, making it an excellent destination for a touring holiday through south-west

Eleven miles off the North Devon coast lies a place that feels like another world. from the decks of the MS Oldenburgh to five trawlers which were chugging endlessly up and down the mouth Indeed, Appledore should be one of the UK centres for food lovers who turn up in droves drooling at the mouth “You’ve got to get the sequence right - you’ve got to get the kipper in the mouth first, but you have It’s going to be a selection of smoked fish from Dieter Wirtz at Plaistow Mills.

Apples, Oak, and 'Time Travellers': A Day in Ciderland Tucked away in the fertile lowlands of South Somerset Here is my journey through the orchards, history, and secret corners of this extraordinary South Somerset We managed to find an oak from Jamie Montgomery, of Montgomery’s Cheese in South Cadbury. Kingsbury Episcopi is located in South Somerset, approximately 2 miles south-west of Langport and 8 miles and Burrow Hill Cider.

Our walk took us out of Minehead, across the hills that lie to the south of this beautiful seaside town the start of the South West Coast Path. (To see more Exmoor walks click here) However, the ridge to the south offers equally spectacular hiking On our right, we caught glimpses of the Avill Valley and the rising hills of Vinegar Hill and Gallox Hill, crowned by ancient fort ruins.

years ago, back when my duties for the Western Morning News had me making the crossing every couple of months—a First for me it was once (and maybe still is) St Agnes where I spent some hot summer months as a freshly The south-facing white sands of Rushy Bay are among the most popular in the archipelago. This section of the path takes you around Bryher's south-west peninsula known as Heathy Hill and from As you head back down south toward The Town (which, by-the-way, is the most exaggerated place-name I've

The owners, Gilles Dudognon and Aude Bourliataux, have built an impressive local heritage empire under Chef Gilles, who celebrates 40 years of holding a Michelin star, has extended his culinary vision into our stay, we took a short drive north into the Monts de Blond, a range of forested, granite-strewn hills In many ways, its stillness and deep rural character reminded me of the West Country of my youth—a beautiful Travel Planner's Note Getting There & Staying Smart: The highly rural, unspoilt landscapes of central south-western

Then there is the River Dart itself that flows so serenely between the twin castles at its mouth. Castle: Local Flavours at Their Best After a brisk walk out to admire the scenic wonders on offer at the mouth And the Royal Castle at Dartmouth fits that bill very well indeed. day there’s nothing better than a short walk downstream from the centre of Dartmouth to the actual mouth If you look closely around the area you can see how the river mouth was actually a good deal more fortified

those who would disagree, but I know it to be true, simply because of the number of people who are willing I was thinking this one evening last week just after I had popped a humble cockle into my mouth. Gilles Dudognon had invited another Michelin starred chef, Mathieu Guibert (chef-owner of the renowned restored former tobacco-drying barn and priory, this hotel is the epitome of Périgord charm, complete with mill Chef: Gilles Dudognon (celebrating 40 years of Michelin stars in 2026).