people who go looking for more than the postcard version, and while Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile are fine for a first afternoon, the west coast has enough packed into it to fill a full week without North of the loch, the Trossachs pack in far more hill country than you'd expect given how close they outperforms most of the sit-down restaurants nearby, and it also happens to be the main ferry point for Mull and the coast around it sit close enough together that the days can take shape as you go, mixing a hill

there are parts of Portugal’s southern coastline which are overbearing in certain seasons, but the south “You must go to Quinta Bonita , near Lagos, in the South West Algarve” he told me. Delightful though the town is, I’d say it’s the far south west corner that really earns all this region I had a kind of prawn risotto that was the most filling thing I’ve eaten in years.  All this coast a few miles west of Lagos is a national park, but it’s where it rounds the corner and

When you’re there, we’ll cook you a meal so memorable, you’ll be talking about it for months!” home to fishing families, the village is now one of the most holiday-home-centric communities in the South I know that to be true because I’ve seen a photo-album filled with pictures focussing on the development More about them later, because they did indeed bring us a banquet we shall remember for months. tucked-away aspect - it does not shout its presence to those standing down on the quayside looking up at the hills

On this one occasion, I’m willing to make an exception. Naturally, this Cornish gem had to impress on a global stage, and it lived up to its billing. With its light-filled space and tranquil views, it was the ideal spot to enjoy a selection of pastries A gentle stroll along the South West Coast Path takes you into the bustling harbour town of St Ives, The hotel is approximately one mile from St Ives and can be reached on foot via the South West Coast

Both South Devon and Cornwall are notable for their rias, which generally occur along rugged coastlines into the tidal zone—nowhere near big enough to create the expansive fjord-like area that has nearly 25 miles the track through the trees until a junction allows us to turn right into Under Wood and climb the hill The National Trust owns the woods along Frenchman’s Pill up to the creek, and its staff have laid a path See our post on the Polurrian Hotel just a few miles away As I say, great Cornish pub grub—and just what

There were great herds of wild grazing animals roaming the West Country hills long before humans turned “We are not very good at growing cereals here because they get blown off these hills. for example, west of Bristol, is not allowed to be called Exmoor lamb or Dorset lamb - it is called South In the South West we have huge leverage - we have amazing produce. It minimises food miles, promotes high animal welfare, and preserves countryside biodiversity.

that take place at this time of the year because we hugely enjoyed our visit to the show, which is billed After all, we’ve been in prime harvest season over the past month - the very best of British is on display The Gardening Village was filled with impressive floral displays and seasonal bargains, where green-fingered The Three Counties Autumn Show is an excellent excuse for a long weekend exploring the Malvern Hills,

because the stuff comes in so many forms… The answer is simple – but you’re going to have to travel 28 miles fast, at about 200 mph - about 100 feet high - along the back of the island and zoom across half a mile or even a quarter of a mile out when they dropped the torpedoes. Martin’s Southern Shoreline: A Taste of Madeira Back on St Martin’s you can wander around Tinkler’s Hill The big sandy sweep of Lawrence’s Bay or St Martin’s Flats makes up the island’s south-west shoreline

decades I’ve been a keen home-cook that I’d be yearning to use the kind of ancient grains our forefathers milled The flour is a darker yellowish colour compared to modern bread wheats and, being milled in the traditional The nutritional value of the grain has been maximised by slowly stoneground milling the grain into a This traditional method of milling maintains the nutritious bran and germ within the grain berry, leaving The surface will become smooth and the dough will spread to fill the pan.

Its compact 327 square miles hold a kaleidoscope of geological wonders—lava fields, green lagoons, remote sea caves, and palm-filled valleys. The ridge walk south offered panoramic views in every direction. Sun Walking Destination With temperatures in the high teens and low twenties throughout the cooler months

A place of forested hills and deep river valleys which combine to provide a rural heartland that seems This was my journey through some of the best places to visit in this remarkable corner of south-west Okay, so the Dordogne, which lies hundreds of miles south of the English Channel, does not have our dramatic Thousands of Brits have asked exactly that question and have moved down to this part of south-central The Dordogne is filled with mediaeval villages, castles, gardens and prehistoric sites.

parked near this elegant temple and set off directly for the Knoll which we could see looming to the south There are immense vistas that include the Polden Hills to the south, Glastonbury Tor to the east, the Quantock Hills to the south west.  The giant hill fort that crowns the place is still very much in evidence.  And it’s down to those lowlands we now go by taking the new-laid path which we find at the south-west