UK travel guide
Go wild in the country: eight new adventure tours in the UK for 2021
Exploration once meant going to the other side of the world, but a host of travel companies are now championing local adventures right on our doorstep.
Warrior queens, fairies and feuding clans: exploring legends on Scotland's Isle of Skye
For centuries, colourful tales have shaped the lives of those who call Scotland’s ‘Misty Isle’ home, and are still deeply intertwined with its soul-stirring landscapes.
SCOTLAND
How to spend a weekend in Fort William and Glencoe
In the shadow of Ben Nevis, the town of Fort William and the nearby valley of Glencoe offer a rugged springboard for outdoors adventures, with hiking, biking and Highland history all in easy reach.
Photo story: the celebrated seafood of Stonehaven, Scotland
Stonehaven’s glory days as a thriving fishing village may be behind it, but the culinary legacy of its past remains. Grab yourself a table with a sea view and tuck in to smoked haddock, award-winning fish and chips or fresh lobster.
A traveller's guide to the Isle of Arran, Scotland
Soaring peaks, sweeping coastlines and wildlife at every turn — Arran truly lives up to its reputation as ‘Scotland in miniature’.
A neighbourhood guide to the city of Glasgow
From its underground clubs and centuries-old pubs to its street markets and museums, Glasgow spools out its charms and secrets in an unhurried fashion.
Crossing paths: Ireland and Wales unveil new walking routes
A series of routes across Wales and Ireland will celebrate a shared Celtic heritage and offer a range of off-piste adventures close to home.
What to do on the north Norfolk coast
With miles of wild, windswept coastline, seaside towns and fine local fare, the north Norfolk coast has rural, rugged charm in abundance. We look at the unmissable highlights, from hiking the Norfolk Coast Path to sailing on the salt marshes.
ENGLAND
The inside guide to York
Known for its medieval streets and iconic Minster, the ancient city blends its historical highlights with a thriving modern food scene.
How to explore King Alfred's Way, England's newest long-distance cycle route
After an adventure on home turf? Grab your bike and set off on one royally good new cycling route.
What to do on a family trip to the Isle of Wight
With vintage theme parks, beaches galore and gentle countryside, there’s no better place to head for a slice of holiday nostalgia.
How to spend a weekend on the Cumbrian coast
Resist the lure of the Lake District and instead trace England’s northwest coastline by road or rail, savouring epicurean discoveries and sandy hikes along the way.
Five experiential escapes in the UK for 2021, from castle stays to stargazing
One of the great lessons from last year was the importance of focusing on the experiences and adventures available to us on our on doorsteps. Here's some inspiration for 2021 getaways, from Nottinghamshire to Northern Ireland.
Awakening Celtic legends on a road trip along Wales' Coastal Way
Snaking down the western coast of Wales from the windblown Llŷn Peninsula in the north to the city of St Davids in the south, follow a path of Arthurian myth and Bronze Age mystery along Cardigan Bay.
WALES
What to do in the Elan Valley, Wales
By day or by night, this dramatic swathe of rural Wales offers plenty of ways to embrace the great outdoors.
UK escapes: what to do in Wales's Gower Peninsula
We list the best things to do in the Gower Peninsula, Wales, including the best restaurants and hotels, plus the best coastal walks, beaches and towns to visit.
A traveller's guide to Llandudno, North Wales
Stroll along the pier, take a tram up a mountain and search for dolphins on a weekend break in Llandudno, the 'Queen of Welsh resorts'.
A traveller's guide to Snowdonia, North Wales
It’s all about the outdoors in this wild Welsh region, whether you’re climbing Snowdon itself or paddling on rapids.
Three outdoor UK adventures to embrace the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv
As winter sets in, the temptation to stay indoors grows. Break tradition this season, and do as the Norwegians do by embracing the outside world.
Paint the town: exploring the new arts scene in Derry
For years, Derry’s art scene was defined by the Bogside murals, famous for their depictions of The Troubles. But now a new, creative vibe is sweeping the city, ushering in a fresh array of murals, festivals and attractions.
NORTHERN IRELAND
UK escapes: what to do in Northern Ireland's County Antrim
With natural drama and world-famous whiskey, this coastal county is Northern Ireland at its rugged best.
How to experience Belfast's cultural scene like a local
The Northern Irish capital has blossomed into a true cultural hotspot, replete with bold street art, galleries and a string of hip boutiques.
Notes from an author: Wendy Erskine on cafes and culture in Belfast
In a city that’s no stranger to change and upheaval, there’s comfort to be found in the familiarity of the past.
Eight of the UK's best museum restaurants
In art galleries and museums across the country, cafes and restaurants are moving beyond salads and sandwiches with seasonal produce, ambitious cooking and fine dining finesse.
Where to find the best steak and kidney pie in the UK
From country pubs to award-winning pie shops, there are plenty of places to get your steak and kidney fix.
Steak and kidney pie: the story behind a British classic
Popularised in the 19th century, this British classic has since become a pub staple. And while over the centuries the ingredients have been up for some debate, these days the kidneys are non-negotiable.
Where to see dinosaur footsteps and hunt for fossils in the UK
Do you know your ammonites from your ichthyosaurs? This winter, head out to these four fossil-rich stretches of the UK coastline for palaeontology tours, bracing beach walks and quirky museums.
Meet the people who make the UK's cheese scene so special
From the shop owner with a Covid-friendly cheese vending machine to the creator of a modern British brie, meet the people at the forefront of the UK's cheese industry.
Explorers and writers share their favourite winter walks in the UK
Harsh winter weather needn't mean we retreat indoors — and as these authors and explorers prove, you don't have to venture far to experience true adventure. Here, they reveal their favourite UK landscapes for bracing winter walks.
Six of the UK’s historic trees and their curious stories
British woodlands are alive with stories. From cursed oaks to thousand-year-old yews, we take a look at some of the country's most fabled trees.
Five of the best treehouse escapes for families
If you’ve got a head for heights and fancy somewhere a little different to stay, bed down among the branches in a stylish treehouse. Here’s our pick of the UK’s best.
How to explore the UK’s most haunted destinations
With a long history of hauntings, mystery and witchcraft, the UK is bedevilled with wicked destinations. From a village haunted by a dozen ghouls to a Georgian operating theatre, we reveal eight unusual, macabre attractions and how to visit them.
Four new outdoor art experiences in the UK
Get your culture fix this autumn with these new UK walking tours, exhibitions and installations — all without stepping into a gallery.
No need to fly: seven great trips around the UK
Staycations are having a moment. These adventure-filled journeys around the UK offer today's traveller the opportunity to steer clear of overcrowded transport hubs, and cut down on that ever-important carbon footprint.
Five of the best fromageries across the UK
The UK is home to an incredible array of artisan cheese shops. Here are five of the best, each guaranteed to please even the most discerning cheese-lover.
Seize the night: expert tips for stargazing in the UK
Thanks to less light and air pollution, the country’s night skies are darker than they’ve been for a long while. So stay up, head out and go starry-eyed.
Five wild and enchanting gardens to experience in England and Wales
Cascading over hillsides and extending towards the sea, these botanical marvels — from Cornwall to Conwy — showcase the enchanting colours of England’s landscapes, and make for an inspiring day out.
Robert Macfarlane on his love of the UK’s wild places
The prize-winning author remembers holidays in the UK, from Snowdonia and the Scottish Highlands to the outskirts of Cambridge, and reflects on the wild landscapes that have shaped both his work and his life.
A year-round foraging calendar: what to pick and where in the UK
The UK is a nutrient-packed treasure trove of wild food, from fruits and flowers to greens and mushrooms. There’s something to forage throughout the year, so here’s a taste of what to expect before you head outside.
How a new people-powered hiking network could transform travel in the UK
We speak to ‘guerrilla geographer’ Daniel Raven-Ellison about Slow Ways — a volunteer-led project kickstarted in lockdown aiming to map thousands of new walking routes, which he hopes will get Brits discovering the country in an entirely new way.
A beginner’s guide to foraging for wild ingredients in the UK
Foraging responsibly and discovering the world of wild food is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reconnect with nature. We speak to foraging experts for advice on starting out in the UK.
10 lesser-known English beaches for a family day out
Escaping the crowds is all the more important this summer. From Northumberland to Devon, we pick some of our favourite bustle-free beaches for a day on the coast with the kids.
