How to step behind the scenes at Jodrell Bank science centre, Cheshire
June 11, 2022Sir Bernard Lovell became the father of modern cosmology long before Professor Brian Cox started pondering the wonders of the universe. I went to walk in Lovell’s footsteps recently at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre [pictured above], the observatory and science park in rural Cheshire. Last weekend saw the opening… Read more
Why you should raise a glass to English Wine Week in Herefordshire
June 7, 2022I’m inspecting neat, newly flowering rows on a sun-dappled day in the English countryside. But I’m not strolling in the gardens of a stately home. Instead, I’ve come to a vineyard in the rural heartland of Herefordshire to witness an unlikely trend: the rise of quality English wines. No, really.… Read more
How to spend a Roman-heritage weekend in Hadrian’s Wall country
May 2, 2022My latest assignment took me to the wide-open spaces of Northumberland. I was there researching a feature for Discover Britain magazine about events to celebrate the 1900 years since the Romans started building Hadrian’s Wall [pictured above]. The Wall, built over seven years from 122AD, comprised a series of a gates… Read more
Why the hidden-treasure town of Nantwich should be your next staycation
April 19, 2022Spring finds me driving the rural backroads of south Cheshire. I’m here on assignment for Telegraph Travel, writing a postcard from Cheshire as part of a series of articles by writers around the UK. Each one is about an under-the-radar destinations for UK staycations with a sprinkle of celebratory stardust.… Read more
How to mark St David’s Day in Wales for food lovers and walking fans
March 2, 2022St. David’s Day in Wales this week and I’ve got two articles out to mark Wales’ patron-saint day. The first is a piece about foodie breaks for spring and my contribution focused on the local flavours and fairytale architecture at Portmeirion [pictured above], North Wales, one of my favourite places… Read more
How to discover hidden Manchester on an alternative city tour
February 13, 2022I’m always on the look out for an alternative city walking tour. It’s a great way to see a city in a new light and gives me with inspiration to help design my own themed tours of my home city of Chester. I was introduced recently to Hayley Flynn, whose Skyliner… Read more
Why walking with the Northern Saints is the perfect spring break
January 23, 2022The dawn of Christianity remains imprinted on the landscape of County Durham and Northumberland. There are over 100 ancient, stone churches, many dating from the Saxon period, plus various spiritual sites, and pilgrimage routes. The region is now celebrating its ancient heritage with six new pilgrim routes, known collectively as… Read more
Winter light festivals? I think it’s time to pull the plug.
December 12, 2021My final feature of the year was an opinion piece following a recent visit to Durham. Here’s a sample of the story: The light-festival idea is nothing new, of course. Lyon first came up with the bright idea in 1999 and the Fete des Lumieres has become a major visitor… Read more
How the Normandy town of Cherbourg became home to an icon of French cinema
November 12, 2021Finally for autumn, a snapshot of my first overseas assignment in 18 months: Cherbourg. It’s a classic of French cinema. A film that evokes dewy-eyed nostalgia for a more innocent age and one that firmly put a historic port town in Normandy on the map. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, the… Read more