An early-spring trip to Mid Wales came with a purpose. Voices are joined in unison to mark St Davids Day in the ‘Land of Song’ each March — but I have always been out of key. That is, until I spent a few days at Cwm Moel, the singing B&B… Read more

A winter trip behind the scenes at one of England’s great stately homes brought a touch of Downton to January. I was on assignment for Discover Britain magazine and here’s a preview of the feature in a forthcoming issue: It was one of the great British country estates. Set in… Read more

I’m just back from a weekend in Galway, the southern Irish city that will be next year’s European Capital of Culture. The west-coast city has always been something of a cultural hub with its annual summer arts festival. It’s also known, of course, for its traditional pubs [pictured above] and… Read more

Strawberry Field, the childhood refuge of John Lennon, re-opened to the public last weekend. I attended a preview a few days before, writing an article for iTravel. Here’s a preview of my feature: The former Salvation Army children’s home, made famous in the 1967 Beatles song, has re-opened with a… Read more

I’ve got form with Montpellier, where I spent an early summer visit on assignment for a couple of publications. I remembered it from student days as my favourite French city, but then had a mixed experience on a more recent visit. I was back in early July on a group… Read more

To York on the hottest day of the year for a magazine assignment for Immediate Media. It was a special birthday party. This year marks 100 years of Bettys Tea Room Cafe, a Yorkshire institution for its afternoon teas with a frisson of Swiss style. Plus the fact it has… Read more