Home in Time for Tea

What better way to experience quaint English charm, than in the ancient stone market town of Stamford, in Lincolnshire, just 80 miles North of London. Stamford's reputation as a fine and fascinating town to visit is certainly added to by its Elizabethan Burghley House and Gardens, and the infamous George Hotel. My various experiences of these exciting and beautiful places all lead back to the same themes: quality, and class. The classic gardens with their unique features, and the relaxed yet refined atmosphere of the Garden Room Restaurant at The George Hotel are simply why I always come back for more - bringing friends, family, and even a school trip, to share in Stamford's delights. Burghley Sculpture Gardens and the Gardens of Surprise Walking around the spacious and varied sculpture gardens is a delight no matter what the weather; this summer I particularly enjoyed taking my two-year-old daughter for picnics in the sun by the lak...

Harrogate Spa Town, Yorkshire  English spa towns are often good-looking, affluent places; and Harrogate in the heart of Yorkshire is no exception. The grand Georgian buildings, huge selection of designer shops, and variety of wonderfully distinctive and quality restaurants make this quaint and historic town a delight to visit, not to mention the friendliness of the locals.  The evening we arrived, we ate at the lovely French restaurant  Le Bistrot Pierre . With their traditional French menu there is a great selection of fine authentic cuisine including the delicious tarte flambee - an Alasatian type of thin crust pizza often with creme fraiche, onions, shallots, and lardons. The service was excellent and everyone was so friendly and accepting of our new little bundle of joy. Although she was very good and didn't make a sound. She was oblivious to all the attention she was getting!  After a good breakfast buffet at the Yorkshire Hotel and some shopping...

Living in a quaint yet atomspheric English market town has so many perks, and I just love making the most of Stamford's unbelievable array of quality restaurants... Even if we do have fish fingers queueing up in the freezer to be eaten at home. The George of Stamford is a well-renowned, traditional and historic hotel with two beautiful restaurants for fine-dining, and a gorgeous cosy bar with a large open fire in the winter.    The Garden Room Restaurant at The George The Garden Room's relaxed and informal, yet still elegant environment is a total favourite when Richard and I feel we have something to celebrate . Lushious plants and colourful orchids fill the rooms, with beautiful mirrors and floral artwork all around. Following our exciting skiing trip to Alsace, my mum gave us a voucher for the Garden Room - to thank us (aww). So we headed off to another excellent experience at this wonderful, quality restaurant (plus I...

With my sights so frequently set on wonders further afield than the UK, I often overlook the opportunities right here in my home country. I last visited Cornwall as a very small person, and even smaller perspectives - I loved it. Now, I have learned to re-appreciate the unique and unspoiled beauty of England as a travel destination once more upon returning to Cornwall.  Following visits to dramatic landscapes such as the Patagonian ice-fields, I can't help but find even more beauty in comparing them to my quaint and understated country of origin, than less. The  unspoiled luscious green hills and quaint historic towns and villages of Cornwall are so far removed from the teeming streets of London, and so easy to fall in love with in such a different way. English tradition and culture has never felt so potent to me than in the countryside , and what a beautifully quaint corner of British countryside Cornwall is. One thing is clear - a weekend in Cornwal...

Weekend on the English East Coast of Norfolk and Suffolk: Southwold and Gorleston in the Surprise September Sun. Clean and Sandy Beaches, Colourful Beach Chalets, and Boutique Art Galleries The East Coast of England often comes with a complimentary chilly wind whatever the time of year but with the right clothes it is a delightful, often sunny place. This sunny weekend in September however, saw hundreds of British holidaymakers out in force to enjoy a particularly hot and sunny few days on the wide, sandy beaches of the East Coast. Southwold-On-Sea, Suffolk: Lively, Upmarket Seaside Resort on the English East Coast Southwold is a quaint, historic (and upmarket) town in Suffolk. Property is sky high, but why wouldn't it be? The long sandy beach has a blue flag status , making it one of the cleanest in the area, the streets are lined with upmarket shops and boutiques, and there are so many many varied attractions...