"Unknown road," warned the stranger's satnav. Diverted from the familiar A303 by a sudden closure on a dark evening, I joined another baffled motorist at a tiny junction with an unhelpful signpost indicating an unexpected place name such as Longbridge Deverill, or perhaps it was Marston Magna. It was a shock to be faced so abruptly with the A303's hinterland, hitherto unknown to me and, I suspect, many of the drivers of the vehicles – sometimes more than 30,000 – pounding over what Tom Fort calls "the highway to the sun".
On Google+
On Twitter
Top writers
Places
Politics
E-break Time
Plymouth named UK’s most bike-friendly city
Sunday 27 May 2012
It may have a way to go before it rivals Amsterdam but Plymouth has been named as the UK’s most bike-friendly city. Big cycling cities like London and Cambridge, however, languished in towards the bottom of the list.
Summer 2012: Under canvas
Sunday 27 May 2012
Pitch up at the new luxury campsite at Dromquinna Manor (00 353 64 664 2888; dromquinnamanor.com) on the south-west coast of Ireland. A dozen safari tents, including five suitable for families, are the latest accommodation on offer at this waterside estate in Co Kerry. Swimming, cycling and horse riding are among the activities on offer and there's a daily water-taxi to nearby Kenmare. Two-bed family tents cost from €150 (£120) per night for two adults; children under 16 pay €15 (£12) per night. Return ferry crossings from Pembroke to Rosslare cost from £330 with Irish Ferries (0818 300 400; irishferries.com).
Summer 2012: Family friendly hotels
Sunday 27 May 2012
Children's rooms take on a different meaning at Hesperia Lanzarote (00 34 828 080 800; nh-hotels.com), in Puerto Calero, where seven new Junior Suites have been colourfully redecorated, furnished with bunk beds dressed in themed bed linen, and supplied with toys and a healthy "mini bar".
One Minute With: Shirley Hughes, author & illustrator
Saturday 26 May 2012
Where are you now and what can you see?
Travel Agenda: Vamos Cuba; The Attwater; Salt; Rota Vicentina; Quentin Blake; Neilson
Saturday 26 May 2012
Where to go and what to know
Cycling: Kreuziger powers to solo victory
Saturday 26 May 2012
Roman Kreuziger won the 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia yesterday, while Joaquim Rodriguez had his overall race lead slashed to just 17 seconds by Ryder Hesjedal.
Alan Oakley: Designer whose Raleigh Chopper bike was a defining image of the 1970s
Saturday 26 May 2012
Oakley had an envelope, his wife said, 'and he just drew this bike on the back of it – and that was it'
Cycling: Roman Kreuziger addresses his critics by claiming stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia
Friday 25 May 2012
Having lost over 12 minutes in the Giro d’Italia yesterday, Roman Kreuziger redeemed himself with a shock win at Alpe di Pampeago this afternoon.
Government gives go-ahead to transport schemes totalling £113m
Thursday 24 May 2012
Thirty local transport schemes worth a total of £113 million were given the go-ahead by the Government today.
Cycling: Joaquim Rodriguez tightens hold on pink jersey with second stage win in Giro d'Italia
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Overall leader Joaquim Rodriguez put in a show of force to win the most testing stage in the 2012 Giro d’Italia this afternoon.
The 10 Best cycling events
Wednesday 23 May 2012
From the Dragon Ride in Wales to the Tour of County Tyrone, explore stunning scenery and get fit at the same time
Cycling: Youthful Basque breakaway claims maiden win
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Little-known rider Jon Izagirre escaped under the radar this afternoon as he shot away to claim stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia.
Cycling: Giro may take on Galibier ascent
Tuesday 22 May 2012
The Giro d'Italia is set for a stage summit finish on the famous Galibier climb in France's Alps in the not too distant future, says director Michele Acquarone.
Cycling: Giro d'Italia has shown Mark Cavendish's Team Sky have work to do
Monday 21 May 2012
Having taken three wins in this year’s Giro d’Italia, despite suffering just as many crashes, Mark Cavendish looks as strong as he ever has.
Experience the Heineken Hub
Get free wi-fi and exclusive i content while you enjoy a tasty pint of Heineken at participating pubs.
Can you imagine a career in teaching?
Be inspired to teach - let real teachers show you how rewarding the job can be.
A home to be proud of with Halifax
Download the Halifax's brilliant, free new Home Finder app, and take all the pain out of finding your dream home
Playing a game-changing role during the Games
Cisco is providing the solutions for London 2012's complex IT needs.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
