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Five luxury barns

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

On and off the rails: Britain's old railway routes are being reclaimed

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Deep in the heart of Somerset, a strangely straight path leads southwards from the river Yeo. On either side, a tangle of undergrowth and overgrown trees could convince you that you have somehow stumbled through a space-time hedgerow and ended up in darkest Peru – a sense amplified when you peer through the verdant muddle and discover evidence of ancient masonry.

Peak practice: Escape to the Lakes

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:00:30 GMT

I firmly believe there is a breaking point for all London Underground commuters and mine was at 8.38am on a Friday morning. Wedged into a neck-snapping position with an armpit against my cheek, I strained for the last few particles of oxygen only to receive a sneeze in the face. Turning to escape the repeat blast, I inhaled someone's hair, which stuck to my face like sweat-flavoured candyfloss.

Ten ways to enjoy London on a budget

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:15 GMT

24-Hour Room Service: The Rising Sun, Lynmouth, Devon

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:31 GMT

Few places can have such heavyweight literary associations in relation to their size as Lynmouth, tucked below looming Exmoor on the north Devon coast. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge knew the harbour village well; Percy Bysshe Shelley is supposed to have brought his 16-year-old bride Harriet here in their wanderings, following their flight to Gretna Green. RD Blackmore, the author of Lorna Doone, the great Exmoor tale, spent time here, too.

Caught on camera: autumn puts on a colourful show

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:58 GMT

Dense piles of copper-tinted leaves in the park, the smell of hot chestnuts, conkers, soggy raincoats and warm scarves... it’s that time of year again.

Just go with the flow on this northern trail

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Head west from Newcastle, go up a bit, and you'll find yourself in Hadrian's Wall country. The Roman fortification still casts a spell over us, as witnessed by the popularity of the exhibition on Emperor Hadrian at the British Museum, which runs until the end of the month.

Inspired by the dreaming spires

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:11:08 GMT

One February evening in 1355, an Oxford student complain-ed about the quality of the wine in a city- centre tavern. The ensuing argument lit the touchpaper for a violent confrontation between town and gown that had been brewing for some time. The result was the terrible St Scholastica's Day massacre, which left 62 scholars dead. For centuries afterwards, the relationship between Oxford's academic fraternity and the rest of the city was uneasy, at best.

5 relaxing spa hotels: Danesfield House, Buckinghamshire

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:07:58 GMT

Like its extravagant decor, Danesfield House offers an array of pampering treatments: 16 types of facial and full body treatments and massages that promise to rejuvenate body and mind.

5 relaxing spa hotels: Utopia at Alexander House, Sussex

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:07:15 GMT

Alexander House, home to the swanky Utopia Spa, is a boutique retreat set in 170 acres of private parkland.

5 relaxing spa hotels: Wallett's Court, Kent

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:06:17 GMT

This country manor provides cosseting and contentment deep in tranquil Kent. Climb the Jacobean staircase and snooze in a four poster bed after a hard day spent swimming or being pummelled by therapists.

5 relaxing spa hotels: Runnymede, Surrey

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:05:04 GMT

Part of a family-owned and run hotel group, The Runnymede Hotel & Spa prides itself on good service and cosy rooms.

The River Mild: Take a calm cruise on the Thames

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:03:07 GMT

The humpback bridge was certainly standing a century-and-a-quarter ago, emerging then as now from the profusion of branches and reeds to leap across the Thames and connect Oxfordshire with Berkshire. The traffic today is about as light as it was when Sonning Bridge was described as, "The most fairy-like nook on the whole river" by Jerome K Jerome in his marvellous maritime tale of the Thames, Three Men in a Boat. In the 21st century, though, Two People in a Hotel Boat is the way to see England's longest river.

The River Mild

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:03:07 GMT

5 rooms with a view: The Swan at Streatley

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:01:08 GMT

The Swan is perched on the banks of the River Thames in the pretty village of Streatley. Its 45 rooms have views of the lush greenery, or there's the riverside bar and terrace area which offer an alternative viewpoint for guests.

5 rooms with a view: Canterbury Cathedral Lodge

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:01:01 GMT

All the rooms in this stylish bed and breakfast have stunning views of Canterbury Cathedral. So they should; the lodge is set within the tranquil private grounds of the cathedral itself.

5 rooms with a view: The Grand Hotel

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:00:55 GMT

Overlooking the shoreline of the Eastbourne coast, the Grand Hotel has extensive views out to sea and onto the cliffs at Beachy Head.

Five rooms with a view: The Grand Hotel

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:00:55 GMT

Overlooking the shoreline of the Eastbourne coast, the Grand Hotel has extensive views out to sea and onto the cliffs at Beachy Head.

Five rooms with a view in the South-east

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:00:55 GMT

Overlooking the shoreline of the Eastbourne coast, the Grand Hotel has extensive views out to sea and onto the cliffs at Beachy Head.

5 rooms with a view: South Lodge Hotel

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:59:45 GMT

This country-house hotel is immersed in 93 acres of woodland, lawns, ponds and gardens and delivers views spanning the South Downs landscape.

Five rooms with a view: South Lodge Hotel

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:59:45 GMT

This country-house hotel is immersed in 93 acres of woodland, lawns, ponds and gardens and delivers views spanning the South Downs landscape.

Five rooms with a view in the South-east

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:59:45 GMT

This country-house hotel is immersed in 93 acres of woodland, lawns, ponds and gardens and delivers views spanning the South Downs landscape.

Portsmouth: Raise a toast to the coast

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:01:18 GMT

It's hard not to feel smug when it's a glorious autumn day and your train is pulling out of London headed for the coast. The Thames may glitter prettily, the parks may be magisterial this Sunday morning. But while your neighbours dutifully attend a farmers' market in a primary school playground you, lucky thing, are going to a farmers' market by the sea – in Portsmouth, new foodie capital of the south coast.

Toast to the coast

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:01:18 GMT

The Traveller's Guide to Durham and York

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:00:39 GMT

DURHAM

The Cathedral (0191 386 4266; www.durhamcathedral.co.uk) opens 7.30am-6pm Monday-Saturday, 7.30am-5pm on Sunday, and until 8pm in summer. Admission to the building itself is free, but there are additional small charges for the tower, the Monks' Dormitory, and the Treasury.