Is there anywhere better than London in the summer? When I first moved to the UK’s capital from Australia I wondered why locals were so excited for summer, but after spending a winter in the city I was soon following flocks of Londoners as they sought outdoor spaces to spend the warmer months in. Now I …
UK
As I slipped between the crisp white sheets of my king sized bed I couldn’t help but think, ‘This is the kind of place I’d like to live’. I’m setting my standards pretty high here, I know, but I’m all about aiming high. Reach for the stars and all that. Cannizaro House in Wimbledon is …
One of the things I love most about living in London is the sheer size of the city. Not only is it huge but there is so much to do. After living here for two years I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface and I’m not sure I ever will. For every restaurant, exhibition, …
If you’re a travel lover then I’ve got no doubt you’ll be feeling like you’ve had your wings clipped right now. I know some people are optimistically booking holidays abroad for this year and I’m sure many of those holidays will go ahead, but I’m also sure many of them won’t! I haven’t booked any …
When writing about Lake Vyrnwy Hotel I could tell you all about the history of the hotel, the tasty menu, the great selection of wine, the friendly staff and the beautiful old building. But, let’s be honest, when you’re staying at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel it’s all about the view. And what a view it is. Imagine waking …
I’m very excited today to have Laura from Wander with Laura sharing her travel guide to Liverpool with us. I went to Liverpool University and I absolutely loved this colourful and creative city. The main thing I feel about Liverpool is that it’s a fun city. No one takes themselves too seriously and there’s a …
Wales is my favourite place for a short break or a weekend away. I’m always surprised by how beautiful this little country is and the small size makes it easy to discover a lot in a short space of time. Road tripping is the best way to discover Wales and I love nothing better than …
Is there anything better than waking up in the morning and having nothing to do? No plans, no work, no commitments. Nothing but a gloriously long day ahead of you, waiting to be filled with an adventure. Oh the possibilities. Oh the excitement! Sounds great, doesn’t it? But how many of us actually embrace these …
If you’re looking for things to do in Chester then you’ve come to the right place! I’ve lived on the outskirts of Chester for most of my life so here are some of my favourites! Chester is one of the country’s most important heritage cities and, in my opinion, it’s also one of the most …
After living in London for two years there are still countless things on my to-do list. There are hundreds of places I’ve never been, sites I haven’t seen, bars I haven’t drank in and restaurants I haven’t eaten in. Yes, London is a hustling,bustling, non-stop city with more things to do, see, and visit than …
If you’re easily spooked, it’s best not to walk around Edinburgh alone at night. The old town is made up of dark, narrow alleyways, with hundreds of years of history clinging to its walls. Without a doubt, nefarious characters skulked these cobbled streets, mingling with wealthy residents, merchants and the city’s hoi polloi. Many of …
You all know how much I love Wales so I’m excited to have Bonnie Friend from the Good Hotel Guide share 10 of the best hotels in Wales. I live on the England/Wales border so, while I spend a lot of time in Wales, I don’t visit many hotels in Wales so Bonnie is here …
If you’re thinking about buying a holiday caravan then I’d like to share 10 things to know before you invest in your own static caravan. The sale of new holiday caravans is up by 47% this year and second hand caravans are up by a whopping 65%! Staycations are obviously on the rise due to …
Today’s hidden gem about Chee Dale in the Peak District is by Rob Haggan from The Outdoor Adventure Blog. Rob thinks Chee Dale is the perfect alternative to the busy Monsal Trail. The Monsal Trail is an undoubtedly gorgeous trail to walk or cycle along but it does become extremely busy during these beautiful summer …
Last week I had the absolute joy of joining 1085 Adventures for their Introduction to Bikepacking course, held in Beddgelert Forest in North Wales. If ‘bikepacking’ is new to you, let me explain. Bikepacking is where you travel via bike with everything you need strapped to you or the bike, including whatever you plan to …
Today I’m sharing our experience visiting Zipmas, an incredible underground grotto in a Victorian slate mine in Wales. Our family loved Zipmas as it was such a unique and exciting Christmas experience. This Christmas I’ve made the decision to go easy on the Christmas presents and instead spend our Christmas money on experiences. For me, …
If you follow my weekly newsletter you would have seen a request I sent out a few months ago asking for recommendations or suggestions for up-and-coming foodie trends around the UK. The reason for this was because I’d been set a very special challenge. A challenge that saw Elle and I travelling around the UK …
We recently had a gorgeous family day out in North Wales which included a stop at Gwyrch Castle, yes the castle in Abergele made famous by I’m a Celebrity…! But we didn’t just visit the castle in Abergele. Oh no, there’s so much to see in this area so keep reading to find out how …
There is no area better known as a bastion of English refinement, countryside sophistication and village charm than the unfolding hills or ‘wolds’ of the Cotswolds. This picture-book part of England has long been a place to retreat for lazy half-terms and blissed-out weekends. But behind the sleepy villages, bucolic teashops, and Thelwell style farms, …
There’s something magical about Anglesey that gives me tingles whenever I cross the bridge. The beautiful island on the northwest coast of Wales is one of my special places where I instantly feel happy. We all have our special places; we have countries that hold our hearts, cities filled with special memories, towns we return …
Ahhh honey. Runny honey and cloudy honey, grainy honey and smooth honey, honey like silk and honey like treacle. I love honey and, as a consequence of my honey addiction, I also have a soft spot for honeybees. I thought I knew a lot about honeybees. I have seen Bee Movie after all, so I …
There’s something wonderful about growing your own fruit and vegetables. It isn’t just about putting food on the table, it’s something else. The magic comes from a collection of very simple things…. It’s having your hands in the soil. Planting a seed and watching it grow. The magic of seeing a tiny seedling break through …
Today’s post is all about glamping essentials and everything you should pack for a glamping trip. One of the benefits of glamping over camping is that you don’t need to pack nearly as much stuff! Most glamping sites will provide you with all the basic equipment you will need so your car won’t be bursting …
It’s no secret that glamping is my favourite type of holiday with kids. I love having those gorgeous, outdoor camping vibes but with hot showers, comfy beds, private bathrooms, mini kitchens, plug sockets and without having to put a tent up! Last week we had the opportunity to try a new glamping style with Wigwam …
Today I’m sharing my Magical Woodland review, a music and lights experience in a Cheshire woodland. If you’ve enjoyed The Lanterns at Chester Zoo, you’ll LOVE this!
Last month I had an incredible 5-night stay at Tregarthens Hotel on St Mary’s island, the largest of the Isles of Scilly. I was travelling with Sam and our four-month old son, George. We’ve stayed in a few hotels with George already but Tregarthens was the best by a million, trillion miles. (Yes, it was …
I’d like to take a minute to introduce you to one of the most magnificent and surprising places I’ve ever visited, the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, England. This is a place of powdery white sand, bright blue seas and crystal clear water. It’s a place with tiny islands that all have …
Holiday caravans are booming in the UK this year! We’re all looking for affordable staycations and a holiday caravan is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to do it. I know there are lots of people who grow up with static caravans but many people barely know they exist, and if you’re one of …
I’m sure many of you already know that I’m a massive fan of glamping. Today I want to tell you about my latest glamping trip at Amber’s Bell Tents. This trip was in collaboration with my shiny, new Dacia Duster. If you’re new to the world of glamping then let me tell you all about …
If you’re looking for things to do in Manchester this weekend then I’ve got a great Manchester weekend itinerary that includes all of my favourite things – vintage shopping, gorgeous cafes, ancient libraries and even the adrenaline fuelled bonus of skydiving! There are so many things to do in Manchester and it can be a …
Today’s post is all about our quest to find the best Lebanese restaurant in Manchester! If you’ve been following The Travel Hack’s epic UK foodie adventure so far, you’ll have learned all about Korean food in New Malden, Caribbean food in Bristol and Nepalese cuisine in York. The next stop on our quest to find …
Road tripping around Ireland has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. It’s the combination between beautiful scenery, vibrant cities and quaint towns that captured my interest and I’ve longed to drive along the Wild Atlantic Way with my car windows down and the radio blasting out my favourite songs. …
Cambridge local, Tilly-Jayne, is today’s guest blogger as she shares a local’s guide to Cambridge, one of the prettiest cities in the UK! You could say I’m incredibly lucky to have grown up with Cambridge as my local city. Cambridge is rich in history, great for an Instagram shot and a popular tourist destination, for …
I took a family trip to the Orkney Islands with NorthLink Ferries and had the most amazingly peaceful week in such a stunning area of the UK. Here’s what I got up to and my guide to the Orkney Islands. Have you ever noticed the way you rarely realise how hectic and stressful life can …
Elle and I spent three days at Watergate Bay Hotel on the north coast of Cornwall. We enjoyed their Taste of the Bay package which allowed us to dine at Zacry’s restaurant, The Beach Hut and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall. We also had an incredible surf lesson, yoga session, spa treatments and plenty of time …
Our family had the pleasure of staying at Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds, an idyllic holiday setting with stunning holiday properties. Holiday homes are dotted around Lower Mill Estate across 300 acres of nature reserve and many of them surround the gorgeous lake. We stayed in a lovely little cottage booked through Manor Cottages. …
Today I’m sharing what it’s really like to ride in a hot air ballon after my incredible early morning flight in one! It was 5.30am and the field was covered with a mystical blanket of cloudy mist. The sun was rising and streaming through the trees as a group of guys unloaded the enormous hot …
Alton Towers is a place of childhood dreams so we were really excited to take our kids there last week. After a long and difficult summer, it was the perfect treat before our kids went back to school! But, like many of you, we did have some reservations about visiting Alton Towers during the COVID-19 …
Bristol is one of the UK’s most vibrant and creative cities, with plenty to offer a weekend visitor. It’s full of history, bright street art and mirror-like canals that reflect candy-coloured houses and intriguing architecture. For families, there’s plenty to explore: the Aquarium is a deep blue treasure trove of learning and fun, the SS …
Today’s Hidden Gem has been sent in by Jessica Friend from The Weekend Tourist as she’d like to share more about The Rollright Stones, a hidden gem in Oxfordshire and the county’s answer to Stonehenge! The Rollright Stones are always the first place that I take anyone who might be visiting us – …