The medieval city of Chester is historically significant and its strategic position close to the Welsh border saw the Romans consider it for their capital. A slice of history is discovered around every corner: even the city’s racecourse, reputedly the oldest in England, was the site of a large Roman harbour.
Here at Travellowdown, we always enjoy visiting Jersey and our recent trip was no exception. Despite measuring just nine miles by five, it’s the largest of the Channel Islands as well as the southernmost. A self-governing dependency of the UK, it has much to offer visitors, including splendid beaches, rugged coastline, myriad walking trails, inland valleys, military history and a fine collection of superb cafés and restaurants. In fact, Britain’s sunniest spot has something for everyone. So, to help plan your short break, here’s a summary of what we got up to…
Perched high above a seemingly never-ending stretch of golden sand on the rocky North Devon coast sits a gem of a hotel. Paula and I were fortunate to experience three nights at the Saunton Sands Hotel and would return like a shot, so impressed were we with every aspect of our stay. As the Saunton Sands’ glossy brochure states, this is “the hotel with everything” and no truer words were written.
Over the years, working as a travel journalist and editor has meant I’ve been lucky enough to experience some fine hotels. Just two, however, have stolen my heart: one is situated on the island of Jersey while the other is the sublime VidaMar Resort Hotel in Madeira. I’ve stayed several times at the VidaMar and, [...]
Here at Travellowdown, we’ve recently returned from one of our best family holidays. Our destination was sunny Madeira, a beautiful island I’ve got to know so well over the years. Its bright colours, abundance of greenery, pleasant people, spectacular mountain ranges and myriad other delights make it an ideal destination for all ages. When it [...]
The largest of the Channel Islands offers visitors myriad eateries, everything from shacks on the beach to top-end restaurants where deep pockets are recommended! Having just returned from yet another visit, here are some suggestions for anyone looking for somewhere to eat or drink… OCEAN RESTAURANT The Atlantic Hotel is, by far, my favourite hotel [...]
It was my last morning at the Atlantic Hotel, my favourite place to stay on Jersey, and a couple walked past as I headed to the restaurant. Pulling a hefty suitcase, the wife turned to her husband, saying: “Oh dear, I guess all good things come to an end!” Sadly they do, as I discovered [...]
My first experience of staying with the Inn Collection dates back some five years or so when the Travellowdown team explored Northumberland. Back then, the company comprised of inns largely in the northeast. But soon after, an expansion programme saw them venture west to the Lake District where they quickly added a handful of [...]
Spotting throngs of excited tourists jostling for position at the quayside, we half-expected to see an A-list celebrity pulling up in their million-pound yacht. But the cameras were primed to catch sight of a more important visitor in this part of the world – George, the loggerhead turtle. Kefalonia, the fourth largest Greek island, is [...]
Luxury Lodges – the name says it all. Superb, attractive, self-catering properties located in such delectable locations as Cornwall, the Lake District and Carmarthenshire. And it’s not all lodges, either. I was fortunate enough to sample a Troutbeck Cottage, one of many on offer at Whitbarrow Village. Nestled in the northeastern corner of the Lake [...]
