Honest travel reviews and all the lowdown on accommodation, theme parks, attractions, places to eat, destinations for when you’re travelling alone or with family.
Meet the Team
Hi, I’m Richard Webber, professional journalist, husband and father. Along with my wife, Paula, and children, Hollie and Peter, we travel to places around the world and review them here on Travel Lowdown.
I’ve been a journalist for around 20 years, writing for – among others – the Daily/Sunday Express, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own, Woman and a host of other national publications. I’ve also written several books, including the popular Best Walks on Exmoor.
One aspect of journalism I particularly enjoy is travel writing. But it’s not just me who enjoys travelling and exploring new places, the whole family does, and many of our adventures are documented on this site.
Travellowdown has something for everyone. But being parents of two children, many of the reviews are family-orientated. We want to show that travelling with kids, whether they’re infants or teenagers, can be a fun-filled experience.
Latest Articles & Reviews
Funchal - Madeira's capital - has some fine restaurants but a "must" whenever we visit is the sublime Il Basilico. Owned by the successful PortoBay Hotels & Resorts, it's one of several eateries the [...]
For many years, Hestercombe has been one of those “must go there one day” destinations. You know the kind of places: you drive by the signpost fairly regularly but have always got somewhere else you [...]
Heading to Jersey and Guernsey? Fancy visiting a decent eatery which dishes up fab pizzas? If so, here are some of our recommendations... JERSEY PizzaExpress Any visit to Jersey must include a visit to [...]
I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at this wonderful hotel which is, quite simply, pure luxury. Whenever I return, I’m relieved to see that it has retained its timeless elegance, staff still firmly believe in [...]
Family favourites to tempt you…
Accommodation to tempt you…
Attractions to tempt you…
Products to tempt you…
Latest Reviews
Rectory Farm Tea Rooms – Bude
A bold proclamation to begin with: Paula and I don’t think we’ll eat a more delicious scone than what we had at these cosy little tea rooms near Bude. We cheekily asked the affable owner, [...]
Rosie’s Kitchen – Bude
A stone’s throw from Crooklet’s Beach in Bude is a family-run café serving up delicious diner-style food. Here, you can expect very generous portions, quick service and polite, helpful staff. We visited one evening while [...]
Mamma Mia Restaurant – Funchal (Madeira)
If you’re ever in Funchal and fancy Italian cuisine, you’ll find no better restaurant than Mamma Mia. Owned by the Vidamar Resort Hotel - without question, one of the best (if not the best) hotels [...]
Madeira – 8 Favourite Things to See & Do
One of the guarantees about visiting Madeira is that you’ll never be short of things to see and do. In fact, chances are a return will probably be on the cards to experience some of [...]
Walking Book Reviews
There are some great walking books around at the moment and one of my favourites is Great Scottish Walks by Helen & Paul Webster. As mentioned on the front cover, this guide spotlights the country’s [...]
VidaMar Resort Hotel – Madeira
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 [...]
Latest News
North Korea – Like Nowhere Else
What a fabulous book! If, like me, you have a fascination with the secretive, mysterious North Korea then you’ll love this beautifully-bound volume written by Lindsey Miller. Lindsey – a musical director and award-winning composer [...]
The Cove – Silverdale
Overlooking Morecambe Bay, this luxurious, state-of-the-art lodge park is the latest addition to the Holgates Holiday Parks’ portfolio. What’s more, it’s just across the road from the family-run business’s flagship site, Silverdale, with all its [...]
Cool Camping – Britain
Just like the folks behind the brilliant Cool Camping guides, my family and I share a passion for the less commercialised campsites when planning a break under canvas. OK, from time-to-time we’ve frequented the bigger, [...]
