UK holidays
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Want to get away from it all and stay somewhere truly flashy? Ireland has opened up lighthouse cottages for spectacular coastal breaks. Our writer tries one in County Down
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Roger Appleton, the director of a new documentary about Liverpool’s music scene – and not just the Fab Four – is inspired by the romantic and beautiful place he sees as ‘the least English of English cities’
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Voted Europe’s leading visitor attraction at the World Travel Awards (beating the Eiffel Tower, Acropolis and the Colosseum) this is an inspiring testament to the Titanic and the city that built it
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The city on the silvery Tay is often derided, but it has much to offer – not least its art, says Debbie Lawson, who has just added to its treasures
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East Kent further education college has its own hotel, restaurant and spa, where students learn on the job. A great idea that makes for an enjoyable, endearing stay
accommodation
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From the cocktail bar entrance hall to on-trend rooms, pretty grounds and tempting dinner menu, the fifth hotel in the Pig litter should suit the most discerning of snouts
top 10s
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The show must go on, and whether it’s late-night music, cabaret, queer or circus shows, the stars of the scene know just where to go in London after hours
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London’s long-awaited night tube is a gift to the capital’s clubbers. As the Victoria and Central lines start a non-stop weekend service – with other lines to follow in the autumn – we asked the cream of London’s club scene to point us to the party
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The August bank holiday is on the horizon, but don’t just pitch up expecting to nab a camping spot. James Warner Smith, an author at the website Cool Camping, has tips for sites with great views and family-friendly fun – and you can still book
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From sunsets to sunrises, yoga relaxation and stone worship to music festivals, there are solstice celebrations, events and talks across the UK over the next few days
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Fiery sculptures and art installations will combine with talks, exhibitions and performances to mark 350 years since flames from Pudding Lane set the capital ablaze
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This oddball labyrinth of walkways, tricks and surprises, set in an idyllic Yorkshire garden, has something for all the family
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Young children can drive full-size diggers and dumper trucks, while there are also plenty of rides – on adapted bulldozers obviously – at an attraction that now has four UK locations
budget holidays
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In more than 100 wild corners of the UK are free shelters – bothies – for use by walkers. As the charity that runs them turns 50, Phoebe Smith, author of Book of Bothy, picks eight favourites
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Our reviewer usually shuns youth hostels, but he finds this new Nottingham pad a much better budget option than many big hotel chains
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England’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers scenic walks, fossil hunting and, as you’re never more than 1.7 miles from a pub, pints aplenty
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The town’s fabulous 1927 lido is reopening after a multimillion pound refurb – but that’s not the only reason to drop in on this Taff valley town
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A trip to the Lakes to join the celebrations for Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday will make for family fun – and provide a chance to tuck in to some fine food and drink
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Music lovers are in for a fine time with an eclectic array of concerts on offer in the Derbyshire spa town – and you’ll find plenty of great ales and cocktails for pre- or post-show drinks
sport holidays
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The coast from Southend to Sheppey is an atmospheric landscape of big skies, historic forts and nature reserves. And the Thames Estuary Path makes it easy to walk an area that inspired painters, Dickens and Dr Feelgood
restaurants
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The Edinburgh festival may dominate the headlines every summer, but all year round there’s a tight-knit local scene of off-beam music, grassroots art and theatre, and a stupidly good range of affordable grub and booze
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Beyond the shiny, high-profile regeneration projects, independent, left-field Manchester is still thriving, as our guide to its vibrant bars, restaurants, music venues and creative arts scene proves
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countries
coast & country
popular
White Cliffs of Dover: a walk through the country's past and present