UK holidays
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The Plough at Scalby, North Yorkshire: hotel reviewThe one thing missing from this stretch of Yorkshire coast has been a good place to stay. This refurbished pub has rectified that, and is a boon for walkers
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An 'Arctic' safari in the Scottish HighlandsWinter in the Cairngorms national park can turn positively Arctic – perfect for Kari Herbert to give her small daughter a taste of the polar conditions, and creatures, she enjoyed as a child in Greenland -
20 of the best places to stargaze in the UKThe National Parks Dark Skies Festival (18-26 February) is an ideal opportunity to try stargazing in some of the UK’s wildest areas. But here, we’ve also selected stellar sites that are good throughout the year
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Take the kids to … Tintagel, CornwallWizards, kings and castle ruins combine with beach, caves and rock pools to make a magical day out – even in February
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City breaks with kids: BrightonOur series of city guides for families heads to the Sussex coast for seaside attractions and playgrounds galore – plus plenty of museums in case of wet weather
accommodation
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Redmayne House B&B, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria: hotel reviewA stylish, supremely comfortable B&B with big breakfasts – Eden Valley walkers couldn’t ask for a better place to relax
top 10s
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10 of the best children’s festivals for February half-termAttractions around the UK are hosting themed half-term activities, including Vikings in York, storytelling in Cornwall and the science of light in Winchester
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10 of the best new family attractions in the UKWaterparks, cycle trails and zipwires through the forest are among the attractions springing up across the UK this year. We’ve included affordable places to stay nearby, too
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Top 10 group walks for winter in the UKEmbracing the great outdoors in the dead of winter is a lot easier in a group and with a knowledgeable leader for motivation. We pick the best guided walks around Britain
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10 more of the UK’s best small towns: readers’ travel tipsReaders had so much to say about our 10 of the best small UK towns for winter breaks article, we’ve put together a new list based on their recommendations
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City breaks with kids: LondonLondon offers a dazzling parade of attractions and treats for children – but it can empty your pockets faster than Fagin. Here are our tips for making the most of the city on a budget
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2017 travel planner: where to go on holiday … and whenWhether you’re looking for a dream holiday or a last-minute city break, here’s the lowdown on how to find bargains and late deals for all types of getaway from now until December
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It's Twixmas time: family events in the UK between Christmas and New YearBored between Christmas and New Year? There’s no need to be with this selection of family-focused events, performances, tours and walks
budget holidays
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Celebrating 50 years of mountain bothiesIn 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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Igloo Hybrid ho[s]tel, Nottingham: hotel reviewOur 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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Let’s go to … Ramsbottom, Greater ManchesterThis pretty market town in lovely West Pennines countryside has several Christmas events, adding to the appeal of its quality shops, pubs and bistros
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Let’s go to … Beverley for the Christmas festivalThe East Yorkshire market town hosts one of the most colourful festive events in the UK, with a market, street entertainers, rides and a Christmas parade
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Let’s go to … the National Memorial Arboretum, StaffordshireIts new Remembrance Centre has just opened, in time for Armistice Day. But also take time to explore nearby lovely Lichfield and its medieval cathedral
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Let’s go to ... spooky south-west WalesGet spooked for Halloween on a tombstone trail that covers five graves of interesting or scary characters in four area of south Wales
sport holidays
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Hit and myth: a legendary tour of PembrokeshireFollowing two newly devised trails in north Pembrokeshire, Kevin Rushby finds an area thick with antiquity – from neolithic to Napoleonic eras – and more soul than Stonehenge can muster
restaurants
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A foodie’s tour of Aberdeenshire: it’s fit for a princeLocal holidaymaker Prince Charles has opened a restaurant near Balmoral, eastern Scotland, one of many showcasing the area’s superb fresh ingredients
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Alt city guide to LiverpoolLeft-field Liverpool is thriving with a strong DIY culture and an art world bubbling with grassroots projects. Here’s our pick of the most exciting music and culture venues, and the best places to eat and drink
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countries
coast & country
10 top tips from our London correspondent