delicious

NEW Delhi doesn’t ease you in. Noise and colour come at you from every direction, and it both rewards your curiosity and leaves you exhausted.

One moment you’re weaving through packed markets in a rickshaw, the next you’re sitting in quiet contemplation at the Lotus Temple, which is shaped like an open petal.

Entry is free (Bahaihouseofworship.in).

I also find calm at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla in the south of the city.

Modern design is peppered with subtle Indian touches, and rooms are opulent with light streaming through large windows and bathrooms with big tubs and separate rain showers.

Plus, there’s a rooftop pool, where I take a refreshing dip before tucking into wok-tossed vegetable hakka noodles, £6.50, at the Edesia restaurant.

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The fort that counts

Come morning, after feasting at the breakfast buffet on an incredible dosa with coconut curd and mouth-watering medu vada (a crunchy, lentil doughnut), a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk proves not for the faint-hearted, but essential for soaking up the culture.

I pass street performers walking tightropes, while food vendors fry pakora and kachori at astonishing speed.

Wandering through Khari Baoli, a market dating back to the 17th century, I’m hit by clouds of fragrant spices, before I visit the Red Fort, a magnificent structure built from deep-red sandstone that served as the residence of Mughal emperors for almost 200 years.

Entry costs £4.80 (Asi.nic.in/pages/worldheritageredfort).

The next day, I explore the newer district of the city. Standing proud at the heart of the capital is India Gate, built in 1931 as a memorial to fallen soldiers.

A 10-minute taxi away is the free National Gandhi Museum, which is full of photographs, letters and personal items from Gandhi’s life (Gandhimuseum.org/museum).

And I find I need three hours at the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple, to wander the gardens and explore the exhibitions, which cost just £2.50.

The landmark also comes alive lit up at night with a spectacular fountain show, tickets cost 90p (Akshardham.com).

Chai and stop me!

Hauz Khas Village offers a different rhythm and is a brilliant labyrinth of shops, bars and cafes.

I find Chumbak, an adorable homeware shop filled with playful glassware, notebooks and ornamental plates (Chumbak.com), before unwinding with a masala chai at The Tea Room From Blossom Kochhar (Facebook/Thetearoomhkv).

After a stroll around the calm of Deer Park, home to monkeys, peacocks and a handful of spotted deer, I catch the sunset from the terrace at Hauz Khas Social.

Here, delicious momos – vegetable dumplings coated in rich masala sauce, £3 – pair perfectly with a glass of crisp chardonnay, £6.10 (Socialoffline.in).

Another evening, I head to Karol Bagh market, home to Hooter Restro & Bar, which offers superb paneer curry with buttered naan, £6 (@Hooter_restrobar), before watching live musicians performing on the buzzy rooftop at Epic Restro Bar (@Epicrestrobar).

India is also the birthplace of yoga, so before I set off to explore this intoxicating country further, I decide to join an early-morning class at Seema Sondhi, £10 (Theyogastudio.info).

It proves to be the perfect moment to reflect on an exhilarating and unforgettable city break.

Pooh Corner café in Hartfield, East Sussex, is only a short drive from London and takes inspiration from the classic Winnie the Pooh tales – with themed food, décor and afternoon tea

People are astonished as they discover the ‘cutest’ café in the countryside, merely an hour from London, which draws inspiration from a beloved classic childhood book character.

The café in question is Pooh Corner, situated in Hartfield, near the Ashdown forest in East Sussex, recognised as the inspiration for ‘the real’ Hundred Acre Woods in the timeless tales. A.A. Milne penned all of his Winnie the Pooh books there, inspired by his woodland adventures with his son, Christopher Robin, and he passed away at Cotchford Farm in 1956.

Every year, visitors from across the world travel to the forest in question, eager to walk in the footsteps of the globally renowned bear. And now they can also enjoy a Pooh-themed meal in ‘the cutest’ local café.

On TikTok, one user named ‘inherauraaa’ from London documented their visit to the charming café, which is just a brief drive from London.

“The cosiest tiny café in the countryside for brunch located just outside of London. The food are all affordable and all Winnie the Pooh inspired,” they penned in the post’s caption.

In the clip, the Londoner showcased footage from the café, from the Winnie the Pooh-themed sign outside, to the memorabilia and decorations inside that enhanced the charm.

As they visited during spring, the outdoor space was flourishing with various flowers and plants, where a sign featuring Pooh bear instructed them to wait to be seated. Even the crockery and cups were Winnie the Pooh themed, as they showcased their food order of scones with honey and clotted cream, along with hot chocolates topped with whipped cream. The tea was also served in a Winnie the Pooh teapot.

“Tiny outdoor and indoor seating area, also a big walk into the field just behind the café (didn’t have time for this sadly) and a gift shop indoors with small rooms of displays and collections. Just a 1hr drive out of London, worth a visit,” the user added.

The Pooh Corner café, though compact, boasts over 1,600 reviews on TripAdvisor, with an impressive average score of 4.6 out of 5. Visitors rave about the delightful teddy toast, scones, and afternoon tea on offer, alongside a wide selection of teas and coffees.

Reviewers also draw attention to the quaint and charming atmosphere and the wallet-friendly prices, while also praising the warm and welcoming staff.

The comment section of the video quickly filled up with people eager to find out exactly where the café was located, tagging friends and loved ones with plans to visit, as they set about arranging their own trips.