English Heritage

With stone cottages, beautiful countryside and roaring fireplaces, the beautiful UK market town wouldn’t be out of place in the classic Christmas film The Holiday

I’ve always been captivated by the snug atmosphere of the classic Christmas film The Holiday, but I believed it would be nearly impossible to find a place that could mirror Cameron Diaz’s experience.

However, there’s one quaint market town in the UK that fits the bill perfectly. On a recent weekend getaway in the Yorkshire Dales, I visited the idyllic Middleham and was immediately taken aback by its charm.

The main cobbled street is adorned with a diverse array of antique shops, tea rooms and fish and chip shops, not to mention the beautiful stone cottages boasting picture-perfect flower pots and charming trinkets on their porches. Rose Cottage in The Holiday may be fictional (apologies for the spoiler), but the homes in Middleham certainly give it a run for its money.

The entire place feels as though it’s been preserved in time, and I mean that in the best possible way. I made a pit stop at the Castle Keep Tea Rooms where you’ll discover about 6 tables, a crackling fireplace and comfy armchairs.

The menu offered all the traditional breakfast items you could desire, some light sandwiches and some seriously scrumptious cakes baked on-site.

Everything is within walking distance, primarily because it takes about 10 minutes to traverse from one end of the town to the other; although be prepared for the hill!

The town, known as the childhood home of Richard III and the location of the historic Middleham Castle, is steeped in history. I decided to visit the English Heritage site, being the main attraction, and was pleasantly surprised.

The ruins are quite charming and impressive, and it’s easy to imagine how grand the castle must have been in its prime. If you dare to climb the winding staircase to the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the town below. (Adult tickets start from £9.50, more information can be found on english-heritage. org.uk). The ruins and the views give you a feeling of being in the Game of Thrones universe; I half expected dragons to fly overhead.

The town’s prime location on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park makes it an ideal base for walkers; there are countless footpaths and trails around, and some fantastic pubs with low beams and roaring fires where you can enjoy a pint. (The Dante Arms was a particular favourite).

For families, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park is just a half hour’s drive away and offers a plethora of rides, rollercoasters and attractions for children aged 12 and under. We booked a group ticket which worked out at about £15 per person and were extremely impressed by what was included in the ticket.

When it comes to lodging, there’s a vast selection available. I was off to Middleham for a weekend getaway with mates, but since I live a few hours away from Yorkshire, I opted to book a snug cottage on Airbnb for one night to get the travel out of the way and savour the region.

The stone walls, plush furnishings, and delightful decor gave me serious ‘The Holiday’ vibes.

The following day, I made my way just down the road to Middleham House, which was ideal for our group of roughly 24 people. It’s no small task finding a pleasant base for such a large crowd, but the house didn’t disappoint with its massive living room, library, dining room, and roomy ensuite bedrooms. A crackling fireplace was also available, making it hard to pull myself away to actually do some sightseeing! You can learn more and book stays at themiddlehamhouse.com.

A recent study has pinpointed the perfect spot to enjoy some sea air and unwind after decades of work

After years of toiling away in bustling towns and cities, it’s no surprise that many retirees crave a more peaceful existence. A recent study has pinpointed the ideal spot to enjoy some sea air and unwind after decades of graft, with a Welsh seaside town being hailed as the best place for a tranquil retirement.

This year’s list, compiled by Taking Care, is topped by the Victorian seaside destination of Llandudno. This charming town, nestled on the North Wales coast, clinched the top spot, outshining Glossop, Tynemouth and Ilfracombe.

The study took into account factors ranging from life expectancy to property prices to average care home costs, should they ever be needed.

Beyond the core statistics, the study also factored in the amount of green spaces, bingo halls, English Heritage properties and other amenities that contribute to an entertaining lifestyle.

With a population of just 19,700 according to the 2021 census, the town offers ample opportunities for socialising, but also plenty of quiet spots when you need a breather.

The town’s seafront is its heart, boasting a two-mile stretch of Victorian terraces intermingled with grand hotels, reports Wales Online.

There are numerous lovely shops, restaurants, churches, and museums to discover, and the pier boasts a selection of slot machines and a pub with views across the beach – something that residents are delighted to say feels like stepping back through time.

Ray, 80, who moved to Llandudno nearly three decades ago, told The Telegraph: “Living here is like going back 50 years.

“The older ladies still dress nicely. You can go out for walks after dark. There are no rough gangs going around swearing and fighting.”

Adjacent Conwy can also provide a delightful day trip to explore additional retailers and boutiques offering a much wider selection.

Helen Parkes, who relocated to the town with her family, added: “It’s [Llandudno] lacking in terms of retail and culture – Conwy next door has had more spent on it and has more independent shops – but living here, you do realise life’s not all about spending.”

While picturesque North Wales might be the perfect location for retirement, Scotland seems to have surfaced as one of the worst options, particularly its capital.

Amongst all the places evaluated, Edinburgh came last with an average life expectancy of 79 and an overall lifestyle score of 3.8/10, proving that city living can come at a cost.

The capital also proved to be expensive, with annual care costs in the city hitting nearly £40,000 on average, with just one care home for every 778 elderly residents.

Stonehenge has been ranked as one of the top ten bucket list attractions in the world by Iglu Cruise, which also rated Sagrada Familia, Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat and the Niagra Falls highly

The ethereal Stonehenge has been among the world’s top bucket list attractions.

“If you’re the kind of person who’s willing to hike out to the middle of nowhere just to take a few photos of some rocks, or if you’re up for baa-ing with the sheep, you’ll love it here.”

That’s the one-star review of one particularly sarcastic person who clearly wouldn’t know a high-quality henge if one were to land on his plate. Clearly, the public at large disagrees with his grumbling review of a UK attraction that is among the most iconic of the country’s symbols and has now earned seventh place on Iglu Cruise’s list of the world’s best.

One could be forgiven for thinking that Stonehenge was erected all in one go. If not over a long weekend, then by the same set of ox-strong monument constructors.

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In fact, the stones were erected over hundreds of years, according to English Heritage. In about 2,500 BC, the stones in the centre of the monument were set up.

“Two types of stone are used at Stonehenge – the larger sarsens and the smaller ‘bluestones’. The sarsens were erected in two concentric arrangements – an inner horseshoe and an outer circle – and the bluestones were set up between them in a double arc. Probably at the same time that the stones were being set up in the centre of the monument, the sarsens close to the entrance were raised, together with the four Station Stones on the periphery,” English Heritage’s website explains.

“About 200 or 300 years later the central bluestones were rearranged to form a circle and inner oval (which was again later altered to form a horseshoe). The earthwork Avenue was also built at this time, connecting Stonehenge with the river Avon.”

Perhaps the last prehistoric activity to take place at Stonehenge was the digging around the stone settings of two rings of concentric pits, the so-called Y and Z holes. Radiocarbon has dated these back between 1,500 and 1,500 BC.

The length of the project, and the fact that generations of Neolithic West Country builders kept standing up more stones, adds to the mystique and attraction of the place.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of Stonehenge is the unlikely fact of its existence. Recent geochemical research work has concluded that the stones were transported around 20 miles to their current site. Given that the average sarsens weigh 25 tons, with the largest stone, the Heel Stone, weighing about 30 tons, it would’ve required an extraordinary amount of organisation and effort.

“Building the stone circle would have needed hundreds of people to transport, shape and erect the stones. These builders would have required others to provide them with food, to look after their children and to supply equipment including hammerstones, ropes, antler picks and timber. The whole project would have needed careful planning and organisation,” writes English Heritage.

Once transported and then cut down to size, the stones needed to be lifted up into place. To erect a stone, people dug a large hole with a sloping side. The back of the hole was lined with a row of wooden stakes. The stone was then moved into position and hauled upright using plant fibre ropes and probably a wooden A-frame. Weights may have been used to help tip the stone upright. The hole was then packed securely with rubble.

Today, English Heritage runs the Stonehenge site and charge around £28.00 for an on-the-door ticket. If you claimed a free-entry coupon via the Mirror earlier this month, then you can check out the stones for no extra cost. It is possible to see Stonehenge from a public path, but the viewpoint is a little further away than is optimal.

A great time to visit is in the autumn, when the nearby trees turn brown and yellow, and the crowds are a little thinner.

Other attractions on Iglu Cruise’s list include Sagrada Familia, Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat and the Niagra Falls. You can check out the full list on its website.

One village has been named as a ‘perfect quiet alternative’ to a popular seaside resort, which has also been labelled one of the UK’s happiest places

Bamburgh, with its stunning castle and picturesque beach, was recently crowned one of the UK’s happiest places. But there’s another Northumberland gem that’s giving it a run for its money.

Last month, travel gurus at holidaycottages.co.uk revealed Bamburgh had made the top five ‘happy places’ for a staycation, as voted by thousands across the country. Now, they’ve highlighted Warkworth as the “perfect quiet alternative”.

“Just down the coast from Bamburgh, Warkworth offers the same fairytale feel but with fewer visitors and a riverside twist,” the experts said. “Like Bamburgh, it boasts an imposing medieval castle with sweeping views, but instead of a clifftop perch, Warkworth’s fortress rises above a peaceful loop of the River Coquet.

“You’ll still find golden beaches nearby, but here the pace is gentler. Explore craft shops, row to a hidden hermitage carved into the rock, or unwind in a cosy pub where the fire’s always lit.”

Situated a 40-minute drive from Bamburgh and just 30 miles from Newcastle, Warkworth has been receiving well-earned praise this year. It was also recently named by experts at Sykes Holiday Cottages as one of the top “up-and-coming” destinations for UK staycations.

The 12th-century Warkworth Castle, which towers over the village from its elevated position in a curve of the River Coquet, welcomes visitors throughout the year, with tickets available to purchase through English Heritage.

Featuring its distinctive cross-shaped keep and remarkable stone carvings, plus hosting everything from falconry displays to medieval tournaments, the castle represents just one of numerous historical treasures that guests can discover during their visit to Warkworth.

Another essential destination for history enthusiasts exploring the village is Warkworth Hermitage, an impressive 14th-century chapel and priest’s residence hewn into a cliff face that lies concealed along the river and can only be reached by boat journey.

Meanwhile, Castle Street serves as the principal thoroughfare in Warkworth and boasts some of the “most scenic views in Northumberland,” according to the county’s tourism board. Warkworth Castle is positioned at one end, and the village’s 12th-century church is at the opposite end.

There are numerous unique accommodation options in Warkworth, ranging from a 200-year-old stone cottage situated directly on the riverbank to a converted dairy and cow byre transformed into a holiday lodge. Additional highly-rated cottages available for booking for brief stays in the village include:

There are also some top-rated hotels in the village where visitors can rest their heads, with the number one option according to reviews on Booking.com being Bertram’s, a boutique B&B that is also a café during the day and a bistro at night. It is closely followed by Warkworth House Hotel, a dog-friendly hotel with 14 rooms to choose from.

The quaint fishing harbour is located in a very famous part of the UK, but is a lot less popular than its surrounding area.

If you’re looking for the perfect seaside spot to visit this autumn that isn’t flooded with tourists, then there’s one place that ticks every box. Residents of a UK coastal town that’s frequently overshadowed by its more famous neighbours have celebrated its strong community spirit and passion for independent shops and eateries.

Seaton is a charming fishing harbour situated along East Devon’s Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site that draws approximately five million visitors annually. Although boasting year-round attractions including the tramway, museum, and beach, visitors often choose nearby Lyme Regis over Seaton.

One standout feature of the coastal community is its dedication to independent businesses, with local shop owners describing it as “the best place” to establish a company.

Amy Bonser helped launch Seaton Chamber Independent Market last year, which has since expanded to feature products from more than 60 traders, reports the Express.

She explained Seaton was the ideal location to create the market owing to its breathtaking local surroundings and established network of flourishing independent enterprises.

Amy told the Express: “Seaton was the best place to start a market. We have an amazing coastline on the Jurassic Coast, amazing gardens, which we use one for our market, and some amazing shops.

“As we mainly have independent businesses, this makes it an amazing place for local small traders to show off their independent business without the threat of the big companies.”

This view was shared by Carly Dean-Tribble, who runs Pebbles Coffee House and the Hideaway – two beloved cafés in the town. While admitting that running two independent cafes is “super hard work” due to people having less disposable income, she feels “very well supported by the local community and tourists alike”.

Carly confessed she hadn’t heard of Seaton before deciding to open her businesses there, but quickly realised it was the ideal location.

She said: “Seaton has a particular charm to it. I made my mind up that Seaton would be our home before we even viewed the business. It’s full of independent traders, which is a unicorn for sure. No big names here.

“Having independent businesses on our high street is a huge plus point. You simply don’t get that level of service and dedication from bigger corporations. People put their heart and soul into everything they do.”

Angela Mendham, another independent cafe owner who has run Passiflora for four years, echoed Carly’s sentiments. Despite facing challenges as more chain coffee shops emerge, she said Seaton locals have continued to show their support.

She expressed: “I do have a lot of locals who are very loyal, and I’m very grateful for their support. My locals have been as supportive as they can, but I’ve noticed that they are not spending as much so it’s hard, but I am very grateful.”

Looking ahead, Angela believes Seaton could benefit from increased funding that would only help its independent shops to flourish further.

She added: “I think Seaton needs more money from councils. Compared to Sidmouth, we really are the poor relative. But as the community goes, we are right on top.”