Stepping

WITH the temperatures dropping, the thought of being cosy couldn’t be more appealing – and there’s an English holiday cottage that’s the ideal place for just that.

Located in Weston-under-Lizard in Shropshire, you will find a little cottage called Hansa.

Looking as if it has been ripped from the pages of Hansel and Gretel, the cottage sits off-grid within 200 acres of Shropshire woodland.

This Victorian gothic lodge was built to originally host lunches for the Earl of Bradford, but now is somewhere you can stay.

And according to Unique Stays, it has a ” fairytale otherworldliness”.

It is surrounded by woodland with lots of wildlife and views over a vast lake.

Read more on travel inspo

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

Guests enter the lodge through a small porch with benches and twisting tree branches.

On the inside, the original dark wood panels from 1856 cover the walls and above you rests a chandelier covered in metal ivy.

There are then two green velvet chairs and a plush double bed complete with a green throw.

The green colour palette is continued in the small kitchen with a four-ring hob, gas oven, fridge, small freezer and a Nespresso machine and there is a sleek, paler green tiled bathroom with a walk-in rainfall shower as well.

Inside the main bedroom area, there is also a table and chairs, a desk and a woodburner.

Guests can park on a gravel drive and then the cottage can be reached via a woodland track.

In addition, guests get a welcome hamper full of local treats to enjoy during their stay.

And you will also get marshmallows for the fire, logs and kindling, a BBQ Grill Egg with a pizza stone, smart TV, Bluetooth speaker, Wi-Fi, iPad, two vintage-style bicycles, his and her Hunter wellies and a rowing boat to use during your stay.

Just outside of the lodge, there is another table and chairs for outdoor dining and a woodfired hot tub.

Babes in arms are welcome with cots available on request, as are up to two dogs which will be charged at £60 each, per week.

The cottage sleeps up to two people and costs from £1,450 per week or £1,095 per short break.

One recent visitor said: “Hansa was a brilliant home to stay in and I can’t sing the owner’s praises enough.

“The cupboards were stocked with everything you could possibly need, there were fresh eggs, milk, bread and even a hamper of goodies from both sweet treats to a full on cheese board with something bubbly to wash it down with.

“They really thought of everything!”

Another visitor said: “Hansa is a special place, we couldn’t have chosen a better calming little house to chill.

“Thank you for letting us stay in this fairy-style house, where it was warm, cosy, we had everything we needed.”

For things to do nearby, the cottage sits in a sprawling 26-acre estate that has seen battles of the 1642 civil war and even former King Charles II shelter in The Royal Oak of Boscobel House parkland after he fled the Roundheads.

In Weston-under-Lizard itself, guests will find Weston House – a 17th century manor house with a vast art collection and restaurant.

The site also hosts a number of events throughout the year.

Tickets to the house cost £11 per person.

Just a 30 minute drive away you could head to Dudmaston Estate in Quatt – a 17th century National Trust house with a Modern Art collection, pretty gardens, play areas and a second-hand bookshop.

Alternatively, also 30 minutes away, is The Bear Inn, in Hodnet, located inside a former 16th century coaching inn.

The friendly pub serves comfort dishes such as monkfish with mushroom, chicken wing, leek and madeira for £28, rose veal, ox cheek tart with carrot, ale and jus for £29 and goats cheese gnocchi with beetroot, chestnut and broccoli for £22.

It takes just an hour to drive from Birmingham to Hansa lodge.

For more holiday cottage and lodge inspo, here is the secluded English cottage where your garden is the beach and people say it ‘doesn’t even look real’.

Plus, stunning cottage is crowned ‘Best for Beaches’ in UK and you can book for £27 per person, per night.

Dramatic hills and medieval charm in Emilia-Romagna

Approaching the town of Brisighella in Emilia-Romagna, it feels as though you are rapidly incorporating yourself in the backdrop of a Renaissance masterpiece, with dramatic rocky hills with singular trees perched upon them, and mysterious towers standing in solitary self-possession – leaving you to wonder what they must have witnessed over the years. The town is the perfect launchpad to explore such remarkably beautiful scenery, but it is also absolutely worth exploring its many medieval alleyways and its particularly unique elevated path, granting private nooks to take in the town’s charm.
Gioia

Walk in the heart of Sicily

We have just walked the Via dei Frati from Caltanissetta to Cefalù on Sicily. During the 54-mile walk across the Madonie mountains, we saw no walkers or tourists. Views are sublime and each day finishes in a beautiful Sicilian village such as Gangi. Although no one spoke English, communication was never a problem.
Michael

Castles and catacombs in Basilicata

The southern Basilicata region is packed with interesting places, but Venosa, birthplace of the Roman poet Horace, is unmissable. Once a major centre, now a remote small town, it has extensive Roman ruins, ancient Jewish catacombs, a breathtaking castle, beauty and interest at every turn. Local food and wine is terrific. Nearby, the castles at Melfi and Lagopesole and the ducal palace at Pietragalla are among several places that would be internationally famous if they were located in more touristy areas, but you can’t easily go wrong in this part of Basilicata as long as you skip Potenza.
Andy

Eco bliss in the Apennines

Eco hotel Mulino delle Cortine, lost at the end of a three-mile dirt track deep in the Apennines east of Florence, is almost cartoonishly peaceful. With its shaded river swimming pool accessed by climbing down a rope into the riverbed, array of hiking trails in the surrounding forests and along streams and not a single bar of phone reception, it’s the perfect place to truly switch off. Rustic plates of pasta, regional cheeses, meats and cheesecakes served slowly under planetarium skies add to the appeal.
Cath

Medieval gem in Friuli

In the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the north-east, Cividale is a destination that feels like stepping into a living postcard. This Unesco world heritage site is a treasure trove of history, from its Roman roots to one of Italy’s most remarkable medieval sites: the exquisite eighth-century Tempietto Longobardo built by the Lombards. Wander through cobblestone streets, cross the Devil’s Bridge and soak in views of the emerald Natisone River. Beyond its beauty, Cividale offers authentic Italian charm – think family-run trattorias, local wines and vibrant cultural traditions.
Steve Bassett

A mini-Venice without the crowds

I doubt many tourists to Italy know about the mini-Venice, 16 miles south of its more famous sibling city, and easy for a day trip. Chioggia is what Venice must have looked like in an earlier iteration, and was actually mentioned by Roman author Pliny the Elder. It also features canals and narrow alleys, and has an important Museum of Adriatic Zoology to boast about, as well as beaches, a fort and medieval architecture.
Michael

Hiking in the Ligurian Apennines

I used to live not far from Santo Stefano d’Aveto, and I go back to the town in the Ligurian Apennines north-east of Genoa whenever I can. It’s a great base for exploring the Aveto natural regional park with trails winding around Monte Aiona, Monte Penna, Ramaceto and Zatta, with peaks rising to about 1,800 metres. Small lakes lie in the valleys, perfect for a pause on long hikes. The old Gambatesa mine makes a fun stop, especially with kids. Meals are simple: polenta, mushrooms, San Stè cheese, maybe wild boar. It’s not picture-perfect, just real.
Federico Bozzini

Truffle tagliatelle in the heart of Lazio

Tucked away in Lazio’s wild heart, Campoli Appennino perches dramatically on the edge of a vast sinkhole, a medieval village wrapped in dense forests, gorges and the hush of mountains. Hikers lose themselves on the Gole del Lacerno trail, chasing waterfalls and rugged ravines, while rescued brown bears roam freely in the village sanctuary. And then there’s the food: truffle tagliatelle at Il Tartufo, cream-filled pastries that vanish in a bite, and wonderful pizza. Hidden, wild and utterly captivating, Campoli Appennino is the kind of place you stumble upon once – and never forget.
Louise Warrington

Sweet wines in a Piedmont mountain village

Loazzolo is the home of a magnificent sweet wine and many fantastic classic sparkling wines. The little mountain villages are breathtaking, especially in the autumn when the landscape is painted in various hues of reds, yellows and greens. With truffles, porcini and hazelnuts too, this area is a culinary feast, best served in the early afternoon sun. This part of the Piedmont region always surprises me, especially because it is so overlooked by non-Italian visitors. Close to the vineyards of Barolo and the beautiful towns of Asti and Alba, it remains a hidden treasure.
Ruan Smit

Winning tip: explore Roman remains at your leisure, Le Marche

Even the locals thought it was hot when we visited the archaeological park at Urbs Salvia, south of Ancona in the Marche region. Walking between the perfectly preserved Roman theatre, the temple dedicated to Augusta and the amphitheatre, we sheltered under trees, drinking from our rapidly emptying water bottles. The guide clearly thought we were deranged – mad dogs etc – but free from the crowds of Rome or Pompeii, we had time to marvel at the city before us. Afterwards we detoured to Le Logge, a restaurant in Urbisaglia, the medieval upstart neighbour, and had a perfect lunch in the shade.
Alex

THE UK isn’t short of light trails when it comes to the winter period, but high street favourite, John Lewis, is now joining the club.

This year John Lewis is bringing its 2025 Christmas advert – ‘Where Love Lies’ – to life as part of the Northern Lights Manchester at Heaton Park.

This year’s John Lewis Christmas tells the story of a teenage boy and his father who struggle to communicate, yet when it comes to Christmas the boy gives him a music record that helps them to reconnect.

Running from November 20 to December 31, the event will mark the first time the retailer has brought its annual Christmas advert off the screen.

According to the Northern Lights Manchester website, John Lewis will join this year’s “brand new large-scale winter light trail”.

The website adds that the high street brand will join “Northern Lights to firmly establish Manchester’s newest seasonal tradition from year one”.

Read more on travel inspo

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

HOL YES

I’m a travel editor & mum-of-3… my favourite family holidays from just £3pp a night

Visitors can expect an in-person experience with music that is designed to connect visitors to the story of John Lewis’ Christmas advert – think feelings of joy, nostalgia and festive cheer.

The Northern Lights trail at Heaton Park is brand new for this year and in total stretches a mile long.

Venturing around the trail visitors will find 14 illumination zones and there will also be a number of food spots along the way.

The illumination zones include the Frosted Forest, Laser Garden and Runway to the Sky.

In addition, there will be a Christmas Village with local food, drinks and more music.

The village will have eight foodie destinations in total including God Save the Toasties, The Sausage Factory and the Super Sweet Fry Guys – who serve Terry’s Chocolate Orange churros, battered mince pies with boozy cream and hot chocolate with a dash of Salford Rum and topped with a Tunnock’s Marshmallow Snowball.

There is also the Bees Knees Tavern, a heated alpine-themed bar, where visitors can grab a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, including mulled wine.

Hotel Chocolat will even have its own van selling velvety, hot chocolate.

There are four types of ticket prices in total.

For super off-peak tickets, it costs £15 per adult and £5 per child.

For off-peak tickets, it costs £19.50 per adult and £13.95 per child.

For a standard entry ticket, it costs £21.50 per adult and £14.95 per child.

And finally, for a peak entry ticket, it costs £23.95 per adult and £16.50 per child.

Rosie Hanley, brand director, added: “At John Lewis, we love bringing people together to create shared experiences and magical Christmas memories.

“This spectacular light trail is a brilliant way for us to share the spirit of the season with Manchester and its communities, and we are excited to be a part of it.”

SEE CLEARLY

Mechanic reveals ‘secret’ button that will defrost your windows even quicker

waltzing off

La Voix’s statement in full as injured star is forced to pull out of Strictly

For other festive experiences in the UK, here are 27 free festive experiences across the UK for families including light trails and Santa’s grotto.

Plus, the top Christmas train experiences around the UK – including a festive ‘theatre on rails’ and ‘journey of lights’.