villages

IN our trusty motorhome, my family and I have gone across much of Europe – but somehow never quite made it to Germany.

Perhaps that was because of my ill-fated attempts at learning ­German at school, which lasted little more than a term.

But keen to head off the beaten path, we loaded up our Bailey of Bristol Adamo XL-DL and headed for the Bavarian Alps.

Of course, there was the slight worry of “what if it’s not as good as where we usually go?”. Spoiler alert: The Bavarian Alps are brilliant.

And they are a region — and part of a culture — with so much to offer the whole family.

The drive to get there was a little longer than we are used to.

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However, much to my children’s delight, stop-off point Lech Camping coincided with a visit to Legoland Germany, providing all manner of brilliant rides and attractions.

It was also the perfect contrast to what awaited us in the mountains.

Our base was Via Claudia Camping, set on the edge of Lake Lechsee in the Allgau region, which gave us easy access to attractions and impressive views of the mountains.

But the mountains would have to wait, because first on the list was a visit to one of Germany’s most ­famous castles.

Perched dramatically on a prominent hill, and surrounded by dense pine forests, Neuschwanstein Castle is, quite simply, magical.

With its towers, turrets and whimsical balconies straight out of a fairytale, you feel Rapunzel herself would have been right at home here.

That was followed by the charming village of Oberammergau, recommended by our campsite receptionist as the best example of something truly Bavarian.

Here you get Luftlmalerei — the centuries-old tradition of painting murals on the exterior walls of houses — giving the village the air of a living storybook.

Our own tale from the village came in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Walking down a small cobbled street, we noticed a vending machine set into the wall.

Half expecting our children to request some sort of chocolate bar, we were surprised to see it wasn’t filled with the usual confectionery.

Instead, it was stuffed with every manner of German sausage imaginable.

It made shopping for dinner easy and I got to tell my joke about German sausages, which the children insist is the wurst.

Talking of silly humour, I had to giggle at the name of the mountain we were headed to for hiking: Wank (pronounced Vank).

Anyone who has hiked with younger children will know they can be fascinated by every stick, rock and oddly shaped pine cone.

So our pace was on the slow side, but it let us appreciate the beauty of the mountains that surrounded us.

Despite frequent stops to play, rest and satisfy the children’s curiosity, we eventually made it to the top and the traditional summit cross found on Alpine peaks.

Our final reminder of why we should never have left it so long to venture into Germany came courtesy of lake Eibsee, lying at the foot of Germany’s tallest peak, the mighty Zugspitze.

Not even moody skies and the threat of rain could dampen our spirits as we set off, us on foot and the children on their bikes, on the 8km trail that heads around the shore of the lake, with the glacier-clad Zugspitze towering over us.

From fairytale castles and storybook villages with sausage vending machines, to majestic mountains and alpine lakes, Bavaria had surprised us at every turn.

And as we savoured a final sunset in the mountains, it left us with one lingering question: When are we coming back to Germany?

FORGET the white sand beaches of the Caribbean – actress Michelle Keegan has opted for a quiet and beautiful village in Majorca for her latest holiday.

The tiny destination is in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains, but is right next to the coast and is within walking distance to a little bay with clear waters.

We’ve all heard of Majorca, the Balearic Island loved by Brits gets over two million visitors every year.

Lots will flock to the capital of Palma, but there are so many other beautiful spots to explore – and Michelle Keegan is exploring it right now.

The former Coronation Street actress posted images of herself enjoying the Spanish sunshine on Instagram.

So what is there to do in the pretty village of Deià?

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The coastal village has the best of both worlds as it’s tucked away in the mountains and is minutes from the coast.

To explore Deià, be prepared to take on a hill or two as visitors do comment on how steep the cobbled streets are, with the highest point being the church.

The roads are narrow too so your best bet to get around is taking a local taxi, walking or hiring a bike.

Just a short walk from the village is Cala Deià, a small pebbly cove that has crystal-clear waters and is popular for swimming and snorkelling.

One visitor said: “It is very rocky but absolutely gorgeous and great for swimming.”

Another added: “This cove is amazing – we are already ready to return.”

If you get peckish, there are cliffside restaurants including Ca’s Patró March and Can Lluc.

Deià is small, and it’s also very exclusive with some pricey hotels like La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel which was previously owned by Richard Branson.

Check out this Majorca hotel near a beautiful beach cove…

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Gavimar Cala Gran Costa Del Sur, Majorca

This hotel sits on Majorca’s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.

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Back in the 1980s Richard Branson transformed the crumbling mansion into a luxury hotel – which he then sold in 2002.

The Belmond Hotel has pretty suites, a swimming pool and is surrounded by palm trees.

Luckily it’s not all luxury hotels. At Hostal Villa Verde which has simple rooms with enviable views, holidaymakers can book a stay from £60 per person per night.

There are lots of local restaurants to try too. One visitor recommended sitting on the terrace at Es Punt to try padrón peppers and patatas bravas.

Another is Restaurante Miró which has a beautiful patio area and visitors have said it’s a great place to watch the sunset.

If you want to explore Deià, head to Majorca’s capital of Palma and from there it’s a 40-minute drive.

Michelle has also shared snaps of her exploring the neighbouring destination of Valldemossa.

It’s another mountain village which sits around Real Cartuja, a huge palace and monastery.

Just like Deià, Valldemossa is considered one of the most beautiful towns and villages in the country.

Michelle and her husband, Mark Wright, are frequent visitors to the island and even have their own apartment in Majorca.

For more hidden gems in Majorca, check out these recommendations from locals including secret bars and cheap beach clubs.

And discover the waterpark hotel where Stacey Solomon went on holiday with Blue Flag beach and unique ice fountain.

IT’S Monday morning, pouring with rain and I’m lugging a wooden sledge up to the top of a steep hill.

This is where I will meet the delivery driver who’s dropping off my shopping for the week.

Welcome to the life of a Clovellian — the name given to the residents of Clovelly in Devon, one of the country’s prettiest villages.

Once owned by the Queen of England, Clovelly dates back to the Domesday Book and is famed for its cobbled streets and the fact it doesn’t have any vehicular access.

For the 250 residents who live here, life is full of minor inconveniences but the trade-off is living somewhere quiet and safe with the community spirit of a bygone age — plus incredible views of the Atlantic.

You can’t just pack up and move here, though.

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Residents have to be approved by John Rous, the current owner and a direct descendant of Christine Hamlyn who inherited the estate in 1884.

The cottages in Clovelly are let to long-term residents only, so there aren’t any Airbnbs or second homes.

When we saw a house advertised on RightMove, we expressed our interest and met with the Estate Manager, who showed us around and explained the complexities of living there.

Then it was time for an audience with Mr Rous to see whether we would fit in and if we understood the ethos of Clovelly.

We succeeded, and were soon immersed in village life.

The harbour, at the bottom of the village, is generally where visitors gravitate and it’s a wonderful place for wild swimming as well as a hotspot for marine life.

I regularly see dolphins from my kitchen window and have to stop and pinch myself.

There are two pubs here, The New Inn and The Red Lion, and both are hubs for tourists and villagers alike.

I’ve even taken on one of the shops in the visitor centre’s car park where I’ll be teaching yoga, Pilates and providing a treatment space for massage and other therapies.

Because of the village’s layout, emergency services can’t access it, so if someone needs medical assistance they are either carried or walked to an ambulance.

In the event of a fire, crews need to come on foot or rely on specialist equipment to navigate their way from the top of the village.

It’s the reason why there isn’t any gas in the village. Instead, many of the cottages are heated by Aga Rayburn range cookers, which also heat up the water.

Most days, we forage on the beach for wood for our log burners, which has saved us a fortune.

So it goes without saying that you have to be physically strong to live in Clovelly — pulling your sledge up and down the hill is tough going — and especially on moving-in day.

Until 1983, donkeys were used to haul heavy loads up the cobbled streets but, although you will often see them being walked around the village, their days of service are now over.

Luckily, online supermarket deliveries are a thing of modern convenience and Amy’s Pantry — a converted van full of groceries, fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products — arrives each Wednesday.

Since moving to Clovelly, I am fitter than I’ve ever been and average 15,000 steps a day, although it is strange living somewhere where we are the subject of so much attention.

Our home is one of the most photographed cottages in the village, and in the busy summer months we are greeted by crowds of gawping tourists taking photos every time we open our front door.

When our son Zak recently visited from university, he couldn’t get over the fact we were a tourist attraction.

Generally, people are lovely and intrigued about what it’s like to live there.

However, we have had to buy a private sign for our gate because tourists kept coming into our garden.

There are regular festivals throughout the year, including the Seaweed Festival, Lifeboat Day and the Lobster & Crab Festival.

The Christmas light switch-on is a big event, too, with as many as 5,000 visitors coming to the village to enjoy the fireworks.

It’s the most incredible place and, despite the inconveniences, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else now.

The UK’s most beautiful places have been ranked and one English spot has particularly impressed thanks to its enchanting scenery and quaint villages

A beautiful region full of rolling green hills, lakes with azure waters and charming villages that are the stuff of fairytales has been named England’s most beautiful place for 2026.

The Lake District has long been attracting visitors from around the world, often featuring on rankings of the more scenic spots and picturesque landmarks across Britain. Now, it’s been named one of the UK’s most beautiful places, taking the silver medal in new rankings from Big 7 Travel.

“England’s largest national park, the Lake District, is surely one of the UK’s most beautiful areas,” the team behind the research explained. “Whether it’s grass-covered fells, England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike), beautiful lakes such as Ullswater and Windermere or quaint towns like Grasmere and Keswick, the Lake District has it all. Perfect for everyone from hikers to swimmers, photographers to artists and more, the Lake District is easily one of the most beautiful places in the UK.”

While it’s hardly a hidden gem, it’s not difficult to see why the Lake District is so popular with tourists. There are plenty of breathtaking lakes to explore in the region – 16 in fact – with popular highlights including the likes of Lake Windemere, Derwentwater and Ullswater which boast a host of water sports facilities and attractions. (Families may particularly want to bookmark the World of Beatrix Potter which brings the stories of Peter Rabbit and his friends to life).

Then of course that lush green landscape is packed with everything from scenic strolls to epic hiking trails, depending on how far you want to cover in your hiking boots. Oh, and the region is renowned for the many, many brilliant pubs where you can warm up by a fire, tuck into a hearty roast and enjoy a well-deserved drink after a busy day of exploring.

As for where to stay, there’s a plethora of accommodation to choose from, with the likes of Sykes Holiday Cottages and Holidaycottages.co.uk both offering up some brilliant options that look like the stuff of storybooks, or if you fancy treating yourself to a hotel stay, TripAdvisor has a handy guide to some of the best cheap Lake District hotels you’ll want on your radar.

Meanwhile, if you’re after more staycation inspiration then you could of course head to the UK’s most beautiful destination in the rankings. That accolade went to the Queen’s View in the Scottish Highlands, a picturesque viewing point that overlooks Loch Tummel. One of its most famous visitors, Queen Victoria, arrived at the site in 1866 and reportedly assumed that the location was named after her. (In reality, It is thought that it was named after Isabella, Robert the Bruce’s first wife, who lived more than 500 years before Victoria’s visit).

You can see the top 10 rankings below…

The UK’s top 10 most beautiful places

1. Queen’s View – Perthshire, Scotland
2. The Lake District – Cumbria, England
3. The Forest of Dean – Gloucestershire, England
4. Fairy Pools – Isle of Skye, Scotland
5. Rathlin Island – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
6. Berwyn Mountains – Powys, Wales
7. Heights of Abraham – Derbyshire, England
8. Holkham Beach – Norfolk, England
9. Eilean Donan Castle – Highlands, Scotland
10. Knaresborough – North Yorkshire, England

You can find out more on enjoytravel.com.

Is there a destination you think deserved to be in the top 10 rankings? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com