Kirsty Bartholomew Tucked away in the forests above Balmoral Castle lies something completely unexpected – a granite pyramid, standing quietly on a hill with sweeping views over Royal Deeside. It’s not something most people expect to find in the Scottish Highlands, and yet it tells one of the most intimate, emotional stories connected to the British royal family. … Read more
It’s been called Scotland’s most terrifying drive, a route that snakes through the Highlands with hairpin bends, sheer drops, and no barriers to stop you. But what makes Bealach na Bà so legendary… and what does it have to do with ancient cattle? Picture the Scottish highlands with dramatic hills, sheep as the only form of traffic and … Read more
When Robert the Bruce died in 1329, his body was buried with honour at Dunfermline Abbey — a fitting resting place for one of Scotland’s most legendary kings. But his heart? That went on a journey that’s stranger, bloodier, and more unforgettable than most people realise. Bruce is rightly remembered for leading Scotland to victory at the Battle of … Read more
The best time to visit Cornwall is going to depend on your individual circumstances but hopefully this post should help you to judge when you want to book your holiday here. I’ve visited as a tourist in many different seasons and now that I live in Cornwall I can see it every month of the … Read more
If you’re thinking about taking a Cornwall road trip from London you’re probably looking for some advice on how to do the trip easily and where to stop en route. There are often horror stories told about getting to Cornwall, which is the furthest south west point of England, and how it can take people … Read more
Stonehenge has quite a big feature on this blog – it’s one of the top attractions in Britain for so many people and it’s one of my absolute faves! Most people know that the position of the stones at Stonehenge is connected to the solstice, but did you know that you can visit at this … Read more
Christmas is a wonderful time of year to vacation in the UK – yes the weather can be a bit dark and drizzly, but everyone is so cheery and the vibe is so festive that you almost can forget the rain! Almost – most Brits will be loving to chat about the weather so you’ll … Read more
Each year London manages to outdo the previous one when it comes to Christmas displays! From magical lights that are suspended above the streets as you walk by to quirky Christmas trees the city really has it all and it’s a delight in the holiday season. Early evenings make wandering the streets and looking at … Read more
London is always a good idea, but is it worth visiting in winter? If you do decide to come for an off season city break here are some of my top tips for making the most of the place. We’ve been lucky enough to visit London a lot over the years and it’s often been … Read more
Oxford attracts so many people and for so many reasons. One of those tends to be the literary history there – you have the greats from Lewis Carroll and CS Lewis through to more modern writers like Phillip Pullman. The one that recently brought me to the city (for the first time!) was JRR Tolkien, … Read more