Babington House in Somerset is a corner of Soho outside of the city March 14, 2022 THE WEEKEND: When you’re craving fresh air and green fields but aren’t quite ready to ditch London’s glamour and 24-hour convenience, Somerset’s Babington House is the ultimate rural idyll. It’s the original chic country retreat from the Soho House Group, the hotel and member’s club which celebrated its 20th birthday in 2018 and remains a [...]
Villa 1870 in Corfu: A villa with benefits on the Greek island February 18, 2022 The weekend: There is so much more to the verdant Greek island of Corfu than its postcard-perfect beaches. While most Brits opt to fly and flop at seafront resorts, visitors who leave their loungers will discover stately palaces and museums, tranquil mountain villages and rugged mountains blanketed in pine trees. All this and one of [...]
Santorini: How to escape the crowds at Europe’s top destination January 25, 2022 The weekend: Famous for its vivid sunsets, Santorini is now one of the most popular destinations in Europe. A volcanic island said to have inspired the legend of Atlantis, its black sand beaches, blue-domed churches and brilliant white buildings tumbling down the cliffside make it paradise for honeymooners, Instagrammers and Greek island hoppers. Though just [...]
Get into the festive spirit at El Palace, Barcelona December 15, 2021 THE WEEKEND: Escape December drudgery and head off for a festive city break to kickstart that long-neglected Christmas spirit. Skip the traditional packed Christmas markets of Northern Europe and look south to Spain instead, where Barcelona piles on dazzling decorations, twinkling city-wide lights and chocolate-box markets to tick off the present shopping. It’s also much [...]
A family-friendly long weekend at Lucknam Park, Chippenham October 25, 2021 For a thoroughly indulgent stay in the countryside where you don’t need to fret about babysitting arrangements, head to Wiltshire and be spoiled with Michelin-starred food, spa pampering and traditional English grandeur, even if you can’t leave the kids behind. Location Set down a long tree-lined drive in 500 acres of manicured parkland in the [...]
The long weekend: the Lord Crewe Arms in Northumberland October 9, 2021 The weekend Really get away from it all by escaping to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an area so remote its star-studded skies have legendary status yet it’s still just an easy three-hour train ride from London. A weekend in wildly beautiful Northumberland offers a better city detox than any spa: think [...]
Croatia Green List destination: The Hotel Bellevue in Dubrovnik July 19, 2021 With Croatia among the destinations moved to the Green List today, it is suddenly at the forefront of travel plans for discerning holiday-makers. Here’s how to combine a beach holiday with a city break at the Hotel Bellevue in historical, luxurious Dubrovnik. THE WEEKEND: With its perfectly preserved ancient stone walls, winding medieval streets and [...]
The Grove is a countryside escape just 20mins from London April 6, 2021 As we wait for the travel ban to finally lift, here’s a piece from out archives about The Grove in Hertfordshire, an amazing country retreat just outside of London. The weekend The Grove hotel and country retreat offers all the trimmings of a weekend getaway but without the Friday night journey from hell out of [...]
Best of travel: Why Toronto beats New York for a city break March 17, 2021 To tide us over until we’re able to travel again, we’re republishing classic travel stories from our archives. Today we revisit Siobhan Grogan’s trip to the premier North American city break destination: Toronto. ••• As the cab from the airport inched forward in nose to tail traffic towards the distinctive skyline in the distance, I [...]
Best of travel: Where to go and what to do in Bermuda March 16, 2021 To tide us over until we’re able to travel again, we’re republishing classic travel stories from our archives. Today we revisit Siobhan Grogan’s trip to the sun, sea and sand of Bermuda. ••• There are few things more intimidating on the water than suddenly finding yourself in the middle of a practice race for the [...]