CATEGORIES

LANDES

Hydrotherapy, gourmet treats, lovely lakes and luscious beaches await you in Landes, says Heidi Fuller-love

ILE DE RE

What could be more perfect than a sunny Atlantic island, full of pretty blue-shuttered homes and villages? One peppered with traffic-free, signposted bicycle paths, decides Lara Dunn

Along for The Ride

Take the time to enjoy Alsace’s wine, food and wellness scene on two wheels, as Sophie Gardner-Roberts explores the Route des Vins by e-bike

ABSINTHE

Janet Brice discovers the story of this seductive spirit, known as the green fairy, which broke down barriers in French society and influenced the artists and writers of the day

Apple of My Eye

Cider and cycling prove to be the perfect pair for a relaxing Brittany break, discovers Michael Cranmer

WIN A spa break for two at Brooklands Hotel

Enjoy a relaxing ovenight break for two complete with breakfast, dinner and luxury spa treatments at BSpa

We are family

A year after acclaimed Spanish chef José Pizarro took over The Swan Inn at Claygate, his food and family cooking values are still going down a treat. And now you can spend the night. Rebecca Younger checks it out

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

A history of architecture Designed and constructed by Sir Banister Fletcher, Coneybury employs the sensibilities of the Arts and Crafts movement

TOWN & COUNTRY: Dorking & Abinger Hammer

A perfect launchpad into the Surrey Hills, Dorking has long been celebrated for its antiques shops but has increasingly made its name as a food and drink hub in recent years. Here are just a few of the reasons you should think about exploring

The Egret has landed

Paul Hobson tells the heartening account of the survival and return to our shores of a bird whose beautiful plumage once resulted in its downfall

STRIKING THE RIGHT NOTE

Claire Saul visits the extraordinary Cobbe Collection atHatchlands Park, where a piano once played by Beethoven stars at his 250th anniversary celebration this month

The house with two names

The Old Dairy or the Old Farmhouse? Renovating this former workshop was’t a simple project

Spirit of the game

Wheathills has recently completed an intricate sculpture – commissioned by Dr Dallas Burston who turned up the ball for the Royal Shrovetide Match in 2017 – which captures the essence of the game

Sandy Shores

Simone Hellyer explores the sandy shores of Le Touquet and discovers a long history of English influence at the popular French seaside resort

The Farming Year Spring

SPRING It’s the most exciting and busy time of the year on Whittington Lodge farm, and daughter Steph’s thoughts are already turning to the future

Lea Hurst

As we approach the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale this May, Peter Kay – the owner and restorer of her family home in Derbyshire – talks to Pat Ashworth

MUMMA KNOWS BEST

Melissa Hemsley is known for championing sustainable and feel-good food with minimal waste. She talks to Holly Louise Eells about how this ‘Eat Green’ ethos, passed down from her mother, has inspired her new cookbook

Tonight, Matthew, I'm going to be a National Treasure

Don’t be afraid of failure. Don’t appear on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here. And never, ever dance on a giant piano after a hip operation. Matthew Kelly imparts pearls of wisdom to Katie Jarvis

PICTURING THE PAST

A definitive guide to the fascinating history of one of the county’s most popular villages – Matlock Bath: A Perfectly Romantic Place – has just been published

HOLMES is where the heart is

Never one to shy away from showing his feelings, particularly when on screen with his wife, Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes is one of daytime TV’s most loveable characters. Here he opens up to Brendan Bale about his love for Surrey and why he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else

The blossoming of Kiftsgate

Kiftsgate Court Gardens, in the North Cotswolds, are famous for their rampant rose – the largest in England. But there’s so much more to these horticultural masterpieces, created by three generations of women, as Katie Jarvis discovered. She spoke to Anne Chambers, current owner guardian; and to Vanessa Berridge, author of a book marking the gardens’ centenary

Picture Perfect Derbyshire

A selection of stunning county sights photographed by Ashley Franklin

Golden sunshine

It’s that time again when drifts of daffodils burst into bloom turning their cheerful faces to the light and welcoming spring visitors to gardens across Surrey

Spring Comes to the Secret Garden

Hidden away behind Lydney Park is a magical secret garden.

On golden pond

Ponds encourage many exciting new visitors to your garden and are a great way to take a peek at even more species! Nick Brown, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Enquiries Officer, tells us more about his own pond and how to build your own

6 SENSATIONAL SPAS

Surrey has been named one of the best destinations for health and wellbeing in the UK so it’s no surprise that the county has some top notch spas. We pick our favourites

Making Moreton

Katie B Morgan takes us on a day trip to Moreton-inMarsh, while also giving an insight into how she puts together her brilliant maps!

Holding on to CLEAR BLUE WATER

Andrew Griffiths wades into the Darley Dale headquarters of Peak UK, an award-winning kayaking equipment designer, and manufacturer, to find out the secrets of its success

Finding greatness

Following his February glimpse into what makes great art, Fresh: Art Fair co-founder Anthony Wardle tells us how to find ‘greatness’ at the Fair this April

From CYCLE RACING to UPCYCLING

Triple Olympic medal winner and British Road Racing Champion Rob Hayles has turned his attention to ‘Carbon Concepts’, creating bespoke cycling-inspired items from his Peak District home. Mike Smith reports