-
Nov 27, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
Oxford is without doubt one of England’s most beautiful cities, with its mellow ensemble of golden-stone buildings set along a tranquil river, whose venerable colleges, manicured quads and cobbled lanes cast a gilded glow even when the sun isn’t shining. Situated on a trade route between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex, Oxford was first settled by the Saxons. Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, created a ‘burh’, or fortified town here in 911.
-
Nov 21, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
The market towns and villages of North Wiltshire, where the hills are emblazoned with white horses and peacocks roam the streets, are full of quirky charm. Published Date:21 November 2024The little towns and villages of North Wiltshire are as close to ‘quintessential England’ as they come.
-
Nov 20, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
Cheltenham claims to be ‘the most complete Regency town in Britain’, and the architecture is wonderfully grand, with refined townhouses, stucco facades and genteel gardens galore. Visitors have flocked to this elegant city ever since the 18th century, when its spa waters were in high demand. A local farmer, William Mason, noticed some pigeons pecking at salts deposited by the natural spring.
-
Nov 19, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
In the Bridge Tea Rooms of Bradford-on-Avon, smiling waitresses in mop caps and frilly aprons serve scones with jam and clotted cream in the cosiest of dining rooms, overspilling with trinkets. Sit down for a cup of tea in this former blacksmith’s cottage, whose bowed and listing walls date from 1502, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve slipped back to a bygone age. In fact, every street of this small stone-built Wiltshire town brims with history.
-
Nov 19, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service - at no extra cost to you. BLACK FRIDAY | ONE YEAR FOR £21.99SUBSCRIBE NOWThis beautiful West Sussex town and its castle are the historic heart of the South Downs National Park.
-
Nov 14, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
The Goring in Belgravia is the only hotel to be granted a Royal Warrant: an honour that recognises its long association with the royal family. The hotel is so close to Buckingham Palace that it has served almost as palace overflow over the years. See behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace here. Built in 1910 and still owned by the same family, The Goring hosted royal guests during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and in later years the Queen held her staff Christmas parties here.
-
Nov 6, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
TV shows from The Crown to Bridgerton have brought the royal residences into our homes. But which real-life houses doubled as the royal palaces on screen? Published Date:6 November 2024One of the country’s finest Regency castles sitting regally on a hilltop and overlooking the rolling Lincolnshire countryside, Belvoir was top of the list for The Crown’s location scouts.
-
Oct 24, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
One of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world, Buckingham Palace is a fascinating hodgepodge of eras bearing the stamp of successive monarchs. Henry VIII wouldn’t recognise the site as it is today. Before he became too heavy for riding, the king loved to hunt and in 1532 he drained the marshy area on which Buckingham Palace stands to create a deer park.
-
Oct 7, 2024 | 
discoverbritain.com | Natasha Foges
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth I liked to leave her London palaces for a summer tour of the provinces, when she stayed at the grand country estates of her monied and titled subjects. This year marks 450 years since the queen’s ‘progress’ to the West Country, so what better time to follow the route taken by the queen through rolling Wiltshire countryside, visiting fine stately homes and heritage cities?
-
Aug 13, 2024 | 
britain-magazine.com | Natasha Foges
Looking for a stylish coastal stay? We’ve hand-picked Britain’s best grand seaside hotels for a luxurious getaway by the seaWords by Natasha FogesWith 11,000 miles of coastline, Britain boasts a wealth of beautiful beaches and stunning seascapes.These iconic seaside hotels, combining luxurious grandeur and dramatic sea views, are the best places for a stylish coastal stay, in some of the country’s most scenic locations.
