Simon Heptinstall

3 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Simon Heptinstall

We should treasure our great Sunday roast tradition – it’s one of Britain’s few world-famous gourmet specialities. While its exact origins are unknown, the meal is thought to have started during the reign of King Henry VII in the 15th century, when bodyguards ‘The Yeomen of the Guard’ earned the nickname ‘Beefeaters’ by consuming large quantities of roast beef. The practise then evolved: before leaving for church, women would put the meat and vegetables in the oven to cook.

Dec 3, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Simon Heptinstall

It may just be a rocky slab protruding into a pretty lake, but Friars Crag, overlooking Derwentwater at Keswick, in the north of the Lake District, offers one of Britain’s finest views. From here, a panorama of mountains, woods, islands and water opens out, facing the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’ where the River Derwent flows through a gorge. Over the years it has inspired missionaries, artists such as Turner and Constable, writers and poets including Wordsworth and Coleridge.

Nov 19, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Simon Heptinstall

For anyone looking to buy a new electric vehicle it seems to be Black Friday all month. UK car dealers are offering dramatic discounts of more than a third off some new EV prices. This year, even prime models from blue-chip brands are up for grabs at super-low prices. Current offers include £8,000 off the Hyundai Ioniq 5, £9,000 off the VW ID4 SUV and £10,000 off the BMW i4 coupe. Why are EVs so cheap?

Oct 12, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Simon Heptinstall

From the landscape scarred by centuries of mine workings to the humble single-storey whitewashed cottages dotted along the hillside, Wanlockhead doesn’t seem much like a major visitor attraction. I’ve arrived in the centre of this tiny Scottish village surrounded by relics of its industrial past. It’s a chilly, windswept place lurking among a range of dark, smooth mountains.

Sep 30, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Simon Heptinstall

You don't have to spend a penny to visit the highest-rated historic site on Tripadvisor for the Scottish seaside town of Rothesay… But you can if you need to. Incredibly, the top-ranked ancient landmark in the capital of the Isle of Bute is a Victorian toilet block on Rothesay's beachside esplanade. To date, more than 500 travellers have submitted reviews of the town's public conveniences, giving it an overall 4.5 out of 5 rating. Reviews range from 'exquisite' to 'amazing'.