Siobhan Middleton

1 week ago | cambridge-news.co.uk | Siobhan Middleton

A nursery near Cambridgeshire where some children are 'frequently upset' has been handed an Ofsted rating of 'inadequate'. Kids Planet Thrapston, in Northamptonshire, registered with Ofsted in February this year. During an inspection just two months later, the inspectorate found "weaknesses in the curriculum and staffing changes", which had an impact on wellbeing and education quality.

1 week ago | cambridge-news.co.uk | Siobhan Middleton

A vending machine selling sweet treats is no rare sight in the UK. However, one Cambridgeshire village is home to a style of machine you are unlikely to find at your local shopping centre or railway station. This small, mustard yellow chocolate dispenser in Cottenham is likely to date back to the 1930s or earlier. In years gone by, this machine inside the wall of Pocock + Shaw estate agents on High Street would have served up Nestlé chocolate bars to the village's children.

1 week ago | cambridge-news.co.uk | Siobhan Middleton

The best walks are those that remind you there's a world away from your keyboard or your work tools. One short stroll in Ely, despite its location just a matter of metres away from the A142, offers this kind of escape. The route starts at Ben's Yard, a collection of independent shops and eating spots off the A142 to the south of Ely. The sound of rushing traffic fades the further along the path you go, and wildlife starts to thrive. Quieter walkers may be able to spot – as I did – hares and deer.

1 week ago | cambridge-news.co.uk | Siobhan Middleton

The Chequers in Cottenham is an 180-year-old pub with all the trappings of a traditional village pub: fireplace at the back, exposed beams overhead, ales on tap, and fish and chips on the menu. When I decided to review the spot on High Street, I expected I would be describing a variation on every pub dining experience I had ever had, with food that fills a gap in a setting that is comforting in its predictability. What I didn't expect was to be giving a shout-out to its toilet.

2 weeks ago | cambridge-news.co.uk | Siobhan Middleton

Complete with a traditional pier, a towering lighthouse, and colourful beach huts, one Suffolk town is perfect for those longing for the kind of English seaside holiday you might see on a vintage postcard. In fact, the Telegraph has branded the spot as one of the 'most genteel' seaside towns in the country. For those hoping to dust off their hat and shades, the trip from Cambridgeshire to (hopefully) sunny Southwold is manageable.