West London is famous for its palaces and parks, trendy shopping and smart eating in Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea. Gareth selects his personal selection of six things to do to the west of Oxford St. And the highlights the Kensington and Chelsea Festival, which takes place in October. Fine carpet Twice an hour the lights… Continue reading
Browsing Category Things to do – various destinations
Rural ride at the end of the motorway
Follow the M4 all the way to the end, and you come to green and pleasant Carmarthenshire. I took a trip to the historic county in West Wales. My don’t miss list includes a mighty ruined castle, one of Britain’s finest botanical gardens, a top bird reserve, a Roman gold mine and a famous poet’s… Continue reading →
Dorset – the West Country's ne plus ultra county
Set off to the West Country with no particular destination in mind, and you may not make it beyond Dorset. The county’s many attractions include one of the best resorts on the South Coast, a hero’s home, mysterious hill forts and the golden road where they shot the nation’s favourite commercial.
Continue reading →Wake up to California Dreamin'
This elegant Pacific coast resort is the antidote to big city stress in
nearby Los Angeles. The breezes blow pure and cool off the Pacific, the
sunsets are spectacular and – can you believe – people actually walk. These are the best bits of the California lifestyle, packed into Santa Monica –
just 16 miles from LA airport, and a short limo hop from Hollywood
City of elegance and festivals, and "birthplace" of Harry Potter
This is one of Britain’s grandest destinations, all proud history and elegant architecture, set against the commanding backdrop of the Castle Rock and Arthur’s Seat. I was swept off his feet by Auld Reekie’s bagpipe blast of things to do. My list includes the “birthplace” of Harry Potter, a tour devoted to the wee dram, a jolly skater, one of Britain’s oldest gardens, as well one of the world’s biggest arts events – the Edinburgh International Festival.
Continue reading →Let the good times roll, again
The good times are rolling again in the ancient French Quarter of New Orleans. I was in the Big Easy a few days before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. I report on how the USA’s most crazy, wonderful city is returning to its exuberant best, and choose my pick of the things to do there…. Continue reading →