American Airlines is betting that a trip to New England might be in the cards for you this summer.
26.09.2023 - 13:49 / nationalgeographic.com
The beauty of the River Stour and its valley has long attracted artists, not least John Constable, whose paintings gave the area its ‘Constable Country’ sobriquet. This slice of Essex and Suffolk countryside, with its mills, vineyards and walking trails, continues to inspire to this day. In Dedham, one of its most popular villages, the Art & Craft Centre has work from over 60 artisans and collectors for sale; to get involved, join a painting course at the 15th-century manor house of Dedham Hall.
Leave plenty of time to explore the area’s network of walking routes. Starting out from Dedham Vale is a good bet — its trails are easy to follow. Stop off in Dedham to hire a clinker rowing boat, part of a fleet that’s been seen here since the 1800s. Also in Dedham is the Munnings Art Museum, the former home of artist Sir Alfred Munnings. It holds the world’s largest collection of his work, with 650 oil paintings, 50 watercolours and 54 sketchbooks showcasing the painter’s fascination with horses.
Talbooth Restaurant is a must, all white tablecloths and wooden beams; outside, a riverside terrace and lawn are very welcome on a warm day. The menu uses local ingredients and presents them in creative dishes such as Mersea crab tartlet with preserved lemon and pickled radish, or Dedham Vale beef with boulangere potatoes.
The RSPB Stour Estuary is an unusual mix of woodland and water. It’s wilder than the lowlands of Dedham Vale, and there’s great birdwatching to be had, especially in autumn and winter. Keep an eye out for black-tailed godwits, pintails and brent geese. When the weather warms, come for butterfly spotting and bluebells in Copperas
Flatford Mill is where John Constable painted The Hay Wain, one of the most recognisable rural scenes in the history of English painting. Willy Lott’s House, the mill and The Granary can all be viewed from outside, looking almost exactly as they did when the artist immortalised the view in 1821.
About nine miles from the small city of Colchester, The Sun Inn in Dedham feels very ‘country’. On warm post-walk afternoons, repair with a drink to the back garden of this historic coaching inn, or settle into a candle-lit nook after a hearty meal. Upstairs, seven guest rooms are individually decorated, some with mantelpieces and skylight windows. Doubles from £150, B&B.
American Airlines is betting that a trip to New England might be in the cards for you this summer.
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The UK’s most famous breakfast is undoubtedly the fry-up, but what it involves depends a lot on where you have it, with the core quartet of eggs, bacon, sausages and black pudding served up alongside numerous regional additions: fried bread or bubble and squeak in England; square sausage, tattie scones and white pudding or haggis in Scotland; cockles and laverbread and a fried slice in Wales; and potato and soda breads in Northern Ireland. But this, of course, isn’t the whole story, and from Turkish eggs to French toast, there’s never been a bigger choice for those heading out for breakfast. Here's our pick of the best ways to start your day.
It's a pilot's job market these days, and there are no signs of that changing soon. Case in point: Pilots at ultra-low-cost startup Avelo Airlines are set to receive another pay increase.
On the tracks of a railway depot in northern France, a steam locomotive puffs out smoke as if it just took a drag. An engineer and two apprentices stand inside its teal-colored cab wearing dark clothing and gloves. It’s hard to make out their faces under the glare of the midmorning sun. They’ve been warming up the engine for three hours and are ready to roll out.
Have you ever wanted to see some of the most remote and gorgeous parts of the Canadian Rocky Mountains but have no desire to set off into the wilderness? If, like me, you feel that luxury travel is more like your idea of a good time, consider the Rocky Mountaineer’s grand vacation experience. You get to relax and enjoy luxury train travel and delectable dining all while seeing some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world.
Part of the vast 22,500-acre Elveden estate, owned by the Guinness family, this charming pub with rooms is surrounded by the Brecks, one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the UK, part of Thetford Forest. Stroll the forest tracks beneath blazing autumnal canopies, and look out for stone curlews, woodlarks and nightjars, roe and red deer, hares and muntjac. The High Lodge Forest Centre has play areas, cycle trails and a tree canopy adventure course – ideal if you’re visiting with the kids, with family rooms (sleeping up to four) available at the inn. Doubles from £105 B&B; elvedeninn.com
At a viewpoint overlooking a sea of canary-yellow gorse and delicate blackthorn blossom tumbling down to inky Loch Fyne, the six of us howl like wolves into a gentle breeze. It’s an exhilarating moment, adding to the euphoria as we near the end of the four-day retreat’s longest run.
Fore Adventure runs outdoor activities on and around Studland Bay on the Jurassic coast, offering half-day kayak foraging around Old Harry Rocks (£65), is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, focusing on harvesting wild plants and seaweed. Fishing and foraging (£70) adds fishing for crustaceans and fish such as black bream, sea bass and mackerel; and foraging and feasting (£140) adds a two-course meal. The company also runs two-day wild camping, sea kayaking and coastal foraging adventures (£290).Next kayak foraging trip 15 October, foreadventure.co.uk
London’s Gatwick Airport is facing more flight disruption this week - but this time, it’s not down to strikes.
From 29th September to 15th October, England’s Seafood FEAST is returning to the English Riviera, in South Devon, for a two week celebration of world-renowned locally caught and landed seafood. A feast for all the senses, over 40 eateries have joined forces to put on an incredible array of experiences and special menus for visitors to enjoy. It’s an opportunity to dine like a local, taste some of the best seafood in the world right where it’s landed, learn about sustainable fishing practices and meet the people who make the festival what it is.