Today we take it for granted that Stonehenge is a precious historic monument that must be protected at all costs, but in fact, for centuries visitors would chip pieces off as souvenirs. In a blog post on Atlas Obscura, Jocelyn Sears says that such behaviour was not only common but … [Read more...]

Here's BnB accommodation with a difference -  stay in one of the University Colleges at Oxford. During the university vacations when students clear their rooms, you can book into one of these historic facilities. But don't think they're just grotty student squats. The rooms are cleared and … [Read more...]

Got a nasty surprise from Qatar Airways on my last long-haul trip home from Rome. Arrived at the check-in counter at 2pm for our 4.40pm flight to be told we had missed our flight earlier that day.  The one that left at 8.20am. I couldn't understand it. I am obsessive about travel itineraries … [Read more...]

Take a break from the rigours of the road when you are enjoying your Great British Road Trip. Catch a canal boat. Having nearly fallen into irrecoverable decay, the canals of Britain are enjoying a renaissance, thanks mostly to the indomitable efforts of volunteers who repair, rebuild and … [Read more...]

Sorry Britain - there's no such thing as spaghetti bolognese . . . not in Italy, as I discovered on a recent visit to Bologna. It is, like chicken tikka masala, entirely an English invention and, according to any Italian cook, not a good one. Nonetheless it is a compulsory item on the menu in … [Read more...]

For aircraft buffs like me a visit to the new RAF Museum in North London is a must-do next time I'm in that great city. The best insight into the new display comes from 13-year-old Robert, whose dad writes the Family Travel Times Blog. Here's his summary of their visit: "There are three … [Read more...]

Liverpool's Strawberry Field is to be opened to the public. Made famous by the John Lennon song "Strawberry Fields Forever", the real Strawberry Field was, in fact, a Salvation Army children's home near where he lived with his Aunt Mimi. It was an important part of Lennon's early life. Each … [Read more...]

Oxford University’s Bodleian Library recently launched a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien and his connection to Oxford. Many authors have strong connections to Oxford: Lewis Carroll who wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, C.S. Lewis who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia … [Read more...]

Driving in the UK - it ain’t easy. But if you are schooled up on a few basics it ain’t hard either. The  towns and cities pose the greater challenge. Out on the open road it’s fairly easy going. Over the years I've spent a lot of time driving in Britain and here are 8 things I learned the hard … [Read more...]