Mature Times - UK Breaks

OLÉ ME DUCK! Tea and Tapas? Spanish flair and steam locos? Helen Werin heads for Chesterfield

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:06:48 +0000

We’re plodding up the 150 or so steps of the Church of St Mary and All Saints on the top of which sits Chesterfield’s famous twisted spire when a little voice asks if we are going to climb right to the top of the “wonky bit”.

Shrewsbury: a town to look up to

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:47:40 +0000

With an incredible 660 listed buildings, Shrewsbury has an historic story around every cobbled corner.

We’re getting stiff necks from wandering around Shrewsbury – and it’s not just because our guide, Martin, is 7ft 2ins.

Polymaths and pioneers, philosophers and saints have all left their mark on Lichfield.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:29:31 +0000

Helen Werin goes for some historical overload…

Lichfield’s most famous son, Dr Samuel Johnson, told of how he turned his visiting London-based friend loose in his home city so that the man might “for once see real civility”.

Fast forward 260 years and the sentiment of the man with the most wonderful way with words still has plenty of truth in it.

Bakewell, a taste of the aristocratic lifestyle.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:44:08 +0000

Helen Werin lives the country house dream, if only for a day or two…

It’s breakfast time at The Peacock at Rowsley and the topic of conversation is centred around who is going to be riding side-saddle on a horse, across the 350-year-old bridge, to the magnificent medieval manor house of Haddon Hall nearby.

Birmingham, Explore the possibilities.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:48:42 +0000

Ever-changing Birmingham may roll with the times at astonishing speed, but it has plenty of fascinating windows to the past, as Helen Werin discovers…

Centuries ago the people of Birmingham used to bait bulls with dogs for fun. Apparently it made the animals’ meat more tender. Now their main occupation on a Saturday seems to be shopping or sipping coffee in the Bull Ring, the swish new centre built around the spot where the bulls were once tethered.

A welcome break in North Devon

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:12:03 +0000

Mature Times editor Tony Watts enjoys a weekend break in the West Country

Charity offers affordable holidays with a difference

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:14:55 +0000

National charity Vitalise is offering recession-busting opportunities for enthusiastic people to have the holiday of a lifetime while helping others.

Vitalise Holidays is seeking enthusiasts of all descriptions to accompany groups of visually impaired people on holidays throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide in 2010-11.

Get fit, have fun and help protect the nation’s heritage on a National Trust working holiday

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:56:22 +0000

Do you fancy a holiday where you can get fit, have fun and play your part in conserving the nation’s heritage? Then why not take a National Trust working holiday and know you are helping to protect some of the country’s finest coastline, countryside, historic houses and gardens.

Guernsey: the history island

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:45:11 +0000

If you want a holiday where history, natural beauty and great weather combine, follow Mature Times editor Tony Watts across the sea to the Channel Islands.

Something for everyone at Gwel an Mor

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:08:45 +0000

Set overlooking the bay of Portreath in Cornwall, Gwel an Mor (meaning ‘view of the sea’) is a holiday village which lives up to its name - with a stunning location and a whole host of activities on the doorstep, there really is something for everyone here!

In King Louis' footsteps

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:57:35 +0000

Drive up the long avenue towards the house and you can fondly imagine yourself accompanying former occupant Louis XVIII in his carriage, or perhaps another erstwhile resident, Gustave IV exiled King of Sweden...

Messing about on the… canal

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:08:24 +0000

Peer closely at a map and you’ll see an intriguing lacework of blue lines across many parts of the UK. Each one of those blue lines is a canal – many of them dating back to the dawn of the industrial revolution. Today, restored to their former glory, they represent an opportunity to enjoy one of the most marvellous of holidays… aboard a narrow boat. John Stevenson discovers the delights of a life afloat.

New breaks target the active generation

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:01:18 +0000

A whole series of activity breaks for adults – from learning about antiques and classic cars through to painting and our native mushrooms – have been launched by Warner Breaks. Their new “Experience Breaks” are available just for adults across all of its 13 UK properties. Hosted by some of the UK's leading experts in their field, they offer the opportunity to “try something different” as part of a relaxing short break.

Enjoy a Weekend of leisure and learning in the Cotswolds!

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:31:10 +0000

The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful areas of England, known and loved by people across the world for its gently sloping hills, sleepy villages and market towns.

The 300-acre Farncombe Estate, just outside the picturesque village of Broadway, offers a fascinating range of events in stunningly beautiful surroundings with good comfort, good food and exceptionally friendly and willing service.

Feel creative? Then get writing!

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:39:20 +0000

Is there a budding novelist, poet or journalist within you, bursting to get out? If so, then we may be able to help. During 2007 Mature Times' editor Tony Watts will be running two specialist creative writing weekends in conjunction with Warner Breaks.