olivemagazine
type: channel
link: https://www.olivemagazine.com
date: 2026-04-27T10:32:01.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: olive summer supermarket awards 2026
items: Best European mountain escapes to visit in 2026
items: Best honeymoons for foodies
items: Best Spanish hotels for food lovers
items: 10 best hotels for a sun-soaked Mediterranean getaway
items: Best restaurants in Canary Wharf
items: This feel-good sorbet shade is taking over our kitchens for summer
items: Where to visit in May – tick off a food festival, chic city break or scenic blowout trip
items: 10 UK hotels with beautiful gardens to book this spring
items: Where to visit in April: from spring gardens in the UK to US food festivals
items: Why spring is the best time of year to visit these 12 destinations
items: Where to visit in March – see fields in bloom, enjoy a city break or plan a blow-out trip
items: KitchenAid launches new Colour of the Year 2026 that's perfect for spring
items: olive Easter Supermarket Awards 2026 – results
items: Best greens powder to buy, tried and tested 2026
items: Where to visit in February - from a UK staycation to blowout trip
items: 19 best romantic holiday destinations
items: 17 of the UK's most luxurious hotels to book for a special occasion
items: 8 Portuguese food trips
items: Best Irish holidays for food lovers – Dublin, Cork, Galway and more
items: 12 best Spanish food trips
items: Best restaurants in Borough Market
items: 16 day trips from London by train
items: Best winter city breaks
items: Best festive afternoon teas in London 2025

olive summer supermarket awards 2026
type: item
date: 2026-04-24T13:57:11.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Guides
subject: Reviews
subject: Taste tests
subject: Summer
description: Blind-tasted by our expert olive taste team, we’ve selected the best supermarket finds for your summer entertaining
encoded: Prepare to spice up your summer with a diverse range of new supermarket BBQ essentials, innovative spins on picnic classics and a sharing bread for the perfect spread. From king-sized kebabs to fish skewers and honey-glazed pork belly, we have everything you need for a summer of exciting entertaining. olive Summer Awards 2026 winners Best sharing bread Winner: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Herby Focaccia This versatile focaccia is a great summer staple. It's fragrant with a basil and parsley dressing, while the bread has the classic comforting focaccia texture and pleasing chew. A generous sharing bread to serve alongside dips, salads and BBQ feasts. Available from: Sainsbury's (£3.50) Runner up: Aldi Specially Selected Caramelised Red Onion & Extra Mature Cheddar Flatbread This cheesy caramelised onion flatbread is sure to be a crowdpleaser. Served warm, it has sweetness from the caramelised red onions and tang from mature cheddar. The bread has a pillowy, bouncy texture that kept judges coming back for more. Perfect for alfresco meals in the garden. Available from: Aldi (£1.99) Best antipasti platter Winner: Waitrose No 1 Italian Grazing Platter This grazing platter is a great one-stop buy to ensure your picnic has variety, saving you buying lots of different pots and tubs. It has a well-curated selection of tastes and textures for everyone to enjoy. The high-quality meat selection is a highlight with pork salami and garlicky coppa. Unusual additions include large caper berries and pickled onions that make this platter stand out from others. Available from: Waitrose (£12/380g) Runner up: Tesco Finest Spanish Meat & Cheese Selection This impressed with good quality meats and produce. The iberico cheese is mild and creamy, with a varied selection of Spanish hams including chorizo and serrano. Available from: Tesco (£6) Best aperitif Joint winner: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Orange Spritz A quick shortcut for Aperol fans. This ready to drink cocktail is made …

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Best European mountain escapes to visit in 2026
type: item
date: 2026-04-21T14:20:52.000Z
subject: Europe
subject: Travel
subject: Hotel guides
description: Discover the best European mountain escapes to visit in 2026, from a relaxing treetop retreat in the Dolomites, to an ancient spa nestled in the Troodos mountains in Cyprus
encoded: Whether you're after a restorative getaway or want to go hiking surrounded by beautiful scenery, a holiday in the mountains offers the ultimate escape. Breathe in fresh mountain air, spot unique wildlife and soak up the views, surrounded by nature. From architectural hideouts in the Italian Dolomites and the forests of the Bavarian Alps, to an ecotourism getaway in Cyprus, Europe offers a wealth of luxury mountain escapes to visit – discover our picks below of the best mountain hotels that foodies will love. Looking for more travel inspiration? Read our guides to the best saunas to visit in the UK, the best Italian hotels for food lovers and 8 lesser-known Italian islands worth visiting. Best European mountain escapes 2026 Forestis, Dolomites, Italy Check rates and availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com At 1,800m above sea level, surrounded by panoramic views of the Dolomites, this unique property embraces its original intention as a climate spa for Austrian monarchy. Split between the original 1912 larchwood building and three modern towers, everything is designed to bring the landscape in – floor-to-ceiling windows allow the sun to dance around pinewood suites, bathrooms are made from Dolomites stone and two-level penthouses sit at the tip of two of the towers. Wellbeing is at the hotel’s heart – there’s Plose spring water sweetened with pine syrup on arrival, plus the spa’s successive indoor-outdoor mineral pools and saunas, daily rituals and a wyda studio (a local Celtic version of yoga). Mountain activities include ski-in, ski-out facilities as well as forest bathing and foraging. In the main restaurant, individual booths are arranged in an amphitheatre-like structure, allowing for prime views while you enjoy Roland Lamprecht’s forest cuisine. This is also where breakfast is served – a buffet featuring pretzels, chocolate caprese, ricotta cake, pistachio cream, Eisack Valley honeycomb and wild berry jams. There’s also speck, mountain cheeses, foraged …

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Best honeymoons for foodies
type: item
date: 2026-04-21T12:40:59.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: Hotel guides
description: From luxury beach hotels in Trancoso to stylish suites in Tuscany, these are the best honeymoons for foodies
encoded: Looking for the most idyllic foodie honeymoons? Read on for the best beach hotels, rural estates, charming b&bs and remote getaways to stay in across the world for the ultimate remote experience. For more like this, check out our best romantic holiday destinations around the world and the UK's most luxurious hotels for a special occasion. Hotel Lutetia, Paris – for classic romance The perfect mini-moon destination, who can resist the romance of Paris? Oozing Parisian style, Hotel Lutetia is an impossibly handsome Art Nouveau meets Art Deco building on the corner of St Germain’s Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Sèvres. Luxurious in-room touches – monogrammed pillowcases, lavish fruit plates, chocolate sculptures – speak to its reputation as one of the city’s finest addresses. Its food and wine credentials owe much to its connection with long-time previous owner champagne house Taittinger. The partnership lives on in its own Cuvée Lutetia, enjoyed in the frescoed Bar Josephine, or with an indulgent brunch of truffled scrambled eggs under the stained glass in salon Le Saint Germain. During Fashion Week Lutetia is home to the great, the good and the famous, its serene Akesha Spa being a major pull. Year round, Brasserie Lutetia provides unequalled people-watching opportunities on its perfectly placed outdoor terrace serving caviar, smoked oysters and lobster with black truffle. From €1445. Check rates and availability at hotellutetia.com or booking.com Boca de Agua, Bacalar, Mexico – for a luxury jungle retreat This luxury jungle retreat is set back from the Yucatán Peninsula’s Lagoon of Seven Colours, close to Mexico’s Belize border. Twenty-two treehouse suites, each with turquoise tiled outdoor rain showers, king-size beds, private plunge pools and hammocks strung across shaded decks, are nestled within the forest of mango, banana and kapok trees (believed to be sacred in Mayan culture), from which toucans, woodpeckers and spider monkeys provide a tropical soundtrack. The…

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Best Spanish hotels for food lovers
type: item
date: 2026-04-21T11:19:29.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Europe
subject: Spain
subject: Travel
subject: Hotel guides
description: From boutique hotels in Ibiza to city break bases in Barcelona and Madrid, here's our pick of the best Spanish hotels
encoded: Looking for the best Spanish hotel to visit? We've found the best Spanish hotels for food lovers in Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza and everywhere in between. Whether you're on a budget or looking for luxury, need a city break or a relaxing vineyard getaway, check out our round-up of the best Spanish hotels for something for everyone. For more travel and hotel inspiration, check out our guide to the best European hidden gem hotels, best Italian hotels or the best Paris hotels, or get more ideas for your Spanish holiday with our best Spanish trips for foodies. Best Spanish hotels for food lovers Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno, Catalonia Rooms from €350 per night, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com In the vineyard-strewn hills of Catalonia’s Priorat region, Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno reimagines the Spanish manor house with design-led clarity. A Relais & Châteaux property with just 24 suites, it’s a study in refined minimalism, with arched stone walls, polished marble, hand-thrown ceramics and an infinity pool sculpted in the silhouette of a wine bottle. Inside, curves dominate the design language: vaulted ceilings, sculptural fireplaces and custom-made furniture soften the bold, monastic architecture. Food is central to the experience. At restaurant Vinum, chef Josep Queralt draws inspiration from Llibre de Sent Soví, a 14th-century Catalan recipe manuscript. Expect candied leeks with Bellmunt cottage cheese and confit egg yolk, or poultry broth layered with roasted Reus hazelnuts, dishes that feel both timeless and quietly radical. For a more relaxed rhythm, Tarraco serves poolside classics with polish: think citrus-cured ceviche, creamy Ibérico rice and chilled tomato gazpacho elevated by prawns and diced watermelon. Evenings unfold at Bruno’s Bar, where bold regional reds and vermouth-spiked cocktails are poured beneath vaulted stone, best enjoyed fireside or on the terrace overlooking the vines. Book the Bruno Suite for its vineyard-facing freestanding bath, vaulted inter…

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10 best hotels for a sun-soaked Mediterranean getaway
type: item
date: 2026-04-20T09:34:10.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Europe
subject: Travel
subject: Hotel guides
description: Soak up the sunshine in these stunning hotels across Italy, France, Spain and more
encoded: Sun, warmth and long, languid days — the Mediterranean does it better than anywhere. The right hotel can turn a good holiday into a great one, whether that’s a countryside retreat surrounded by olive groves, a design-led boutique hotel in a historic town, or a laid-back bolthole with an outstanding swimming pool. We’ve picked 10 of the best hotels across the Med for a truly sun-soaked escape, from Greek island favourites to Italian classics and lesser-known gems. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the 10 best Mediterranean islands for foodies and best French food trips. For a taste of the Mediterranean closer to home, book a table at one of London's best Mediterranean restaurants. 10 best hotels for a sun-soaked Mediterranean getaway Lou Calen, Provence, France From £200 a night, check availability at booking.com or loucalen.com Relaxation is taken seriously at this rustic chic country estate, an eco-friendly, nature-led retreat steeped in history and Provençal elegance that makes the perfect sunny summer getaway. The grounds are lush with greenery: vines from which you’re encouraged to pluck grapes, heady lavender fields to amble through and gardens where produce for the kitchen is grown, all interspersed with pools and relaxation areas. Restaurants are dotted around the estate, with Lou Calen Bistrot as an elegant option for dinner. Sit on the terrace with a pear liqueur spritz as the sun sets behind the Cotignac hills, before tucking into the likes of pork ribs with hand-cut fries and housemade BBQ sauce. For a special occasion, book an evening at Jardin Secret Restaurant to try a tasting menu of elevated Provençal cuisine celebrating seasonal ingredients from Alain Ducasse alumni Benoît Witz. For casual brews and bites, La Tuf Festive Bar offers house-brewed beers using seasonal ingredients such as mimosa flowers, and regular pizza and taco nights. Finish the night in the O’Fadoli Pastis Bar, with over 80 anisette and pastis varieties to try. Fo…

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Best restaurants in Canary Wharf
type: item
date: 2026-04-09T08:50:16.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: London
subject: Restaurants
subject: London area guides
description: Discover our favourite restaurants in Canary Wharf, from a top-quality French brasserie to Eastern Mediterranean all-day dining and more
encoded: Looking for Canary Wharf restaurants? These are the spots worth knowing, from irresistible Taiwanese dumpling at Din Tai Fung to modern Anglo-Indian delights at Kricket. For more restaurant guides, check out our picks of the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in Clerkenwell and best restaurants in Covent Garden. Best places to eat and drink in Canary Wharf Mama Li, Great Tower Street With two London locations already, Mama Li has now opened its third in Canary Wharf offering diners authentic Cantonese roast meats and other popular Hong Kong dishes. This new spot provides more of a cosy space that gives quaint diner vibes dressed in mint green and soft lighting. Siu mei remains at the heart of the menu with the restaurant preparing its roasts the authentic Cantonese way. Choose from crispy pork, BBQ pork, roast duck and soy chicken, served with rice and optional extras. Or, if you can’t decide, you have the option to have one, two or three different meats. I tried the BBQ pork and roast duck, both giving succulent and delicate flavours with a generous portion of rice and cabbage. New for the Canary Wharf branch are noodle soup dishes, served in generous bowls, perfect for slurping – add a dash of chilli oil if you like a bit of extra spice. For drinks there are several tea-based cocktails and mocktails that are new for this menu. The lychee garden mocktail is brilliantly refreshing alongside the food or, if you prefer something sweeter, we recommend the mango oasis. If you have room, the steamed custard buns are wonderful pillows of sweetness to finish on, and you can always ask for leftovers to be boxed up to enjoy later. mamali.co.uk Kung Fu Mama, Jubilee Place Tucked away at the back of Jubilee Place is Kung Fu Mama’s new location, serving up quick but high-quality Taiwanese street food at an affordable price. Founded by Ottolenghi co-founder Noam Bar-Chang and Chris Hsu this is the pair’s second location. Kung Fu Mama is known for its sundried noodles – a…

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This feel-good sorbet shade is taking over our kitchens for summer
type: item
date: 2026-04-01T14:16:59.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Home and kitchen
description: Be inspired by a scoop of lemon sorbet for your next kitchen purchase...
encoded: There’s a new colour popping up in our kitchens this spring, and it’s as delicious as it is cheerful. From glossy softened butter to delicate pale lemon and the golden tones of summer sweetcorn, yellow is stepping off the plate and into our homes. The best part? You don’t need a full kitchen overhaul to tap into the trend. A sunny mug here, a set of lemon-hued linens there – these small, joyful accents are an easy way to refresh your space for spring and summer. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the chicest yellow kitchen accessories to help you serve looks as good as your food. Jame Oliver super server Available from Amazon (£32.94), Next (£40) This versatile stoneware dish adds a bold pop of sunshine yellow to your kitchen. There are plenty of ways you can use it: place it in the centre of a kitchen island or table as a fruit bowl, pile high with summer salads – it's even microwave- and oven-safe, so can be used for impressive one-pots or desserts and brought straight to the table. Available from: Amazon (£32.94) Next (£40) Amalfi kitchen canister Available from Dunelm (£12) This sweet storage canister in a creamy lemon yellow is an easy way to incorporate the yellow trend into your kitchen accessories. Pop on a counter and use for your daily essentials whether that's tea and coffee or using it as a snack jar for biscuits and treats... Available from: Dunelm (£12) Darcy Dolomite butter dish Available from La Redoute (£17.99) Brighten up breakfast with this sunny yellow striped butter dish. You'll feel like you're dining at a chic B&B every morning. There's a whole range of matching kitchenware in this pattern too, from egg cups to mugs and cereal bowls. Available from: La Redoute (£17.99) Our Place cookware duo Available from Our Place (£179.99) The iconic Our Place Always Pans have taken over our Instagram feeds ever since they launched and there is a colour for everyone. The Cookware Duo combines the Always Pan and Perfect Pot (offering an £80 saving vs buying them indivi…

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Where to visit in May – tick off a food festival, chic city break or scenic blowout trip
type: item
date: 2026-03-17T14:46:49.000Z
creator: Alex Crossley
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: From tropical island hopping to coastal Croatian festivals and lush green UK road trips, here's our pick of where to travel this month
encoded: Want some ideas on where to go on holiday in May? We’ve curated our pick of destinations for a food lover’s break as spring eases into the start of summer, with something for everyone. From UK staycations to European city breaks and long-haul adventures, there's plenty to discover this month. This is just a small selection of our UK, European and global travel guides – check out our travel hub for much more. The UK at it’s best – Shropshire A lush expanse of fertile farmland, rolling hills and historic market towns, Shropshire is both a scenic and gastronomic gem, where good food abounds thanks to the energetic efforts of local farmers, artisan makers and chefs. Ludlow is arguably the region's foodiest town – stop at Vaughan's for sandwiches, The Mousetrap for artisan cheese and The Fish House for its seafood bar. Find fine dining at Mortimer's, serving broadly modern British dishes of, say, salmon with baby beets and horseradish crème fraîche, or beef with confit onion mash, shallots and baby leeks. In May, the Ludlow Spring Festival is a celebration of craft beer and food against the dramatic backdrop of Ludlow Castle. There is plenty to explore in Shropshire beyond Ludlow too. In Shrewsbury, head upstairs at The Walrus for classy cocktails and gourmet snacks, or choose between four different patty options for a brilliant burger from The Beefy Boys. Base yourself at The Bear Inn in Hodnet, a 16th-century former coaching inn which is now a spruce country pub of real charisma. Its 12 bedrooms were individually styled by interiors ace, Octavia Dickinson, while chef Joe Andrews’ food is creating a similar wow factor. Expect dishes such as pork wellington with sage, apple, carrot and a cider jus, or ox cheek, mash, quince, roscoff onions and a corn crumb. The kitchen draws on vegetables grown in nearby Hodnet Hall’s 200-year-old walled garden. The UK bolthole – Bull, Burford Bull in Burford is a 16th-century coaching inn that combines modern, stylish comforts with hist…

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10 UK hotels with beautiful gardens to book this spring
type: item
date: 2026-03-12T11:40:37.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: UK
subject: Hotel guides
description: These hotels help you make the most of the outdoors, with expansive kitchen gardens, wildflower meadows or acres of woodland
encoded: As the countryside bursts into bloom, hotels across the UK are perfectly placed to make the most of it, whether they are grand estates set in rolling hills or boutique retreats with the prettiest of kitchen gardens to explore. For more UK hotel inspiration, check out our picks of the best country house hotels and the best spa hotels in the UK. 10 UK hotels with beautiful gardens to book this spring The Bath Priory, Bath In a leafy part of Bath sits this impressive Georgian house, offering old-fashioned hospitality with wide appeal. Behind the ivy-clad building is a vast, not-so-secret garden, featuring a spectacular Lebanon cedar tree, croquet lawn, sunken pool and kitchen garden growing herbs, edible flowers, fruit and veg destined for the dining room. Spring is when the wisteria-covered terrace shines, the perfect spot for taking afternoon tea. You can also order a picnic hamper to enjoy in the gardens, with a bottle of English sparkling wine. You'll have views of the garden at dinner too. Chef Jauca Catalin’s imaginative menu celebrates seasonal, local produce with some surprising Asian touches: a crab starter is teamed with lime confit, mooli and chilli peanut caramel; wild turbot is a complex dish of scallop mousse, caviar and miso and kombu tea. At breakfast there is a traditional approach, with eggs royale, benedict and florentine, alongside the full English and a fluffy omelette Arnold Bennett. Bedrooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, with period furniture, florals and tartan adding warmth to neutral décor. Rooms start at £275 per night including breakfast, based on two sharing. Check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Samling, Lake District The Samling is a luxurious country house hotel (think al fresco hot tubs, fine dining and ornamental water gardens) set in nearly 70 acres of woodland, gardens and fields, perfect for exploring at this time of year. It sits right on the banks of Lake Windermere. Most of the rooms overlook the lake …

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Where to visit in April: from spring gardens in the UK to US food festivals
type: item
date: 2026-03-09T13:03:40.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: From Cornish seafood festivals to floating through the fjords of Norway, here's our pick of where to travel this month
encoded: Need some ideas on where to go on holiday in April? Check out our pick of destinations for a food lover’s break this spring, including a city break in Portugal, tulips in the Netherlands and a Cornish seafood festival. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best spring holidays or the best European city breaks. The UK at its best: Cornwall For a UK escape that combines coastal scenery with serious food credentials, few places rival Cornwall in spring. The tiny harbour village of Porthleven comes alive during the Porthleven Food Festival (24–26 April). More than 150 local producers and chefs (including Josh Eggleton, Jude Kereama and Tom Brown) descend on the harbour for demos, workshops and street-food stalls, with live music in the evenings. Drive half an hour across the county to base yourself in St Ives. Start the day at Brine for inventive brunch dishes overlooking the harbour – we love the Jaffle toastie, stuffed with fresh crab, Singapore chilli sauce and cheese. For relaxed small plates and cocktails with sunset views, try Silco Bar & Kitchen, while Porthmeor Beach Café pairs bold, spice-forward cooking with sweeping sea views. If you have time for a short coastal drive, book a table at the celebrated The Gurnard’s Head, a characterful pub known for beautifully cooked local fish and seasonal Cornish produce. Check out our full guide to the best restaurants in St Ives for more. The UK bolthole: The Bath Priory, Bath In a leafy part of Bath sits this impressive Georgian house, offering old-fashioned hospitality with wide appeal. Behind the ivy-clad building is a vast, not-so-secret garden that is the perfect spot for relaxing in April, featuring a spectacular Lebanon cedar tree, croquet lawn, sunken pond and kitchen garden growing herbs, edible flowers, fruit and veg destined for the dining room. Spring is when the wisteria-covered terrace shines, the perfect spot for taking afternoon tea. You can also order a picnic hamper to enjoy in the gard…

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Why spring is the best time of year to visit these 12 destinations
type: item
date: 2026-03-02T15:23:44.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: From exploring the UK countryside to blossom-filled European city breaks and adventures across the world, here's our pick of spring holidays for food lovers
encoded: Looking for spring getaway ideas? If your mind turns to a holiday as the days get longer and the weather starts to warm up, read our picks of the best spring holidays for food lovers. Whether you're looking to explore the UK countryside, a buzzing European city break or an adventure further afield, there's a spring break for everyone. You can explore markets, restaurants and bars in each destination, and we've included where to stay, from boutique hotels to cosy cottages. For more holiday inspiration, check out our best spa hotels in the UK, best UK city breaks and the best romantic hotels in the UK. For further afield, discover more of the best European city breaks. Jump to: UK spring holidays European spring holidays Further afield UK spring holidays Aldeburgh, Suffolk – for a seaside escape This coastal town in East Suffolk is a great base for chilled vibes, beach walks and a buzzing food scene. Local butcher Salter & King on the high street sells the finest Suffolk pork, lamb, beef and Sutton Hoo chickens, and it does a mean sausage roll. Stop in at Lawson’s Deli for a slice of Fen Farm’s exquisite Baron Bigod cheese – a Suffolk superstar – and grab a coffee with the locals from Munchies café. Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop is a must, as is a scoop or two from Ives or Harris & James, which both serve ice creams all year round (just mind out for the seagulls). White Hart Inn is a wood-panelled pub where all the locals drink – it’s the best spot for a bag of scratchings, a great Guinness and people watching. Pop to Fishers Gin distillery for a tour and tasting. For walks, take a stroll along the beach to local artist Maggi Hambling’s sculpture Scallop. For something longer, walk from Aldeburgh along the Sailors' Path all the way over to Snape Maltings (two hours at a leisurely pace) where you are rewarded with a world-renowned concert hall and an amazing antiques centre with shops, cafés and a deli. Passing cows and pigs, it’s a blissful walk through Snape Warren and …

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Where to visit in March – see fields in bloom, enjoy a city break or plan a blow-out trip
type: item
date: 2026-02-24T10:52:16.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
description: From walks in the Lake District to Valencia's colourful festival, here’s our pick of where to travel to this month
encoded: Want some ideas on where to go on holiday in March? We’ve curated the destinations to visit for a food lover’s break as spring begins, with something for everyone. From UK staycations to European city breaks and long-haul adventures, there's plenty to discover this month. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best spring holidays or the UK's most luxurious hotels to book for a special occasion. The UK at its best: the Lake District With the landscape reawakening after winter, March is a wonderful time to visit the Lake District. The region’s famed hospitality scene comes alive, with spring menus featuring local lamb, fresh fish and the first of the season's wild garlic. Base yourself at a countryside hotel (we've chosen our favourite Lake District hotels) to explore the area’s walking routes, which are quieter before the Easter rush. Miles Without Stiles compiles over 50 different walking routes across the Lake District, all intended to be as accessible as possible. As the name suggests, none of the routes have stiles to climb over, and there are no steep hills either – making it much easier for those with limited mobility to explore this spectacular part of the UK. You'll have worked up an appetite after all that walking, and in the Lake District, you're spoilt for choice. For special occasions, L'Enclume in Cartmel offers legendary Michelin-starred fine dining, as does Forest Side in Grasmere, set in a grand Victorian villa. Homeground in Windermere serves hearty brunches to set you up for a day of walking, and the region is scattered with great pubs – try The Punch Bowl Inn for elevated classics served next to roaring fires. The UK bolthole: Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales Quiet, carefully considered luxury in a beautifully restored 15th-century house in the Narberth Hills, Grove is a place to completely switch off and relax. Warm, friendly staff and a labyrinth of cosy lounges make the space feel more like a home than hotel. Hunker down…

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KitchenAid launches new Colour of the Year 2026 that's perfect for spring
type: item
date: 2026-02-12T15:32:30.000Z
creator: Imogen Hope
subject: Home and kitchen
subject: Reviews
description: KitchenAid has revealed its colour of the year for 2026 and it's a beautiful, refreshing spearmint. Read everything you need to know about how to get your hands on the limited-edition colour
encoded: This is the seventh year KitchenAid has released its colour of the year, and this year it's Spearmint. It's a crisp, pale mint green shade with a unique sandy texture. The creamy, retro hue would be perfect for getting your kitchen ready for spring and adding a pop of colour. In 2025, the colour of the year was Butter, a creamy yellow. Read our guide to the best KitchenAid mixers. KitchenAid is well known for its colourful range of stand mixers, which you might recognise from shows like The Great British Bake Off. If you're an avid baker, having a stand mixer is a brilliant way to take your bakes to the next level, by allowing you to effortlessly mix everything from the toughest doughs to the most light, airy mixes. Read on for everything you need to know about Spearmint, KitchenAid's colour of the year for 2026. Buy the KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head 4.7L stand mixer in Spearmint for £699 When will the new KitchenAid colour Spearmint be available? KitchenAid's colour of the year 2026 is available from today, 12 February 2026. The colour is available both in store and online. Spearmint is available in the brand's most recognisable style of mixer, the Artisan Tilt-Head, with a 4.7L capacity. When we tested this machine it scored 4.5 stars – check out our full KitchenAid Artisan review for the complete verdict. Spearmint comes with a range of accessories, including a 4.7L bowl and 2.8L bowl, wire whisk, dough hook, pastry beater and flex edge beater, as well as a pouring shield and scraper. Buy the KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head 4.7L stand mixer in Spearmint for £699 What colour is KitchenAid Spearmint? Spearmint is a pale mint green with a tactile matt, sandy finish. Brittni Pertijs, Whirlpool's colour, finish, and material manager, says that the new colour "breathes life into a space, filling it with a soothing yet invigorating energy". The spearmint colour is offset with stainless steel elements such as the band which goes around the head of the machine, and the button…

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olive Easter Supermarket Awards 2026 – results
type: item
date: 2026-02-11T10:13:17.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Guides
subject: Reviews
subject: Products
description: The olive Easter supermarket awards are here to make your life easier. Discover the very best shop-bought chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and simnel cake for Easter 2026
encoded: Looking for the best Easter eggs? Want to know which hot cross buns to buy? Check out the best supermarket Easter products to buy this year. From vegan Easter eggs to simnel cake, we’ve got it covered. olive Easter supermarket awards 2026 Best Easter dark chocolate egg Winner: Tesco Finest Free From Seville Orange Dark Chocolate Egg Available from Tesco (£8.50) A grown up Easter egg for dark chocolate fans. The chocolate is thin with a good snap and a clear orange flavour that isn't artificial or overpowering. Best milk chocolate egg Winner: Aldi Moser Roth Overloaded Millionaire Egg Available from Aldi (£8.49, in-store) This egg is a winner for OTT indulgence. Instead of the traditional hollow large egg, this takes the form of a half-egg loaded with fillings: buttery shortbread, caramel and a thick chocolate outer shell. It is definitely on the sweet side, but that is not a surprise given the millionaire shortbread inspiration. Best alternative flavoured egg Winner: Waitrose No.1 Almond Croissant Available from Waitrose (£15) This blonde chocolate croissant was a treat we kept going back to – it's highly moreish! Truly channeling the flavour of an almond croissant, it has been transformed into an Easter treat with rich blonde chocolate flavoured with almond extract and crunchy pieces of roasted almonds which help balance out the sweetness. Best novelty chocolate shaped egg Winner: LuLu Guinness Milk Chocolate Lips Available from Waitrose (£15) Make a statement with these milk chocolate lips – a great Easter gift. The smooth single-origin milk chocolate is fruity and not too sweet so it will appeal to milk and dark chocolate fans. Best chocolate bunny Winner: Aldi Specially Selected Milk Chocolate Baby Bunny Available from Aldi (99p) These petite chocolate bunnies make great Easter gifts or prizes for the end of an Easter egg hunt. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the creamy milk chocolate with a rich melt and satisfying snap. Best traditional hot cross buns Winner:…

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Best greens powder to buy, tried and tested 2026
type: item
date: 2026-02-09T16:12:43.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Reviews
subject: Wellbeing
description: Have you tried a greens powder? Our experts have tried and tested some of the biggest brands, including Huel and Shreddy, to bring you our verdict
encoded: We all know we need to eat our greens, and are aware of the benefits of getting our daily vegetable intake. In the busy pace of everyday life, more people are turning to greens powders as a quick and convenient way to add some potential nutrition to their diet. Brands such as Huel, Shreddy and Free Soul are becoming increasingly familiar on social media, often making broad health claims about their potential benefits, from supporting immunity and easing bloating to improving the appearance of skin, hair and nails. The greens powders we tested varied widely in the number of ingredients, ranging from six to 91. After consulting our nutritionist Kerry Torrens, we tested each powder mixed simply with water, though they can also be added to a morning smoothie or juice. Prices varied considerably, with products costing between £13 and £79 per packet. With so many greens powders available, many of which are relatively expensive, it can be difficult to know where to start and which products are worth the investment. We put leading greens powder brands in the UK to the test to help you make informed choices when buying. Read on to find out the best greens powders to buy. For more like this, check out our reviews of the best matcha to buy and six healthy coffee brands to try. Jump to: Best greens powders to buy in 2026 What are greens powders? How we tested greens powders What do nutritionists really think about powdered greens? What should you mix greens powders with? Best greens powders at glance Best premium greens powder: WelleCo Super Elixer Greens, £63/300g Best greens powder overall: Free Soul greens (mango flavour), £32.49/150g Best greens powder for a range of flavours: Protein Works Super Greens Extreme, £13.94/250g Best greens powder for on the go: AG1 Food Supplement, £79/30 servings Best spiced greens powder: Bioglan Supergreens, £13.19/70g Best greens powder for variety of ingredients: Huel Daily Greens, £50/250g Best for widest suggested health benefits: Verve …

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Where to visit in February - from a UK staycation to blowout trip
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T17:24:37.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: From cosy UK staycations to adventures in New Orleans, these are the trips to take in February
encoded: Want some ideas on where to go on holiday in February? We’ve curated our pick of destinations for a food lover’s break this winter, with something for everyone. From UK staycations to European city breaks and long-haul adventures, there's plenty to discover this month. For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best winter sun destinations or the best ski destinations in Europe. The UK region at it's best: The Cotswolds Whether it's a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day, a walking weekend exploring the rolling countryside, or just long lunches by pub fires with some great food and drink, the honey-hued villages of the Cotswolds offer it all in February. Take The Rectory Hotel, for example, an 18th century former rectory in the heart of picturesque Crudwell. Homemade cordial welcomes rosy-cheeked walkers into the drawing room, where you can warm up by the log fire and sink into pretty peacock feather-hued cushions. The restaurant’s comfort food includes fish pie, alongside pretty salads using fresh produce grown in the allotments behind The Potting Shed pub over the road, which is worth a visit in itself. Check out our picks of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds for more. Half an hour away, in the quiet village of Southrop, Thyme is exactly what you want from a rural escape. A 150-acre estate, it is home to a cookery school, pub, holiday cottages, boutique hotel, cocktail bar and restaurant, so you don't even need to leave the site. See more of the best hotels in the Cotswolds to start planning yuor staycation. The UK bolthole: Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire Escape to Yorkshire for a wintry spa break. Middleton Lodge is a Georgian estate tucked away in 200 acres of peaceful countryside that has become a must-visit destination for serious food lovers and wellness seekers. First, head to the estate's Forest Spa for a soothing, sensory escape that will melt away any winter blues. Guest numbers are cleverly limited so it can feel like you have it almos…

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19 best romantic holiday destinations
type: item
date: 2026-01-26T13:15:14.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
description: Discover the most romantic holiday destinations for your next loved-up getaway, from the UK and Europe to further afield
encoded: Treat your favourite foodie to a romantic holiday this Valentine's Day (or any day, for that matter!), whether it's a getaway to a village in the UK, a romantic weekend break in Italy, or even a tropical getaway to the Caribbean. Here are our favourite romantic holiday destinations for foodies... Or, if you're looking to celebrate with a romantic meal, check out the UK's most romantic restaurants and the most romantic restaurants in London. Or, if you fancy more romantic getaway inspiration, discover the most romantic UK hotels. Best romantic holiday destinations Paris – for classic romance It's a cliché for a reason. Paris, the 'City of Love', is a romantic destination you have to tick off your bucket list to visit with your partner. From picnics under the Eiffel Tower to golden-hour walks down the river Seine and lazy afternoons in wine bars on the streets of picturesque neighbourhoods, it has everything you need for a romantic getaway. Weekenders often stick to the single-figure arrondissements, but if you’re willing to head slightly further out you’ll find a dynamic foodie hotspot around Charonne Metro in the historically working class 11th arrondissement. Bertrand Grébaut’s rustic, unpretentious fine dining restaurant Septime is the area’s big hitter (book three weeks in advance, or try for a lunchtime table) but if you don’t manage to get a reservation, try Grébaut’s nearby walk-in-only spot, Clamato for sublime seafood. Where to stay: in the heart of the bustling Le Marais district, Le Grand Mazarin achieves an impressive feat of being full of eclectic colours and patterns, yet still remaining a chic and calm oasis. The hotel has 61 rooms and suites, an indoor pool, restaurant, bar, courtyard dining and gym. Bedrooms are decorated with carefully sourced vintage objects, custom rugs and Murano light fittings. Rooms are bold and colourful yet always elegant. Think raspberry pink walls, tapestry canopies over beds and yellow tiles in the bathrooms. Extra touches…

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17 of the UK's most luxurious hotels to book for a special occasion
type: item
date: 2026-01-21T14:05:32.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: UK
subject: Hotel guides
description: Settle in for a stylish escape where next-level UK hospitality awaits – from a chic Georgian estate to a lavish manor house and an elegant restaurant with rooms
encoded: Planning a UK getaway for a special occasion? We've chosen some of our favourite hotels across England, Scotland and Wales where you can have a luxury stay for a truly memorable experience. From Michelin-starred tasting menus to serene spas and striking pools, these are some of the UK's best luxury hotels. For more luxury hotel inspiration, check out our packs of the best hotel baths worth travelling for in the UK or the best UK spa hotels. Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire Doubles from £229, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com Book a stay at Middleton Lodge for Michelin-starred tasting menus and spa experiences on a Georgian estate, tucked away in 200 acres of peaceful countryside. The collection of honey-hued farmhouse buildings and stables have been lovingly restored and rooms are spread across the estate – from the charming Tack Room with wood-burning stove, huge free-standing bath and beamed ceilings, to contemporary suites with outdoor copper tubs and views of wildflower meadows. Interiors mix natural textures with understated luxury: Burlington showers, stone walls, linen drapes, oak floors and velvet armchairs. The jewel in the crown of the estate is Forge, a restaurant that earned its first Michelin star in 2025, thanks to head chef Jake Jones’s nature-led, hyper-seasonal tasting menus. Dishes highlight foraged ingredients and estate-grown produce, with inventive flavour combinations – think dry-aged Nidderdale hogget and north coast cod with preserved lemon and English sparkling wine. A standout cheese course of Cashel Blue with pickled walnut, medlar and birch syrup precedes intricate desserts like forced rhubarb tart with custard and toasted milk. Drinks are equally thoughtful, with pairings ranging from a lemon thyme saison by Salt Brewery to a bright ortega from Kent. Coach House offers a more relaxed approach for breakfast, all-day dining and cocktails. Forest Spa, next to Forge, has its own light and nourishing spa menu, ideal for pre- or post-tre…

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8 Portuguese food trips
type: item
date: 2026-01-20T16:15:36.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Europe
subject: Guides
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: From the buzz of capital city Lisbon to the beachy wilderness of Comporta, these are the best places to visit in Portugal for foodies
encoded: Looking for food trips to take in Portugal? Check out our guide to the best places across the country to eat and drink, from the must-visit cities of Porto and Lisbon to eating on the beach in Comporta, vineyard stays for wine fans and discovering local pastries in the countryside. For more travel inspiration, check out our best French food trips, best Spanish food trips or best Morocco food trips. Not sure where to go? Browse our guide to the best European city breaks or our picks of the best European vineyards to visit. 8 best Portuguese food trips Lisbon For a budget-friendly city break Portugal's buzzing capital has undergone something of a culinary revolution. Time Out Market is a well-known stop on any Lisbon food journey for a reason, with 30 of the city’s best chefs selling small, reasonably priced plates alongside local wines and fresh lemonade, from a gathering of stalls. Another popular spot is Ramiro, serving great-value seafood in a rustic setting with a buzzy atmosphere. For modern spins on Portuguese cuisine, try Mini Bar for contemporary tapas and cocktails or Prado for updated versions of classic Portuguese dishes. For shopping, head out of the centre of the city to LX Factory, where Lisbon’s young creatives have set up shop in dozens of old fabric factories, with a flea market taking place every Sunday. Check out our full guide to the best places to eat in Lisbon for more ideas. Where to stay: North of Lisbon’s botanical gardens, in a 20th-century townhouse in the Praça das Amoreiras area, you'll find Casa Amora. Each bedroom in this charming B&B is inspired by a different Portuguese figure, from poets to Fado singers, actresses and painters. Soak up the charm of dazzling ceramic tiles, private balconies, embellished ceilings and wrought-iron bath tubs. Casa Amora’s cook, Nita, has been there since day one and her homemade breakfasts in the colourful courtyard – featuring pastéis de nata, almond cake and homemade jams to spread onto warm croissants…

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Best Irish holidays for food lovers – Dublin, Cork, Galway and more
type: item
date: 2026-01-19T12:58:45.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Europe
subject: Travel
subject: UK
subject: Great Getaways
description: From restaurant-hopping city breaks to discovering artisan producers in the countryside and seafood-fuelled road trips, here's our pick of Irish holidays
encoded: Looking for Irish holiday ideas? Ireland is all about charm, great local produce and unique rural experiences, making it the perfect break for a food lover. Discover Dublin and Belfast’s delightful bistros and lively pubs, Galway’s artsy coastal vibes and seafood spots, bustling seaside towns or the green pastures inland, home to cider orchards, friendly farmers and even buffalo herds. These are our top picks of the best Irish holidays, with restaurants and bars to visit in each destination, including some Irish hotels to use as your base. For more hotel inspiration, check out the best UK boutique hotels, UK gastro pubs with rooms, best restaurants with rooms and and UK spa hotels for food lovers. Also see our city guides for the best restaurants in Belfast and best restaurants in Dublin. Best Irish holidays for food lovers Cork – for riverside luxury Cork is one of Ireland’s foodie hotspots. Get lost in the famous English Market, a covered warren of brilliant Irish food and drink producers. Café Paradiso has been open since 1993 serving refined but adventurous vegetarian food on a six-course testing menu. For drinks, head to Cask for expertly crafted cocktails or Arthur Mayne's for interesting wine and craft beer lists in quirky surroundings. Further out in the County Cork countryside, Toon's Bridge Dairy is a remarkable cheese producer making mozzarella, burrata, scamorza and more – you can find the produce at the English Market as well as its own pizzeria from April onwards. Where to stay in Cork: A luxury riverside hotel, River Lee Hotel is a warm and friendly space, flooded with light from windows that frame the entire building. The river-facing rooms are particularly pretty with views extending up past the Victorian buildings opposite to the rolling hills beyond. Bathrooms are fitted with baths and walk-in showers, and the large comfy beds have cosy duck down duvets. The Grill Room restaurant serves a classic hearty menu with Irish fish and meat taking centre …

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12 best Spanish food trips
type: item
date: 2026-01-19T11:20:04.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Europe
subject: Spain
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: Looking for places to visit in Spain? Check out our top Spanish food trips, from pintxos in San Sebastian to al fresco paella in Barcelona
encoded: Looking for places to visit in Spain? Check out our top Spanish food trips and discover where to eat and drink across the country, from natural wines in Barcelona to ibérico ham and hand-cut chips in Tarifa, and juicy skewered prawns in San Sebastian. For more travel inspiration, check out our best Portuguese food trips, best French food trips or best Morocco food trips. Learn about Spanish coffee culture with our expert barista Celeste Wong's guide, including traditional rituals, how to order it and the perfect recipe for at-home brewing. Best Spanish food trips San Sebastián For pintxos and Michelin stars A picturesque port and resort on the Bay of Biscay, San Sebastián has notched up 16 Michelin stars. There are seven three-star restaurants across Spain and three of them are here: Akelarre, Martin Berasategui and Arzak, the bastion of chef Juan Mari Arzak. It has the second highest number of Michelin stars per square metre after Kyoto in Japan, and more than Paris. It's not all fine dining though. Pintxos is a signature of San Sebastián, born because “it’s not our custom to entertain at home. We meet friends for a drink and snack before dinner”. It’s one of the reasons that, originally, there were no sweet pintxos – these were pre-dinner snacks, not the main meal. There are over 100 pintxos spots to choose from in San Sebastian, mainly in the Old Town, and so a tailored tour is a good way to narrow it down. A locals top tip: ignore the piles of pretty pintxos on each bar’s counter and order dishes chalked on the blackboard. These are cooked fresh to order and each bar has its own specialities. At Goiz Argi that means the brocheta de gamba, a juicy prawn served on a skewer soaked in a sweet and sour garlic, pepper and onion marinade. The mari juli baguette, with salty slivers of smoked salmon, sardine and oily green pepper is equally moreish, with a glass of txakoli, the local sparkling white wine. Find out where else to eat and drink in San Sebastian. Where to st…

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Best restaurants in Borough Market
type: item
date: 2026-01-15T11:09:29.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Guides
subject: London
subject: Restaurants
subject: London area guides
description: From Michelin-starred Greek dining to viral pasta spots, fresh seafood and fiery Sri Lankan cuisine - these are the best restaurants in Borough Market
encoded: Are you looking for the best restaurants in Borough Market? This area of London is filled with some of London's best places to eat and drink. As well as the popular stalls of the market itself, Borough Market is surrounded by top restaurants. Whether you go for Michelin-starred Greek plates at Oma, grab a bun from Bao or join the pasta queue at Padella, you're spoilt for choice for a great meal. Read on for our tried-and-tested reviews for the best restaurants in Borough Market. For more London Bridge recommendations see our full guide to the best restaurants in London Bridge. For restaurant inspiration across the capital, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in Covent Garden or best restaurants in Clerkenwell. Best places to eat and drink in Borough Market Plaza Khao Gaeng – for southern Thai cooking Set under the railway arches that flank Borough Market, this fun spot brings the energy of a raan khao gaeng – the informal canteens that pop up on street corners and markets across Thailand. The high-ceilinged room is breezy and buzzy with a quirky, eclectic style: stainless steel tables, zingy pops of colour, retro Thai movie posters and restaurant signs all add to the atmosphere. A Paricha margarita eased us into the heat zone – mango infused tequila and kumquat liquor with a kick of fresh Thai chilli served alongside an appetiser plate of miang pla: betel leaves to be wrapped around spicy sausage, dried fish and crunchy galangal floss to make a herbal, tangy mouthful. The yam strawberry salad was a refreshing sweet/salty surprise – strawberries in a punchy dressing, topped with a sprinkling of the tiniest translucent fish and coconut. From the curries, the gaeng massaman neua was deeply comforting – big chunks of beef, slow cooked in a rich spiced coconut sauce with hunks of potato to soak up all of that fragrant curry. Gung pad prik gaeng sator (tiger prawns stir-fried in red curry paste) brought some of that notorious heat but ba…

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16 day trips from London by train
type: item
date: 2026-01-08T11:33:26.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: UK
subject: Great Getaways
description: If you want to discover somewhere new at the weekend, we've picked our 15 best day trips from London, all journeying by train and packed with foodie hotspots
encoded: No car? No problem. Whether a quick 20-minute hop from London or an extra special trip, a new foodie destination awaits. Eat fish and chips by the seaside in Margate or Brighton, stroll through an English vineyard or explore the famous university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. We've picked the best restaurants, cafés and bars at each day trip destination to keep you fuelled all day long. Read on to discover our best day trips from London by train. For more like this, check out our guide to the best small towns in the UK or the best spa hotels in the UK for a relaxing weekend away. Jump to: Day trips under 1 hour from London Day trips under 2 hours from London 16 best day trips from London by train for foodies Under 1 hour from London St Albans How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras or Blackfriars, direct trains from 18 minutes, single tickets from £12.20 at Trainline So close to London that it's popular with commuters, St Albans is the easiest day trip from London, with direct trains from St Pancras getting you there in under 20 minutes. That leaves plenty of time to explore this city packed with history, taking in the famous cathedral, Roman wall remains and a walk around the lake in 100-acre Verulamium Park. Pick up huge takeaway banh mi and noodle salads from Taste of Vietnam for a picnic in the park. If it's not picnic weather, head to Lussmans – a sustainable neighbourhood restaurant you'll wish was in your town. The bright, modern space is a reflection of what to expect from the menu – clean, colourful plates of food, smartly presented without pretension. Sweet tooths are spoilt for choice in St Albans. The Waffle House is a 10-minute walk from the city centre in a quaint 16th-century windmill – the prettiest spot to choose a loaded waffle, from savoury options topped with BBQ pork to sweet waffles loaded with everything from chocolate mousse to banana, flapjack and caramel sauce. Darlish, home of Persian ice cream, and the famous The Puddi…

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Best winter city breaks
type: item
date: 2025-12-22T11:00:41.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Travel
subject: Great Getaways
description: From picture postcard festive markets to soaking up the sun, these are our picks for the best winter city breaks, for Christmas and beyond
encoded: Planning a winter getaway? We've chosen the best winter city breaks to visit this year – from Christmas markets in Berlin and Bordeaux, Scandi-cool in Helsinki and Copenhagen or the chance of some winter sunshine in Jerez or Milan. Plus UK options from Bath to Edinburgh. They're the perfect city breaks to get in the festive spirit, pick up some extra special presents to bring home and make plenty of new food discoveries. We've shared what to do, where to eat and where to stay for the ultimate winter city break. Still need winter holiday inspiration? See our guide to the best ski destinations or the best winter sun destinations for something a little warmer. For more like this, check out our guides to the best UK city breaks and our favourite European hidden gem hotels. Best winter city breaks Lisbon, Portugal Sweet aromas of roast chestnuts fill the air in the Portuguese capital from 11 November (St Martin’s Day). Grab a paper cone and wander the steep, cobbled streets, joining locals in corner kiosks as they shot cherry liqueur (ginja). Warming snacks include O Trevo’s suckling pig rolls and The Bifanas of Afonso’s paprika-laced pork bifana. Get cosy in a taverna for hearty stews and rice dishes or make a reservation for contemporary plates and wine flights at popular Prado. The technicolour designs of Conserveira de Lisboa’s tinned fish make pretty stocking fillers to take home for loved ones, as do pastéis de nata scented lip balms and hand creams from Lisbon beauty brand Benamôr. For more unique gift ideas and festivities, Rossio Square comes to life in December with wooden huts in its Christmas market, as does the old Campo Pequeno bull ring, that hosts exclusively Portuguese artisans between 30 November-4 December. Where to stay: In the ancient Alfama district in cobbled Campo das Cebolas, AlmaLusa Alfama boasts views of the Tagus River. The 25-room boutique hotel breathes life into a mustard yellow 12th-century building, offering friendly service, elegant des…

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Best festive afternoon teas in London 2025
type: item
date: 2025-12-11T16:21:40.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: London
subject: Reviews
subject: Restaurants
description: Looking for a festive treat? We’ve found the best spots to take friends and family over the Christmas season, from traditional afternoon tea at The Ritz to afternoon tea with a view from The Shard
encoded: Treat loved ones and dine in style over the Christmas season with one of these festive afternoon teas for a Christmas treat. Classic afternoon tea menus of sandwiches, scones and perfect patisserie get a festive makeover at this time of year, from turkey sandwiches and cranberry jam to go with scones, to carefully crafted yule logs, Christmas trees made of cake, savoury mince pies and many more magical discoveries. You're sure to leave full and with a wonderful new Christmas tradition to return to year after year. If you're not after a Christmas theme, check out the best afternoon teas in London and the best across the UK, too. Best festive afternoon teas in London 2025 Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill, Marylebone Known for its travel-themed Flavours of the World afternoon teas, this Christmas, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill has fittingly chosen Lapland as its destination inspiration for guests. However rather than just a few festively named desserts, the hotel fully embraces a sense of delightful theatricality, transporting guests on board a ‘Montagu Kitchen Airlines’ flight to Lapland. Upon arriving our hostess immediately donned a pillbox air stewardess hat, stamped our boarding pass ‘in-flight menus’ and escorted us to our seats ready for take-off. Our napkins were tied with a chic leather luggage tag, two of our three courses were gorgeously presented in multiple compartments of a suitcase, and champagne was offered upon lift off. Our in-flight menu boasted an array of spiced treats, including a tangy sweet water shrimp tartelette and, my personal favourite, a rich but light brioche roll topped with forest mushroom duxelles and Witheridge cheese. Following this there was the classic, traditional plain and raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam – it was however given an exotic twist by featuring a zesty passion fruit jam, all suitably located in the side compartments of our luggage. Lastly, the main part of our suitcase opened to reveal a …

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