Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Attend a Reading Retreat in the UK with Boutique Book Breaks
It’s every book lovers dream - a cosy getaway with bookish friends, spent reading, relaxing and eating good food. That’s exactly what Boutique Book Breaks offer, and their very first retreat is located in Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Trying Hotel Chocolat’s Velvetiser Cafe - Review
Nothing says autumn quite like a mug of hot chocolate, and so October felt like the perfect time to try the Hotel Chocolat cafe in Chichester.
Having moved into a new premises earlier in 2024, Hotel Chocolat’s new shop in East Street boasts a larger shop floor with its own cafe.
The space is small without feeling cramped, and furnished with plenty of seating for visitors to enjoy their drinks. Looking at the menu, I wasn’t surprised to see that everything revolved around chocolate in all varieties.
5 Cruise Lines with Stunning Onboard Libraries
While many of the world’s most recent and largest cruise ships have foregone libraries in favour of revenue generating spaces, there are a number of lines which continue to champion the written word.
Here I will introduce you to five of the world’s most literature friendly cruise lines, all with stunning libraries onboard their ships.
Astley Book Farm - Bookshop Review
Here’s everything you need to know about the largest second hand bookshop in the midlands.
I recently found myself on a trip to Birmingham and discovered Astley Book Farm on our route. Located in the county of Warwickshire, Astley has just 200 residents, meaning that it’s a village with more books than people!
What to Pack for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise
In 2023 I set off for my first ever cruise onboard P&O’s Iona. I honestly had no idea what to expect from the holiday, but I was very keen to explore Norway and curious about how it would feel to travel on a cruise ship.
I ended up having an absolutely fantastic time and the trip ignited a love of cruising for myself and my partner. Having said that, as this was our first ever cruise, we had no idea what to take with us (and didn’t research very well either!)
How Fast Does a Cruise Ship Go? And Other Cruise Ship Facts
I answer some of the internet’s burning questions about cruising and present fourteen fun facts.
How fast do cruise ships travel, and how long do they take to build? Read on to find out the answers to these and more.
What to Do in Ålesund From a Cruise Ship
Known to be one of Norway’s most beautiful fjord cities, Ålesund is a picturesque location that begs to be explored.
The city centre is just a 10 minute stroll from the cruise port, meaning there’s no need for most people to take a taxi or shuttle. For those who would prefer not to walk, the City Sightseeing Train is available at the cruise terminal and offers 70 minute tours around the city. These are easy to book when you arrive and depart every 20 minutes when a cruise ship is in port.
Hello Kitty Cafe Brighton - Review
Here’s everything that you need to know about Art Box’s Hello Kitty and Friends cafe in Brighton. Keep reading to find out about the decor, food and how to book!
Cunard’s Queen Anne Cabin Tour
I recently disembarked a wonderful two day mini cruise onboard Cunard’s Queen Anne and I’ve been so excited to write about it.
We stayed in cabin 7174 and paid £150 each for both nights (we travelled as a couple). For us, the cabin was perfect - it was always quiet with no noise from other cabins or entertainment venues. We also hardly felt the ship moving at all, and the lack of sunlight meant I had a fantastic sleep every night.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Cruise Ship Tour and Review
I’ve just returned from a fantastic two day voyage on board Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, and I can’t wait to show you around.
As the first addition to Cunard’s fleet for more than a decade, Queen Anne is unique compared to her sisters. Not only does she have the largest capacity to date, accommodating up to 3,000 guests and 1,225 crew, she’s also the most modern, seamlessly blending luxury with traditional features. Owned by the same umbrella company as P&O, I definitely noticed some similarities to their newest ships Iona and Arvia, while still remaining remained distinct to the Cunard brand.
Harlech Castle: Everything You Need to Know
Tucked into the outskirts of the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, Harlech Castle, which is also known by its Welsh name Castell Harlech, dates back to the 1200s when King Edward I invaded Wales.
The castle was fiercely defended across the centuries, having been attacked by several Welsh princes, and changing hands between the Welsh and the English numerous times. Today, Harlech Castle has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Edward’s other castles Beaumaris, Caernarfon and Conwy.
Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Review
Located between two of central London’s iconic parks, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane is a luxurious five star hotel just a short walk away from Buckingham Palace. Boasting stunning art deco interiors and in a premier location, this is one hotel that you won’t want to check out from.
I visited the Sheraton as part of their 2024 World Book Day Celebrations. Partnering with Reece’s Book Club, the Sheraton opened a pop up library in the lobby which played host to a number of book talks and book clubs. Stocked with titles from Reece’s Book Club, it was a fantastic way for the community to come together and celebrate literature in a unique location.
P&O’s Iona Cruise Ship - 10 Things I Loved
Last summer (2022) my partner and I embarked on our first ever cruise with P&O’s Iona. We travelled on a return voyage from Southampton to Norway, and were scheduled to stop in Stavanger, Alesund, Olden and Haegsund over an 8 day schedule.
Unfortunately our stop at Stavanger was cancelled due to high winds, however, we had missed port coverage as part of our insurance which meant that we were given a small sum each to cover the inconvenience. While I would have loved to visit Stavanger (and had picked out a cool bookish cafe/bar to visit) I didn’t really mind as it meant that our budget trip was even cheaper.
Bookshop Review: Barter Books
Tucked away in the northernmost corner of England, Barter Books can be found in Alnwick - a small town in Northumberland. The shop is a complete showstopper with lots of unique features, and is easily one of the best book shops that I’ve ever visited.
Barter Books is housed in Alnwick’s beautiful Victorian train station, which was decommissioned in 1968. Today the space is simply magical.
Welcome to Zürich’s designated literary hotel, the B2 Boutique. This is somewhere that’s been on my literary travel bucket list for a very long time, and visiting was an absolute dream come true. I’m excited to show you around!
Upon entering the hotel lobby you’ll snatch your first glance of the B2 Boutique’s coveted library. The lobby area has lots of comfy seating options and doubles up as a large coworking space, making it a great place to grab an armchair and a coffee and get some work done, or just relax with a book.