Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Llandudno’s Alice in Wonderland Statues
Although Lewis Carroll famously resided in Oxford, he was also connected to the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno.
It is here that Alice Pleasance Liddell - the real life inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, spent her summers in the family’s holiday home. It’s rumoured that Carroll spent some time here too, allegedly basing his story on their adventures.
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!
How to Visit Dylan Thomas’ Boat House in Wales
Here’s everything you need to know about Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse in Laugharne, Wales.
Dylan Thomas was a Welsh author and poet, who was born in Swansea in 1914. Despite living a relatively short life and passing away in 1953, Dylan was a prolific writer who published 90 poems in his lifetime.
Hotels Near Southampton Cruise Terminal
Southampton is a great place to start any cruise holiday, with plenty of amenities and a range of hotels to suit all budgets.
In this blog post I have selected the very best hotels in Southampton, broken down by price. While doing so, I only chose hotels that were within a 15 minute taxi ride from the cruise terminal - with so many to choose from, you really don’t have to stay further away.
One main point of advice is to ensure that you book your hotel room early, as Southampton is a busy city and this will ensure that you get the best price possible.
Things to Do in Haugesund From a Cruise Ship
The Norwegian Fjords is a gorgeous destination for a cruise holiday, served by a variety of cruise lines including P&O, Celebrity and Princess. Haugesund is just one of many possible cruise stops, located in the North Sea, in between Stavanger and Bergen.
The port here is large and able to accommodate a wide range of ships, including P&O’s Iona and Arvia, which are the largest British cruise ships to date.
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.
What to Do in Olden From a Cruise Ship
Home to less than 1000 people, Olden is a beautiful village located at the end of Nordfjord. Disembarking the cruise ship here felt like stepping into a perfect picture postcard, which is exactly what I imagined when I planned my trip to Norway!
Bear in mind that you won’t find many shops or other amenities here, and public transport is very limited, so make sure you set out with a good pair of walking shoes and dressed for the weather. Whether you’re looking to book an exciting excursion or explore on a budget, there’s plenty of things to do in stunning Olden.
The Poetry Pharmacy, London - Everything You Need to Know
Here’s everything you need to know about Lush’s new poetry bookshop which you can find on Oxford Street in London.
The Poetry Pharmacy started life as a pop up at Lush Studios, which is the brand’s dedicated event space in Soho. It then moved to the flagship Lush shop on Oxford Street in June 2024 where it’s open on a permanent basis.
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!
Lordington Lavender Farm Review- Everything You Need to Know
After two years of living in West Sussex, I was finally able to visit Lordington Lavender during their open week!
Here is everything you need to know about visiting the county’s only lavender farm.
Hotel Wedina Review - Hamburg’s Literary Hotel
When I planned to sail on Cunard’s newest cruise ship, Queen Anne, during her first voyage into Hamburg, I was delighted to discover that the city has its very own literary hotel.
Based in the St Georg district of central Hamburg, the hotel itself is very easy to find with its striking red exterior. We arrived after a short drive from the cruise port, which we booked on Uber, and were greeted by their friendly reception staff in their flawless English.
The Paddington Bear Experience Review - Is It Worth Going?
Here’s everything you need to know about London’s newest family friendly attraction.
Located in central London’s South Bank, The Paddington Bear Experience combines immersive theatre with interactive elements, set in the world of Paddington Bear.
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.
Hay-on-Wye Bookshop Guide
Welcome to the world’s first bookshop town, Hay-on-Wye. Here you’ll find more than twenty bookshops selling all kinds of books: from new to second hand, fiction to non-fiction and books for children and adults.
Hay-on-Wye also plays host to the annual book Hay Festival which sees 300,000 guests visit the town across eleven days.
Here are all of the bookshops that you’ll find in Hay-on-Wye!
Richard Booth Bookshop Review
Welcome to Hay-on-Wye, the world famous book town located on the Welsh border. With more than 20 bookshops to its name, Hay really is a book lover’s dream, and an essential bucket list location for any reader.
You’ll find the UK’s largest book festival, Hay Fest, there each summer, along with a more modest iteration in the winter. It’s a cultural hub and the place to be for anyone who loves books.
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.
Arvia Cabin Tour and Review
I sailed on P&O’s cruise ship Arvia at the beginning of 2024 and had an absolutely amazing time. Although I had initially booked an inside room, I took part in the company’s bidding scheme before sailing and managed to secure a balcony cabin for an additional £395 per person.
Was it worth it? Here are my thoughts on our balcony cabin on P&O’s Arvia (number 11317).
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.