Colourful beach huts, traditional fishing vessels and huts selling fresh seafood abound in this quaint village on Mersea Island, England's most easterly inhabited island.
West Mersea
London: Holbein at the Tudor Court at The Queen’s Gallery
This fascinating and comprehensive exhibition charts artist Hans Holbein the Younger's journey to become one of Henry VIII's official court painters and his lasting influence on royal portrait painters.
London: Tokyo Diner, Hunterian Museum and Lincoln’s Inn Fields
An impromptu trip to the English capital, taking in an authentic Japanese restaurant, an anatomy museum, some street art and one of the four Inns of court.
Berkeley: Dr Jenner’s House and St Mary’s Church
A tour around the Gloucestershire home of Dr Edward Jenner, the 'father of immunology', and the church in which he was buried.
Berkeley Castle
As the site of one of the most infamous maybe-murders in English history, this sprawling 12th century Gloucestershire castle is well worth a day trip.
London: The Wallace Collection
Hidden among the grand squares and mansions of Marylebone, you'll find one of the best collections of art, porcelain and furnishings in London.
London walks: Belsize Park, Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park
One of my favourite walks in the capital, this route takes in the chic neighbourhoods of Belsize Park, Primrose Hill and Marylebone.
London: Westminster, St James’s Park and Hieroglyphs at the British Museum
A stroll past some of London's most iconic landmarks and a visit to the British Museum's fascinating exhibition about the hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt.
London: St Paul’s Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren's iconic masterpiece was a radical break from tradition when it was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London.
London: Cezanne at the Tate Modern
There's more to the French Post-Impressionist painter than still lives, as I found out at the Tate Modern's blockbuster exhibition.
Cheltenham
Ambling around Cheltenham, you could be forgiven for thinking you'd stepped into a Jane Austen novel, for this Gloucestershire town is billed as the "most complete Regency town in the UK".
Westbury Court Garden
A road trip to this small National Trust-run water garden in Westbury-on-Severn and some exceptionally good scones at The Swan Tea Room near Lydney in Gloucestershire.
Little Old World 