As Celtic Life International correspondent Simon Whaley explains, there was once a whole lotta shakin’ going on in the quaint[…]
Read moreCategory: Landscape/British Travel
Caer Caradoc
Strictly Come Lekking
STRICTLY COME LEKKING Witness early morning dance contestants compete for the avian equivalent of the Glitter Ball Trophy in the[…]
Read moreMeandering Along The Mortimer Trail
“We need more kangaroos,” the manageress said to her assistant as I stepped into the shop. Puzzled why a card[…]
Read moreAlong The Welsh Marches
“Uncle Simon, why is there a goat on top of that castle wall?” My nephew stares at the white adult[…]
Read moreCharming Church Stretton
It’s not difficult to see why Church Stretton is known as Shropshire’s Little Switzerland when there’s been a fresh dusting[…]
Read moreMisty South Shropshire
My photo of a misty South Shropshire, as seen from Ragleth Hill, appears in the February 2016 issue of Outdoor[…]
Read moreWonderful Weston
‘Capability Brown was invited back to Weston Park in 1766 to undertake a second contract,’ says our guide, ‘for which[…]
Read moreChristmas in Kirkby Lonsdale
Revel in Ruskin’s favourite view, traditional pubs, cosy atmosphere and a corner of Cornwall in Cumbria, says Simon Whaley[…]
Read moreLakeland’s Autumnal Colours
“I know New England is famous for it’s autumnal colour,” drawls the American tourist standing next to me in[…]
Read moreThe Spectre of Kington
Follow in the footsteps of the mysterious Black Vaughan, a shape-shifting spectre who may have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,[…]
Read moreRadical Steps
Slow Journey County: Cumbria Slow Journey Destination: Radical Steps Slow Journey Distance Travelled: 86 steps (ish) Radical Steps. Such[…]
Read moreLet the Train Take The Strain … On The Heart of Wales Line
Look out for my piece in the September issue of BBC Countryfile magazine about the Heart of Wales Railway line.[…]
Read moreRagleth Hill
The June 2015 issue has one of my photos for it’s Viewpoint section. It’s an image of the Long Mynd,[…]
Read moreSign of the Times
Sign of the Times was published in Australia’s Great Walks magazine (Feb/Mar 2015) Britain’s countryside offers some fantastic walking[…]
Read moreIt’s April – Time for the Black and White Trail!
As flowers blossom along the route, take a drive through black-and0white clad villages in a tour of architectural history,[…]
Read moreThe Original Salvager
In 1925, Clough Williams-Ellis spent less than £5,000 buying a parcel of land, which he described as, “a neglected[…]
Read morePages of Influence
Ninety years ago Clough Williams-Ellis acquired the site that became Portmeirion. Simon Whaley discovers how Country Life came to influence[…]
Read moreAtomic Ice
Slow Journey County: Cumbria Slow Journey Destination: Claife Heights Slow Journey Distance Travelled: 0 Steps. My immediate thought was of[…]
Read moreSpiralling Closer To Heaven
Slow Journey County: Shropshire Slow Journey Destination: St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow Slow Journey Distance Travelled: 132 feet (about 200 steps!)[…]
Read moreCircumnavigating Dinas Head
Slow Journey County: Ceredigion Slow Journey Destination: Dinas Head, near Newport Slow Journey Distance Travelled: 3 miles You know[…]
Read moreBishop’s Wood
The July 2014 issue of Country Walking magazine carries my 8.5-mile route around the Shropshire/South Staffordshire border, offering walkers the[…]
Read moreClee St Margaret
The June 2014 issue of Country Walking carries my 7.25-mile route around Clee St Margaret, giving you the opportunity to[…]
Read morePlodding Around Pontesbury
Take a wander around Earl’s Hill, Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s first nature reserve and explore the hill known as the Sleeping[…]
Read moreThe Stiperstones
Experience the drama of this wild and atmospheric Welsh Border landscape that attracts the Devil, Wild Edric’s ghost and lightning!
Read moreAlcock Tarn
Simon Whaley investigates Wainwright’s ‘dreary’ tarn.
Read moreExplore Turner’s World
Step back in time to roam beautiful ruins immortalised two centuries ago by the great Romantic painter JMW Turner.
Read moreA Treasure Hunt in Tenby
Simon Whaley goes looking for a hidden gem in this Welsh fishing town … “Sorry, all boat trips to[…]
Read moreIt Rains … Get Over It!
When travelling to the Cumbrian Lake District you should always keep one eye on the weather … There are[…]
Read moreHayeswater
It was a calm, late autumnal day, when I arrived at what the Rough Guide to the Lake District calls[…]
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