WELCOME

THIS ISSUE MARKS one year since the launch of British Travel Journal.

One year - and what a great year it's been! Though never (never, never) quite so soon, did we ever expect, to win an award, let alone one of this prestige.

We are thrilled, over the moon, delighted, ecstatic, virtually speechless to be esteemed winners of ‘Best Consumer Holiday Magazine' Silver accolade in this years' British Travel

Awards. The perfect end to a wonderful year - and it's you, our readers, we have to thank. Without your votes we wouldn't have won - we wouldn't have experienced how great it felt to stand together on that stage, or assurance that our hard work, late nights and dedication might actually be starting to pay off - so thank you. Thank you all so, so much for voting for us!

As we continue to evolve British Travel Journal into the award-winning UK travel magazine quarterly we aspire to be, we've our first-ever whimsical festive issue all wrapped up for you here - and what a joy it has been!

We're dreaming big this season, kicking off with a wondrous winter wishlist of ice-skating and hamper-making to dog-sledding, hoping you will do the same, p18.

Tis the season for stargazing, so look up, p40, and in The Great Outdoors, p22, discover some of the loveliest countryside in the world.

There's fairytale celebrations happening at Leeds Castle, p56, creative wreath-making masterclasses at Ellenborough Park, p52, or a country retreat like no other at Thyme Manor, p58.

We are shown how to travel the British coastline - one lighthouse at a time, p62, how to fine-dine as a vegan, p36, and where to invigorate the mind with our new-age luxury spa guide, p78.

As always I hope this issue of British Travel Journal continues to enhance your upcoming travel plans – and that you have an uplifting and magical winter! u