Alp yourself to a bargain
the countryside – and the Lake District in particular. WHERE: Wordsworth’s birthplace is in Cockermouth and the National Trust property this year has a new exhibition curated by contemporary nature writer Robert Macfarlane.
Meanwhile, Dove Cottage near Grasmere was the poet’s first family home where many of his children were born. So get into the spirit by choosing a valley and wandering lonely as a cloud. Pick your season carefully to chase the daffodils. HOW: Hfholidays, hfholidays.co.uk, has two countryhouse properties in the Lakes, offering very good value guided and self-guided walking breaks from as little as £170 for two nights, half-board. WHY: This year is the 75th anniversary of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and it would have been the author’s 120th birthday too. WHERE: Cue lashings of ginger beer, as Enid Blyton BAG a dream ski break now the snow has fallen in the French Alps with 40 p per cent off a week in LesArcs. S Ski specialist Inghams has a full-board getaway at t three-star Hotel MMV A Altitude in Arc 2000 for £ £699pp, basedsed on two Entertainment teams up with the RHS to celebrate 75 years of Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy. RHS gardens will offer themed adventure trails, craft workshops and storytelling.
The 21 book series brought southern England and the coastline to life, particularly Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, with Corfe Castle – aka Kirrin Castle – and Brownsea Island – Whispering Island.
The coastline around the old-fashioned resort of Swanage has a new fossil museum, the Etches Collection, started by a dinosaur-hunting plumber, who could so easily be a Blyton character. HOW: Rent Coastguard Cottage sleeps six and is dramatically sited on St Albans Head by the stonecutters village of Worth Matravers. Stay from £385 for three nights (islandcottageholidays.com). WHY: It is the 125th anniversary of the first Sherlock Holmes publication by Arthur Conan Doyle. sharing. It is a saving of £470pp and the price includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva, flying out on February 4, and airport transfers. Visit inghams.co.uk or call 01483 791 114 to book. WHERE: Sherlock has been given yet another incarnation with the new Benedict Cumberbatch television series, set in modern day London.
Unfortunately the famous address, 221B Baker Street, doesn’t actually exist, although it continues to receive post.
True fans should head for the Sherlock Holmes Museum, a Grade II-listed building devoted to the detective that has adopted the original address, although it actually sits between 237 and 241 Baker Street. It even features a recreation of the famous sitting room.
Meanwhile the Sherlock Holmes pub in Westminster is a Victorian themed wonder, stuffed with memorabilia, including Dr Watson’s old service revolver and his favourite food, Cumberland sausages. HOW: The Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes is right on Baker Street. Doubles start from £188 and the hotel runs regular murder mystery events. See parkplaza.com. come into a bit of money and now want to book the holiday of a lifetime for later this year. Any tips? IF you can book early there is a fantastic trip to the Antarctic – you will visit remote sites where penguins live and see seals and humpback and minke whales. You will also be able to hike in the mountains, paddle between icebergs in a kayak and even take an icy plunge if you fancy it. It is a blow-the-budget break but will be one you will remember for ever. It costs £6,200 and that’s with a £2,500 saving – and you must book this month. The savings will allow you to pay for the flights, which are not included. Call 0800 195 3385 or visit wildfoottravel.com.