We visited this market recently and really loved the energy of it. There are the traditional tents…read morefilled with fresh fruits and veggies; but there are also tents with beautiful clothing, luggage, handmade items, etc. I'm traveling the world with just a small backpack, so I'm not doing much shopping these days, but the food items I bought were fresh and delicious. I loved that everything was put in paper bags, not plastic. I read that the market has been around since the 9th century, which I loved knowing. A short walk down the hill brings you to beautiful neighborhoods with cobblestone roads and the huge cathedral. It's a lovely area overall.

Open the second Sunday of each month from 9-2 (they advertise opening at 8, but nothing is really…read moreopen until at least 9) Great selection of locally produced food and produce! You can find everything from brilliant pies (Raven's Den in particular), awesome cheese (Lincolnshire Poacher and others), fresh veggies (Earthworks and others), fresh fish and meats... not to mention cupcakes and other sweet treats! We usually start by getting a coffee for the husband from the vendor with the mobile coffee bar (the machine is in the back of his van), and then wander the markets and end at the Merchant for a cup of tea for me. As long as there is a rainbow biscuit on the way even our toddler is happy.

I visited this house a few years ago which was only a few miles from my high school in…read moreHertfordshire and realized its historical significance. This was the house where Mary I, Elizabeth I and Edward VI were raised. London in Henry VIII's time was riddled with disease such as typhoid, cholera and smallpox, hardly a place fit for little royals where childhood mortality was common. King Henry VIII choose Hatfield house for its proximity to London but far away enough from its scourge. Located in the North Downs, you could see the Thames and from London, you could see Hatfield House. Henry could signal his intention to visit his children and the royal household at Hatfield would make preparations to cater for his arrival with his royal entourage. The journey on horse from London to Hatfield would take a day by the way of Saint Johns Wood. Now you could get to Hatfield from Central London in probably an hour. On a clear day you should be able to see the London Eye from Hatfield if you know what you are looking for. This house was a crucial incubator of the protestant faith. King Henry had the best scholars of the time to instruct his children so that they can continue their reign as protestants. Without Elizabeth I being a strong protestant, England might have kept the Catholic faith as the country's religion. Her eldest sister Queen Mary reinstated Catholicism as the faith of the land when she reigned after the death of Edward VI and the brief reign of Jane Earl Grey. It was reverted to the Church of England when Elizabeth I became Queen. So, if you are ever within spitting distance of this place you should try and see it.

Hatfield House is a lovely day out from London. It is about a 25 minute train ride north of London…read more Hatfield House is the family home of the Marquess of Salisbury, and was built by Robert Cecil (Chief Minister to James I, and son of William Cecil) from 1607-1611. The house is gorgeous, and has loads of beautiful furniture and art. Also on site is Old Hatfield Palace, where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood. Elizabeth was out on the grounds at Hatfield when she learned that she was now queen, following the death of her sister Mary. Hatfield has somewhat limited opening hours, and is closed (except for the grounds and for special events) during the winter. Check the website (great info) for details. I recommend going at the weekend: during the week you must take a guided tour of the home. The guide was knowledgable and entertaining, but we had to keep moving ahead of the group behind us, so did not have time to savor all of the wonderful things about Hatfield. I will definitely go back.

Reviewing my recent travel itinerary with a friend, she expressed surprise when I mentioned having…read morespent 4 nights in Oxford. "What's there to do there?" she asked with surprise. She'd limited her trip there to a single day, leaving before sundown. I didn't ask whether she'd visited Oxford's Covered Market but most who come to Oxford seem destined to make a stop here. I mean: how often does one have the opportunity to go to a historic market hall dating back to 1774? In truth, Oxford's Covered Market was a bit less interesting than the market I'd enjoyed in Swansea, where the vendors and offerings were quirkier. But Oxford's has cute shops, lots of places to enjoy food and drink, and if you look up, some cool suspended Alice in Wonderland-themed art (Alice's creator and Alice herself hailed from Oxford). With all there is to see and do in Oxford, do give yourself more than a single day and during that time I'd recommend a visit to their historic Covered Market where I ran into the only other people I knew in Oxford. (See, everyone does come here).

I was really impressed with the range of restaurants offering ethnic foods as well as very…read morecompetitive prices. I ventured around over lunch time. One Hong Kong cafe place was selling gizzards, other innards, bits of stomach and it was very busy indeed. The diners were all young people and all were oriental with all attaching offal with chopsticks. Many of the kids were wearing their university gowns. As I passed by there was a whiff from some of their food so likely some of it is an acquired taste. I've had sheep's brains, various sweetbreads, fish eyes, heads and lips, chicken's feet, and duck's web but I find as I age I'm reverting back to what I grew up with. It's a closed in marketplace on ground level and there's no spare space. It could be a pickpocket heaven. They also have butcher's shops and they sell a lot of meat pies in the market. I enquired from a few sellers and the pie casing is now vegetable oil - based rather than lard to meet changing tastes. I decided against. It always surprises me for such a small island with some of the finest fish in the ocean around it that fish is not more in demand. If you are nearby it's sure worth an hour.

I've just visited the Upper Holloway Branch of Pines and Needles and have to say it felt truly…read morefestive with the pretty log cabin and fairy lights in the grounds of the church. The guys working there are super and perfectly helpful which makes shopping a pleasure. Would highly recommend getting your Christmas tree here.

Was able to stop in here as part of a tour to visit Highclere Castle and loved every minute of the…read morestop. They have a wonderful coffee shop with yummy treats and sandwiches. The coffee and tea were flavorful and hot. the Manor was a great walk back into history. The grounds were well groomed and had cute lambs to pet.

We took our two young children here a couple of years ago, & spent a most enjoyable afternoon…read moretaking it all in. The most memorable features were the lady baking cookies in the old-style kitchen letting the children get involved, the smelly pigs, & the kids dressing up in victorian clothing & playing with old time toys. Great value, thoroughly enjoyable & a great 1/2 day out.

Now, I'm a mega sweet tooth and looooove chocolate, sweets, ice cream, soda, biscuits.. Well…read moreanything with sugar but fudge is something I'm seriously addicted to.. We came to oxford for a day out and to use one of the best gifts I've received.. A fudge making class! So much fun and so much fudge eaten along the way (my dentist hates me). The staff were very friendly and welcoming I didn't want to leave at the end! Seriously recommend doing this very sweet experience

I stumbled into this place after walking through the Christmas Market and it did not disappoint. I…read moretruly didn't think they'd have a vegan option but I was pleasantly surprised. The dairy free fudge is incredibly rich and chocolatey - just ask for a sample (which they're quite generous with). I came in 2 days in a row and thought this was the perfect thing to bring back home to share with my coworkers in NYC! I know they're going to love it - who wouldn't?? AND it's nut free too!

The only really open stall on Hampstead High Street, this is a proper local fruit and veg shop…read more Jude Law and people like that come here. It's got a great reputation as selling some of the best produce around. It's also right in the centre of things and is run by some really nice people. Just make sure that, if you're taking a picture you get the owner in. I think he likes having his picture taken. Maybe hanging around Jude Law has had a bit of an effect on him.

I love this place because although it is compact, it has pretty much everything you'd need in the…read moreway of fresh produce. Fruit and veg are a given, but there's also wholefoods, a fishmonger and a wonderful florists, and Saturday the covered market promises crafts, second hand books and delicatessen food. It is a shame though that it's only on Saturdays. I like to pop here sometimes during lunch because towards the back there's a great sandwich and burger bar that's always swarming with people looking for a cheap and tasty bite. The soups are pretty decent too. Prices for a hot sandwich or burger fall between £2-3.