The best kept secret in Essex? A simply great venue that is perfect for any wedding!read more

One of the nicest wedding venues I have been to. Well run but, I am informed, this was the last…read morewedding on their books as they were selling up. A shame, a terrible shame. Lovely grounds for the photographs with views across the countryside. Nice patio for, if the weather is agreeable, getting together after the service and before the meal for a drink. Lovely hall for the main reception with a changeover, without fuss, before the evening festivities. As a I said, a perfect venue.

I got married at Spains Hall Estate; a great wedding venue…read morein Essex. All of their services including catering were awesome. Great location, natural environment, greenery and very hospitable service. It is a great combination of the old and new traditions. I definitely recommend Spains Hall as a unique wedding venue.

The most beautiful and convenient place for so many things.read more

100 year old bar lounge featuring a rare collection of whiskies. And mixologist Francesco is an…read moreartiste.

One of our last nights in London we stopped into The Bloomsbury Club…read more After being seated at the covered outdoor bar, the service was spectacular and I ordered (and enjoyed) a Dingle gin (just having been to Ireland and had a Dingle gin flavored ice cream that I loved) with a pineapple juice mixer and the honey ordered a mango fizz (which he adored). During our visit the musician Colin Andrew played/sang and he was amazing. With notes of Paolo Nutini, he really added to the overall vibe and made the night a hit. All in all I can't speak highly enough about The Bloomsbury Club drinks and vibe and would absolutely return in a second!

I do not consider myself a hipster or club-kid but I do think the hidden rooms in Cambridge bring…read moresomething that no other pub has to offer. There is some sense of exclusivity with a bouncer at the door and over priced cocktails. Wouldn't necesarily want to spend a whole lot of time here as it is underground and the ceiling is rather low but I would definitely suggest this to anyone who is going to Cambridge and looking for a trendy place to have a few drinks.

We went to the hidden rooms as we were in seach of a good bar wth a good atmophere and a tempting…read morecocktail menu. They had had one of the two things atleast. Their choice of cocktails was good and made very well, However the decor and interior are quite dated and not suited to a cocktail bar, infact it looks very similar to the nightclub that proceeded it a few years ago. Their wasnt too much atmosphere however it was early when we arrived but it allfelt a little half hearted the bathroom was awful too. The hidden rooms as the name suggests are hard to find, just down a few steps off jesus lane. (next to pizza express) usually places that are hard to find are often worth the search and effort however this sadly wasnt the case here. It maybe much better late at night though with more people and the cheery beer goggles on.

A second visit for me because I enjoyed it first time so much and missed quite a bit. Luckily, on…read moreboth occasions, the weather was kind to us. Different season, so different aspect. This is one thing about gardens that I enjoy. Love these visits but one niggle. Would the lady in the hut at the entrance give a smile, once in a while, please.

Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum in Cogglesgall, Essex features landscaped woodland walks and…read morefootpaths, with vistas across lakes to an 18th Century Walled Garden. The Trust that runs it is dependent on their own resources and our generosity as visitors. The development of the Arboretum is an ongoing project. The trust's aim is to achieve a large collection of shrubs and trees from across the temperate regions of the world. The collection is planted geographically, so plants from the principal regions of the world are grouped together. There are areas representing Europe, Japan, China, Asia, the Americas and Gondwanaland (Southern Hemisphere). Upon entering the Arboretum you encounter the European section, which blends with the countryside beyond the deer fence thereby creating a liberating sense of space. Ancient oaks are a reminder that this former deer park contains the relics of monastic planting going back 700 years. The 'Gondwanaland' section is devoted to the super continent that eventually broke up to create South America, the Indian Subcontinent and Australasia. It is an undulating landscape of low mounds, sheltered by southern Beech and Eucalyptus trees. On warm days the aroma of eucalyptus provides a heady scent. There are also swathes of Cabbage Palm, Agapanthus and Cortaderia which in early summer lend a pleasingly exotic touch to this otherwise very English place. The lakes had once been three fish ponds created for the monastery that once stood on the site. They contain Roach, Golden Orfe and Goldfish. Next to the lower lake is an original nuttery containing Cob Nut trees. This area is now a spring flower area with snowdrops, species of daffodils, cowslips and other wild flowers. The Millennium Walk is located within the Asian section of the Arboretum, and has been planted with autumn, winter and early spring in mind. Dogwood and Rubus provide colourful reflections in the lake whilst Sarcococca (Christmas Box) combine with the Chimonanthus (Wintersweet) to provide a spicy sweet scent that compliments the bold colour contrasts. The Walled Garden is the piece de resistance of the whole garden. Created from five separate gardens, it is now a huge space containing sculptures and planting. Long stone seats provide a structural contrast to the lush planting and are complemented in turn by spheres of clipped box. In another part of the walled garden, an undulating stone wall acts as the foil to fiery plantings of red, orange, gold and yellow, where the colours last well into autumn. There is lots more besides, a walnut walk that follows a track within the conifers to a clump of young walnut seedlings, a grove which in Spring is carepeted by snowdrops and the long avenue which once formed the main entrance to the Estate and approach to the Mansion and now a planting of Oaks and Wild Service trees. The Visitor Centre offers a Tea room (with lovely cakes!), Gift Shop and Plant Centre. Marks Hall is the perfect place to escape London for a sunny Summer afternoon.