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Happy places across Britain

A recent survey investigating happy places across Britain revealed which destinations around the UK make us happy. The survey found that a countryside walk in the Lake District was voted as the people of Manchester’s favourite  “happy place”- which as a lifelong lover of the Lakes comes as no surprise!

The study also found that more than a third of Mancunians believe there is “no place like home” when it comes to holidays. More than 70 per cent of adults in Manchester polled said some of their fondest memories of being a child were spent holidaying in Britain – and nearly two thirds of those asked are now trying to replicate those memories for their own children.

There is something to be said about holidaying in Britain, you can’t really rival the scenery, the ease of a shorter journey (particularly with young children) or the thrill of discovering a new picturesque part of the world right on your doorstep or discovering local produce and you can bring the dog along for the ride.

I love hopping on a train (£20 return from Manchester) to the Lake District and bunking up in a cosy B&B, heading out for walks and strolling along the lakeside. I’ve got lots of fond memories of visiting Windermere as a child and more recently over the past few years, paying Hill Top Farm a visit, getting lost in Mr McGregor’s Garden and rambling along the rolling hills admiring the Herdy sheep.

As well as the Lake District, amongst the top five “happy places” voted for by the people in Manchester was Cornwall’s beautiful Padstow Harbour and hiking in the neighboring Peak District. I guess you could say we’re a little spoilt being based in Manchester with such a variety of destinations just a short train ride from home. In little more than an hour or so you could be enjoying the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District, the beautiful Welsh coastline, not to mention York, Chester or Harrogate. 

There are loads of fabulous serviced apartments in Manchester for anyone thinking of paying the “Northern Powerhouse” a visit. Manchester boasts a rich history and glorious architectural gems such as the Chethams Hall and Library (where we had our wedding reception!) The Manchester Cathedral, Ordsall Hall, John Rylands Library to name but a few- not to mention the music scene and array of coffee shops, bars, vintage shops and vinyl record stores. There is a lot to discover and if you tire of city life you could always hop on a train and venture a little out of the city to discover the stunning scenery.

Here’s a little look at Mancunians’ top 20 “happy places”

  1. Walking / hiking in the Lake District
  2. Pub lunch in the Cotswolds
  3. Eating ice cream on Brighton Beach
  4. Eating fish and chips in Padstow
  5. Walking in the Peak District
  6. Admiring the white sandy beaches of the Hebrides
  7. Enjoying a cream tea in the Isles of Scilly
  8. Enjoying a pasty in St Ives
  9. Visiting the Roman Baths at Bath
  10. Open top bus ride in London
  11. Picking fossils on the Jurassic Coast
  12. Swimming in Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall
  13. Boating on the Norfolk broads
  14. Eating candy floss at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
  15. Walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
  16. Walking the dog on Holkham Bay, Norfolk
  17. Searching for Nessie at Loch Ness
  18. Playing arcade games on Weston Super Mare Grand Pier
  19. Building sand castles on Blackpool Sands Beach
  20. Climbing St Michael’s Mount

Would you agree? Where are your “happy places” in Britain?

Stay fabulous

Christine

Bathroom wishlist

I’ve been busy making a start on a few DIY projects this weekend. Mr T and I will finally be tackling our run down bathroom, which is in much need of a renovation! I thought I’d share my bathroom wishlist which includes a few fabulous organic home fragrances, bathroom accessories and a several little bits of loveliness I’ve got my eye on…

Bathroom wishlist

Scent: NEOM Organics was founded by ex Glamour mag Editor Nicola and her business partner. NEOM Organics specialises in 100% natural fragrances with wellbeing benefits. As a firm believer in the benefits of essential oils I’m keen to try out the NEOM Organics 1, Complete bliss red diffuser and the 2, Luxury de-stress candleBathroom wishlist

Soak: I’m excited to add a few choice bath accessories that help make the bathing experience a little bit more relaxing. I’m imagining a good cup of tea placed on the 1. Wireworks bamboo bath bridge from love the sales. I’ll also be investing in a few dry brushes and Loofahs like this one from Ecotools to help improve skin health whilst bathing. 3. John Lewis have this beautiful range of white marble accessories that are just perfect.Bathroom wishlist

Softness: Frette have the most divine Hotel Classic Collection of soft accessories including this classic bathmat. As we’re going for a tiled floor it’d be lovely to soften this with a luxury bathmat. The classic navy and white are so elegant and would give the feeling of being in a fabulous hotel.

Jolly excited to be starting our home improvements. I’ll hopefully be able to share some before and after pictures in the not too distant future…

“Happiness is taking a long hot bath’

Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.

Christine

Slow living Sundays

In a bid to share a few ways in which slow living can be easily incorporated into your weekly routine, I thought I’d share a few pics and ramblings showing my slow living Sundays.

Arguably Sunday is by far the easiest day to incorporate a little slow living into your weekly routine, but in a world where shops open seven days a week and no end of distractions all around us- even slowing down for one whole day each week can present somewhat of a challenge. Here are a few ways I’ve introduced slow living into my Sundays… Slow living Sundays

Read: Instead of turning on TV, make the most of a quiet moment to read a little something inspiring, in this weeks case- for me it was the latest House & Garden magazine. I really enjoy receiving my subscription and reading about inspiring, creative individuals who have renovated old homes or redesigned spaces, gardens and interiors- the photography is so beautiful. Allow yourself to read something that’s not overly challenging, remember the aim is to relax and slow things down.Slow living SundaysWalk: Autumn is the perfect opportunity to pop your wellies on and go for a walk, take a moment to notice the changing of the seasons. A slow Sunday walk is the ideal way to catch up with family chats, admire the trees changing colour and pick some blackberries (ideally for a crumble). Today I  noticed that the floor was starting to show signs of what’s to come, the first sprinkling of golden autumn leaves has already begun.

Nap: Post walk, I’d highly recommend having a cheeky little cat nap. The option of having a mid afternoon nap is such a glorious luxury for so many of us, there’s nothing quite as restorative as a good nap. If you struggle to nap, then maybe just stick on a black and white (slow-paced) film, recline on the couch and put your feet up- after all, that’s what slow living Sundays are all about.

Dine: Mr T and I always make a point of enjoying a fabulous roast dinner, be that with friends, family or just the two of us. All the ingredients are fresh from the organic supermarket and local food market. There’s something special about sitting down to enjoy a home cooked roast dinner, to chat about the week gone by and catch up on plans for the week ahead. You really can’t beat slow food!

Incase you missed my previous post introducing slow living, you can catch up on it HERE. Wishing you all a fabulous week ahead.

‘Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why’ -Eddie Cantor 

Stay fabulous

Christine