1) The Low Wood Hotel on the banks of Windermere sits in the heart of Wordsworth’s English Lake District with magnificant views across Windermere Lake and the Langdale Fells.

The famous daffodils might still be sleeping around the 14th February, but whether you decide to join them with a long romantic snuggle up in bed or get out your walking shoes and explore the magnificance of the English Lake District, you’re assured of a break to remember with a romantic dinner at this fabulous four star Lake District hotel.

2) The Gosforth Park hotel offers four star luxury set within 12 acres of lush parklands, close to Newcastle-upon-Tyne offering a true romantic setting and convenient location for couples in what many surveys have suggested is one of the most romantic parts of the country.

As well as offering a relaxed environment and romantic setting for your perfect Valentines night with the very special AA Rosette awarded restaurant, the hotel also has a range of facilities ideal for this special night including a relaxing sauna, indoor pool and a range of beauty treatments available. Plus for the more energetic there is always the tennis court and gym.

3) The Legacy Falcon Inn in Stratford-upon-Avon neatly takes us from the romantic poems of Wordsworth to possibly the romantic playright of them all – William Wordsworth. This four star 16th Century coaching inn offers possibly the most romantic of all the locations in our list, offering you two the chance to explore the home and inspiration for Romeo & Juliette.

After wandering through Stratford itself, you can sit down to a wonderful meal at the rosette-awarded hotel restaurant in one of Stratford’s premier hotels.

4) The Cambridge Menzies Hotel is set in over 200 acres of lush grounds offering one of the best places to just get away on romantic walks, with easy access to the historic city of Cambridge. Guests can relax in the 16m swimming pool, Nordic sauna room and steam room, then dine out in the hotel’s AA Rosette Awarded restaurant to experience the true romantic meal for two. With dinner and hotel packages from only £72 per person for four star luxury, this is also one of the most affordable dining packages around.

5) The Holiday Inn Bloomsbury is located right in the heart of London’s theatreland with the British Museum and London Zoo also close by. Ideally suited for romantic breaks this Valentines Day, the hotel offers affordable four star luxury accommodation and superb dining in the Junction Restaurant.

Romantic meals for two for this Valentines Day is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Many Sushi restaurants opened up in London during the 90’s and most generally don’t worry about how you use the chopsticks (or even if you do use them), but if you want to impress the chefs and fellow diners, then there are a few simple rules you can use to ensure you keep in with the Japanese traditions.

As they say a picture paints a thousand words, the easiest way to explain this is with a video on how to eat Sushi.

One of the big advantages of Japanese cuisine is that you’re allowed to use your fingers for many dishes, but for those where chopsticks are preferred here is another quick video to help with how to use chopsticks:

A quick video guide to eating Sushi in Japanese restaurants is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Robert Burns was one of Scotland’s most famous personalities and although he died in 1796, he still remains an extremely important part of Scottish tradition plus a good excuse for a bit of good ol’ Scottish hospitality.

To show their appreciation of good ol’ Rabbie Burns as he’s better known, many Scots celebrate his birthday on January 25th each year with a Burns’ Night Supper which involves reading of his poetry, gathering of families and communities and of course a Haggis.

What to expect: The traditions for the Robert Burns Supper are laid down although naturally vary depending on the size and formality of the gathering.

1) Traditionally a piper will pipe in the top table guests who are usually dignitaries, family heads and entertainers (speakers) to an applause from the gathered. As not everyone in Scotland has a big-piper to hand, a recording is also allowed. Once the top table is seated then proceedings can begin.

2) The Master of Ceremonies will then welcome everyone to the gathering, introduce the members of the top table and possibly run through the events of the evening such as who will be taking each of the speeches. They always finish with the Selkirk Grace which is a Scottish variation on the traditional pre-dinner prayer.

3) One of the most important parts of the evening is the piping in of the Haggis. To those outside Scotland this might seem a little unusual, but as Robert Burns poem “Address to a Haggis” is so popular, this is an absolute must during which all the gathered persons stand to honour the haggis as it is brought into the room. Usually the tune is something akin to Brose & Butter, although any rousing tune can be used.

4) Address to a Haggis is not only a poem, but also the next step in proceedings during which either the Master of Ceremonies or one of the appointed speakers honours the Haggis and stands over it with a dirk (kindof knife) in hand. He recites the poem ‘To a Haggis’ and during the line “An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight” he cuts the Haggis half. The speaker than holds the Haggis high and announces “‘Gie her a Haggis!’” or essentially “I give you the Haggis”.

The Haggis is then pipped back out of the room ready to be prepared for dinner.

5) Three speakers or entertainers keep the memory of Rabbie Burns alive either with song or recietement from one of his poems, plus an account of the great man’s life going into depth over every aspect of Scotland’s national poet. Each speech is different and for larger gatherings, professional Burns speakers are often employed to fully capture the times and nature of Robert Burns.

6) Toast to the Lassies shows that although traditional, the Burns Night Supper isn’t intended to be taken too seriously. The albeit perhaps not entirely politically correct speech should “gently ridicule the (few) shortcomings of women” although this must be kept very tongue in cheek and humorous. Don’t worry, the women get their turn soon!

7) A further entertainer generally breaks up proceedings generally this time with dancing and fiddling to keep the party atmosphere.

8) Reply to the Toast to the Lassies is where the women get their chance to point out a few of the shortcomings of the men plus traditionally to “thank” them for their “kind” words. Again this is all tounge in cheek and ends on a positive note while interweaving some of the many good references Burns made to their fairer sex.

9) A very brave final entertainer now stands before the merry and somewhat intoxicated audience to perform either song, dance or more readings from the great man. Whether the final entertainer is also allowed to drink before this isn’t officially described, but one imagines this would help. ;)

10) After thanking the gathered for a grand night, the final tradition is to sing the great Burns classic “Auld Lang Syne” which might also surprise a few outside Scotland who associate this with Christmas. In Scotland however, the song is used regularly for family and other gatherings and is designed to wish good tidings to all those you have spent the evening with and good fortune in the future.

More Scotland Resources:
Visitor attractions in Scotland
Hotels in Scotland
Bed and Breakfast in Scotland
Holiday cottages in Scotland

A 10 point introduction to Burns Night in Scotland is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Regarded in the fish and chip industry as the BAFTA’s for this very British dish, the awards are based on the quality of the product naturally plus sustainability of the sourcing, friendlyness of staff and general overall ambience of the establishment, all of which makes the most enjoyable fish and chips.

According to Nikki Hawkins of Seafish – “This competition has undoubtedly been our fiercest yet and we congratulate Seniors for their stellar effort in achieving the No 1 spot.”.

Built in 2006, Seniors in Thornton has rapidly gained a reputation amongst locals and their friends as one of the best places to find the popular food with visitors coming from as far afield as New Zealand and America on friends recommendations. Seniors was also a finalist in the “independent restaurant of the year” and “good catch categories” of the competition proving that this was far from a one off.

If you’re ever in Lancashire and feeling a little peckish, why not follow the crowds to Seniors fish and chips of Thornton. They also have shops in Blackpool and Lytham.

Announced – Lancashire fish n’ chip shop is best in UK for 2012 is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

A big factor in this new revival is that the New York Times recently voted Birmingham (UK not Alabama) as number 19 in the top 45 places it recommends visiting in the world which has surprised quite a few in the travel world, except of course those in Birmingham itself.

So why is Birmingham so special?

London might have the majority of the Olympic events and quite an influence over the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year, but it seems for a more culturally diverse holiday, the New York Times is recommending Birmingham. This might well be in part due to the massive changes which have taken place in the city over the past 20 or so years, with trendy bars, restaurants and shopping areas opening up especially along the Birmingham canal network.

Ask any pub quiz boffin and they will tell you that Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice which is strictly true, but 20 years ago you wouldn’t have wanted to go near the canals. Today, the well healed and wealthy flock to posh premises where they can be wined, dined and entertained with the canal boats chugging by full of tourists, rather than the coal of yesteryear.

Old and new: Possibly one of the biggest differences between Birmingham and the rest of the UK is the way it has embraced and merged the old with the new. A classic example is St Martin’s Church with Selfridges new store next door which strangely does seem to work (click the image above for a bigger version). Hundreds of years of history separates them, but somehow Birmingham rather uniquely pulls off this trick.

The new Jewellery Quarter also takes an old part of the city and brings a modern twist with a large collection of artists as well as of course jewellery shops brought together in what was until recently a pretty run down part of the city.

Dining out: We’ve no doubt all heard about the so called Balti Triangle in central Birmingham and yes, if you want an authentic Indian meal then Birmingham still leads the way, but there is a much wider selection of cuisine on offer from really good basic British dishes like fish n’ chips to posh restaurants and pretty much every other type of world food imaginable. Some experts do claim there is more cultural diversity in food in Birmingham than anywhere else in the world!

Who else did Birmingham go up against – London, Cardiff and Glasgow all appeared but the list was topped by such locations as Panama, Helsinki and Myanmar (aka Burma) so Birmingham is in some pretty high esteemed locations it seems.

Perhaps it’s about time Brits rediscovered their second city for themselves…?

More Birmingham Links:
Lots of things to see and do in Birmingham
Hotels in Birmingham
Independent bed and breakfast in Birmingham

2012 will be the year of Birmingham at least for Americans is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Love staying in Bath

With three quarters of the hotels in Bath offering four poster beds, there is no shortage of romantic accommodation in and around the city, and with prior arrangement, many will lay on extras such as flowers, chocolates or champagne in the room on arrival for that special occasion. The Georgian Stables at Smallcombe House offers romantic and quirky accommodation with a double bedroom, a chic lounge in the former tack room and a state of the art shower room. This delightful suite is accessed via a horse ramp and charming cobbled yard, which is for the exclusive use of guests.  For a country retreat, the appropriately named Kissing Gate Cottage exudes romance, providing an idyllic setting for a special break. The charming cottage is tucked away on a quiet country lane and has open log fires – perfect for snuggling up together on a cold evening.

Love food and drink in Bath

Bath has a vibrant restaurant scene with a huge choice of eateries from Indian to Italian and Mediterranean to Moroccan. There is something for everyone, including a wealth of inviting restaurants perfect for an intimate candlelit meal for two.  For a special occasion where better than the Dower House at the 5 star Royal Crescent Hotel, the picturesque setting of the Lime Lounge in Margaret’s Buildings, or for a traditional Bath favourite, the popular Beaujolais Bistro. For somewhere to eat followed by a leisurely stroll in the country there are plenty of cosy country pubs nearby to choose from including The Northey Arms in Box and The Wheelwrights Arms in Monkton Combe, all within an easy drive of the city centre.

Love romantic experiences in Bath

Bath is brimming with things to do; seeing the iconic Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Circus, or visiting the famous Roman Baths. For something different a stroll along the Kennet and Avon Canal couldn’t be more romantic, or the Skyline Walk with six miles of marked trails offering views of valleys, woodlands, patchwork meadows and beautiful Georgian cityscape.  The Thermae Bath Spa is a popular choice with couples who want to experience the country’s only natural thermal waters.  What could be more romantic that watching the sunset from the stunning roof top pool whilst overlooking the city below?

Love romantic locations in Bath

Being a leap year, 2012 may see many ladies who are looking for that perfect place to pop the question!  Bath has its fair share of locations that make it an ideal and very special place to propose. Take to the air from Royal Victoria Park in a Champagne hot air balloon flight; propose on the 18th Century Palladian Bridge at Prior Park Landscape Gardens; book a private tour to the very top of the church tower at Bath Abbey where arrangements can be made for a bottle of Champagne and chocolates to be waiting for the happy couple; or pop the question over afternoon tea at the Pump Room while being serenaded by the Pump Room Trio.

Love splashing out in Bath

For those lucky enough to have no limit to their budget and really wanting a treat, there are plenty of options for lavish accommodation in and around the city. Stay in one of the most luxurious suites in the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel and have your very own butler attending to your every need.  For those who prefer the feel of a country house hotel, stay at the delightful Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa situated just 6 miles from Bath and set amongst 500 acres of tranquil parkland and countryside.

Useful links:
Bath hotels
Bath B&Bs
Bath self-catering
Bath attractions

Visit Bath where love is always in the air… is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Little Chef (no, not Antony Worrall Thompson) seems to have become one of those enigmas of the UK travel scene with restaurants all over the UK, almost round every bend it seems, but hardly anyone actually eating there.

No one seems to be able to work out how they’ve kept going so long, at least without the Little Chef himself becoming a TV cookery star, but those of a certain generation still have fond memories of the good ol’ days with the “Magnificent Big Seven Burger” – even if I still can’t work out what the seven bit was.

However, it seems even the Little Chef has decided to slim down a bit and although they’ve not announced which cafes will be removed from the map or exactly what they plan to do with them. Perhaps turning the cafes into a McDonalds or KFC would work better?

Little Chef’s news has been trending all over Twitter today so it seems many still remember eating out at least once there, and if they brought back the old menus I could recommend a few good ones.

However, the best comment out there so far seems to be a new advertising slogan which rather sums up most people’s lingering impression:

“I came up with a new advertising slogan for Little Chef ‘I can’t believe it’s not better’” – by Kim Evans.

Little Chef to become a little bit littler… is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

The list was inspired by reading an article about Neeps and Tatties (explained further down), and how even for people in the UK these strange sounding foods might baffle and bemuse.

1) Bangers and Mash is probably the staple diet of my and quite a few other generations, possibly as it was the best way to get kids to eat potato without actually realising it was potato.

Usually simply mashed potato and sausages, it naturally requires the sausages to be planted into the mash at random angles for reasons that have baffled aforementioned generations….plus of course you HAVE to have lots of gravy.

According to a post on the VisitBritain forum, there’s a restaurant called the Big Bang in Oxford which sells this exclusively.

2) Shepherd’s or Cottage Pie is another staple diet that most of us would have been brought up on, especially as it’s very cheap.

We had to research this bit, but they are not the same thing as Shepherd’s pie should be made with lamb and Cottage Pie with beef / mince topped with potatoes – something which an awful lot of cafes and restaurants get wrong. Technically Cottage Pie should also be covered in sliced not mashed potatoes, but that’s forgiveable in foodie circles.

Again, don’t forget the butter in the potatoes and we do recommend mash vs sliced for edibility.

3) Bubble & Squeak proves that the English are especially good at being tight fisted and reusing ingredients which would have previously been binned. For those in London and the US, think cold pizza. :)

The idea was after Sunday dinner, if you had any leftover veg you could mash them all up and reheat for dinner / supper the next day, but as recycled veg doesn’t sound very appitising, some enterprising person renamed it Bubble & Squeak.

It was supposed to be also made with leftover meat, but generally today it’s just veg mashed up and is about as horrible as it sounds. Again, not something you’ll find in 5 star restaurants.

3) Tatties and Neeps confuses the English no end but between you and me it’s just potatoes and sweed or turnip (officially turnips). Generally this would be accompanied with meat or similar and is essentially a nice cheap way to prepare a meal in Scotland. Many many generations were brought up on this diet. In England we just have mince and potatoes and I would assume the Welsh have a similar option.

4) Chicken Tikka Masala sounds very exotic and Indian doesn’t it….except you’ll get some very blank looks if you ask for that over there. The exact origin is a little unclear, but the most likely source is actually Glasgow (in Scotland) which could lay claim to be the third biggest source of Indian food outside India and Birmingham.

5) Spotted Dick is probably the butt of more British humour than pretty much any other food, but the ingredients are actually rather simple.

There are a number of variations these days, but essentially it’s just a steamed pudding traditionally steamed using a cloth which sat above the vegetables and used the flavours from those to add to the pudding. Any pudding with currants and raisins could qualify as long as it is steamed.

6) Marmite no doubt has left our shores mostly with those who travelled to far off lands like, well, Boston and Canada but for those who’ve not tried this be warned – there is a reason the adverts say “You’ll either love it or hate it”.

Never has a food divided opinion like this rather innocent looking jar of yeast extract. Spread thinly would be good advice from the jar for sure, but stand about 20 feet from the jar when it’s opened would be another piece of good advice. You can probably tell which side I’m on.

If you do like it, spread on toast or similar and then retreat to a well ventilated room and assume that you’ll have very few friends until you use mouthwash.

7) Yorkshire Pudding is what many regard as an absolute requirement for Sunday dinner and any other time you feel like spending 20 minutes making something and 3 minutes cooking it (see picture at the top).

The trouble with Yorkshire Puddings is there is very little to compare them with, but as long as they rise correctly they should be light, slightly crunchy and very moreish. They’re made from flour, eggs and milk so nothing complicated, all beaten into what’s referred to as a batter, but this is nothing like fish batter. You do require a seriously hot oven however.

Although named a pudding, it is rarely eaten as such and traditionally was actually a form of a starter, but these days is usually just included with the meal.

7) Toad in the Hole sounds like an exotic European dish, but actually it’s very much steeped in the English traditions of cooking. The ingredients require a rectangular Yorkshire Pudding and then a few sausages in the bottom, plus ample amounts of gravy is also recommended.

This dish turned the Yorkshire Pudding into a meal in itself and although often bought frozen these days, a proper Toad in the Hole beats any haute cuisine dish hands down.

8) Pease Pudding shows that the English have a rather odd fascination with misnaming foods, as once again this is not a pudding dish. Often mis-spelt as “peas pudding”, the dish is made from Carlin peas, water and salt mashed together with any other veg, and served with ham or Stottie Cakes.

Generally it has the consistency of hummus or mushy peas depending on the exact ingredients, but it does seem to be more of a North Eastern English dish than anything found widely.

9) Stottie Cakes are again a north eastern invention and generally not found that commonly around the rest of the country. The cake is similar in look to leavened bread but has an almost dough like taste and texture.

10) Faggots are another form of mashed up meat, similar in some ways to sausages and meatballs in ingredients, but most popular around southern and central England. The traditional faggot was in many ways not too far off a Haggis, but modern variations are simply various minced meats rolled into a ball and oven cooked.

Generally Faggots will be served with mashed potato and peas or similar, plus of course gravy which by now you might have worked out is quite popular.

11) Laverbread (Bara Lafwr) proves that it’s not just the English who like to misname their foods. If you ever order this, don’t expect something you can spread your Marmite on, as Laverbread is a seaweed based food often added to other foods in a similar vein to coleslaw for example.

It might sound a little odd, but it has surprising health benefits which are found in most seaweed based products, and is supposed to be especially beneficial to your heart…if you can stomach the taste and dark green appearance. We never said good-for-you-food looked nice.

12) Welsh Cakes (picau ar y maen) are in many ways the Welsh equivalent of the scone made from flour, sultanas, raisins or currants. However, the Welsh dish better known as bakestones must be cooked on a special cast iron griddle. They are at least cakes so points for not being confusing with the name.

The original Welsh Cakes weren’t sold with anything inside, but these days they tend to include butter or jam taking them even closer to the scone – probably so they can be sold to the English tourists.

13) Haggis is one of the most curious of all foods and the most confusing for many of those outside the UK. There are 2 versions of what Haggis is depending who you listen two:

- The traditional version told to American tourists specifies that a Haggis is a small very illusive creature with one leg shorter than the other as it has to run around the Scottish mountains, albeit usually anti-clockwise.

- Everyone else’s version also has variations, but these days it tends to be a mixture of usually lamb or similar minced up with herbs and spices, then cooked in a linen cloth or similar. Many don’t like the thought of it, but think sausages and it’s not that dis-similar in ingredients.

14) Black Pudding is another of those really daftly named foods which has never been a pudding. It can be thought of as the Southern Scottish and Northern English version of Haggis using up all the leftover meats and pulses plus a few other select ingredients.

Like Haggis, when people find out exactly what goes into it they won’t touch it, but being on the English side of the border we have to say it tastes nicer than Haggis, but that is a close second.

Best recommended that you try it before researching what goes into Black Pudding, and most B&Bs seem to offer it as part of their cooked breakfasts.

15) Deep fried Mars Bar (also Snickers Bars) being in this list might suggest that it has nothing to do with chocolate bars, but we included it simply to dispel the myth that these don’t exist.

You absolutely can buy a deep fried Mars Bar or a deep fried Snickers Bar in some areas of Scotland. The story goes that this was purely a novelty idea by the Haven Chip Bar (now The Carron Fish Bar) in Stonehaven on the north east coast of Scotland around 1995.

According to Wikipedia at least, a local journalist picked up the story in August of that year and within 24 hours it became a global sensation with chip shops around Scotland selling them. Oddly, this has tended to centre on Glasgow but Stonehaven is still its birthplace.

Further foods: This is by no means the exhaustive list of odd sounding food stuffs you can find around our shores, but hopefully should clear up a few of the more popular ones.

If you have any more, add them to the comments section below (click the title above first if on the front page).

More UK resources:
Things to see and do around the UK
Hotels in the UK
British holiday cottages

A quick guide to quirky named British foods is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Confused? So are the cheese makers of the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton just south of Peterborough who have been fighting since 1996 for the right to produce a blue cheese and call it Stilton.

Defra have upheld their decision to disallow the village to use the name in cheese making under the Protected Geographical Status order which is the same law preventing anyone outside of Cornwall from now calling their pies “Cornish pasties” and will soon prevent anyone from outside Cumbria calling their sausages “Cumberland Sausage”.

The problem stems from the lack of direct evidence available in 1996 stating that the village of Stilton had anything officially to do with the production or selling of cheese, although somehow Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire are all allowed to sell “Stilton Cheese”.

It is known that the village was the hub of selling the cheese along with many other cheeses as Daniel Defoe in 1722 described the village as being famous for its cheese. More recent evidence also suggests that it would be an unlikely location to sell Stilton and other blue cheese if the cheese wasn’t being made in the local area too, rather than the more traditional notion that it was shipped in from Leicestershire to the pub in the village.

When the appeal will be heard is still to be decided, but if they win it should reduce confusion amongst the visitors to Stilton who understandably expect to be able to buy this famous cheese made in the village.

Map of resources around the village of Stilton

When it Stilton cheese not Stilton cheese…? is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Chewton Glen Tree House Suites, Hampshire
Coming July 2012

New for 2012, the award-winning five-star Chewton Glen has recently announced the development of six Tree House Suites within the grounds of the hotel. The Tree House Suites will appear to float across a wooded valley and will offer impeccable eco credentials along with Chewton Glen’s world-renowned service and attention to detail. Each tree house will be on stilts, like floating lily pads balancing between the valley and tree canopy. Floor-to-ceiling glass will provide panoramic views of the New Forest. They will provide a feeling of showering under the stars, with a spa bath and fire pit on the deck and a covered outdoors. The six Tree House Suites will comprise of 12 suites (4 junior suites and 8 master suites). A maximum of six people can stay in each tree house. Prices TBA.

Treehouses at Centre Parcs, Longleat Forest
Coming January 2012

Following the success of the Treehouses at Centre Parcs’ Sherwood Forest property, three Treehouses will be available at Longleat Forest from January 2012. The luxury two-storey Treehouses will be set among the trees in a quiet corner of the 400 acres of woodland at Longleat Forest in Wiltshire and feature 4 en-suite bedrooms, an open plan kitchen, dining and living area, a separate games den (accessed along a timber walkway) and a private hot tub. With family time at the heart of all lodge designs at Center Parcs, this brand new style of accommodation is no exception, with beautifully styled open plan living area, family dining area and snug area perfect for storytelling and relaxation. The Treehouses are part of an on-going accommodation restyling programme including New Style Exclusive Lodges at Longleat Forest. Prices from £199.

Fair Oak Farm, East Sussex

Two new luxury eco-lodge treehouses are now available to book for self-catering breaks at Fair Oak Farm, Mayfield, for grown-ups that want to fulfil their childhood dreams. Set amidst an ancient treeline and mature trees, both lodges provide couples with complete privacy and uninterrupted valley views across the stunning Sussex countryside. Built almost entirely of sustainable timber and fully insulated, the treehouses have sheltered balconies and are connected to a dedicated parking area by a winding path. 2 nights from £150 (two sharing)

The Treehouse, Somerset

The Treehouse has a stunning treetop location with an idyllic outlook and beautiful garden. If you are holidaying with children, they are happy to provide toys, games, books and DVDs. The Treehouse is always supplied with Egyptian cotton linen; fluffy towels, flowers, cosy bathrobes, toiletries and a complimentary basket of seasonal local produce. The wood burning stove is always set ready to light during winter months. From dining out in style to sleeping in the stars, the Treehouse provides high-life living. 4 nights from £495 (two sharing).

Castle Cottage Treehouse, Sussex

Built into a huge sweet chestnut tree on the edge of a wood, a substantial staircase leads you up to a thatched room with a double bed set between the tree branches, looking out through large glass doors to the tree tops. It has an en-suite shower room bathed in light from the glass roof and covered with handmade mosaic tiles. A large balcony with swing seats sets the scene to the perfect romantic break. From £145 per night (two sharing).

Alnwick Treehouse, Northumberland – a restaurant with a difference

Enter this wooden turreted eatery via a wobbly, candle-lit suspension bridge to see trees actually growing out of the dining room floor. Once inside, nature really is all around you, with creepers clinging onto the walls and wood just about everywhere you look – including on the tables – which are formed from tree slices. The focus on what’s natural continues with the menu, which features local sea crab, organic sausages from nearby Northumberland farmlands and whole roasted wood pigeon. Three-course Sunday Lunch menu from £19.95 (per person).

Branching out: England’s top treetop escapes is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog