I happened upon a place called The 50s American Diner which is an amazing, original 1951 stainless steel American diner from Massachusetts in the National Forest, Derbyshire.

The portions are huge just as you would imagine it to be. The decor is perfect with chrome bar stools and four-seater booths, a jukebox and waitresses in period outfits. There's a friendly atmosphere and great music.

My children loved it - great food on a budget!

John Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, South Derbyshire DE11 8EJ
www.the50samericandiner.com
Tel: 01283 220050
10 minutes from junction 11 of the M42

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A blue flag beach of nearly two miles of sand and dunes. You can ape Chariots of Fire and go for a run (the opening scene was filmed here) or just have a leisurely walk. Kite flyers are in abundance on windy days, at the point where the beach curves, near the estuary of the River Eden.

Bring your own bucket and spade, however; there's a merciful shortage of tacky beach shops.

St Andrews
www.fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=F34F9DCE-399D-4C02-97A10D6AC5118C4C

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The Trout is so well known around Oxford that it hardly needs any recommendation. This cavernous pub can be found in Wolvercote, north of Oxford.

The Trout serves great food (minted lamb shanks are my recommendation), though it gets very full at the beginning and end of Oxford terms. Most of all it's the atmosphere that people come for - cosy inside in Autumn and Winter, and a large outdoor terrace in Spring and Summer.

It has a history which encompasses Henry II, Alice in Wonderland and Colin Dexter of Inspector Morse fame! It can be reached by car (a large free car park indicates how popular it can get), but far better to walk all the way up Port Meadow to the very top, by which point you will deserve your lunch thoroughly.

members.lycos.co.uk/troutinn/info.htm
195 Godstow Road, Lower Wolvercote, Oxford

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Tiny village in the north of Skye, has an excellent youth hostel, but the best thing is to take the road over the hills to the east coast from there to see the Quiraing, spectacular almost lunar scenery and extraordinary views.

Northern peninsula of Skye.

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A cocktail bar and Slovakian restaurant located in the St Clements area of Oxford. Moya is smooth and sophisticated, yet the food is homely, warming and seems authentically Slovakian. Enjoy the venison in a red wine sauce, the sausages, and the goulash, and also the bellinis, manhattans and mojitos.
St Clements is at the far end of the High Street, but Moya is worth the expedition.

www.moya-oxford.co.uk
97 St. Clement's Street, Oxford, OX4 1AR
Tel: 01865 200111

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Stunning public space with easily accessible galleries leading city centre regeneration.

Surrey Street

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Maison Blanc is part of Raymond Blanc's culinary empire but this Oxford cafe is the original. A small patisserie, boulangerie and cafe at the top of St Giles, it is perfect for Saturday morning breakfasts or cake and coffee. Everything is beautiful and scrumptious, from the almond croissant to the tarte au citron and the pain rustique. It is also surprisingly family friendly and we always see toddlers in here.

3 Woodstock Road, at the corner of Little Clarendon Street.
Tel: 01865 510 974
www.maisonblanc.co.uk/oxford.html

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Inside a rather dour, grey building is The Grill House, a bright and vibrant Mexican-influenced restaurant.
The Grill House is always full - they do a fantastic £4.95 lunchtime menu which changes regularly and their evening menu is crammed full of delights such as pizza, chilli, fajitas, steak and Mexican stew ranging from £6.50 to £14.00.
The atmosphere is friendly and informal and the decor is warm amd inviting so it can't fail to cheer you up on a dark and dismal winter day.

The Grill House, Inchcape House, St Mary's Place.
Tel : 01334 470500
www.grillhouserestaurant.co.uk

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Bonkers is a great gift shop that is wonderful for browsing. It sells jewellery, soft toys, quirky gifts, cards and lots more.

Bonkers, 80 Market Street.
Tel: +44 (0) 1334 473919
www.bonkers-standrews.co.uk

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A St Andrews institution. Jannetta's is an ice cream shop dating from 1908. They make fifty-two flavours of ice cream and they are all wonderful, so much so that people queue along the pavement at the first sign of warm weather in early Spring.

31 South Street, near the corner with Abbey Street.
www.jannettas.co.uk

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George and Davis' is situated on Little Clarendon Street in Jericho. It is something of an Oxford institution with quirky cow-themed pictures on the walls and a studenty appeal. It serves great ice cream in an array of wonderful (and sometimes weird) flavours and customers can start a petition for a flavour of their own design
to be made. If 30 signatures are collected the management will consider making it.
The cafe also serves great pizza bagels for those who need a savoury snack. It is open until midnight and, although there are plenty of students in term-time, it's worth making a visit.

G&Ds Ice Cream Cafe, Little Clarendon Street.
01865 516652

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This festival rocks. Who couldn't resist the lure of an enchanting landscape and one of the best line-ups I’ve seen in years? I’ll definitely be back. No other festival can quite compete with its wicked, friendly crowd, beautiful views and lovely weather (how did they manage that in Scotland?)

The Isle of Skye is the most northerly island of the Inner Hebrides.
www.skyemusicfestival.co.uk.

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Good centre, with excellent range of shops, hotels and restaurants. Visit the Netherfield centre at the old K Shoe factory for shoes naturally.

Only drawback is its a nightmare place to drive, but hey so is the whole of the Lake District!

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A lovely fishing village near Inverewe Gdns, also has an ATM, rare in this area! And a fish and chip shop selling locally caught fish. A good selection of shops for a small village, and incredible beach nearby. Nice youth hostel called Carn Dearg.

On the coast road.
www.syha.org.uk/SYHA/web/site/Hostels/GairlochCarnDearg.asp

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An ersatz, tatty pub but with an ever-changing selection of well-kept real ale to die for. The food is usually good as well and the helpings are generous.

At the foot of Lendal Bridge, a three-minute walk from the railway station.
The Maltings, Tanners Moat, York.
Tel : 01904 655 387
www.maltings.co.uk

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The Regents Canal, once one of Britain's busiest commercial routes, is now an informative walk through widely differing areas. The towpath takes in Limehouse, Islington, Kings Cross, Camden, Regents Park and finally Little Venice near Paddington. Camden Lock is an ideal stop off for some shopping in the local market and a snack or drink.
Primrose Hill is an easy detour north for views over London and, passing through the north of Regents Park, if you time it right you can take in the feeding of the hyenas as you walk right through the middle of London zoo.

Start at Kings Cross by turning left and walking behind the station on York Way until the canal crosses you. Paddington station is close to Little Venice, where two canals meet.

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Mackintosh masterpiece building of the last century. A granite wonder to come upon as you wander an ordinary street: huge northern windows with rose & sword ironwork, long library windows on the west; a structure that continues to influence contemporary architecture.

167 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G3 6RQ
www.gsa.ac.uk

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An incredible Indian restaurant in a city where there are more than a few. Absolutely wonderful service and the food is superb. Best to book, especially at weekends, but the staff are so good they'll try to cram you in at most other times.

19 Ashton Lane (off Byers Road)
Glasgow, G12 8SJ
It's a short walk from Partick Station.

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From the outside it looks very nice and same can be said for the inside. It can be a little cold for my liking. The service is excellent and very professional. The meat somosas are very tasty and same can be said about the seekh kebabs which are brought out sizzling with fried onions.
The mint sauce is excellent with the starters and the main course. The other half didn't like the aloo tikkas. She found them abit tasteless.
Can't comment on any of the vegetable range as we didn't try any. They also do sweets and the prices are very reasonable.

You can also try Anam's which is up the road. They also do a buffet. It is a bit too pricy although the service is very good. They do excellent starters and dessert. The main meals are not quite the same. They taste as if no one has put any effort in them. (I'm asian so I know what I'm talkin about)

You can also try Mumtaz, which is further up the road. This is very nice from inside but the service is terrible and you have to wait quite a bit to get seated.

Ambala
205 Great Horton Road
Bradford
BD7 1RP
01274 579 374

Anam's
211 Great Horton Road
Bradford
01274 522626

Mumtaz
286-300 Great Horton Road,
Bradford,
BD7 3HS
01274 571861

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There is easy parking, and a nice range of eating places here. Steak house, Chinese, and Indian food.

Harbour area, beside Tay Road Bridge.

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