Top Tips: New Year, New You
Snap into it - photograph like a professional in the Lakes
Idyllically set in the Lake District, Lakeland Photographic Holidays takes participants, from the total novice to the more skilled, off the beaten track to some of Cumbria's most awe-inspiring views to focus on nature, landscapes and walking. Each day is spent doing, rather than talking about, photography, with John Gravett - one of the most respected landscape photographers in the UK - providing practical coaching from the field. Delicious breakfasts and packed lunches are provided, and at night participants can enjoy four-course home-cooked dinners complemented with post-production reviews of images taken during the day. Workshops cost from £810 for five nights, including accommodation, tuition, food, soft drinks and excursions. www.lakelandphotohols.com
It's full steam ahead for 2016 at the Old Windmill, Norfolk
Embrace your childhood dream with the Bure Valley Steam Railway driving experience at Cromer in North Norfolk. Much more than just riding on the footplate, these courses comprise an education in the principles of steam locomotives, including safety, preparation and driving the train. Stay nearby at the Old Windmill, a former corn mill built in the 1800s which has been converted into an unusual guest house for six. The property features three bedrooms, an open plan living area, wood-burner and secluded patio garden. A three-night mid-week break in the spring costs from £455. The one-day steam train driving courses cost from £225 per person. www.aylshamwindmill.co.uk/accommodation
Ensure the new year is as sweet as honey with a bee-keeping course, Shropshire
Get close to nature on a weekend-long bee-keeping course at Tiger Hall in Shropshire – you'll get expert tuition and guidance from Charles Millar, who has been keeping bees for 12 years. Combine several hours of practical beekeeping - working with the bees, in pairs or on your own – with the relevant theory and learning fascinating facts as you go. Two-day courses take place in April and May next year and costs from £375 with an overnight stay at the nearby Long Mynd Hotel. www.beekeepingcourses.co.uk/tiger_hall.html
Take a trip to the Milky Way and make 2016 out of this world in Rydale
Nestled within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the five market towns of Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Pickering, Malton and Norton are offering an unusual escape this winter: to the edge of the Galaxy. Located within the UK's darkest skies, the area offers the fantastic phenomenon of seeing the Milky Way whilst still having the luxury of a holiday in the picturesque market towns. With the Dark Sky Festival to enjoy in February, as well as the beauty of Britain's driest national park; meaning two out of three winter days are dry, there's plenty of opportunity to relive festivities on the wintery landscapes and breathe in the fresh air of the New Year. www.visitryedale.co.uk.
Give insomnia a wake-up call at Hampshire's Sleep Retreat
A good night's sleep is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing, making the Sleep Retreat the perfect place to recharge after Christmas and find the inner, relaxed you. The five-star Sleep Retreat is designed to help those with insomnia achieve long-term quality sleep. The dedicated Sleep Programme features one-to-one sessions with the sleep expert, aromatherapy massages, a tailored fitness programme, all meals and drinks, plus use of the Finnish sauna, tennis courts, golf course and other facilities. A one night stay at The Sleep Retreat on an all-inclusive basis costs from £250 per person. www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/the-sleep-retreat
Get down and dirty on the world's biggest assault course, Burghley House
Not usually associated with dirty weekends, Lincolnshire's Burghley House – one of England's finest Elizabethan houses – plays host to the Rat Race Dirty Weekend on 11th May. The world's biggest assault course consists of 20 miles, 20 zones and 200 obstacles. From tackling the world's largest hay bale and bushwhacking through thick undergrowth, to swinging through treetops and wading through lakes, you can guarantee to be soaking wet and covered in mud by the end of the course, but with a huge sense of achievement. In a team of five prices start from £134 including race entry, £10 donation to charity, camping and after party. www.burghley.co.uk
I should cocoa... become a Chocolatier at York Cocoa House Chocolate School
If you've ever dreamt of becoming a chocolatier - and let's face it, who hasn't - York Cocoa House is the place for you. With workshops that range from the drop-in Chocolate Lollipop activity, to the in-depth Chocolate Masterclasses, there's something for every chocolate lover's taste. York has an outstanding history in chocolate, and was the birthplace of both Terry's and Rowntree, even today it is the home to KitKat – there's no better spot than to dabble in in the chocolatey arts! www.yorkcocoahouse.co.uk/chocolate-school
Idyllically set in the Lake District, Lakeland Photographic Holidays takes participants, from the total novice to the more skilled, off the beaten track to some of Cumbria's most awe-inspiring views to focus on nature, landscapes and walking. Each day is spent doing, rather than talking about, photography, with John Gravett - one of the most respected landscape photographers in the UK - providing practical coaching from the field. Delicious breakfasts and packed lunches are provided, and at night participants can enjoy four-course home-cooked dinners complemented with post-production reviews of images taken during the day. Workshops cost from £810 for five nights, including accommodation, tuition, food, soft drinks and excursions. www.lakelandphotohols.com
It's full steam ahead for 2016 at the Old Windmill, Norfolk
Embrace your childhood dream with the Bure Valley Steam Railway driving experience at Cromer in North Norfolk. Much more than just riding on the footplate, these courses comprise an education in the principles of steam locomotives, including safety, preparation and driving the train. Stay nearby at the Old Windmill, a former corn mill built in the 1800s which has been converted into an unusual guest house for six. The property features three bedrooms, an open plan living area, wood-burner and secluded patio garden. A three-night mid-week break in the spring costs from £455. The one-day steam train driving courses cost from £225 per person. www.aylshamwindmill.co.uk/accommodation
Ensure the new year is as sweet as honey with a bee-keeping course, Shropshire
Get close to nature on a weekend-long bee-keeping course at Tiger Hall in Shropshire – you'll get expert tuition and guidance from Charles Millar, who has been keeping bees for 12 years. Combine several hours of practical beekeeping - working with the bees, in pairs or on your own – with the relevant theory and learning fascinating facts as you go. Two-day courses take place in April and May next year and costs from £375 with an overnight stay at the nearby Long Mynd Hotel. www.beekeepingcourses.co.uk/tiger_hall.html
Take a trip to the Milky Way and make 2016 out of this world in Rydale
Nestled within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the five market towns of Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Pickering, Malton and Norton are offering an unusual escape this winter: to the edge of the Galaxy. Located within the UK's darkest skies, the area offers the fantastic phenomenon of seeing the Milky Way whilst still having the luxury of a holiday in the picturesque market towns. With the Dark Sky Festival to enjoy in February, as well as the beauty of Britain's driest national park; meaning two out of three winter days are dry, there's plenty of opportunity to relive festivities on the wintery landscapes and breathe in the fresh air of the New Year. www.visitryedale.co.uk.
Give insomnia a wake-up call at Hampshire's Sleep Retreat
A good night's sleep is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing, making the Sleep Retreat the perfect place to recharge after Christmas and find the inner, relaxed you. The five-star Sleep Retreat is designed to help those with insomnia achieve long-term quality sleep. The dedicated Sleep Programme features one-to-one sessions with the sleep expert, aromatherapy massages, a tailored fitness programme, all meals and drinks, plus use of the Finnish sauna, tennis courts, golf course and other facilities. A one night stay at The Sleep Retreat on an all-inclusive basis costs from £250 per person. www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/the-sleep-retreat
Get down and dirty on the world's biggest assault course, Burghley House
Not usually associated with dirty weekends, Lincolnshire's Burghley House – one of England's finest Elizabethan houses – plays host to the Rat Race Dirty Weekend on 11th May. The world's biggest assault course consists of 20 miles, 20 zones and 200 obstacles. From tackling the world's largest hay bale and bushwhacking through thick undergrowth, to swinging through treetops and wading through lakes, you can guarantee to be soaking wet and covered in mud by the end of the course, but with a huge sense of achievement. In a team of five prices start from £134 including race entry, £10 donation to charity, camping and after party. www.burghley.co.uk
I should cocoa... become a Chocolatier at York Cocoa House Chocolate School
If you've ever dreamt of becoming a chocolatier - and let's face it, who hasn't - York Cocoa House is the place for you. With workshops that range from the drop-in Chocolate Lollipop activity, to the in-depth Chocolate Masterclasses, there's something for every chocolate lover's taste. York has an outstanding history in chocolate, and was the birthplace of both Terry's and Rowntree, even today it is the home to KitKat – there's no better spot than to dabble in in the chocolatey arts! www.yorkcocoahouse.co.uk/chocolate-school