And relax! From gong baths to mindful drinking: how to really unwind on a holiday at home

With the pandemic scrambling travel plans, many of us are staying put this summer. But can your own house ever be as restful a vacation setting as flopping on a sunlounger? One writer spends a week finding out

Go rewild in the country: a weekend kids’ camp in Sussex

Nature and falconry sessions on the mystical High Weald are topped off by a session at a ‘wild spa’. It’s a joyful, muddy hit with this family

Gently down the stream: a canoeing and mindfulness retreat in Devon

A historic estate overlooking the River Dart is the base for a mindful connection with nature that’s all about ‘stillness and flow’

10 UK retreats to re-energise mind, body and soul

If the past year has been a slog, these breaks focusing on yoga and mindfulness can help restore balance, health and creativity

No more emails: why I’m walking from Land’s End to John o’Groats

As a government civil servant, I was burnt out from working on Brexit and Covid and needed a change of scene. Trekking the length of Britain is just the tonic

10 of Britain’s best hotels for spas and beauty treatments

If post-lockdown relaxation is in order, book a treatment at one of these spa hotels – and add an overnight stay for additional pampering

20 of the best UK hotels and inns to rest and relax

With hotels about to reopen, it’s time to emerge from lockdown, eat fabulous food, hit the spa or just chill out somewhere lovely

10 of the best organised swims in Britain’s lochs, lakes and rivers for 2021

These summer and autumn swim events – for all abilities – are in eye-catching locations that make taking the plunge well worth it

Tor de force: how to enjoy the brooding beauty of Dartmoor

It took our writer seven years to grasp the subtle drama of south Devon’s national park. As he prepares to leave the area, he shares some local knowledge and his favourite spots

Come on in! The exhilarating joy of outdoor ice-bathing

The popularity of outdoor swimming has soared during lockdown. These bathers are even breaking the ice to go for an endorphin-releasing winter dip