Great British autumn getaways

Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities, partly because it's so easy to reach by train and partly because, as a southerner, it feels just a little bit foreign.

The story goes that when St Peter welcomed a new arrival at the pearly gates, he asked where the man came from. 'Edinburgh,' came his reply. 'Oh dear,' said St Peter, 'you might find it a bit of a letdown up here.'

The train takes you right to the heart of the city: the Georgian New Town and medieval Old Town - with its Castle, Royal Mile and Holyrood. Just up the steps from the platform is the iconic Balmoral Hotel. Check out this landmark building's clock - set a few minutes fast, so you don't miss your train home.

Stay at Balmoral Hotel

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Alnwick Garden by the Duchess of Northumberland and the award-winning gardens in Earl Grey’s former estate Howick Hall, make Northumberland a must-visit county for the seriously green-fingered.

Stay at Eshott Hall, one of the region’s finest Georgian houses, is an elegant boutique hotel.

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The Grand at Eastbourne is an eminent survivor of the golden days of seaside hotels.

The five-star 150-room hotel, nicknamed the ‘White Palace’, faces the sea and Blue Flag pebble beaches – the pier to the north east, the rolling Seven Sisters chalk downs to the north west. It’s formal – right down to the synchronised raising of the tureens in the restaurant – but unstuffy, and children are very welcome.

Stay at The Grand 

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The Green Oak Barn boutique hotel, at the English Wine Centre, near Alfriston in East Sussex, offers weekend breaks for wine lovers.

After checking in to your room in a traditional-style barn, dine in the Flint Barn restaurant, choosing from a menu of wonderful English dishes accompanied by the best wines from England’s vineyards.

The following day there’s a tour and tasting at one of the local vineyards and, after lunch, a special private tasting of seven leading English wines back at the wine centre.

More info englishwine.co.uk

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The lush Esk Valley in the North York Moors National Park is one of my favourite walking worlds. Enjoy its wild, heather-clad moorlands and dales, and the stone villages.

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