Eco-friendly tourism is at the top of our 2020 travel agenda. We have introduced a new Sustainable Travel series, kicking off this issue with ideas for Environmental Volunteering, in an eco-conscious quest of our own, we have discovered a supplier of recyclable paper wraps for sending our magazines in the mail. Next issue we will be featuring the UK’s finest eco-friendly holiday homes so, if you know of any hidden gems you are happy to share, please get in touch. Back to this issue - our 10 of The Best Charity Challenges, are sure to inspire. From cycling across Britain to skydiving from 15,000 feet, you can raise some vital charity donations while pushing yourself to your limits. The World Pilot Gig Championships is a seaside spectacle like no other on The Isles of Scilly this May, and we go Behind-the-Scenes ahead of The Cheltenham Festival, this March. Other destinations we uncover this season include the beautiful Lake District, spending a wonderful 48 Hours in St Mawes and the Roseland, an adventure packed weekend on The Isle of Man, and, arguably with the best views in London, our In the Capital series this season takes us to discover the highlights of leafy Greenwich. As always I hope this issue helps to inspire your travel experiences, and the spring season brings you many magical moments spent savouring the glorious British Isles - wherever you choose to visit.
Pictured leftright: Dhoon Glen Beach; Garwick Bay; Ballaglass Glen; Close Leece Farm DAY 1 Where better a place to start than the capital, Douglas, with its unique blend of traditional seaside resort and bustling culture quarter? Here we enjoy exploring the peaceful seafront by horse-drawn tram admiring the views of the twomiles long bay, which includes a mini-castle (The Tower of Refuge) built by the founder of the RNLI, William Hillary, before heading across the island to Peel. Douglas is located on the east side of the island, just 13 miles in width, so it takes no time at all to drive across to Peel on the opposite, west side of the island. On our journey, we decide to stop for a breakfast-brunch at Close Leece Farm. Their shop and cafe, housed in a stylishly renovated old barn, is an absolute must - it opened in 2018, and still feels brand new with a warming wood burner, floods of natural light, and modern artwork filling the walls. With the help of their Tamworth pigs, Golden Guernsey goats and Manx bees they serve some of the best breakfasts on the island! Along with some friendly local folk we are lucky enough to have the cafe almost entirely to ourselves, and we sit outside in their spacious garden admiring the beautiful countryside, surrounded by their Manx Loaghtan sheep, goats and free-range chickens. à BritishTravelJournal.com 27
