Katharine Sohn

Whether or not you're staying in the cottages here, or are simply passing through the area, the farm shop at Daylesford is totally worth a visit. Pick up some farm fresh eggs & deliciously prepared goods, and stop by at the café for a healthy lunch or a spot of afternoon tea. 

If it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you know it’s got to be good. Full of beguiling corners and with stunning Baroque architecture, Blenheim has a rich 300-year history that’s just begging to be discovered. Explore the enchanting grounds, impressive art collection and English craftsmanship at the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Claire Ptak was made world-famous thanks to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who chose the Californian implant to bake their wedding cake. Hackney locals have been buying her goodies since 2005 when she first started selling them from a Broadway Market stall. Her shop-café north of London Fields specialises in seasonal bakes such as almond polenta muffins topped with chamomile apricots and peanut-butter cherry cake.

Within the wood-panelled dining room, cosied up with its wildly patterned interiors, is the Cowley Manor Restaurant where chef, Jackson Boxer, rules the raft and rustles up some spectacular dishes. From its wye valley asparagus to its Hereford côte de boeuf, expect a fabulous blend of local ingredients and rich French cuisine. If you happen to be passing by on a Sunday, it is essential you call in for a roast!

D'Ambrosi is our deli of dreams. Serving daily changing dishes made to-go, a quick stop at D'Ambrosi is a must before any long adventure. Grab a few salads, charcuterie, and seafood for your picnic lunch and a tartiflette ready to be popped into the oven for when you return. If you also happen to be in the mood for some classic American snacks, head straight to the back of the deli!

A pared-back pub just off Regent’s Canal that has fast become a neighbourhood favourite with chef-led cooking and a sharp natural wine list. Inside, it's all pale woods and banquette booths that set the mood for dishes like smoked haddock and creamed leeks on toast or quail shish with pul biber. Local brews are on tap, and everything from the seafood to the sourdough is mindfully sourced. Nab a corner table for lunch that turns, easily and often, into a second bottle. 

It's not new to say the Dolomites are in, but Berghoferin is a secret spot to book. Tucked away in a quiet corner of South Tyrol, pine-panelled suites and a smattering of pretty botanical prints create a retro-inspired retreat. With just thirteen individually designed rooms, a spa with an outdoor pool and a deeply soothing outdoor sauna, plus the restaurant focuses on seasonal, local produce, it’s the perfect base for getting out and about the surrounding mountains.

This funky concept store in Downtown Cairo is quietly reinterpreting retail. 6901 opened its doors during Cairo Design Week in 2025. Founded by the man behind Maison69, it feels less like a shop and more like a sequence of spaces to flip between – part shop, part restaurant, part venue. Inside, traditional tailoring sits alongside contemporary cuts, Egyptian plates and stuffed sandwiches are served up canteen-style and new tracks spin out from a vinyl station.

Just across the road from its sister, the Double Red Duke, The Mason's Arms is from the same group. At the Mason’s (as the locals call it), modern menus are swapped for nostalgic classics: prawn cocktail, haddock Monte Carlo, and Black Velvets (Guinness with Champagne) served in silver tankards. There’s real spirit here – especially on 'chops and hops' nights, where lamb chops and cold beers rule the pass, followed by piping-hot crumble scooped straight from the dish.