As the celebrations for Charles Dickens' bicentenary begin, BRIAN PEDLEY visits the Medway places that inspired the novelist

SPORTS stars and soap queens - that's who I rubbed shoulders with on a short break to the ultra-trendy Salford Quays, writes RAY ANSBRO.

ILKLEY. Mention the name and most people will immediately say: "Baht 'at," writes BOB HADFIELD

Drink in the scenery at a pub with rooms, says JILL STARLEY- GRAINGER

Looking for a little creativity with your weekend getaway? A picturesque hotel on the county's north coast has got it sewn up, as KATE PETTIFER discovers

BRITAIN'S first resident giant pandas for almost two decades make their public debut at Edinburgh Zoo this weekend.

NORMAN MILLER visits the Devon national park in search of cinematic credentials that see it star in two upcoming films

LISA HIGGINS follows in the footsteps of Turner, Wordsworth, Wainwright... and Steve Coogan on a trip to two of the UK's favourite national parks

Gatherings of Christmas stalls are a European concept that we're increasingly buying into. ANNABELLE THORPE picks her four favourites

A DINNER companion has just admitted she was once arrested for drug dealing, when the woman passing the vegetable platter pipes up that she too has been arrested.