This week, I'm just back from a trip to Sandwich in Kent. Home to the famous snack, it's also one of the best preserved medieval villages in England and close to the site of the Roman invasion of Britain. Climb the church tower and you can see France. Head into their main museum and you can see the Magna Carta.
It's so easy to forget just how much heritage and history you can find across these windswept islands, which is why we love our Heritage Weekends guide. This packages up 52 breaks across Britain that help you explore the past.
Then, of course, there's our Slow Travel series, with Suffolk and Cornwall coming out soon.
Taking place this September (8th-17th) with over 5000 events across the land, here are some highlights...
It’s localised. In every region and town across England passionate organisers are uncovering spaces and places on the doorstep and showing them in a new light.
It’s eclectic. Behind the scenes at a recycling factory, picnics in cemeteries, tasting gelato, uncovering allotments and more are just a few of the things the million visitors who attend every year can see.
It’s for all ages – over 1400 events are family friendly.
It’s free. This includes National Trust properties that usually charge for entry.
From a Bradt point of view, it feels like a festival to match our UK books.
Gorilla trekking safaris offer you an opportunity to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat: feeding, resting, grooming or watching the little ones play.
Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the best safaris in Africa. Thanks to gorilla tourism and the conservation efforts of communities, NGOs and government support, the mountain gorilla population has increased. As a result, Uganda’s current mountain gorilla population now stands at more than 51% of the world’s total.
Kagera Safaris runs gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks. An example is the three-day Uganda Gorilla Safari that brings you face to face with gorillas. Prices start at £2,400 per person. Find full details here.
2) A Self-Drive in Namibia
Feel the freedom of the open road in the country named after the world’s oldest desert.
Namibia is all about its diversity.
A diversity of landscapes, from the vast grassy plains of the Kalahari to the rugged mountains of Erongo and Damaraland. From the huge sand dunes of the Namib Desert that rise to meet the Atlantic Ocean, to the open savannah and salt pans of Etosha.
From the lush wetlands of the Zambezi region to the dramatic Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.
Namibia also has a rich diversity of culture: its ‘Living Museums’ across the country showcase the way of life of the different cultures and tribes who call Namibia home.
Last but not least, Namibia’s wildlife is equally diverse, with oryx, mountain zebra, rhino, elephants, and buffalo plus all the big cats and the endangered wild dog.
And you can easily drive yourself.
Drive Namibia arranges tailor-made self-drive itineraries across Namibia, featuring all accommodation types. Namibia also combines well with a self-drive through Botswana and South Africa. Prices start at £2,500 per person. Find out more by visiting the Drive Botswana website and selecting Namibia.
Author and southern Africa wildlife expert Mike Unwin will soon be running a talk on how to put together a DIY safari. Submit your questions in advance by hitting reply to this email.
Authors and historians Neil and Helen Matthews will be taking questions for an upcoming talk on their Heritage Weekends title. Hit reply with any questions you have.
It's always a good time to join our Travel Club for exclusive material from authors, behind the scenes access and big discounts on our books.
