A farm shop, café and chocolate shop are new additions to the 18th century Stable Courtyard at one of England’s finest stately homes. Castle Howard in Yorkshire has been home to the Howard family for 300 years and is set in a 10,000 acre country estate.

A new way to plan a night out in London has been published in the form of a deck of cards in a flip top box. “Bar Secrets London - Style Bars” reveals 52 of the best bars and is written by Edward Sullivan, the Evening Standard newspaper drinks correspondent, who is described as “the greatest living authority on drinking in London.”

Walkers can discover the countryside of some of Britain’s literary heroes and historical legends on a self guided walking holiday with Sherpa Expeditions. From the gently rolling hills of the Cotswolds to the wild and rugged landscape of the Scottish highlands, there are graded walks to suit all levels.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of William Wordsworth’s great autobiographical poem “The Prelude”. The manuscript is on display in the Wordsworth Museum, adjacent to his picturesque home Dove Cottage at Grasmere in the English Lake District.

The latest cutting edge stores and designer boutiques are featured in a new guide from Visit London. “Shop London” is a free, pocket sized guide giving a breakdown of London’s shopping regions and helping shoppers to navigate London’s diverse shopping opportunities.

A Regency villa in North Wales which was once home to the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley has been transformed into a small country house hotel, opening on March 21.

The Art Deco Palm Court at London’s Park Lane Hotel has become the latest member of Britain’s Tea Guild, which promotes high standards in the art of afternoon tea.

England’s gardens are always a feast for the senses, but this year they are blooming in more ways than ever, with a host of exhibitions, sculpture trails and other events – plus some of Europe’s most popular flower shows are eagerly awaited. Here are some of the 2005 highlights.