Just a hop, skip and jump from London, but a million miles from the stresses of the city, newly refurbished countryside retreat Burnham Beeches makes a perfect escape, whether you’re seeking a Mother’

Hares tend to steal the limelight in March, thanks to their spirited boxing bouts, as the females fend off unwanted advances from feisty males. However, rabbits are fairly boisterous, too. The differe

Coneysthorpe, North Yorkshire YO60 7DD T 01653 648316 W castlehowardholidayhomes.co.uk OPEN All year Located on the Castle Howard estate, this lakeside holiday site’s touring area has spacious, hardst

Karen Youngs encounters a couple of bachelors looking for love as the season shifts into spring

Bulbs planted in autumn come to life now and deliver vibrant bursts of colour – a joy to see after the dark winter months. Daffodils (more on those overleaf) and tulips are enduring symbols of spring

● Pashley Manor Gardens Tulip Festival Easter Monday 21st April – Bank Holiday Monday 5th May, East Sussex Pashley’s annual tulip festival is a riot of elegant planting, with over 48,000 tulip bulbs c