Caerphilly Mountain, Wales

The view of Caerphilly from the summit of the eponymous "mountain", which is a modest 271 metres high. Still, the climb to the top can be both energetic and exhilarating. 

Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly, Wales

Sitting on the largest site of any fortress in Wales, Caerphilly Castle is an immense, brooding citadel dating from the 13th Century. It was built by the English to defend south Wales from Llywelyn the Last.

Roath Park, Cardiff, Wales

Opened in 1894, Roath Park contains a 30 acre man-made lake, featuring the Scott Memorial Lighthouse, the Wild Garden, the Llandennis Oval, the Botanic Garden with a large conservatory and the Roath Pleasure Gardens with bowls, tennis and basketball facilities.

The Portland, Great Portland Street, Central London

A small, but smart, modern European restaurant, The Portland is popular with discerning diners and it can be hard to get a table. The decor is modern and minimalist, as is the menu. There is a choice of three dishes per course, supplemented by a handful of specials, but they may sell out quickly. As an alternative to a starter, the snacks are imaginative and full of novel flavours. They may include white truffle and gruyere macarons (£3), crispy chicken skins with liver parfait, candied walnuts and grapes (£3), wild rice crackers, crab, lime and sorrel (£6) and warm pumpkin cakes, chestnut, truffle and aged Mimolette (£7). The latter conjures up a particularly rich and sophisticated mix of flavours. Among the three main courses, there will probably be a meat dish, a fish dish and a vegetarian dish. The Gressingham duck (£24), served with onions and kale, is earthy and nourishing, but reviews of the turbot (£27), served with carrots and lemon verbena, aren't quite as good. The sides are expensive - five pounds for some new potatoes or an autumn salad - but there is generally enough for two. On the whole, the food is both beautifully presented and precisely cooked: this is posh nosh. The very cosmopolitan wine list starts at about £20 a bottle, rising to over a £100. Fortunately, it features very helpful descriptive notes. The Bisceglia, 'Terre di Vuloano' Falanghina, Campania 2014 is crisp and drinkable, but not quite worth £27 a bottle. The service can be impeccable, while the ambiance is pleasant. Your fellow diners are likely to be middle-aged and middle class, rather than hip young things. 8/10

Travelling times from London in 1914

Source: Intelligent Life article

Autumnal Afternoon in Brockwell Park, South London

Naughty Piglets, Brixton Water Lane, south London

Images from Naughty Piglets' Instagram account

A small and cosy neighbourhood bistro, Naughty Piglets describes itself as a "charcoal grill restaurant and a natural wine bar". In practice, that translates into imaginative modern European food served tapas style, encouraging you to share and taste multiple dishes, supported by a lengthy and pricey wine list, starting at £23 a bottle and rapidly rising to more than twice that. Bewarned, the advice from the waiting staff can be erratic. Do not be tempted by the Riesling (£36 a bottle), which can have an unappealing apple aftertaste. Fortunately, the food is more reliable, if a tad expensive. The scallops and chorizo (£6) amounts to three tasty morsels, while the measly ham croquettes (two mouthfuls for £4) will leave you hungry for more. The portobello mushroom and egg yolk (£5), served with hazelnut pesto,  is also very good. Among the larger dishes, the leg of lamb (£16), served with shallots and kale, is earthy and delicious. To finish, the panna cotta, served with plums, and the salted caramel chocolate pot and hazelnut (both a fiver) are expertly done and hit the spot. However, the modest portion sizes mean particularly naughty pigs may leave either hungry or broke. 7/10

Terranea Resort, Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Tucked away on a picturesque peninsula just south of Los Angeles' suburban sprawl, the Terranea Resort is a spacious and plush hotel complex overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Dotted with villas, the well-watered grounds enclose several swimming pools, bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, car parks, jogging paths and a nine-hole golf course. The high-spec rooms are suitably luxurious and comfortable. They are also well-equipped with a spacious safe, good WiFi, an iron and ironing board, flat screen telly and bathrobes, and well-stocked with toiletries and glossy magazines. You may also have a balcony ideally-positioned to watch the sun set. There seem to be extremely helpful and excessively cheerful staff just about everywhere. Although it ain't cheap, the Terranea Resort is a fine place to while away a few days. You won't want to leave, partly because it is very pleasant and partly because a taxi into LA proper costs an arm and a leg. 8/10