Walk up to Dover's Hill, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

This two mile walk takes you up to a scenic escarpment that marks the northern edge of the Cotswolds and overlooks the flat, open countryside of Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Turn north off the Lower High Street in Chipping Campden at the sturdy stone catholic church and stroll past the attractive old houses on West End Terrace and then on to Hoo Lane. This modern, but sought-after, residential road climbs gradually upwards before turning into a gravel path with a steeper gradient. You pass a farm before reaching a bench about 200 metres above sea level with a view back down to the western end of Chipping Campden. From here, it is a stone's throw to a country road. Turn left, walk about 50 yards along the road, and then turn right on to a footpath, which takes you up to Dover Hill. From here, you can follow the trail south west, admiring the sweeping views to the north. After about half a mile, you come to a car park, from where you can clamber down to a path that runs back east, just below the escarpment. Make your way south back to the road and retrace your steps back down Hoo Lane. 8/10    

Brawn, Columbia Road, East London

An inviting restaurant housed in an elegant early Victorian building, Brawn combines a hip buzz with excellent  earthy food. The front dining room with its big windows and high ceiling is more appealing than the back dining room, but the latter does include the bustling kitchen, providing some much needed warmth on a cold December evening. The bare brick walls, painted white, and the avant-garde art give Brawn the loft-living vibe.  The cover includes a basket of freshly-baked wholemeal ciabatta, but don't eat too much of it because Brawn serves big portions.

The view from Hay's Galleria, central London

The shiny city: The Victorian splendour of Old Billingsgate fish market is overshadowed by a sparkling office block, near London Bridge, on a crisp December afternoon. This photo was taken from the quirky Hay's Galleria shopping arcade near London Bridge.

Sesami, Railton Road, south London

A bustling deli stroke cafe in the pedestrianised section of Railton Road leading down to Herne Hill station, Sesami serves top notch sandwiches. The toasted panini (about £4) containing chicken, chorizo, mozzarella, roasted vegetables, pesto and (appropriately) sesami seeds is almost divine. The coffee is also good here. The only downside is, to eat in, you have to perch on a high chair next to one of the handful of tables at the scruffy back of the shop. In the summer, the aluminium tables out front are more appealing. The service by Sesami's multinational staff is pleasant and polished. 7/10

Walk through Barbury Castle Country Park, Wiltshire

This short, but satisfying, circular walk starts at the car park in Barbury Castle Country Park. From an elevated grassy ridge sheltering the car park, you can survey the big skies and open countryside to the north, across the M4 to the sprawl of Swindon. Follow the Ridgeway path west and you will soon come to the remains of an iron-age hillfort, complete with grassy mounds that kids will enjoy scrambling up and down. You then descend steeply down into the valley, go through a gate and follow a gravel path north east for about a mile or so. From here, you can climb up the steep, narrow road directly back to the car-park or you can turn east off the road on to a bridleway and extend the walk by about a mile by climbing up Burderop Hill. The full 3.5 mile route is detailed here. 7/10

Silks on the Downs, Main Road, Ogbourne St Andrew, Wiltshire

A smart pub-restaurant in horse racing country, the Silk on the Downs is a good choice for a leisurely family Sunday lunch after a stroll in Wiltshire's rolling countryside. Recently refurbished, the interior is decorated with racing paraphernalia, such as framed jockeys' colours and a crude picture of Frankie Dettori resembling Barack Obama. In addition to the half-a-dozen starters and main courses on the printed menu, there could be some specials, typically fish dishes, on the blackboard  The starters might include scallops (£8.50), soup (£4.25), mussels (£7) and a selection of antipasti, featuring cured meats, such as chorizo and Parma ham, served with a small  helping of feta and sun-dried tomatoes and a sliced baguette on a wooden chopping board. The cheese and meats combine well, but the plate is on the small side for £12.95.  The main courses on Sunday include roasts, such as a slow-cooked shoulder of lamb (£13.50) with rosemary, some leathery roast potatoes, gravy and a side dish of vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots and cabbage. The tender lamb is enticing, but may need more seasoning. The pork belly (£10.95), which comes with roast potatoes, vegetables and crackling, gets rave reviews.

England versus South Africa, Autumn Internationals

England lost 16-15 to South Africa in a wet, error-strewn and tense encounter. South Africa scored a fortunate try, England knocked-on frequently, missed two penalties and made a poor decision in the closing stages. With the score at 16-12 and four minutes left on the clock, England kicked a penalty for goal, rather than a line-out near the try line.

The Blackbird Bakery, Railton Road, South London

A cosy little place opposite Herne Hill station, the Blackbird Bakery has a few tables where you can lunch on a really excellent cheese, ham and tomato toasted sandwich, packed with juicy, salty meat. Toasties don't get much better. The Blackbird also offers other appealing sandwiches (the chicken madras in olive bread is out of the top drawer), plus an array of breads, pastries and cakes. The coffee is good, but the food can be exceptional. Well worth checking out. 8/10