Heading off on a city break? Whether the trip was a surprise Christmas gift or you booked it yourself to beat those back-to-work blues, here are some essentials you just can’t leave home without... Travel guide While it’s true that everything can be found online nowadays, a travel guide has all the information you need in one place, and is a handy resource if you’re in a non-European city with data roaming switched off. So, while your travel buddy takes photos of your surroundings, you can be scanning the book to find the perfect lunch spot! Comfortable walking shoes You’re sure to rack up the miles exploring the many wonders of a city, so comfortable footwear is a must. Investing in some decent trainers or specific walking shoes will help to ensure that blistered heels and toes don’t – quite literally – stop you in your tracks. Flask   It may seem like a strange item to pack, but a flask is worth t...

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so if you’re yet to plan how you’re going to show your other half just how much you love them, it’s time to get a move on! This year, why not ditch the clichéd red roses and meal-for-two and do something different? Instead of buying a bunch of flowers that’ll last a week, why not organise a day-long adventure and create memories that will last years? Here’s some inspiration… For animal lovers: visit the zoo   Who said zoos are just for kids? Spend a day getting up close and personal with some exotic animals at your local zoo. Listen in on one of the talks, where you’ll get to learn all about the zoo’s conservation efforts and find out more about certain species. If you’re lucky, you both might get to hold one of the residents – heaven for any animal lover! For bike fanatics: take a ride If there’s one thing the UK isn’t short of, it’s picture-perfect cycling trails. Choose a coast...

No, it’s not just apples: outdoor play is also said to keep the doctor away! The NHS says that children under five should be physically active for at least three hours every day. And the more time spent in the great outdoors, the better. This half term, it’s time to wrap up, get the wellies on and head outside. Nature has endless benefits for both our physical and mental health, helping us to stay fit and feel happy. For children in particular, being outdoors plays a key role in their physical, social and cognitive development. For example: Exploring the outdoor environment – whether that’s by running around or climbing trees – helps to build muscle strength and develop better coordination. Interacting with outdoor objects boosts self-confidence, because kids have the space to run around, jump off things, take risks and overcome them. Playing outdoors tops up essential vitamin D levels in your child’s body: essential for healthy bones, teeth and...

Struggling to keep clutter at bay? Always misplacing things? Can never find a charged battery when you need one most? We could all do with a little less stress in our lives, and becoming organised is a sure-fire way of decluttering the mind! Made a vow to fine-tune your organisational skills in 2018? Thankfully, there’s plenty of tech and handy hacks that can help you to keep your life in order. We’ve narrowed it down to our top eight: 1. Keep tabs on your belongings with a Tile Don’t waste another minute of your time searching for pesky, misplaced possessions. When paired with its app, Tile’s bluetooth tracker makes finding your wallet, keys or phone a breeze. 2. Clear up your cables Banish unsightly, tangled wires at home and in the office once and for all with a cable organiser. You’ll wonder why it took you so long to invest in one – and if you feel like being super organised, take this opportunity to label up your cables, which will stop you from ever pu...

Hiking makes us happier and healthier, and gives us a great opportunity to discover some of the UK’s most stunning natural landscapes. So this weekend, why not do something different – something invigorating? Dig out those walking boots, wrap up warm, pack a flask of tea and try one of these top treks, as rated by the GP team... 1. Stanage Edge, Peak District Perched on the moors north of Hathersage in the Peak District is Stanage – a mighty gritstone edge that stretches for around four miles. Popular with walkers and rock climbers alike, the edge offers awe-inspiring panoramas of the Dark Peak moorlands and Hope Valley. See how many abandoned millstones you can spot! 2. Tryfan, Snowdonia Pack your ‘proofs… Snowdonia is subject to some of the UK’s heaviest rainfalls, but it’s also one of our most magnificent national parks. From the ground, the jagged peaks of Tryfan mountain appear challenging and may dissuade some people from attempting an ascent, but it’...

We all have a part to play in protecting our planet. Making just minor tweaks to our lifestyles can help slow down the damaging – and often, irreversible – effects of climate change and global warming. You might already be making a conscious effort to be as kind as you can to the Earth; perhaps ‘be greener’ is one of your New Year’s resolutions ? So, to help you on your mission, here are GP’s top four things you can do for the environment this year: 1. Eat responsibly ‘Eating responsibly’ means being conscious of what you eat and where you buy it from. Farm animals emit methane, a greenhouse gas, while a substantial amount of water, land and crops are required to rear them. If you don’t fancy going full veggie, just try to eat less meat – consider it a treat, as opposed to a daily staple. It’s also worth reviewing portion sizes. If you find yourself throwing lots of food away then buy less, cook less and reduce your food bill at the same time. Hea...