Articles by Milo Boyd

Technology

UK's 'most magical street' is real-life Diagon Alley with quirky shops and hidden gems

A street in one of Britain's oldest cities, York, is a captivating spot brimming with unique shops, cosy pubs , and lively bars. The Shambles, as it's affectionately known, is a labyrinth of winding, narrow lanes nestled in the heart of North Yorkshire. It transforms into a magical place when the nights grow longer and the Christmas lights twinkle. At the middle of the area lies a lane actually named the Shambles, renowned as possibly the best-preserved medieval street globally, even earning a mention in the 1086 literary sensation, the Domesday Book. Many of the structures lining the street today trace their origins back to the late 14th century. The name 'Shambles' is believed to have evolved from 'Shammel', an Anglo-Saxon term for the shelves that were once a common sight in the open shopfronts. While the ancient name and buildings persist, the purpose of most shops has evolved over time. The butchers who once busily chopped, skinned, and portioned meat here have long since departed. The only remnants of their trade are the meat hooks they used to display their goods on the shopfronts. Nowadays, the Shambles accommodates a variety of businesses. Still, its medieval overhanging buildings and tight alleyways remain intact, offering visitors a sense of stepping back in time. During my university days, I spent three years in York, witnessing the Shambles transform with the changing seasons and times of day. At Christmas, the streets were bustling with eager shoppers seeking a bargain and a warm pastry to ward off the cold. During this bustling period, it might be wise to head to one of the quieter yet equally enchanting streets on the other side of town until the crowds thin out in the evening. In the summer, the Shambles are filled with the sound of busking students, hen parties, and day-trippers there to sample some of York's pubs. Whether the widely circulated claim that the city has a pub for every day of the year is indeed true takes far longer than a day, a long weekend, or even a three-year degree to verify. This is largely because you'll likely find yourself repeatedly visiting the superb House of Trembling Madness. My favourite time to visit was in the dead of night, after a stop at one of these many pubs or the now sadly closed and much-missed Willow - a delightfully grubby club/Chinese restaurant. In certain sections of the Shambles, you can touch both sides of the street with your arms outstretched. The best time to test your wingspan is once all the other visitors have headed home. In recent years, the narrow lane has become saturated with wizard-themed shops, thanks to its striking resemblance to the fictional Diagon Alley from Harry Potter . When the relentless peddling of magical merchandise becomes overwhelming, visitors can retreat to the shrine of Margaret Clitherow. Step inside this peaceful sanctuary and you'll find respite from the bag-wielding mayhem that's left firmly outside. The shrine welcomes the public throughout the week and holds Mass at 10am each Saturday. A quick walk through one of the Shambles' snickelways (narrow alleyways) brings you to the Shambles Market, an open-air venue selling food and various goods. TikToker That Girl Fleurr, who explores destinations around the UK, recently declared the Shambles 'the most magical street' in Britain in a video. It's a sentiment that's difficult to challenge. Jerry Rebbeck, who runs Wheelwrights York , told the Express: "Many of the buildings in the centre of York are centuries old, and have a spooky charm about them - walking down Micklegate at night feels like walking through a ghostly storybook. "Within the city centre, historic buildings such as 85 Micklegate, a late medieval timber-framed terraced building, loom over the narrow street and look particularly eerie in the moonlight. Walking down the Shambles, famed for its likeness to Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, you can see ghostly-looking old buildings such as 37 The Shambles that cast long shadows and add to the city's paranormal feel. It's these atmospheric streets and striking old buildings that help make York a picturesque backdrop for a Halloween weekend."

Technology

Discover the 'most magical' Spanish city with 19C winter weather

A sun-drenched Spanish city basking in 19C winter temperatures has been named as one of 2026's must-visit destinations. When pondering scorching winter getaways in Spain, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Majorca typically spring to mind. But Cádiz firmly deserves a spot on that list. Perched on a slender strip of land encircled by the Atlantic Ocean, it ranks among Western Europe's most ancient continuously inhabited cities. The capital of the Province of Cádiz, within the autonomous region of Andalusia, boasts more than 3,000 years of history and is dotted with remarkable, age-old structures gazing out towards the breathtaking azure waters surrounding it, reports the Express . Whilst Cádiz is hardly an undiscovered treasure, Lonely Planet has placed it under an even brighter spotlight by featuring it amongst the 25 Best Destinations in 2026. The travel guide heaps praise upon the historic city. "Cádiz's Carnaval is Spain's biggest annual party, bringing extravagantly costumed revelers to its streets for 10 days of parades, fireworks, singing and dancing in February or March, to the accompaniment of more than 300 local murgas (bands). Pack a costume and book your accommodations months in advance or commute from nearby El Puerto de Santa María," the travel publication wrote. "While you're in El Puerto de Santa María, catch one of the numerous daily ferries across the bay to enjoy choice tipples at sherry wineries. Alternatively, sip sherries straight from the barrel at Cádiz's Taberna La Manzanilla. And what's good wine without good food? Cádiz's dining scene ranges from old-school tapas bars clustered around Barrio de la Viña to fusion restaurants, found in the streets around Plaza Candelaria and Plaza de la Catedral." New Zealand expat James and his Spanish wife Yoly, who both live in Spain, have dedicated themselves to helping others discover a richer experience of Spain through the travel guides they post on their YouTube channel @spainrevealed. They recently spotlighted the breathtaking city of Cádiz as their "number one place to visit" whilst in the country. "You see, this city deep in the southwest of Spain, on this impossibly small spit of land, is the most magical city in Spain, according to me," James explained. The expat insists it would be a "crime to visit Spain without seeing Cádiz", a sentiment Yoly also endorses as being "unforgivable". "There's almost a sense that Cádiz has so much history that it can't keep up, it can't keep it in check, and all of these historic buildings are being beaten by the weather that comes off the Atlantic, so it's a challenge to keep these buildings in a state of good repair," he added. "And for better or worse what that does mean is that these historic parts of Cádiz have this gritty authenticity to them." The city of Cádiz, Spain, is a treasure trove of ancient buildings and streets, scattered throughout its various quarters, or barrios as they're known locally. These include El Pópulo, La Viña, and Santa María. El Pópulo, the city's oldest quarter, nestles at the entrance of the historical centre, sandwiched between the Town Hall and the Cathedral. This area is considered the true medieval heart of the city, with roots dating back to the 13th century. One of Cádiz's most iconic landmarks is its Cathedral, a stunning blend of baroque and neoclassical architectural styles. Visitors can even embark on tours that reveal often overlooked parts of the cathedral, such as the crypts. The Plaza de las Flores is a picturesque square brimming with cafés serving local delicacies like churros and fried fish. Alternatively, head to Mercado Central, where stalls are laden with locally sourced goods. While Cádiz's millennia-old history forms a significant part of its charm, the city has also embraced modernity. This is evident in the contemporary Parador de Cádiz, a hotel that first opened its doors in 2013. It boasts a stunning outdoor swimming pool set against the backdrop of Atlantic views. According to Booking.com, stays for upcoming dates start from £135. When it comes to dining, you'll be spoilt for choice. The city is teeming with tabernas offering cheap and plentiful tapas. Blogger Man vs Globe has shared his top pick. "Taberna Casa Manteca - known locally just as Bar Manteca, or Lard Bar - is somewhat a local classic, a Cádiz institution. Run by two brothers, the sons of a matador, the bar serves traditional Spanish meats such as cured pork in all forms; from jamón to salchichón through to chorizos. The lomos hang high above the bar and are served to you without fuss, sliced on waxed paper. As soon as the doors fling open around midday, patrons pack what little space there is inside the bar, many having to spill out into the street, gathering around the few outside tables clutching small glasses of Cruzcampo in clouds of cigarette smoke," he writes . Whilst Cádiz sits nearest to Jerez Airport, the transport hub is located 20 miles away with no direct flights currently operating from the UK. The simplest route is to fly into Seville before catching the hour-and-a-half train journey heading south. Tickets cost £27 for a single journey. At present, Skyscanner shows direct December flights from UK airports including Edinburgh, London, Birmingham and Manchester to Seville starting from £14.