Take me there: Yorkshire food trail
Yorkshire's artisan food producers will share their secrets on a series of gourmet tours of the county. New company Yorkshire Food Finder has launched more than 30 guided food trails, which include behind-the-scenes visits to rare-breed farms, breweries, smokehouses and creameries, followed by a meal at one of the region's top restaurants. Some of the trails include hands-on tuition, such as how to smoke fish or make your own ice cream. Trails start at £95pp for a half day, including transport, tour and either lunch or dinner. Accommodation can be arranged separately. Groups are limited to 12 people (yorkshirefoodfinder.org)
It's a good time to… go to a film festival
You don't have to fly to LA to experience the magic of the Oscars. Visit one of the UK's growing band of quirky, homegrown film festivals and you can rub shoulders with the stars, take in a premiere and even try your hand at film-making.
St Albans is about to reinvent itself as Hertfordshire's answer to Hollywood with the launch of the St Albans Film Festival (8-10 March, stalbansfilmfestival.com). What the weekend lacks in glamour (the launch party is in Café Rouge) it makes up for with workshops for budding actors and film-makers, unusual screenings and family-friendly events.
A similarly inspiring mix is on offer at the Borderlines Film Festival (1-17 March, borderlinesfilmfestival.co.uk), which takes place in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys. Highlights include a Dolce Vita-themed party, a guided walk in search of locations used in the film Shadowlands, and an audience with Derek Jacobi.
And finally the Flatpack Festival (21-31 March, flatpackfestival.org.uk) in Birmingham has a lively programme celebrating the cult, the comedic and the slightly bonkers. Visitors to this year's event can expect screenings in a solar-powered cinema, art installations, and the chance to see silent films rescored.
The week's best deals
Legoland break The Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa near Windsor, Berkshire, is offering a special Legoland package at £225 for one night's B&B for a family of four, including a two-day family pass into the nearby theme park. The offer is available from 15 March until 4 November. The hotel has its own Lego play area, indoor pool, games room and spa (macdonaldhotels.co.uk/berystede)
Celebrate St Patrick's Day Dublin's annual festivities will be bigger than ever this year and include The Gathering, a year-long showcase of Irish culture and connections. The four-day event, from 14-18 March, features music, comedy and a people's parade. Stay at the four-star Burlington Hotel for three nights for £345pp, including flights from Heathrow with BA, based on a 14 March departure (ba.com)
