Monthly Archives: December 2008

The New Forest by Bike

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If you are a cycling enthusiast then the New Forest should be a top holiday destination for you. The New Forest not only offers some great cycling routes but some of the finest unspoilt countryside in the country, where little has changed in the park for many hundreds of years.

There are numerous cycle paths throughout the New Forest that range from country lanes to bridle ways and marked cycle paths. The variety on offer makes it a cyclist’s heaven as you will be able to find the track that’s right for you, you will also be able to find a path that is suited to your skills, so whether you are a nervous novice or an experienced expert there is something for you. The different terrain in the park also adds another dimension to the fun and excitement of cycling through the New Forest.

The New Forest first came to prominence when William the Conqueror used the forest as the Royal Hunting grounds and little has changed in these ancients woods since. In 2005 the New Forest officially became a national park encompassing 220 square miles. The park is full of wildlife all year round and what better way to experience nature than on your bike.

The best way to cycle through the park is on a mountain bike as there may be points on trails where you are cycling through woods or over hills and a mountains bike will make your trip much more enjoyable and easier on yourself. If you don’t have a mountain bike then don’t worry as there are plenty of places in the area that will allow you to hire a bike along with all the safety gear you need.

If you are thinking of cycling through the New Forest then there are plenty of New Forest hotels to stay in and plenty of bed and breakfast New Forest accommodation as well.

Christmas Markets in Bath

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For the rest of December town and cities across Europe will be bustling with the traditional Christmas Markets that have become so much apart of Christmas traditions. Christmas markets are much more than a normal market, they create a winter wonderland, a magical place full of lights, decorations and Christmas cheer. Stalls are full of fantastic and often unique gifts and best of all Father Christmas is known to pay visits to these special markets. It can make even the biggest scrooge feel like a child again.

Perhaps one of the best Christmas markets to be found in Britain is the market in Bath. Each year the Romans baths and Bath Abbey provide a stunning back drop to the festive event. Over 120 traditional wooden stalls fill the streets, many selling unique, locally produced hand crafted gifts designed to make Christmas that little bit extra special.

One of the highlights of Bath market is the food stalls. What better way to warm up on a cold winter’s night than by tucking in to some delicious food surrounded by the lights, decorations and music of the Christmas market. There is such a verity of food and drink on offer too, from mulled wine and mince pies to organic burgers and authentic German Bratwurst.

If great food and shopping is not quite enough for you then there is plenty of entertainment provided throughout the market with magicians, musicians and children’s entertainers. One highlight is the choirs in Bath Abbey. Their truly beautiful songs can be heard drifting out of the magnificent abbey right across the market and creates a really magical Christmas experience.

If you are looking to visit Bath during the Christmas period then there are plenty of fine Bath hotels so you can enjoy a short break in Bath.

Brittany and Normandy

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Brittany is a beautiful part of France, with rugged coasts, quite beaches, stunning views and small islands. Along this beautiful coast and in the green countryside quaint cobbled street towns can be found, many of which have been unchanged for hundreds of years.

Though many parts of Brittany seem typically French the people of Brittany are quite different from the rest of the country and they are very proud of there uniqueness. Some of the principle towns in Brittany include Rennes with its colourful past, Dinan and Saint Malo, known as the old pirate’s nest. The Menhirs of Carnac and the Morbihan are two locations that should not be missed on your trip to Brittany. With flights from locations such as Cornwall to Brittany the area is easily accessible.

Normandy is another great holiday destination in France and has so much to offer tourists. Normandy is blessed with many historic towns, sandy beaches and the world famous Mont-Saint-Michel.

Rouen is the capital of Normandy and this picturesque old town is well worth a visit. Also well worth a trip, especially for art lovers, is Giverny. Giverny was the home of Monet and you can still walk through his garden which inspired so many of his paintings.

Both Brittany and Normandy make fantastic holiday destinations whether you are looking for a family break or a getaway with a loved one. With ferry links to both regions and with flights to Brittany the area is within easy reach of the UK

The Peak Districts Top Activities

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The Peak District National Park is such a vast place with so many things to do it might be difficult to know what to do first. That is why we have created a list of some of the best and most popular activities in the Peak District. There are many, many more activities and things to see in the Peak District which is why 22 million people a year visit the park making it the second most popular National Park in the world.

  • Walking

The Peak District is famous throughout the UK as one of the best places for walking and hiking.

  • Rock Climbing

The Peak District is home to a wide variety of different rock types and formations making it a haven for climbers not just from the UK but is quickly establishing it self as a worldwide climbing destination.

  • Mountain Biking

Because of the popularity of cycling throughout the park many footpaths now ban bikes on them due to the erosion they cause, however there are still many bridle paths across the area which offer fantastic cycling opportunities for people of all experiences and ages.

  • Caving

Caving is becoming an increasingly popular sport for the adrenaline junkies as well as those who are just looking for an adventure. The Peak District is lucky enough to have many, many top caves of all shapes and sizes providing challenges for the novice and experienced alike.

  • Visit movie locations from ‘Pride and Prejudice’

The beautiful countryside of the Peak District has played host to many TV and film productions, with some of the most recent of note being ‘Pride and Prejudice’ staring Keira Knightley and Donald Sutherland and ‘The Duchess’ also starring Keira Knightley.

If you would like to visit the National Park there are numerous Peak District cottages to enjoy on your Peak District holiday.