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July 24th, 2009 admin
Here is the continuation to our guide for some of the very best things you MUST do when you visit South Wales.
Walk amongst a garden paradise
The gardens at Aberglasney House have long been known for their beauty and having been drawing people to them since 1477. The gardens are set in the pretty Tywi valley.
Pay a trip to terrific Tenby
The popular beach town of Tenby lies on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline and is a family favourite. The town is a popular Family Self Catering Holiday in Wales destination thanks to its great accommodation and a number of family friendly attractions. The towns biggest attractions is it beaches which offer beautiful golden sands and views of Caldey Island.
Walk the Beacons
The Brecon Beacons are a real walk on the wild side and one of the last real wildernesses in England and Wales. The Beacons are one of three National Parks in Wales. The Brecon Beacons are a great area for walking and hiking with a number of fantastic routes to take.
Storm a Keep
White Castle is one of the most stunning in the region and is well worth a visit. The Medieval castle forms part of the “Three Castles” located in the Monnow Valley. Unfortunately some of the castle has been lost over time but much of it still remains including the walls and tower of the inner and outer wall.
Discover archeology
Delve into the history of the area with a visit to the prehistoric fort at Castell Henllys. An ancient prehistoric village has been reconstructed allowing visitors the chance to see how our ancestors lived thousands of years ago.
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July 23rd, 2009 admin
While researching the area of Brixham for Torbay Holiday Parks, I came across this great site about the Brixham Buccaneers. This group of volunteers were formed in 2007 thanks to an idea from a local businessman called David Croney and a local Journalist called Liz Phillips.
This group of pirate enthusiasts organise activities and events in the summer months on their Buccaneers pirate days. The aim of these days is to provide education and entertainment for both locals and tourists that is piracy themed. The pirate days usually involve a wide range of activities with things like treasure hunts and story telling.
We are over half way through the year and the Buccaneers held a Pirate and Shanty festival on May the 3rd, where they broke the Guinness world record for “the most pirates in one gathering”.
During the holiday season there are pirate events held on most Thursdays. The locals also get in on the act by decorating their shops with skulls, flags and other piratey goodness, some even dress up themselves as pirates.
If you are lucky you may bump into a familiar face, Cap’n Jack Sparrow can sometimes be seen wandering around Torbay spreading the pirate message.
This all may seem like a silly excuse to dress up, but the group do have a serious message behind them. As you can see from their constitution page the Buccaneers are a non profit association that aim to promote the Town of Brixham and educate visitors to the maritime heritage of the area that will ultimately increase tourism in the local area.
So if you are visiting Brixham or the Torbay area this summer and are on an English Riviera holiday you should see if there is an Brixham Buccaneers event on while you are staying.
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July 20th, 2009 admin
You might be planning an Isle of Wight Holiday and have no clue about attractions to visit during your stay. Well if you have ever fancied pretending to be a giant or just appreciate well crafted miniatures, then the model village in Godshill is the place for you. This great attraction is a set of miniature models representing the villages of Godshill and Shanklin during the 20’s and 30’s.
Why not visit the actual villages of Shanklin and Godshill before visiting the model village and then you will be able to spot the buildings and streets you have seen. This will be easy for Godshill as the attraction is based in the village.
The villages include 1/10th scale models of churches, pubs, airfield, schools, houses with thatched roofs, villagers, hot air balloons and even some Morris dancers.
Great detail has been placed on the 2,500 individual shrubs and conifers that surround the buildings.
One of the most impressive features at the model village is the fully operational garden scale railway that will no doubt entertain young and old alike.
It is said it takes around 45 mins to walk around the attraction at a reasonable pace so it is best not to only plan visiting here for the whole day. One fun way to extend your visit is to complete the family quiz sheets that are provided, which is a great activity for children and helps to ensure they take in all the details of the village.
If you fancy returning to the model village while on holiday, the attraction allows re-entry within the same week as your visit.
The owners Stuart and Penny Dyer encourage visitors to take lots of photos while visiting and if you take any you feel are really impressive then you can e-mail them a copy at info@modelvillagegodshill.co.uk.
So next time you having a Short break on the Isle of Wight why not pay a visit to the Model Village in Godshill.
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July 18th, 2009 admin
Here are some events you can visit or take part in when staying in a Scottish Borders Cottage.
Common Riding
Social and cultural events are very important to the Scottish Borders and the residents like to celebrate their heritage and history. The Scottish borders are famous for a series of pageants that are known as the ‘Common Ridings’. These pageants celebrate the times when community boundaries were protected from invaders.
The event consists of horse riders from each of the town riding the boundaries of each area, re-enacting the enforcement that was needed in the past.
These pageants are a great spectacle to watch and it has been claimed that they are they largest mounted gatherings in Europe.
Jim Clark Rally
Local hero Jim Clark grew up on a farm near Duns in the Scottish Borders and is buried in the area. In his racing career he had twice won the Scottish National Championship, was winner of 7 Grand Prix and was twice world champion. Jim Died in 1968, and shortly after in 1970 the Jim Clark Rally was established by his friends. This Rally was included as part of the Scottish Rally Championship and in 1999 became a round in the British Rally Championship. The Jim Clark Rally is considered one of the biggest racing events in the UK. So if you happen to be in the area when it is held, it is definitely worth checking out.
Jim Clark Rally Official Website
Homecoming Scotland
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the world famous poet and national icon Robert Burns. This event not only celebrates Robert Burns but other great Scottish contributions to the world. Homecoming Scotland will be host to various events and activities that will honour the heritage of the region.
More information about what events will be happening in the Scottish Borders will be available nearer the time of the Homecoming.
Visit the Homecoming Scotland website for further information.
So next time you are renting a cottage in the Scottish Borders, why not pay a visit some of the events. For more events please visit here.
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July 18th, 2009 admin
The town of Bude is a great place to visit when on a Family Holiday in Cornwall. Bude has a rich history that dates back to when it was merely a Chapel on a hill. The town was established when two land owners created a unison between the areas of land they owned. The land owners were very business savvy, and they started many successful businesses.
In the 18th century, Bude had become a lively shipping port with goods travelling to and from Bristol, Ireland and Wales. As trade grew, and boats started travelling worldwide, then port was expanded to include cargo warehouses. At the turn of the 19th Century, the shipping trade was slowing down and Bude had to look to another way of sustaining themselves. The town was now connected to the rest of the country via a new railway line and the provided access so that many well off holiday makers could visit during the summer months. Although the railway line is now gone, Bude still relies on Tourism heavily.
Modern Bude is a friendly welcoming town that is popular with holiday makers. The town centre is a charming mix of buildings from various points in history, some from the 16th Century, Some form the 17th and more modern ones. There are shops to suit everyone with mainly locally owned business in the town, part of Bude’s charm is the lack of High Street chains that make up the modern high street we are all so bored of.
So what is there to do when visiting Bude, well after you have walked around the main town centre you can explore the rest of the area. Bude is well known for great surfing courtesy of Summerleaze Beach and Crooklets Beach, but there are many other activities to partake in on your UK Beach Holiday. The area offers pretty much any activity you can think of from rock climbing to golf.
Thanks to a restoration project Bude canal is being resorted to its former glory and is a joy to visit. The restoration project is linked to work that is being carried out on Bude castle. Once completed both sites will no doubt be some of the best tourist attractions in the area.
Next time you are travelling around Devon and Cornwall, why not pay a visit to the wonderful town of Bude.
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July 17th, 2009 admin
Visitors to the Scottish Borders will probably be aware of some of the activities on offer in the region, but here are some places of interest you may want to visit.
Whiteadder Reservoir
This great water sports centre is set in the Lammermuir Hills, between Duns and Gifford. This is one of the best places to come and learn to sail, with its great wind conditions and safe surroundings. Both beginners and experienced sailors, will find the modern and well equipped centre a joy to visit. Whether it’s a formal course or some handy pointers, the qualified RYA instructors are always on hand.
Walled Garden, Wilton Lodge Park
Nature lovers will find the walled garden at Wilton Lodge Park a great day out. The gardens have plenty of flowers, hanging baskets and even a glasshouse for some of the more weather weary plants. Children will find the aviary and pond within the glasshouse fascinating. Make sure you stop to see the chipmunks in their enclosure.
The walled garden is part of Wilton Lodge Park which offers plenty of activities such as tennis, bowling and also has a museum with local displays. Walkers will love coming to the park as there are some beautiful tree lined walks and a waterfall to see.
Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom
This Sheriffs court was built in 1803 and is where Sir Walter Scott Judged the wrong doers of Selkirkshire. Also famous for being an author, you can now visit the site of the courthouse to see displays and examples of his work.
Next time you are staying in a Scottish Borders Holiday Cottage you can explore some of the destinations featured, but there are also plenty of other things to see and do in the area.
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July 16th, 2009 admin
A Welsh self catering holiday is an increasingly popular holiday for many Britons looking to take a fantastic holiday with out breaking the bank. Wales is a great place to take truly memorable holidays with its combination of beautiful countryside, many attractions and the warm and friendly people. South Wales is one of the most popular holiday regions in Wales and with some many great things to see and do it’s easy to see why. Choosing to stay in a self catering Wales Holiday Cottage, caravan or camping ground is often much more economical than a traditional full or half board hotel.
Some of the many great South Wales attractions are listed below.
Visit the Capital
Cardiff the capital of Wales is one of the finest cities not only in Wales but in the whole of the UK. Cardiff has under gone a lot of redevelopment in recent years with the new bay area the symbol of this modern city. The city has many great attractions, shops, restaurants, theaters, cinemas, bars and clubs to make for a great day out.
Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast
The Pembrokeshire coastline is well know as not only one of the finest coastal stretches in Wales but one of the best anywhere with in the British Isles. The coast line is full of rugged cliffs, pretty coves, sleepy bays, golden beaches and tranquil isles. The coastline now forms part of Britain’s only coastal National Park.
Take in a show
When a lot of people think of Wales they picture the traditional male voice choir, luckily South Wales has a number of fantastic choirs who are certainly worth a visit during your Short Break in Wales.
Experience the Gower
The Gower peninsula near Swansea was the countries very first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area not only offers stunning views but is also home to a variety of wildlife and some fascinating historical landmarks.
Visit the smallest city in Britain
A walk around the city of St David’s won’t take very long at all because despite the name St David’s is actually the size of a small town, though despite its size there are plenty of things to see and do.
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July 16th, 2009 admin
Devon Holidays are not complete without a trip to the beach. And if you’ve ever gazed out over the ocean and wondered what lies over the horizon then a visit to the Golden Hind at Brixham Harbour is sure to fire your imagination.
The Golden Hind was Sir Francis Drake’s flag ship that circumnavigated the world between 1577 and 1580 as part of a expedition to explore the pacific coast of South America, passing through the dangerous Strait of Magellan. The expedition was supported by Queen Elizabeth and he had official approval to bring back riches for himself and the Queen, and to cause maximum damage to the Spanish. Tensions had been building between England & Spain for some time and the Spanish had recently targeted English vessels. Exploration quickly became a secondary objective for the expedition as Sir Francis Drake capture Spanish Galleons and took their treasures.
When the Golden Hind returned to England, Sir Francis Drake was hailed as a hero and he was famed for his exploits throughout the land. He had successfully taken Spanish bounty from several prestigious ships, he had circled the globe through uncharted waters and set up trade links with the far east which would lead to the development of the spice trade. He had achieved all this on a ship only 120 foot long and displacing 300 tons. The Golden Hind eventually fell into disrepair though and was broken up around 1610. It is said that the table in Middle Temple Hall in London is made from some of the Golden Hind’s timbers.
In 1973 an exact replica of the Golden Hind was build in Appledore, North Devon. This is the ship that now lies in Brixham harbour. In the same spirit of adventure we stepped out from a nearby Devon Holiday Park to visit the ship. Stepping on board is like stepping back through 400 years of history as life on board a 16th Century sailing vessel comes to life. Stepping below decks takes you into a dark world that would have been heavy with the toil of sailors struggling to survive in cramped conditions lacking in proper sanitation, being sustained on long trips by poor food and inadequate sleeping conditions. For the sailors the excellent pay and chance for adventure were the reward for living in this way.
The next time you are in South Devon be sure to visit the Golden Hind and learn a little more about Sir Francis Drake and his pioneering voyage around the world.
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July 15th, 2009 admin
Many of us will be spending this summer in Derbyshire or Peak District Cottages with our families, if you are one of the thousands who will be its a good idea to plan your holiday itinerary now to avoid any cases of boredom, especially if you have young children! Luckily though in Derbyshire there are many great family activities to keep the kids, mum and dad happy and provide some great memories.
Gulliver’s Kingdom
Gulliver’s theme park boasts over 40 rides ideally suited to children between 2 and 13 years. As well as the fantastic rides, Dora the explorer, Diego and Gully the mouse are all on hand to add to the fun and excitement, there are also some great Dora and Diego challenges with the chance of great prizes to the winners.
Heights of Abraham
Heights of Abraham has been welcoming guests since 1780 to its hill top attraction. In those days visitors had to walk up the steep hill yet today thanks to the alpine style cable car visitors can reach there destination quickly, easily and provide some spectacular views of the Derwent Valley. There are a number of things to see and do once at the top with stunning caverns, 60 acres of woodland and wildlife, a kid’s adventure playground, shops and eateries.
Chatsworth Farmyard & Adventure Playground
Chatsworth Farm is popular amoung younger children as it gives them the chance to see all the cute baby animals. Older children will love the adventure playground and the chance to run around the surrounding woods.
Matlock Bath Aquarium & Exhibitions
The old Victorian Thermal Baths of Matlock have undergone a transformation to become an underwater wonder with vast aquariums containing British and Tropical fish. As well as some truly beautiful and fascinating tropical fish there are a number of exhibits including a petrifying well, hologram gallery and gem stones.
Conkers
The award winning attraction Conkers is found right in the heart of the National Forest. There are numerous attractions at Conkers from interactive displays and simulations to great outdoor fun with adventure play parks and assault courses.
Go Ape
Do your best monkey impressions as you swing through the trees, cross rope bridges and wiz down zip wires. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground you can watch from the forest floor as your kids have fun over head. Go Ape is only suitable for children over 10.
With so many more great things to see and do you will have a fun filled Peak District holiday and may just find yourself coming back again and again!
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July 9th, 2009 admin
The Isle of Wight is recognized by many as a beautiful part of Britain. A great way to really explore the Isle of Wight is through an Isle of Wight Holiday. The Island itself only measures 23 miles by 13 miles and offers award winning beaches and breathtaking views and scenery through out the year to all who visit. With footpaths and bridleways in abundance covering large areas of the Island you won’t miss an inch of the places identified as areas of outstanding natural beauty which occupies over fifty percent of the island.
Some people believe that the Isle of Wight is a place like no other. When considering the areas of outstanding natural beauty, the stunning sea views, the island temperature and climate allows the island to possess surroundings that are like no other.
The areas of outstanding natural beauty offer a diverse range of environments to be enjoyed by the local people through the year and to tourists and visitors in the seasons. Some of the areas have been assigned AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) for over thirty years, and their time in good hands is more apparent now than ever.
Nothing will be able to compare against a breathtaking walk along one of the coastal paths that run through out the island. The island is well established for its walking possibilities that each year sees a walking festival in which travelers come from all over the world to participate in and really explore the wonders of the Isle of Wight first hand. Whilst out walking you might even be fortunate enough to see some of the wonderful wildlife on the Island which has been allowed to reside in the islands natural environment due to the amount of care taken to preserve the Isle of Wight in all its glory.
The coastal sights and countryside are other big tourist attractions to the Isle of Wight. The island offer coastal visitor centres for those who want to find out more about the Island and explore further.
The island also offers many places to stay but nothing makes a stay as relaxing as the Isle of Wight Hotels. Visit the Isle of Wight for your next holiday and find out for yourself why people keen coming back.
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