Monthly Archives: December 2009

Winter Safety in Scotland

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The Scottish Avalanche Information Service is now live for this winter period, monitoring the areas that could be affected by avalanches. People staying near these regions for cottage holidays in Scotland, or any sort of holiday for that matter, should keep an eye on weather reports and this, especially if they’re thinking of venturing into the mountains.

The areas monitored are Lochaber in the Nevis range, Creag Meagaidh, South Cairngorms, North Cairngorms and Glencoe in Argyll, which should provide you with piece of mind if you’re staying in one of the many Argyll cottages anytime this winter.

All aboard the Steam Train

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A magical day awaits you and your family at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway whilst on your Isle of Wight breaks. What could be more enchanting than a visit to Santa in his magnificently decorated grotto, where each child receives their very own gift? Days that Santa will be there (it is his busiest time of year) are the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December. Not only will you get to see Santa, but you’ll get to stroll through the beautiful Winter Wonderland, take a relaxing ride on the steam trains and enjoy a variety of free entertainment. You’ll also get to do any further Christmas shopping you may have in the fantastically packed gift shop and sample some seasonal delights in the Restaurant and buffet.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is actually well worthy of a visit anytime with trains running throughout the year. You’ll get a chance to step back to a bygone era when steam power was the order of the day and certain times of the year will stage a myriad of special events from a ‘Day out with Thomas’ to ‘Wizards Week’, Music Events, Wine and Real Ale Festivals and of course Santa Specials. Whilst on your Bed and breakfast Isle of Wight holiday make sure this is one stop you don’t miss out on as kids and adults alike will enjoy a day at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Dreaming of a Wight Christmas

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Independent weather analyst Positive Weather Solutions have doubled its predictions of a white Christmas on the South Coast this year, which is good news for anybody planning on spending the festive season in an Isle of Wight hotel.

As a cold spell seems to be about to hit Britain, possibly lasting for the next three weeks, the MET office is being badgered to predict whether there’ll be a white Christmas or not, but they’re keeping schtum. That hasn’t bothered independent analysts though, who are giving a 59% chance of a White Christmas in Scotland and North-East England, 55% on the East Coast, 32% in the rest of the North, Mid-Wales and the Midlands, 10% in the South West and 18% on the South Coast, which includes the Isle of Wight.

Whilst 18% might not seem a lot, it’s a lot higher than it has been for years, and we British are known for our cheery-faced optimism!

Whether it snows on Christmas Day or not, it’s still likely that the island will receive a coating of white at some point in the next month, making for a magical winter wonderland to enjoy with a holiday on the Isle of Wight.

Top Attractions to visit in Devon according to the Daily Telegraph

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If staying in a Holiday Park Devon is something you are still in two minds about then maybe this little fact will help you along the way: Devon achieved in getting 3 listings included in the Daily Telegraphs ’50 Great Days Out in the UK’ this year along with other top leading attractions in the UK like Alton Towers in Staffordshire, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire, Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland and Beaulieu Motor Museum, Hampshire. The list which is drawn up each year is a great resource for families choosing where to go on holiday and will certainly help anyone staying in a Torquay Caravan Park or hotel for their holiday to plan their days out:

1. Castle Drogo, was the last castle built in the UK, by the late great Sir Edwin Lutyens. The fortress-style home overlooks Dartmoor and Teign Gorge. The Gardens were designed by Gertrude Jekyll, there are children’s play areas, family trails and special events organized in school holidays.

2. Paignton Zoo was opened in the twenties by an eccentric millionaire and now covers 80 acres of ground which contain everything from crocodile swamps to savannah habitats, forests, wetlands and botanic gardens.

3. National Marine Aquarium, will take you on a journey exploring life in estuaries, shallow seas and deep reefs. Sharks, Sea Horses, turtles and colourful exotic fish can be seen but the centerpiece of the aquarium is the Atlantic Reef where you get to see Bass, Whiting and Pollock through vast picture windows.

If the above list doesn’t persuade you that a Caravan Park Devon is a great choice for your next family holiday or even your Christmas family holiday then maybe the idea of meeting Santa on the Express Train will!

The Seven Sisters

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Year after year, visitors come to the Seven Sisters for their holidays, and we’re not talking about taking a trip to see the mythical daughters of Atlas and Pleione. That would be weird.

If sea-views, undisturbed cliffs, rolling river valleys and beautiful open grassland sound like a draw to you, then the Seven Sisters Country Park may well be for you. Located in the south of the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the park brings people from all over to enjoy cycling or walking through it, or to spend a weekend camping there. Some people will even visit it as part of a Rye weekend break, as it’s not too far to travel.

The cliffs themselves have also been seen on the big screen in films such as Atonement, the Harry Potter films, and on the small screen in the Channel 4 comedy Green Wing. Due to their unspoilt chalk faces, they often stand in for the more heavily built up white cliffs of Dover.

The cliffs themselves rise and fall again and again, and each peak and trough has its own name. Haven Brow drops to Short Bottom, which rises to Short Brow, which falls to Limekiln Bottom, which leads up to Rough Brow, which declines into Rough Bottom, which inclines into Brass Point, which descends into Gap Bottom, which ascends into Flagstaff Point, which leads down to Flagstaff Bottom, which curves upwards into Flat Hill, which enjoys a downhill slope into Flathill Bottom, which has an upward gradient into Baily’s Hill, which lowers into Michel Dean, and finally heads up into Went Hill Brow. Luckily, that’s the end of the Seven Sisters, as I was running out of interesting synonyms for “goes up” and “goes down”.

Whilst plenty of people do camp in the area, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy increased comfort by staying in an East Sussex hotel, so remember that there’s a multitude of ways to experience the Seven Sisters.

Bath’s Christmas Surprise Guest

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baths christmasThe city of Bath started its festive season with a touch of Hollywood magic thanks to one of the cities most famous residents. Leading Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage wowed the crowed when he switched on the lights in the city; it’s certainly one up on the usual ex soapstar or reality tv reject.

The beautiful lights around the city are not the only festive attraction in Bath. The big switch on marked the start of a busy and fun packed festive period in the city.

One of the star attractions in Bath this Christmas is the annual Christmas Market, which will once again take place between two of Baths most famous landmarks, the Roman Baths and the Bath Abbey. The market is set to feature over 100 stalls housed in traditional wooden chalets. They will be selling everything from hand made crafted gifts to delicious food and drink. As if all that shopping wasn’t enough there will also be entertainment through out the night and special carols service taking place in the Abbey.

Another festive treat for visitors to Bath is this years panto which starts on the 17th December and finishes on 24th January. This year’s panto stars Liza Gooddard, Gemma Bissix and Tom Owen in the classic tale Sleeping Beauty.

With so much else going on now is a great time to have a pre Christmas getaway, there are plenty of hotels in Bath to provide you with accommodation during your stay and many fine restaurants to try when you’re not eating some of the delicious food from the market that is.