Chatsworth House

Posted on April 30, 2010 by

Chatsworth House in Derbyshire has been a popular destination for people staying in Derbyshire cottages since it began opening to the public. The reasons for this were to try and make some of the money that the family who owned it were required to pay in taxes after the Second World War. With its extensive gardens and ornate interiors, Chatsworth House and Estate has become world famous as one of the most incredible stately homes in existence.

The gardens alone require days of exploring to discover all that they have to offer. Things like the Cascade, a long, constantly cascading artificial waterway that begins with water pouring from a large, ornate building known as the Cascade house, is just one of the many incredibly impressive sights that this stately home, Chatsworth House, has to offer. Another is the hunting tower, a large tower surrounding by trees and built with a curve-walled turret at each of the four corners. This is believed to have been used by observers to the hunts that took place in the park, as it offers an excellent vantage point across the grounds. There are also a number of fish ponds.

Since 1973, the grounds have also been used to display various aspects of what is considered to be rural life. This took off as the Dowager Duchess wanted people who would otherwise be unfamiliar with where the food they ate actually came from to experience the processes behind their meals. Demonstrations of milking as well as breeds of cow used for milk or beef were giving to visits in the Chatsworth Farmyard exhibit, which was created for just that purpose. Alan Titchmarsh also contributed to this, opening Oak Barn, designed for talks and exhibitions of gardening, in 2005.

There is plenty to see around the grounds, and visitors to Peak District cottages might find that it makes for an excellent day out, as its sculpted beauty is an excellent contrast to the natural beauty of the Peak District.

Beach Activities, Kite Surfing

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Greg

kite surfing

One of the most popular activities around the world is to hang out at the beach and participate in the many different activities. The beach is synonymous with fun, adventure, relaxation, and more. Almost everyone you meet loves the beach. This is true of those that visit Devon. The come to the area to relax and hang out in a beautiful area of England. Devon has amazing beaches and the activities that you can participate in on the miles of coastline are incredible. They will truly make your holiday memorable. So if you are camping in Devon, make sure that you take the time to go to the beach. And if you are adventurous enough, you might consider trying kite surfing!

Kite Surfing

Kite surfing is a pretty sport. If you are sitting on the beach, you’ve probably admired those kite surfers that are flying above the ocean in the beautiful kites. The sport seems to be so liberating. And those that participate in it obviously feel this way. However, they also have to know how to kite surf to begin with.

Beginners Welcome

If you want to experience the thrill of kite surfing, beginners are welcome on the beautiful beaches of Devon – although you probably want to start with a lesson on kite surfing. Look for an area with a lot of open beach. This will provide you with opportunity to practice. And it will allow you to fall or mess up without getting in the way of others. Also, windy weather will help you succeed better.

Find A School In Devon

It might be a good idea to find a school in Devon. The school will provide you with some basic lessons. You will learn how to control your power kite. And the good thing about a school is they usually provide the equipment you need so you won’t have to buy or rent it.

Equipment

Lastly, equipment is vital to success kite surfing. Most kite surfers use inflatable kites because they allow you to relaunch. In addition to a kite you might want a life jacket and a helmet. These will allow you to be safe on the water. Also, make sure that you are safe while you are kite surfing. You should have good swimming skills, a basic understanding of the water, currents, and wind. You will learn this in a class. But keep in mind the more prepared you are, the safer you will be while you are one the water.

Top Five Reasons to Visit Las Vegas

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Greg

Las Vegas

When looking for package holidays to Las Vegas, you will find a huge choice of amazing places to stay and things to do. Whether you are travelling with a group of friends, with family, in a couple or by yourself, there will be something to suit all situations. In this blog post we list our top five reasons to make Las Vegas your next holiday destination.

1. The Luxurious Hotels

You may have travelled all around the world and stayed in various luxurious hotels, but the hotels in Las Vegas are quite simply on another level. You have never truly experienced a luxury hotel until you have stayed in one of the Las Vegas hotels. After all, where else can you find hotels with replica working volcanoes and Italian lakes? Whichever hotel you decide to stay in, you are sure to have your every desire met and feel fully pampered.

2. The Shows

Over the years, many great entertainers have played in Vegas and this tradition continues to thrill the millions of people that visit the city every year. There are a wide range of performances for tourists on Las Vegas holidays to enjoy. Criss Angel and David Copperfield allow tourists to get up close and personal with some of their world-famous magic, while more classic shows come in the form of The Lion King, Jersey Boys and Cirque du Soleil. Headline acts include such greats as Cher, Celine Dion and Barry Manilow.

3. The Gambling

Of course one of the main draws of Vegas is the gambling – Las Vegas and gambling go hand in hand! The buzz and excitement that comes from the Las Vegas Casinos is hard to beat. They are definitely worth visiting even if you aren’t a big gambler. From poker to betting on sports, there is a game for everyone… or you can always just sit back and take in the magnificent spectacle of it all! If you are considering playing some games you are not familiar with, it may be worth brushing up before you head out so that your chances of winning are even greater.

4. The Grand Canyon

Described as one of the most breathtaking sights in the world, the Grand Canyon is certainly worth a visit for anyone on a Las Vegas holiday. Whether you view it from the SkyWalk, the quieter South Rim or from above in a helicopter, you are sure to be blown away by the sheer beauty of this natural phenomenon.

5. Adults’ Theme Park

Las Vegas is often described as the Disneyland for adults, and for good reason. The level of detail and entertainment that the city provides can only truly be compared to a giant theme park. If you have the cash, you will find that pretty much any need you have can be catered for in Las Vegas. That is why it has become known as a playground where the rich and famous let their hair down. As the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”… unless perhaps you are Tiger Woods!

Penzance – Come for the Sun, Stay for the Architecture

Posted on April 29, 2010 by

Visitors to Penzance, and indeed the whole of Cornwall, come for the sun, the sea, the sand and the surf. There are also plenty of attractions for holiday makers, as Cornwall is heavily invested in tourism. When people rent cottages in Cornwall for a holiday, they might visit Penzance and wander around the streets eating an ice cream, before going to one of the nearby beaches. But those streets and, more importantly, the houses on them are the main attraction in Penzance for plenty of people.

The entire town is host to magnificent examples of traditional Regency and Georgian buildings, the residences of people who made their money from the harbour there, or accommodation for visitors who wanted somewhere to summer. These have been preserved or, in some cases, restored to an excellent standard, and they really are beautiful buildings.

Many of the houses along the water front are of this style, and the contrast of the waves smashing against sea walls and these elegant, smooth-faced buildings is remarkable. The climate of the area has also inspired a sub-tropical public garden, designed beautifully and one of the most popular sights in Penzance.

There are plenty of buildings which are incredibly individual as well, and these are some of the most popular. The Egyptian house has been styled so that the front is made up of designs inspired by the Ancient Egyptians. Meanwhile, Penzance’s town hall is constructed entirely of granite, and is one of the biggest granite buildings in the world.

There’s plenty for people to find and see on a visit to Penzance, which makes it perfect for a family holiday in Cornwall.

Cycling and Walking Around Woolacombe

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Greg

Cycling

Are you planning a family holiday in Devon? If you are, there are plenty of things to do that you will want to put on your agenda. One area to visit in Devon is the beautiful area of Woolacombe. It is extremely popular for cycling and walking. Here are some of the highlights of this area and the reasons you will not want to miss it on your holiday.

River Cruises in Bath

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Gerard

bath river cruise

While on holiday in Bath there are a number of great attractions that tourists and locals alike just love. One of the most popular attractions is taking a river cruise along the River Avon and the Kennet & Avon Canal. A river cruise is a fantastic way to see the beautiful city of Bath and give you a fantastic view of some Baths best sites including the Pulteney Bridge.

There are a number of boating companies in Bath that allow you to either hire small rowing boats yourself or to take a cruise on one of the large riverboats.

If you choose to take one of the river cruises make sure you bring your camera as there will be a number of great photo opportunities you will not want to miss. The cruise will not only take you through the city but may also carry on out of Bath to picturesque nearby villages passing beautiful countryside along the way. When reaching Bathampton you can either; sit back and enjoy the trip back to Bath or if you wish you can disembark, explore the village and pop in to one of the wonderful riverside pubs and restaurants for a bite to eat and a drink.

If you are looking to spoil your loved one or a group of friends you can even charter a skippered boat which can take you on an even longer journey to Bradford-Upon-Avon. If you are looking for something a bit smaller then you can hire a row boat, punt or canoe to take to the water in. if you choose to go punting you even get a free lesson meaning you will be able to do your gondola impression before you know it.

Take a Trip Back to Childhood in Hartfield & Ashdown Forest

Posted on April 28, 2010 by

As people grow older, they frequently leave behind their childhood friends, and their faces, voices, and all the things that they used to do together are forgotten. The same is true of the stories and books that we enjoy as children. As we grow older they are left behind for another generation to enjoy.

Hartfield, in East Sussex, gives you the opportunity to recapture all the magic and delight of childhood once more, by allowing you to wander through a place that’s brought a sense of wonder and adventure into children’s lives for decades and decades. The stories of that are set in the nearby Ashdown Forest are those of Winnie-the-Pooh, and the forest is better known to fans of those stories as Hundred Acre Wood (although, actually, Hundred Acre Wood was just a section of the forests that Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends inhabited. The forest itself can be more accurately referred to as ‘Pooh’s Wood’).

Hartfield can be reached from any East Sussex hotel, and from there a twenty minute walk can take you into the forest. Once you’re between the trees, setting out to find the famous locations from the Winnie-the-Pooh stories is perfectly possible. The areas that Christopher Robin and his possibly-make-believe friends visited were all based on the areas that the A.A. Milne’s (ie. The author’s) son (ie. The real Christopher Robin, who was also called Christopher Robin) went to explore. This means that visitors to the forest can play Pooh-sticks on Pooh-sticks Bridge, visit Galleon’s Lap (in reality called Gill’s lap, and a spot from which an excellent Pooh walk starts, which takes people around most of what they wish to see), the Heffalump Trap, Roo’s Sandy Pit and, of course, Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place.

It might be worth starting from one of the forest car parks rather than Hartfield itself, and these are easily accessed from anywhere in East Sussex, including cottages or a Rye hotel.

A Guide to the Beaches of Pembrokeshire

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Gerard

Barafundle Bay

Pembrokeshire is well known for its stunning coastline, often regarded as one of the best coastlines in the UK. As well as the rugged cliffs, secret coves, hidden caves, abundant wildlife and tranquil islands that Pembrokeshire is famed for there are many fantastic beaches that cater to families and surfers alike.

Here is our guide to the beaches along the south coast of Pembrokeshire to visit during a short break in Pembrokeshire:

Amroth is a half mile long sandy beach, which at low tide has a huge expanse of sand, which makes a great space for beach games.

Barafundle Bay is probably one of the very best beaches in the UK. Barafundle is a small pretty bay that is backed by sand dunes and pine trees. The beach can only be reached by a half mile walk from the car park but don’t let this put you off as the golden sands and beautiful blue waters more than makes up for the trek from the car

Broad Haven South is a wide sandy bay backed by sand dunes that lead from the National Trusts Bosherston Lily Ponds. There are a number of caves to see and even springs bursting from the cliffs.

Church Doors Cove is a small sand and rock cove, which is surrounded by huge towering cliffs carved by the forces of nature in to a ‘door’. The beach can only be accessed at low tide.

Coppet Hall is a safe beach with a wide expanse of sand with rock pools along its eastern edge.

Freshwater East is a wide bay with a golden sandy beach backed by sand dunes.

Freshwater West is a sandy and rocky beach that is ideal for surfers. The beach has the best waves in the county but due to the strong currents it’s only really suitable for experienced surfers. The beaches popularity is set to sky rocket this year as two of 2010 biggest blockbusters have been filmed on the beach. Both Harry Potter and Robin Hood have filmed scenes on the beach.

Lydstep Haven is a privately owned beach of sand and pebbles back by a wooded cliff.

Manorbier is a sandy beach backed by sand dunes with a stream running through the northern end.

Why Do You Have to be Active on a Holiday?

Posted on April 19, 2010 by

When you read about holiday destinations either online or in magazines or newspapers, or when you hear about them on radio or see programs about them on television, everything seems to focus on what there is to do in the area. What activities are nearby? What beaches are easily reachable? What are the restaurants like? What are the bars like? Are there attractions to keep kids entertained? Are there nice walks? Will adults be satisfied? Can it cater to the elderly?

Everybody is so focussed on these questions that people then feel they are genuinely important to their holiday. They feel somehow guilty if they spend their holiday in Cornwall cottages and don’t visit the Eden Project or the beach or Land’s End. Days become a stressful exercise of getting everybody into a car, driving somewhere, getting them out of the car and then trying to force everybody to enjoy and appreciate whatever it is you’ve come to see. Then you have to rush home and work out where you’ll eat out for that evening, and what you’ll do after that.

It doesn’t have to be like that though. Renting one of the Sennen Cove cottages available for a week with some friends and then just staying there, not worrying about doing something productive everyday, or making sure you sample all the local delicacies, or seeing all the sights in the area can be very relaxing. Instead of dragging everybody out of bed and into the car, have a lie in. Wander into the kitchen later on and cook breakfast for whoever is up. When evening rolls out, don’t rush out to an expensive restaurant. You could cook something simple and easy, or even just get a takeaway.

Then, after you’ve enjoyed a nice, relaxed day, eating some tasty food and saved money by not visiting expensive attractions, you can all gather around in the garden, open a bottle of wine and enjoy the company of friends.

The Bizarre Boundaries of the Peak District

Posted on April 17, 2010 by

One of the best things about the Peak District from the perspective of a visitor is that there are no boundaries. I mean, of course there are boundaries, but you can walk onto or off the park from any side of it, on any footpath or road. There are no barriers to pass through, not even any signs to indicate that you are leaving the park. One moment you are in the Peak District, the next, whether you know it or not, you are outside it.

This has led to some very odd occurrences with nearby villages. When taking a holiday to the area, many people will choose to stay in one of the Peak District cottages that are available in what are considered Peak District villages, such as Glossop, Buxton and Hayfield [Glossop and Buxton are, in fact, towns, and are in the Peak District, but not within the Peak District National Park. See Comments]. However, these villages all fall outside the boundaries of the Peak District area, not that you’d know it to talk to people visiting them.

The Peak District is often called the Derbyshire Peak District, which is again a misleading development that doesn’t correspond with its boundaries. Although most of England’s first and most visited national park does lie within Derbyshire, it also extends into Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Cheshire and West and South Yorkshire, and visitors from Leeds and Manchester are a significant portion of the park’s guests all year round.

Ultimately, the boundaries that the Peak District is given are mostly for administrative purposes, and anybody staying in one of the Derbyshire cottages either on or near the district will realise that the beauty and appeal of the areas spreads far beyond those artificial boundaries.

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