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March 1st, 2010 Ben
Although Robin Hood and his Merry Men are synonymous with Nottingham, with legend having it that Sherwood Forest was his chosen place of residence and Nottinghamshire being ‘Robin Hood County’, when it comes to making an epic film, various locations are sourced and chosen. The filming for the remake Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott for Universal Pictures found its way to filming on the National Trusts Freshwater, one of the wildest beaches in Pembrokeshire just months after Harry Potter had scenes filmed there and hundreds of people flocked to have a Short Cottage Break Wales just to see some famous stars.
The filming, which was granted permission by a number of organizations including Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, The National Trust and Pembrokeshire Council, commenced with an impressive battle scene which involved more than 800 people including 450 extras, 250 crew members, marshals and beach cleaners. It also had a raft of boats and 130 horses which were stabled nearby for the duration of the filming. Whilst it is undisputable that much disruption was caused, the general consensus from locals about the crew being there and the filming taking place was unified in recognizing the positive effects this has brought to the area. Not only in the short term with temporary staff being employed and local businesses being utilized but also the long term benefits of raising the area’s profile and attracting visitors to the region for a Wales Holiday Cottage stay, bringing benefits to the local economy and follow on tourist spend.
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February 24th, 2010 Ben
Cornwall’s reigning supremacy of the legendary Cornish Pasty is set to be challenged as a Pie War will begin over the next few weeks in West Wales. A new company ‘Pasty and Pie Co’ is opening its first store in Tenby on the 1st March and will then open a flagship store in Cardiff this summer before it rolls out across England, in an attempt to monopolize the world of consumer pasty buying, historically dominated by the Cornish.
The Pembrokeshire pasties, which have all their ingredients locally sourced in Pembrokeshire and include lamb, red current jelly and currants, are claiming to be unique by the company and the stores will sell six different pies and pasties to rival Cornish firms. If you are due stay in a Wales Holiday Cottage, make sure you get to sample the competing Pasty. The company director is really ‘banging the drum’ for Pembrokeshire and the farming community and hopes to open stores in towns and cities across the UK which will compete with the existing Cornish pasty run firms.
For anyone who may not possibly know what a pasty is, let me fill you in. A pasty is a filled pastry case which differs from a pie in that it is filled on a flat circle pastry shape and folded into wrap the filling with the edges crimped to form a seal. Traditional Cornish pasties are filled with beef, swede, potato and onions, they are then baked. Over the years pasties have begun to have an array of different fillings from pork and apple to cheese and onion to name but a few. Anyone that has been to Cornwall should have experienced the taste of a traditional Cornish pasty, anyone on a short break Wales will now not only experience a traditional Pembrokeshire pasty but will be able to compare against the Cornish pasty and judge for themselves.
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February 3rd, 2010 Alex
Travellers around the UK will no doubt already have seen the huge amount of shops and kiosks that sell Cornish pasties on high streets, train stations and cafes, but now there’s a way to take home a novelty item for pasty lovers who aren’t going on a trip, or don’t have any trips to cottages in Cornwall coming up.
Pasties with chocolate in them have been available for ages, but pasties made purely out of chocolate are something new and tasty. This is, however, exactly what the chocolate and fudge manufacturer’s County’s have done. Supplied to pasty suppliers and delicatessens, these solid chocolate pasties, made from high quality cocoa beans and containing 35% cocoa solids, are ideal to take home for a pasty lover. It doesn’t even matter if they go cold.
Of course, it’s not just a tasty treat, but also a reminder of your family holiday in Cornwall. Whereas some people might bring home sticky rock that ends up looking unappetising very quickly, you’ll still have delicious chocolate in a form that is truly Cornish.
There are plenty of other products available from County’s, including Cornish fudge, and tracking these down in delicatessens or gift shops will make your holiday a whole lot more interesting, not to mention tasty.
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December 23rd, 2009 Alex
Dartmoor is well-known as a tourist attraction, especially in the summer. It has beautiful views of both a serene and dramatic nature, and can provide warm, sun-soaked riversides for picnics and relaxation. Plenty of people taking Devon holidays visit the moor every year, and it’s no wonder why.
It’s also known for pony trekking, horse riding, and walking without any other animal involved: on foot. Walks across Dartmoor can be challenging, gruelling affairs, such as the Ten Tors or Dartmoor Beast challenges, but holiday-makers will find that the moor offers them something too. More relaxed and pleasant walks can be taken, and one of the best ways of doing this is to follow the route of a leat.
Leats are man-made water channels that were designed to carry water away from its natural route. Along the leat or at its destination, it could supply water for drinking, washing or farming, or power industrial equipment, even producing electricity. The leats were made using incredibly slight gradients, designed to keep the water travelling fast enough that it didn’t stagnate, but slow enough that it didn’t flood. One of the results of this is that in places the water appears to be flowing uphill.
Because of the way the leats are made, they provide excellent, gentle walking routes, and are easy enough to follow, especially if still filled with water. This makes them ideal for the slower gait of children, perhaps those who might stay with their family in a Devon holiday park. Along the route, walkers will see things such as sheep leaps, two granite platforms jutting out over the leat to allow sheep to jump across the water, and possibly a Bullseye stone, granite blocks with a hole through them that is the right size to divert just the right amount of water off a leat for use somewhere else.
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December 21st, 2009 Alex
With the festive period pretty much upon us, pantomimes all around the country will be starting up. Every year, theatres around the UK put on versions of Aladdin, Puss in Boots, Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, and, of course, Cinderella.
Anybody taking a Torbay holiday this Christmas will be able to visit the Princess Theatre between the 17th December and 3rd January and take in a production of Cinderella.
But how do you put together a great pantomime? According to the Princess Theatre, it’s a little like this:
Ingredients
1 Fairy Godmother
1 cup of Buttons
1 Dandini
1 Handsome Prince
2 Ugly Sisters
1 Cinderella
Method
Take 1 Handsome Prince and 1 beautiful, kind and innocent girl,
Combine with 2 ugly step sisters, the worst in the world.
Sprinkle in the star dust of 1 Fairy Godmother and add a generous helping of Buttons.
Whisk until light and fluffy.
Bake at The Princess Theatre between 17th December and 3rd January alternating between 2pm and 7pm.
Put it together and what have you got?
Bibbidi - Bobbidi - Boo!!!
So, if you’re thinking of enjoying one of the Christmas Devon holidays this year, consider Torbay and a pantomime.
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December 20th, 2009 Alex
Whilst some people have been watching for the Geminid shower over the last week, and the clear skies of the South West can provide a perfect vantage point to see it, others have been looking to the sky trying to see something a little different.
A site dedicated to recording UFO sightings has got a decent collection of information for Cornwall sightings, and the spooky thing? There are quite clear patterns that emerge.
Sightings of groups of orange lights reoccur every few months, and multiple accounts come in of people seeing them from different places at around the same time. People taking trips to try and spot UFOs is nothing new, but maybe Cornwall will start attracting these visitors as well. The clear skies of Cornwall that make for such a good family holiday in Cornwall also provide excellent views for sighting the unknown.
The possibility of spotting UFOs can bring families and friends together, as they all sit outside in the crisp Cornish air, heads peering skyward. Even if you don’t see UFOs you can still see shooting stars and supernovas on a clear night. I saw one of the former last Sunday night in fact.
So, why not book one of the cottages in Cornwall and make use of any cloudless nights to see what you can find. And remember, keep watching the skies!
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December 17th, 2009 Nikki
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.
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December 15th, 2009 Nikki
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!
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November 20th, 2009 Nikki
Set against some of Britain’s most stunning landscapes, the Isle of Wight really is a diamond in the ‘rough’ sea! Once you’ve booked your Bed and Breakfast Isle of Wight and arrived, you’ll get to experience a magnitude of activities from Llama trekking to Tree climbing (you’d be surprised just how much you can do on Isle of Wight breaks) so lets take you through a few ideas:
On Land:
Walking, of course.
The Isle of Wight is a walkers dream with over 500 miles of well-kept footpaths; you’ll get to meander through fields, forests and spectacular coastlines.
Cycling and Mountain Biking:
The Island offers a diverse terrain for you to choose from single track paths to speedy downhill Trails. Test your skills with undulating countryside and steep downhill sections. Or just have a leisurely ride around the town. No pressure!
Horse Riding:
Great hacks across country, with picnic in tow. Who could argue with that?
Golf
If you like. I’m not so sure you’ll have time on your Isle of Wight short break but some may disagree.
On Water:
Sailing - Cowes - The birthplace of yacht racing. You can’t go to the island and not try a spot of sailing.
Kite Surfing:
Fast, skilful and furious for the adrenalin junkies out there. Any takers?
On Air:
Gliding: 2, 000 feet up experience the thrill of silent flying and all the magnificent views you’ll take in of the island, cliffs and beaches.
Paragliding:
Choose from 12 flying sites on the island that cater for all wind directions and offer a good terrain.
Flying:
Choose either a pleasure flight or take the controls, how brave do you feel? Whether you like microlights, fixed wing aircraft or high tech helicopters there’s a choice for you.
On Second Thoughts:
If you don’t mind, I’ll give the whole activity thing a miss and meet you in the pub, there are plenty of decent ones to try on the island to keep me busy everyday!
Cheers!
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October 29th, 2009 Alex
The coast of Pembrokeshire is excellent for a number of things. Swimming, visiting beaches, any number of water sports, and, of course, fishing.
Fishing is something that many people find dull and uninteresting, but if you have the patience and devotion to really commit to it, it can be very rewarding.
Booking one of the coastal cottages in Wales can be the perfect start to your own fishing trip. With a week to spare, you’ll be able to try plenty of different locations, and with one of the self-catering luxury cottages in Wales waiting for you, you can cook what you catch!
Fishing isn’t just relaxing at the seaside or riverbank though, when you’re by the coast, why not go out for a sea fishing trips? A boat out onto the waves means you can be catching bigger and more interesting fish, and then eat them.
Of course, catching fish isn’t guaranteed, so it’s always best to make sure the cupboards of your cottage are well-stocked with other foodstuffs. But even if that does happen you’ll still have had a great day dangling a hook in some water.
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