Sussex’s Marshland and its Treasures

A picture of Romney Marsh, which you can visit during a stay in a Sussex hotel.

Image courtesy of Flickr user yellow book.

If somebody said to you that they were heading to hotels in Sussex, you might ask if they were going to head to the South Downs, or spend a day shopping inBrighton, or whether they were planning on heading out on some of the woodland footpaths and bridleways that are abundant in the county. However, if they said that they weren’t planning on doing any of that, but were instead heading to see some ofSussex’s best marshland, you might begin to wonder if they were pulling your leg.

Unless, of course, you knew just what Sussex’s marshland could promise to those heading to East Sussex hotels. The county’s wetlands have plenty going on that will provide more than enough to fill anybody’s holiday in the region. There are historical trails past villages that used to exist centuries ago, and routes that will get you some great views across the eerily flat landscapes. Romney Marsh is full of things like this.

Something that visitors enjoy year after year though, are the wetland wildlife activities or conservational and educational facilities set up in the region. The Pevensey Levels stick out in the mind for this.

The Wildlife and Wetland Trust have some of the best activities that you’ll find located near Arundel. With them, you can go on boat safaris through the wetlands with a guide to point out the wildlife and plants to you, walk through the reeds around the wetlands to enjoy what is a fairly rare experience in theUK, and much, much more!

So, next time you’re inSussex, give the marshes a chance.

Take a trip to Bangor from Snowdonia

The mountains of Snowdonia are a wonderful place to visit, set in beautiful and tranquil surroundings the area is one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty in Wales and possibly the world. There are many Snowdonia holiday cottages to stay in that will give you the option to not only enjoy the mountains but also the surrounding areas. Even if you plan on making the most of your holiday in Snowdonia and its open moorland and mountainsides, it can be a good idea to venture a little further afield and explore what the area has to offer.

There are many towns and cities that you could be visiting when you choose to stay in North Wales cottages. Bangor is one such city and is a wonderful Cathedral city within Snowdonia that is not only full of character but also has a wealth of activities and features within it, making a visit all the more special. As to be expected, being a university city Bangor has a very diverse offering of shopping outlets and a wonderful selection of nightlife and dining facilities. Due to the cities costal location it also has a picturesque pier and seaside with great views of the Menai Strait.

Just outside of Bangor you will find the lavish and grand Penryhn Castle, the neo Norman mansion not only contains stunning gardens but also features a range of attractions to keep people of all ages entertained including mazes, steam engines and even a collection of Old Master paintings.

Your Guide to Beachy Head (It’s a cliff in Sussex)

Beachy head in SussexWelcome to Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. At its height it towers over the English Channel at an impressive one-hundred-and-sixty-two metres.

One of the most dramatic spots in Britain, Beachy Head was formed after the last ice age when the rise in sea levels led to the formation of the English Channel, cutting Britain off from the rest of Europe. The new sea easily cut into the chalk and pushed the coast back further and further. Even today the cliffs continue to be eroded and visitors should keep an eye out for the small but frequent rock slides.

Because of how beautiful the area is it’s become a popular place for people staying in East Sussex hotels to visit. There are plenty of popular walking routes starting, ending or travelling past Beachy Head and a variety of ice cream vans which try to capitalise on this during the summer months.

As hotels in Sussex are popular with walkers due to the sheer number of routes available through beautiful areas in Sussex, Beachy Head and the rest of the South Downs are easily accessible by bus. You’ll find plenty of other like-minded people travelling to the areas too, and transport can easily be arranged from wherever your walk ends back to your accommodation if you don’t feel like doing a circular trip.

It always seems to be Dover that’s famous for its white cliffs, but Sussex easily competes, and nowadays Dover’s cliffs are so industrialised that Sussex’s come off even better, still letting visitors glimpse their raw, unaltered magnificence.

Walks and Footpaths in East Sussex

One of the most frequent pastimes that people engage in during a stay in East Sussex hotels is to venture out and explore the beautiful county on foot. There are plenty of footpaths in the area that let you explore any landscape you could want to. Wander through forests for hours, hike up to the top of a hill and enjoy the view, trek along the white cliffs of the South Downs or explore pretty little villages that have existed for hundreds, even thousands of years.

To give you some inspiration for routes to take when staying in Rye hotels there are plenty of resources online describing some of the best footpaths in East Sussex for you to venture down. Here are a couple of our favourites.

First up is the 1066 Country Walk. Weighing in at 31 miles it’s not something that you should undertake without a bit of thought and preparation, but it’s worth it for not only the walk itself but the history. You’ll want to do a bit of research before hand to fully appreciate the areas you’re being taken to, but this walk will lead you from Rye to Pevensey through areas that were important during the Battle of Hastings. If revisiting the country’s history and imagining it for yourself appeals to you then this is a great choice.

The Royal Military Canal Path is another favourite. It’s a 28 mile walk that runs from Hythe in Kent into Rye and is historically important as well, providing a route for ships and troops to be quickly moved in case of an invasion from France.

Climbing in the peak District

Each and every day thousands of people visit the Peak District to climb and take advantage of its wonderful Tors and crags. There are well over 10,000 different recorded places that people can climb throughout the national park. Numerous different climbing groups and societies operate within the national park and you are sure to find exactly what you need whilst taking a Peak District Holiday. There are many Cottages in the Peak District that are available to rent should you decide upon a climbing holiday and are sure to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Walking the South Downs Way

If you’re looking for something to do during your stay at an East Sussex hotel then you’ve probably already considered exploring the beautiful countryside around the area. There are numerous ways to experience it, whether it’s driving along a scenic route, walking in some of the picturesque towns or villages, cycling through the countryside or finding a footpath and trekking down it. You might even have asked the staff at your Rye hotel which walks are the best in the area, but if anybody suggests that you walk the entire South Downs Way during your stay, they’re pulling your leg.

It’s not that the South Downs Way is impossible to walk (far from it in fact, this path was made for walking) it’s that the length of it doesn’t lend it to being walked during a single holiday to Sussex. The whole path measures in at one hundred miles stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne, meaning you travel through East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire. Clearly, a walk like this requires its own holiday.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t walk on it at all. The South Downs Way is easily accessible from plenty of different locations, and a popular thing to do is secure transport to one of these locations (either utilising the local bus service or having one of the less walk-focussed holiday makers give you a life) and then walk to the next one, or the one after that, and get on a bus or get picked up again. You’ll see some of the most beautiful areas of the county doing this, and it’s highly recommended as an activity for a day.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Here is a slide show of stunning pictures taken during a walk from Lydstep to Stackpole. You too could take the same route along the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast Path when you stay in a Pembrokeshire cottage. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs for 186 miles and encompasses some of the very finest coastal scenery in all of the UK.

Popping Out in Sussex

Sussex has always been a popular destination for people wanting to get away from urban life. Because of its location near the biggest city in the UK, it’s long been popular amongst those who want a quick getaway, whether it’s for a week, a bank holiday weekend, or even just for a weekend on its own.

Those who do travel down, be it for one night or five, might find themselves staying in a Rye hotel which is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and they’re sure to give in to the same thing that has tempted people for centuries into the beautiful county. That is of course exploring the surrounding countryside, best done on foot.

The number of forests, fields and footpaths in Sussex, all of which lead you through the some of the most eye-pleasing wilderness in Britain, have drawn people out of their East Sussex hotels and into the areas around them for decades.

The southern areas of Sussex have the coast, which offers a completely different visual appeal. The trees that are so densely scattered further inland disappear, to be replaced by sloping cliff tops and sharp drops past white cliff walls and into the sea.

So, whichever area of Sussex you end up travelling too, you’re guaranteed to discover gorgeous landscapes through which you can spend days walking, always returning to one of the stately country house hotels which can be found throughout the Sussex in the evening, already anticipating what is waiting to be discovered tomorrow.

North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival

Walking Festival

Life can be hectic from time to time.  All of us are subject to busy schedules that do not seem to calm down.  Sadly the second life seems to calm, the business resumes.  Therefore, it seems like the only way to ensure that you get the rest you need is to plan a holiday.  Scheduling a holiday will allow you to find refuge from your normal routine and enjoy the beautiful areas that the world has to offer.  And fortunately, you do not have to go far.  There are great areas in England to visit.  Consider taking short breaks in Woolacombe.  A weekend holiday at this fun area of North Devon will provide you with entertainment, relaxation, and beauty.  And you might want to go to the area when they are holding their walking festival.

Most Scenic Walking Festival

The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival was voted the most scenic walking festival by Country Life Magazine.  Those that have walked this festival already know this.  There are easy walks that you can do with your family, challenging hikes, and so many breathtaking views of the countryside.  This event occurs annually and it is beloved by many.  It is a great option for a weekend holiday.

84 Guided Walks

The festival offers 84 guided walks.  These walks have added up over the years as the festival has gained popularity.  Some of the walks are half day and others are full days.  They range from 2 miles to 10 miles.  Therefore, there is a perfect walk for every participant.

Different Types of Walks

In addition, the walks are meant to please those that walk them.  There are different types to suit the personality of those that walk them.  There are food walks, safari walks, island walks, and more.  The goal is to offer choice in an effort to accommodate the tastes of those that decide to participate.

Sign Up NOW

If you are interested in walking this amazing festival, sign up now.  Many of the walks are already fully booked.  However, there is still availability for some of the walks, allowing for opportunity to explore the fun areas of North Devon.  If you are interested, do not hesitate.  It will be an experience you will remember forever.  This is an exciting activity for al to participate in.  And the sooner you sign up the better!  Be apart of the fun and adventure.

Cycling and Walking Around Woolacombe

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.

Most Popular Cycle Path in North Devon

Woolacombe Bay has the most popular cycling paths in North Devon. This path is called the Tarka trail and it is actually named after a famous story.  The trail stretches 180 miles long, so there are many areas where you can bike through.  While you are biking, you will see many exciting architectural structures.  You will also see amazing rivers and great landscapes.

Well Maintained

A lot of times when people ride on paths of this length, some areas are better than others.  If the path is not maintained, people are often hesitant to bike and walk it because trash and clutter can take away from the beauty of the path.  It can also cause accidents.  Fortunately, cyclists riding in the Woolacombe will not experience accidents.  They will be able to ride clean roads and easily cycle through different parts of Devon.  It is a fantastic way to spend your holiday.

All Skill Levels Welcome

Another great thing about the trail is the fact that all skill levels are welcome.  The tarka trail is great for a family afternoon of cycling.  And it is also popular among avid cyclists that might prefer a little off roading action.  It is usually free from traffic. And if you need a bike, you can always rent one when you get there.

Walking the Bay

If you’d rather walk, than you can do that too in Woolacombe.  There are a lot of different areas for walking.  It is a nice opportunity for family time and relaxation.  Many people enjoy walking on the beach.  Others like to take walks to the countryside to view the beautiful atmosphere there.  Wherever you prefer to go, there are usually trails and paths.  In fact, many people walk from the parks to the beach.  It is a fun adventure to experience in Devon and a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and be among the beautiful nature of the area.  Bring your walking shoes so you are prepared when you arrive!