Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 9:53 pm
The 2009 North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival embraces a full programme of 73 guided and speciality graded walks ensuring all levels of ability can discover the region’s beautiful and diverse scenery on foot.
Larger than ever before, some two-thirds of the outings are new with several half-day special interest walks being introduced for the first time, while some of the local landowners are guiding on their own patch giving walkers a personal insight into the area. There will also be new, three- and four-day breaks starting over the May Bank Holiday weekend with daily walking itineraries along the South West Coast Path or Two Moors Way and Samaritans Way.
The festival opens on 30th April 2009 with two free welcome walks centered on Croyde; both are graded easy to moderate and are 4.7 and 7 miles in length respectively. Amongst the new specialist outings are a 5.5 mile circular walk on 3rd May around the International Biosphere Reserve at Braunton Burrows discovering evidence remaining from WWII including pillboxes, a bazooka/tank firming range, Matilda tank and much more giving a fascinating insight into how this area was used as a practice ground for the D-Day landings. And, on 6th May a 7.5 mile walk explores the old Victorian Mineral Line, which carried iron ore down a 1:4 incline to Watchet harbour on Exmoor’s coast.
Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 3:13 pm
Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of VisitBritain, has suggested that jobs are on the line in the UK tourism sector due not only to the recession but also to poor service. He has indicated that the likes of Basil Fawlty are “still patrolling some hotel check-in desks”. Do you agree with his comments? Have you any experiences you wish to share? And do you think it’s responsible for Mr Rodrigues to speak out like this? There are, afterall, many very good hotels out there that might suffer from these kinds of remarks…
Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 2:46 pm
Bath Fringe are holding their main Open Meeting for projects, performers, ideas and general volunteers. Or just to find out what people are doing this year to see if your ideas connect.
It’s on Monday 2nd February 2009 at 7.30pm at Chapel Arts, which used to be Windows, Invention, Central Club, etc. – if you’ve been in Bath a while, you’ll know the place, otherwise, try putting BA1 1QR into your favourite navigation aid (works OK on Multimap or Google Maps), and it’s the chapel-like building by the little green.
Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 11:54 am
Here are some hard to resist winter break offers from The Eton Collection in cosy boutique hotels across London, Leeds and Edinburgh.
Threadneedles, London – from £125 weekends, and £260 midweek (originally £410). Includes breakfast on weekends. Excludes VAT Book online, email or call +44 (0)20 7657 8080
The Colonnade, London – from £115 (originally £220) includes a hearty English breakfast. Excludes VAT Book online, email or call +44 (0)20 7286 1052
Quebecs, Leeds – from £99 (originally £230) includes a hearty Yorkshire breakfast and VAT Book online, email or call +44 (0)113 244 8989
42 The Calls, Leeds – from £99 (originally £225) includes a hearty Yorkshire breakfast and VAT Book online, email or call +44 (0)113 244 0099
The Glasshouse, Edinburgh – from £110 (originally £355) includes a full Scottish breakfast and VAT Book online, email or call +44 (0)131 525 8200
The Scotsman, Edinburgh – from £110 (originally £350) includes a full Scottish breakfast, entry to Escape Health Club and Spa and VAT Book online, email or call +44 (0)131 556 5565
All offers are only available by booking directly with the hotels. All prices are based on double occupancy. Valid until 31st January 2009.
Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 10:42 am
Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool’s exclusive 4 star deluxe hotel have teamed up with the World’s number one Beatles themed attraction, the Beatles Story, to offer you a great deal throughout early 2009! Located within Liverpool’s historic Albert Dock, the Beatles Story is a unique visitor attraction that will transport you on an enlightening and atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture and music of the Beatles.
Book a one night stay in a luxury room for 2 people at the special rate of £120.00 and they’ll include 2 tickets for the Beatles Story and breakfast free of charge! Quote “BStory” at the time of booking to obtain this special offer.
Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 10:27 am
If you missed Superbreak’s first lot of offers from their Winter Sale, don’t despair! This week they have plenty more bargains coming your way. From a 2 night dinner deal at the 4* Edinburgh Marriott from £89pp to theatre breaks to see the widely anticipated Oliver! Prices start from £80.00pp. With new deals added daily, you’ll be sure to bag a bargain in our Winter Sale!
Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 10:04 am
Get your walking boots on, escape the house and come and explore! Make the most of the festive break and crisp winter days with a walk in one of English Heritage’s spectacular settings. With stunning scenery and breathtaking views there is plenty to choose from to help blow away the cobwebs, wear off a few festive fancies and while away a couple of hours. From woodland walks to lakeside strolls; be inspired! Find more information here.
Posted by Paul on January 14, 2009 – 9:47 am
Have any of you been watching this series on BBC2? It’s on Tuesday evenings at 8pm. Oz Clark and James May are travelling the country in an open-topped Rolls Royce pulling a caravan, searching out special places to drink real ale. Among the places last episode was a visit to the hamlet of Newton by the Sea in Northumberland, where they visited The Ship Inn to sample the beer the in-house brewer makes in the micro-brewery behind the pub.
You can currently watch back episodes on the BBC site by following this link.
Posted by Paul on January 13, 2009 – 10:20 pm
According to Travelmole “…VisitBritain has been asked to draw up a priority list of key areas on which government could take effective action to support tourism during the economic downturn.” This follows a visit by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to a national tourism summit last week.
What do you think would help tourism in the UK the most during the current financial climate?
Posted by Paul on January 13, 2009 – 4:35 pm
The Sun ran an article on the best beaches in Britain yesterday. Their top 10 were:
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
Holywell Bay, Cornwall
Bournemouth, Dorset
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
Blackpool Sands, Devon
Hunstanton, Norfolk
Camber Sands, East Sussex
West Bay, Kent
Allonby, Cumbria
The list is a little Anglo-centric for my liking. I’m sure Scots can’t be too happy and being completely overlooked as there are some fabulous beaches in Scotland and, although Wales gets a token mention, it has a considerable number of beautiful beaches – for example, the National Trust-owned Llangennith Beach which you see pictured here.
Which beaches do you think should be in the top 10?
