Carrying 71 people from Amsterdam a British Airways plane crash landed at London City Airport losing its front wheel. The airport was closed as a precautionary measure following the event. Thankfully none of the passengers were seriously injured. Passengers told of the terrifying drama as the cabin began to fill with smoke after its landing. Passenger Ray Hamblin told Sky News ‘people were pretty calm at first but when the plane started to fill with smoke, people were not moving fast enough and they got pretty fractious.’ An inquiry has begun into the landing and British Airways confirmed that the nose-wheel on the aircraft suffered a failure on landing.
Monthly Archives: February 2009
London monument re-opens at last
Filed under Attractions
After an 18 month wait and a £4.5 million facelift The City of London’s memorial of the 1666 Fire of London has re-opened. It is over 202 feet tall and is the tallest free standing building in the world. Originally built in the 1670’s the monument has undergone repairs and improvements which include a viewing platform, telescopes and the exterior stonework has been cleaned. A swarm of visitors attended the re-opening and climbed the 311 steps to the top. An affiliated website will broadcast a moving image of the views from the top of the monument, made possible by a state of the art panoramic camera system commissioned by Architect Julian Harrap. Opening hours are 9.30-17.30 everyday.
Dine as though you were at Fawlty Towers!
Filed under Accommodation, Eating & Drinking, Events
Fawlty Towers, voted number one comedy of all time, is back! Now you can enjoy a tribute break, courtesy of Superbreak. Join Basil, Sybil and Manuel (played by actors from Laughlines) for a fun-filled evening! No riff raff or AA Inspectors, please, don’t mention the war and keep an eye out for Manuel’s Siberian Hamster. This comedy evening includes a 3-course dinner, Manuel serenading with classic seventies songs and finally a flamenco masterclass from Basil and Manuel. The break also includes breakfast and a night’s stay in a selection of hotels around the country. For further details, please click here.
Jorvik Viking Centre – free entry for 12 months!
Filed under Attractions
The Jorvik Viking Centre is a world famous attraction and is one of the most famous in the UK, welcoming around 14 million visitors over the last 21 years. It treats visitors to reconstructed Viking Age streets and exciting exhibitions.
For unlimited free entry for 12 months make a gift donation equivalent to the entry. The centre offers an excellent shop where you can find books, videos and CD’s suitable for adults and children alike. Buy something for your home or buy gifts for loved ones. The Jorvik Viking Centre is a great choice for a fun and exciting day out for the whole family.
Step back in time at the Imperial War Wuseum
Filed under Attractions
The perfect educational yet exciting and interesting half term trip is offered by the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. The museum is located in an award winning building, symbolic of ‘our world torn apart by conflict!
Enjoy the Big Picture show where changing images are projected onto the gallery walls and floor allowing you to immerse yourself into the music and sounds and learn about wars and weapons whilst hearing true life stories from people affected by war in all sorts of ways. Visit the Action Stations which use a hands on approach to teach about conditions in the trenches with realistic smells, how different camouflages work and offer quick fire games that require co-ordination and teamwork. This is just some of the things that you can experience and there is much more to offer.
Something fishy at Lakes Aquarium
Filed under Attractions
Providing education and excitement for the whole family is the Lakes Aquarium in Cumbria. See a huge array of spectacular fish in all shapes, colours and sizes, watch a performance by the friendly otters and learn all about marine life. Oscars is an excellent onsite restaurant with delicious contemporary cuisine and delicious home-made cakes, allowing you to make a day of it. Here you can enjoy stunning views of Lake Windermere and its scenic surroundings. After your visit you must visit the fantastic Quay Gift Shop where you can treat yourself to a souvenir or buy the perfect present for a loved one.
Eureka! Its half term!
Filed under Attractions
Take your kids to the best children’s museum in the north. Eureka is the UK’s National Children’s Museum and is the ideal place for them to discover the world around them in a fun and exciting way. It is also a great place for adults to learn how to be children again! Situated in Halifax, West Yorkshire, there are around 400 exhibits with interactive features to aid learning. This award winning museum was established in 1992 and was the first ‘National Childrens Museum’, believing that play ‘is an opportunity to build confidence and learn together.’ There is a huge variety of events and activities to suit the whole family and it caters for all age groups.
Daffodils in Scotland from the National Trust
Filed under Attractions
Various National Trust properties in Scotland are to be brought into bloom by the addition of daffodils in their grounds. Over 400 varieties can already be seen at Brodie Castle alongside the Moray Firth. You will also be able to see displays at Crathes in Aberdeenshire, House of Dun in Montrose, Threave Gardens in Dumfries and Galloway, and House of Binns at Linlithgow.
All of the estates and private homes are open to the public daily.
Wet, windy and under the hammer: Sleddale Hall
Filed under Accommodation, Miscellaneous
A somewhat neglected property in one of the wettest corners of England goes under the hammer at The Berkley Hotel in Knightsbridge tomorrow. Sleddale Hall at Wet Sleddale, near Shap in Cumbria, is just within the Lake District National Park boundary and is currently owned by United Utilities. The property, although currently without public access, is frequently visited by fans of the British cult film Withnail and I in which it featured as Uncle Monty’s cottage, a film that was responsible for launching the acting career of Richard E. Grant. It has a guide price of £145,000 and Kate Moss is rumoured to have been interested in turning it into an art studio. A number of websites have been set up by Withnail and I fans looking to raise money to save the property from possible destruction, including the Crow Crag’s Collective’s Save Sleddale Hall and freelancer writer Ben Webster’s Save Uncle Monty’s.
Portsmouth for February half term… there’s so much going on!
Filed under Attractions, Eating & Drinking, Events
School’s out and you’re looking for ideas to keep the family occupied this half term. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has an array of activities throughout the February half term and best of all they’re free with a valid attraction ticket. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is steeped in history with 6 must-see attractions for the price of 1 covering 800 years of naval history.
A 50-minute guided tour of HMS Victory by one of the professional guides will give visitors a real insight into what it would have been like to sail on Nelson’s flagship. You will learn where phrases like ‘square meal’ and ‘let the cat out of the bag’ originated and be amazed at how your bed became your coffin if you were unfortunate enough to die at sea.
Become an object detective on board HMS Victory where you will try and identify the mystery objects, learn more about life on board HMS Victory and make a ‘replica’ object to take away with you! This activity runs on Thursday 19th February 2009 at 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm.
The Royal Naval Museum is one of the world’s leading maritime museums, complete with hundreds of artefacts and original finds from naval warships. The museum includes a breathtaking multi-media ‘Trafalgar Experience’, a gallery dedicated to Horatio Nelson and you’ll see how naval life has developed in the navy from King Alfred’s first battle at sea in 882 to the present day.
Maritime Globetrotting at the Royal Naval Museum takes place on Wednesday 18th February 2009 (11am -1pm and 2pm – 4pm) where you can make your own mini globe complete with ships and sea creatures to attach.
There are over 27 interactive exhibits in Action Stations. Climb to the top of the 28ft tower, escape from pirates in the simulator ride and try your hand at flying a replica Merlin helicopter, just like the one on the navy’s newest and most advanced warship HMS Daring, equipped with realistic controls and buttons.
The clock is ticking and soon the Mary Rose Ship Hall will be closing for construction work to begin on the multi-million pound project to develop a brand new museum over the existing ship hall structure. The works will start in the autumn but don’t worry, the Mary Rose Museum will be open throughout and will continue to provide and interesting interpretation of the ship through a variety of interactive displays.
There are Tudor games and pastimes at the Mary Rose Museum with a mixture of hands-on activities for all ages. These sessions are daily during half term and run 11am – 12noon and 2pm – 4pm.
Come and explore the spacious HMS Warrior 1860. She was Britain’s first iron hulled warship, powered by steam and sail, the largest and fastest warship of her day. Daily activities during half term include ‘Follow the Flag’ which is a family trail where you’ll learn about the men who lived and worked on this formidable fighting machine. This activity runs from 10am – 4.30pm daily.
On Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th February 2009 there is ‘Crack the Code on board HMS Warrior 1860’. This is a drop-in workshop taking place throughout the day from 11am to 4pm. You will become a secret agent and write and send coded messages to friends and family.
Finally, a new catering establishment on site will be opening during half term. The Mezzanine Cafe inside Action Stations will be selling teas, coffees, light refreshments and snacks.
Tickets cost £18.50 adults, £16.50 seniors, £14 children and family £51.50 (up to 5 members of the same family, maximum 2 adults/seniors). Gift aid tickets and single attractions tickets also available. All activities listed here are free with a valid attraction ticket and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The Dockyard opens at 10am daily.
