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Monthly Archives: April 2009

Festivals and Heritage Events in Newcastle

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Posted by Lesley on April 28, 2009 – 10:38 am
Filed under Events

This year there are a number of cultural events and festivals planned in the Newcastle and Gateshead region.

The events, being promoted by the Newcastle and Gateshead Initiative, aim to highlight the wealth of cultural diversity in Tyne and Wear.

History buffs will enjoy exploring Hadrian’s Wall as part of the ‘Living The Frontier’ event taking place from the 28th-31st May, and music fans will enjoy Avison Live – an audiovisual artwork which will pay tribute to the 18th century composer Charles Avison.

The full calendar can befound on the NewcastleGateshead web site. 

There’s something for everyone, from movie and theatre buffs to sports fans and architecture lovers.

A day out on the beach in… Birmingham, UK?!

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Posted by Paul on April 28, 2009 – 10:14 am
Filed under Eating & Drinking, Events, Miscellaneous

Birmingham in the UK may be land-locked, but this summer the city’s residents and visitors will be able to escape to the beach – right in the heart of the city!  Between 19th June and 13th September 2009, Monarch will be partnering with Birmingham City Council and 96.4FM BRMB radio to host an urban beach which will transform the city centre location into an oasis of activity.

Each week, The Monarch Beach will be focusing on a different destination or country, with visitors to the beach being invited to escape and sample the sights, sounds and tastes that best reflect that destination. This free attraction will allow everyone a chance to enjoy a relaxing day on the beach with the sand between their toes. The Monarch Beach, the only one of its kind in the UK, is expected to attract over 150,000 visitors this summer. It covers 577 square meters, contains over 110 tonnes of sand and will include a stage to host live music and entertainment, the BRMB beach bar and café complete with open grill, plus deckchairs, tables, chairs and umbrellas to ensure the comfort of all visitors. Full details on the weekly destination schedule and programme of events will be available on Monarch’s website next month.

Liberation Day in Jersey

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Posted by Jennifer on April 28, 2009 – 9:00 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

This holiday is for you if you have a keen interest in history.  Jersey Tourism is offering a unique opportunity to discover life on the island of Jersey during wartime.  The Channel Islands where the only part of the British Isles to have been occupied during World War II.  German forces left the Channel Islands on 9th May 1945 which is now celebrated annually as Liberation Day.  Jersey Tourism is offering a package over Liberation weekend with a five day guided tour and visits to many of the most significant sites.  The package also includes free time to explore the island yourself or simply relax on the beautiful sandy beach.  The deal includes flights from Gatwick, five nights accommodation, full breakfast, transfers and admission charges and prices start from £499.

Glenrothes distillery opens its doors

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Posted by Jennifer on April 27, 2009 – 6:29 pm
Filed under Attractions

The Glenrothes distillery in Speyside opens its doors to the public on the 8th May 2009 as part of the Speyside Festival celebrations.  It offers the perfect opportunity to discover the secrets of the award winning single malt.  Since it was established in 1879 the distillery has been closed to public.  There will be two exclusive tours guided by Brand Ambassador Ronnie Cox and at the end of the tour you can enjoy a complimentary tasting of the Glenrothes Select Reserve.  Tours will take place on Friday 8th May 2009 at 09.30 and 10.30.

The winners of the Enjoy England for Excellence Awards 2009

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Posted by Paul on April 27, 2009 – 4:01 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking, Miscellaneous

Congratulations to the winners of the Enjoy England for Excellence Awards 2009. The winners were announced last week at a ceremony held at York’s National Railway Museum as follows:

Access for All Award:
The Hytte
Denewood, Bingfield, Hexham, Northumberland

Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year:
Augill Castle
South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

Best Tourism Experience:
London Walks
87 Messina Avenue, London

Best Website of the Year:
The Old School
Newton on the Moor, Northumberland

Business Tourism Award:
Rheged Centre
Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria

Caravan Holiday Park of the Year
Hidden Valley Park 
West Down, Ilfracombe, North Devon

Hotel of the Year:
Gidleigh Park
Chagford, Devon

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Harewood House
Harewood, Leeds

Outstanding Customer Service Award:
Bob Evans
Brunel’s ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Bristol

Self Catering Holiday of the Year:
Noelle’s Cottages
Middleton Hall, Pickering

Woodhouse Farm Cottages
Staplow, Ledbury, Herefordshire

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
78 Derngate: The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries
82 Derngate Northampton

Sustainable Tourism Award:
The Venus Company
Unit A, Block B, Halwell Business Park, Halwell, Totnes, Devon

Taste of England Award:
The Pipe & Glass Inn
West End, South Dalton, Beverley, East Yorkshire

Tourist Information Centre of the Year:
Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre
Rykneld Square, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Radisson introduces new Bloomsbury Street Hotel

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Posted by Jennifer on April 27, 2009 – 4:00 pm
Filed under Accommodation

The Radisson has re-launched the Marlborough Hotel as the Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel after a fantastic £25 million refurbishment.  The extensive makeover includes an additional floor giving the hotel a total of 35 standard double rooms, 52 superior twin and queen rooms, 84 deluxe bedrooms with king beds and 3 luxury suites.  The beautiful original features such as the wrought iron staircase, facade and lobby ceiling remain.  Resident Chef, Redmond Hayward will create mouth watering cuisine in the Bloomsbury Street Restaurant and business guests can take advantage of a 300 capacity theatre style folio room as well as six additional meeting rooms, a private bar area and a technogym.  The four star deluxe Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel is situated at 9-13 Bloomsbury Street, London.

Swine flu and its impact on UK tourism?

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Posted by Paul on April 27, 2009 – 3:09 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

The outbreak of swine flu in various parts of the world has resulted in many travel shares experiencing sharp declines today. Fears are that the swine flu outbreak in Mexico is spreading to the US, Canada and Spain, and shares in British Airways, for instance, have fallen almost 9%. Will this prove to be another reason (along with the weak pound) for Brits to holiday in the UK rather than abroad?

Buy a week’s holiday and get any second week half price!

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Posted by Paul on April 27, 2009 – 1:49 pm
Filed under Accommodation

Just 2 miles from the Seven Bays in Cornwall, there’s a sandy surfing beach for every day of the week when you stay at Lantic Star, near St Merryn and what’s more, if you book a week’s holiday in May or June you get any second week outside of the school holidays at half price.

Sleeping up to 6 people this contemporary bungalow also welcomes pets so the whole family can holiday together. You may be tempted away from the well-equipped kitchen as there is a licenced restaurant on site, Rick Stein has bought the local pub in St Merryn village, and Padstow with its wonderful array of seafood eateries is only 3 miles away.

Cornish Horizons is offering any second week outside of the school holidays at half price when you stay 7 nights at Lantic Star during May and June.

East of England – let’s go!

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Posted by Jennifer on April 27, 2009 – 1:00 pm
Filed under Events

East of England Tourism has launched the 2009 Let’s Go campaign which aims to promote great value leisure breaks and day trips by train to Cambridgshire, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.  Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire is involved in the campaign and offers guests reduced price admission when they buy a National Express train ticket to Broxbourne.  Colchester Zoo is also cutting prices for travel and admission £20 for adults and £12 for children and including transfers from the train station to the zoo.  There are 64 attractions in total offering similar fantastic deals.

Picture of the day: Tate Modern, London

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Posted by Paul on April 27, 2009 – 11:43 am
Filed under Attractions

Today’s picture of the day is of Tate Modern at Bankside, London.  This national museum of modern art is a popular London attraction that can be found opposite St. Paul’s Cathedral. Admission to the gallery is free.