Much to the disgust of many visitors and locals, Windermere had a speed limit imposed on it a few years ago which essentially meant there were no places left in the Lake District where watersports enthusiasts could enjoy speedboats (to their full potential, at least), waterskiing and the like. However, as a one-off, permission has been granted for a temporary speed ban exemption on nearby Coniston Water to enable Bluebird K7 – the boat which Donald Campbell tragically crashed in – to be raced again at speeds of up to 100mph. Campbell had been aiming to reach speeds of around 300mph when the boat flipped over in 1967. Since recovered and restored, the Bluebird K7 will be allowed to run on the lake once more to test its seaworthiness. Learn more about The Bluebird Project below:
Monthly Archives: May 2009
Speed ban lifted to test Bluebird K7 in the Lake District
Learn about the Fab Four in Liverpool
Visit the UK’s capital of culture, Liverpool, and learn about the fab four that were The Beatles and follow their story in Albert Dock. It is a great day out for the whole family and although children may not remember them but they can get their own taste of Beatlemania by creating their own Sgt Pepper cover art, designing a 7″ record cover or taking part in a skiffle workshop. Prices start from £20.55 and workshops run between 2 and 4pm.
Down in Devon
Come along and discover the past in Devon where history comes to life at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter this week. Reassemble ancient skeletons or make cave paintings that you can take away with you. Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves provided shelter for Britain’s earliest humans and are now a Protected National Monument. Cave tours run daily from 10.30am and prices start at £6.50 for children. Or why not make your own kite and watch it fly. Be prepared to get muddy so dress appropriately and join us at the RHS Garden Rosemoor in Great Torrington, Devon. The gardens are the perfect place to test your kite out and offer 65 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland with a family picnic area. Also in Devon at Living Coasts, Torquay, The Devon Bat Group will be giving you the chance to meet some of their fascinating furry friends, including Honey the Noctule from the largest species of British bats and Ben the Pipistrell – from a colony near Dawlish. There are also penguins and puffins, wading birds and sea ducks and an underwater viewing gallery where you can watch the fascinating seals.
Get creative in Cornwall
Visiting Cornwall over the half-term? Take the kids to Fire Starters where Wallace and Gromit team member Tim Spring is bringing his creative talents to a dragon making workshop, as part of Port Eliot’s Dragon Week in St Germans, Cornwall. Children can enjoy building their own Chinese New Year style fire monster and will then be invited to take part in the Port Eliot Festival parade later this summer between the 24th and 26th July 2009. Dragons Week takes place between 25th and 31st May 2009 and the workshop is 29th to 30th May 2009. Costs start from £5 per child.
Bargain break at Osmington Bay adventure centre
Starting on the 26th May 2009 PGL’s Osmington Bay adventure centre in Dorset have reduced the price of their four-night residential activity holiday for children aged seven to 16 years during half-term. You now pay £186 per child, saving £62.65. This price includes full board accommodation, activities and evening entertainment. Hurry up and book now!
Entertain the kids in London on a budget
London is full of exciting ideas to entertain the kids without breaking the bank. Here are a couple of great ideas to help you out;
Movie Makers – Is there a budding director, actor or editor, test your talents at Rich Mix arts centre’s film making sessions in London’s East End. The workshops tie into the theme of the Kid’s Cine Time film shown that day so it is a fantastic opportunity to catch the film too. Sessions are held on 27th and 28th May 2009 from 1-3pm and prices for children start from £3.50. Booking is advisable.
Urban Art Attack – Running the Ethelburga Tower:At Home is the Geffrye Museum in London’s East End. Children can create their own cityscapes, squashy tower blocks and squirrel homes, decorate art deco birdhouses and plates, and make delicious chocolate flavoured birds’ nests at the workshop. The event takes place on 26th to 29th May 2009 and activities are free and on a first come first served basis.
Four nights for the price of three in Yorkshire
Natural Retreats is offering deals for families this half-term with four nights for the price of three at their Yorkshire Dales site. Stay in eco-friendly accommodation set in 54 acres of natural woodland and meadows. Price for four nights 22 to 31 May is £730 for up to six Temple Spa toiletries, logs for the wood-burner and a welcome hamper of organic produce. Book now to avoid disappointment and appreciate all the British counntryside has to offer.
Motorhome bookings on the up
Motorhome hire firms have claimed that business has increased by 50 per cent in comparison to last year and manufacturers claim that sales and orders are up by approximately 15 per cent. The Camping and Caravanning Club shows have published figures that show figures for 109 sites are up by 38 per cent compared with the same time in 2008, this is a larger increase than for tents and caravans. Jon Dale, spokesman for the club, which has 500,000 members, said: “People don’t have as much disposable income and so they are looking for cheaper alternatives to going abroad or staying in a hotel or bed and breakfast.”
Visitor centre agreed at Stonehenge
The site of Stonehenge’s visitor centre has been announced. The original plans have been somewhat scaled down buy the government plans to have the site built in time to coincide with the Olympics in 2012. The visitor centre will be built at Airman’s Corner just a mile and a half west of the prehistoric monuments. The announcement comes after many decades of disagreement, with one archaeologist commenting on the prospect of the visitor centre as “crazy and incomprehensible, archaeologically, educationally and economically” and by another as “probably sensible but inevitable rather dull”. The culture secretary calls the plans “sustainable and affordable”. Barbara Follett, the culture minister, described Stonehenge as “absolutely at the heart of our national history and heritage”, but added: “Everyone agrees, however, that the way it is presented to visitors is far short of ideal. Consensus on how to improve visitor facilities has eluded stakeholders for far too long, and so I am delighted that we now have plans to move forward.” The manager of the monument, Barry Cunliffe also welcomes the proposals.
Take a break in Anglesey
Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn in Beaumaris, Anglesey, is a cosy, traditional bolthole, but has just had an injection of modern style with the addition of the Town House. On arrival you are greeted by traditional wooden beams, check patterned sofas, iron bedsteads and pretty floral furnishings. There are 13 rooms which are well equipped with modern amenities including an iPod sock and flatscreen TV. In the evening you can enjoy a delicious evening meal in the hotel restaurant. Townhouse doubles start from £100 per night and rooms in the main hotel start from £110.
