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Monthly Archives: May 2009

Are UK police too heavy-handed with photographers?

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Posted by Paul on May 22, 2009 – 7:47 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

Two Austrian tourists visiting London were stopped by community officers and allegedly instructed to delete pictures they’d been taking. They were public transport enthusiasts and had been taking pictures of buses, bus stations and the like. Klaus Matzka wrote to The Guardian newspaper to recount his experience and said he wouldn’t be returning in a hurry.  I’ve heard a number of these kinds of stories now and am still in two minds as to whether this is a bit of an over-reaction.

What do you think?  Will our tourist industry be better or worse for it if we adopt a zero tolerance policy? Post a blog comment to let us have your thoughts.

See this video for more details about the story:

Cantona heads to Butlins

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Posted by Jennifer on May 22, 2009 – 1:00 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions

The French beach soccer team, managed by charastmatic legend Eric Cantona, will be visiting Butlins Minehead for an exciting international tournament.  It is the first time that England has hosted this kind of tournament.  The competition will see a select band of Europe’s footballing giants battle it out on the sand as part of the Beach Soccer Euroleague, staged at the 2,000-seat purpose-built stadium in Minehead. The beach soccer teams of England, France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Switzerland and Azerbaijan are scheduled to compete in a round-robin competition on 17-19 July 2009.  The event will attract many visitors to Butlins with prices stating from £95 per person for a three night break during the period of the tournament.

London to host the Super Bowl?

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Posted by Paul on May 22, 2009 – 11:37 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

Rumour has it that London could host the Super Bowl within the next 8 years. To date, the spectacle has always been staged in the United States but, with an increasing number of NFL games having been staged at Wembley Stadium, the next logical progression would be for the capital to stage the main event. If it was to happen – which at this stage seems a slim possibility – then The Daily Telegraph claims that it would be worth more than $500 million for the London economy.

Celebrating the Ramada Hotel in Manchester

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Posted by Jennifer on May 22, 2009 – 9:00 am
Filed under Accommodation

The Ramada Hotel in Salford Quays, Manchester is celebrating its first birthday this month, May 2009.  Celebrations began on 15th May 2009 and live guitarists performed acoustic covers of hits including Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me a River and Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd.  An Italian them dominated the culinary side of the evening and a cocktail bar served Aperol-infused Spritz-style cocktails.  The stunning hotel offers 142 comfortable guest rooms and a number of airy conference rooms.  The Ramada is sure to enjoy many more successful years in Manchester.

UK beaches make top ten favourite in the world

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Posted by Jennifer on May 22, 2009 – 9:00 am
Filed under Attractions

The Guardian has listed its top ten favourite beaches in the world as given by people woh spend their lives by the ocean – from surfers and marine biologists to board shop workers and Austrailians.  Beaches in Scotland and Cornwall have made this list and find themselves in the company of countries such as Chile and Fiji.  Porthowan beach in Cornwal  is the favourite beach of Any Cummins who is the Campaign Manager for Surfers Against Sewage and he said “Porthtowan is my favourite because it lets me do so much. I swim there, sunbathe, play with my family, surf, work and relax. I’ve surfed with dolphins there and seen basking sharks and there’s always the chance of that happening next time I’m there. It’s my home from home, without phone reception, without everyday stresses, my perfect escape.”  Pease Bay in Scotland is the favourite beach of Kate McCondiche of Boardwise Surf sate and snow shop.  Pease bay is beautifully situated in a hollow between sloping hillsides.  Kate said “The long sandy beach is ideal for chilling out, and with its hillside location, it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set. One of my favourite things about this beach are the people – there’s no unfriendly behaviour, and I’m likely to know someone else who is there.”

South Devon’s glorious beaches

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Posted by Paul on May 22, 2009 – 7:53 am
Filed under Attractions

With more than 70 miles of coastline, South Devon boasts mile after mile of glorious beaches, ranging from tiny sheltered coves to great swathes of golden sand and long stretches of pebbles and shingle. Whether its beaches with safe bathing, family facilities, energetic watersports, a wildlife haven, access for dog walkers or top quality awards, South Devon is able to offer them all. Twenty of the best beaches are listed in the 2009 South Devon Guide, which may be obtained free of charge by visiting www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

Among the best and most well-known of the region’s beaches is Dawlish Warren. A winner of the European Blue Flag award no less than ten times, it is internationally recognised as a nature reserve and home to hundreds of species of insects, birds, animals and plant life, some of which were new to science when they were discovered there.

For a secluded hideaway, Coryton Cove, Dawlish, is a perfect, picturesque location, complete with rock pools, brightly-coloured beach huts and the occasional sighting of dolphins, while Ness Beach at picturesque Shaldon sits between impressive red cliffs and is accessed via an original smuggler’s tunnel.

Families searching for a long stretch of sandy beach, with shallow water for paddling, rock pools for exploring, a beach shop and café, would be hard pushed to find anywhere better than Bigbury on Sea. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Blue Flag beach is joined by a causeway to Burgh Island, which can be visited by sea tractor or on foot at low tide. The beach is also ideal for windsurfing and kite surfing.

Other sandy beaches popular with families include Dawlish Town and Teignmouth Town, both of which offer free entertainment during the summer months and the crescent-shaped beach of Blackpool Sands, with its sheltered bay and backdrop of evergreens and pines. Regarded as the region’s best beach and a great base for a variety of watersports including surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and boogie boarding (equipment hire and instruction available), Blackpool Sands also has a Blue Flag award and is home to the Venus Café which serves local and organic food. Also popular are Salcombe South Sands, which is accessible by road, coastal footpath and passenger ferry from the town centre; and the less busy East Portlemouth on the opposite side of the estuary from Salcombe.

Get ready for some good weather in the UK this Bank Holiday weekend

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Posted by Paul on May 21, 2009 – 11:34 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

Forecasts suggest that this Bank Holiday weekend is going to be a beauty as far as the weather is concerned!  Temperatures across the whole of the UK will be above the seasonal norm, with southern England getting the best of the weather, particularly on Saturday and Sunday.  Brace yourself, though, for a thunderstorm moving in to the south from the continent by Monday.  These showers are expected to drift northwards so enjoy the good weather while you can.

A look at the London Eye, 10 years on

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Posted by Paul on May 21, 2009 – 11:29 pm
Filed under Attractions

It’s hard to believe that the London Eye has already been part of the London skyline for a decade.  With this video you can learn more about one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.

Dating in Durham

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Posted by Jennifer on May 21, 2009 – 8:00 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

Claims that Durham is the worst place to find a date are being challenged by Tourism chiefs.  Recent research from website Dating Trail claims Durham is the worst place in the UK for dating because there are fewer organised events there than in any other part of the country.  Craig Wilson, marketing manager for the County Durham Tourism Partnership, said: “What’s clear from the results of the survey is that people in Durham are finding love in other ways than through organised dating events.”  The Tourism chiefs have drawn up a list of the top ten places for a Durhamm date to prove that the city is an ideal destination for a romantic getaway and there are many beauty spots and stylish restaurants providing the ideal place for a proposal or simply to impress.

Record breaking picnics

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Posted by Jennifer on May 21, 2009 – 6:00 pm
Filed under Eating & Drinking, Events

National Family Week kicks off on 25th May 2009 and what better way to celebrate than to take your family on a picnic?  This year you can take part in a record breaking picnic attempt.  On Monday 25th May 2009 the world’s largest simultaneous picnic will be held at over 100 locations across the UK.  In London the headline event will be in Regent’s Park and you can find the closest picnic event to you on the National Family Week website.