Posted by Paul on October 19, 2009 – 2:27 pm
The North Eas’s best tourism businesses were honoured last week at the 2009 North East England Tourism Awards. Winners were announced in 15 categories at the prestigious awards including the BUPA Great North Run, (Best Tourism Event); Doxford Cottages, near Alnwick, Northumberland, (Self-Catering of the Year); Gisborough Hall Hotel, Guisborough, Tees Valley, (Large Hotel of the Year) and Headlam Hall Hotel, Darlington (Small Hotel of the Year).
The winners will now go on to represent the North East England at the national tourism awards next year. Two winners from the 2008 North East England Tourism Awards went on to win Gold at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. The Old School B&B in Newton-on-the-Moor, near Alnwick, won Best Tourism Website of the Year and The Hytte self-catering cottage, near Hexham, won in the Access for All category.
Posted by Paul on October 19, 2009 – 1:48 pm
Attention food lovers! Indulge your food passion with celebrity chefs and local delights at this year’s Dartmouth Food Festival from 21st to 25th October 2009. This year it’s going to be an even bigger and better outpouring of foodie passion with celebrity chefs John Burton-Race and Mitch Tonks coming back to work their culinary magic, alongside many of the region’s local restaurants and suppliers.
Posted by Jennifer on October 19, 2009 – 9:00 am
Today’s picture of the day is of Angus Folk Museum. It is located 5 miles south west of Angus in picturesque Forfar. It offers visitors and insight into how a rural workforce one lived. It consists of 6 quaint cottages dating back to the 18th Century and offers Scotland’s best folk collections and displays tools and machinery from bygone farmyards. The most fascinating item in the collection is a restored 19th Century black horse-drawn hearse.
Posted by Paul on October 18, 2009 – 12:26 pm
Set in the beautiful village of Scarista, Blue Reef Cottages consists of two turf roofed stone cottages designed to blend into the rugged coastal landscape, drawing on traditional island building techniques and incorporating unique touches. Designed to accommodate just two people each cottage has its own sauna and jacuzzi, offering the ultimate Hebridean retreat. The pièce de la résistance is a glass fronted observation area, which has stunning panoramic views of idyllic beaches and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Posted by Jennifer on October 18, 2009 – 9:00 am
Today’s picture of the day is of Paignton Zoo in Devon. The zoo was founded by Herbert Whitley and was first opened to the public in 1923. You can enjoy exploring the zoo and seeing hundreds of different animals and fascinating plants. Listen to the zoo keepers talking about the animals, what they eat and how they are kept. You can also visit the Animal Encounters Theatre and watch the feathered Feats bird show. It is a fun and educational experience for everyone.
Posted by Paul on October 18, 2009 – 12:16 am
For a free day out with the children, why not pop into Portsmouth’s City Museum to learn more about the city and its history? Themed talks and displays will be on offer throughout the half-term, from robots to outer space, as well as a fascinating insight into the works of Charles Darwin.
Posted by Jennifer on October 17, 2009 – 9:00 am
Today’s picture of the day is of Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm in Suffolk. It is situated in a Scheduled Ancient Monument site and contains two Roman Forts. Take your family to see rare cattle, sheep, pygmy goats, poultry and pigs and enjoy a delightful walk along the river’s edge and a picnic in the beautiful, tranquil countryside. There is also a visitor’s centre where you can buy gifts and souvenirs.
Posted by Paul on October 16, 2009 – 5:13 pm
The rich colours of autumn are seen at their absolute best at Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent at this time of year. The gardens will be open on Sunday 18th and 25th October 2009 and cream teas will be available in the coach house. The walks start at 2.30pm prompt. Admission is £5.00 for adults and 50p for children. Cream teas extra. Why not get yourself along?
Posted by Jennifer on October 16, 2009 – 9:00 am
Today’s picture of the day is of Yesterday’s World in East Sussex. It takes visitors through 100 wonderful years of British history in a 15th Century medieval hall house and offers over 100,000 magnificent artifacts. The surrounding grounds and gardens are stunning and tranqil. Within the grounds are intersting replica cobbled streets where you can experience the sounds and smells of time gone by. It provides and exciting and educational day out for the whole family.
Posted by Paul on October 15, 2009 – 9:58 pm
Remember that for world-class performance, the Scottish Ballet’s 40th Anniversary Autumn Season is running at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre.
But hurry – tickets are going fast.
Meanwhile, there’s still plenty of time to plan which festivities you’d like to join at the St Andrews Festival in November.
Or, for something different, don’t miss The Scottish International Storytelling Festival, which runs from 23rd October to 1st November 2009, and is a fresh and inspiring event held in Edinburgh.
