Todays sees the opening of the People’s History Museum in Manchester. The museum tells the dramatic story of the British working class’s struggle for democracy and social justice. Following an extensive £12.5million redevelopment the museum now boasts a refurbished Pump House and a newly constructed four-storey extension. It incorporates new galleries, an education service, the Labour History Archive and study centre, a textile conservation studio and corporate facilities.
Monthly Archives: February 2010
Turning Japanese at the Dormy House Hotel’s residential garden tours
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Events
The Dormy House Hotel in the Cotswolds is turning Japanese for the launch of four residential garden tours which will feature a Japanese tea ceremony and the chance to tour a privately-owned Japanese garden with the award winning designer Julian Dowle.
The first of the courses, which cost £450 for an inclusive package of luxury room, fine dining and transport to gardens, runs on 4th to 7th May 2010. The price also includes entry and guided tours of the gardens of Sudeley Castle, Kiftsgate and Sezincote and the chance to tour Hidcote with its head gardener. Subsequent tours will run: 1st to 4th, 8th to 11th June 2010, and 7th to 10th September 2010.
The private Japanese garden that guests visit is located in the grounds of the Farncombe Estate which is home to the Dormy House Hotel, near Broadway, and owned by the late Jørgen Philip-Sørensen. It was designed by Julian Dowle for Mr Jørgen Philip-Sørensen who has owned the Dormy House Hotel and the Farncombe Estate for over thirty years. Julian remains the only garden designer to win all 3 medals for a show garden at the annual Chelsea Flower Show.
Guests are shown around the garden by Julian himself, in addition to being treated to a special lesson in Japanese pruning and enjoying a relaxed dinner and question and answer session. The Japanese tea ceremony will be hosted by a local expert and involve the serving of green teas and authentic Japanese delicacies.
Fistral Spa at The Bay Hotel shortlisted for prestigious National Award
Filed under Accommodation, Miscellaneous
With Atlantic washed beaches, breathtaking views and fresh sea air, Cornwall has long been synonymous with rest and relaxation and now, thanks to the lavish treatments and sublime facilities offered at the pampering paradise of Fistral Spa, the county is in the running for a prestigious national award.
The Newquay-based Fistral Spa – which opened just two years ago – has been shortlisted for a highly sought-after Professional Beauty Award, flying the flag for Cornwall in the Residential Spa of the Year category. Open to resorts with up to 10 treatment rooms, the shortlisting places Fistral Spa among the finest six spas in the country.
Nestled at the heart of The Bay Hotel overlooking Fistral Beach, the spa boasts nine ESPA treatment rooms and a tranquil relaxation room, in addition to an indoor child-free heated pool with underwater music, Jacuzzi, steam-room and sauna. Treatments ranging from aromatherapy and massage to facials and full body wraps are available, along with more distinctly Cornish choices such as the ‘Surfer’s Massage’.
Having already been mystery shopped and visited by the expert judging panel which included the likes of George Hammer, owner of Aveda and Urban Retreat, and Debbie Green, Operations Director at The Sanctuary, Fistral Spa is now awaiting the final awards ceremony which takes place at the Park Lane Hilton in London on 8th March 2010.
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Filed under Events
In March 2010 the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival will feature 44 action and adventure packed award-winning films featuring adventure sports and travel from around the globe. Get yourself to The Showroom (the largest Independent Cinema outside of London, and voted Best Cultural Venue in the region) and make just one journey for a round-the-world the trip of a lifetime. From sea kayaking and free running in the UK to mountaineering in Papua New Guinea, solo big-wall climbing in California’s Yosemite Valley and 107m waterfall kayaking in Africa, you can take in the films in bite sized 2 hour chunks, as many or as little as you like, all introduced by either the UK’s best ever female climber Lucy Creamer, or Everest Summiteer and professional photographer Ian Parnell. Make sure to take in some of the 24 premieres and experience the big screen, big sound and big audience feel that YouTube and iPhones just can’t offer.
How deep is your love?
Filed under Attractions
Are you looking for a spectacular way to propose this Valentine’s Day? Well the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is offering a watertight solution which will be impossible to say no to – an exclusive underwater proposal service. Those wishing to pop the question to their loved one in a totally unique and utterly surprising way can organise for a diver to emerge amongst the rare Turtles, magical rays and shoals of exotic tropical fish, clutching a personalised “will you marry me?” sign (waterproof of course!) The amazing marine setting provides the perfect romantic backdrop to make a special event completely unforgettable. Water way to get engaged!
The once in a lifetime service costs £60, which includes a glass of Champagne and a photo capturing the moment. Numbers are extremely limited and slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Those who are sure there really aren’t plenty more fish in the sea and are interested in taking up this unique offer should contact the aquarium to reserve a slot.
Beamish celebrates 40 years as North’s Living Museum
Filed under Attractions, Events
Beamish Museum celebrates its 40th birthday in this month and will be hosting events throughout the year to celebrate. The award winning open air museum – which charts the history of North East life in the 18th and 19th centuries – has also invested in new attractions, including an Edwardian Fairground and steam powered horse carousel.
Chinese New Year fun at Coalport China Museum
Filed under Attractions, Events
Coalport China Museum in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire will be taking on a distinctly Oriental flavour during the school half-term as a series of activities celebrating the Chinese New Year are scheduled to take place throughout the week of Monday 15th to Friday 19th February 2010.
The creative can join drop-in ceramic workshops and try modelling tigers from clay, or decorate rice bowls with the big cats and other Chinese characters. Children can also put their artistic skills and imagination to good use by making dragon masks and shadow puppets, or painting ceramic Chinese flowers.
On certain days you can listen to stories that recount tales of the Chinese Willow Pattern and ‘meet’ Coalport’s magnificent willow dragon, Fire Tongue, who will be taking up residence in the Smugglers Kiln. There’s also a chance to discover your own Chinese Zodiac character according to your birth year, and then follow a trail around the museum in search of the oriental sign; afterwards you can create a special certificate with your birthday and sign.
Springtime in Savill Gardens
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking
With the arrival of spring, thoughts turn to days out and weekends away. And for lovers of the countryside and all things flora and fauna, Savill Gardens located in Windsor Great Park and one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens, comes into its own this time of year. With this in mind, The Christopher hotel has created The Savill Gardens Spring Package, priced from £210 per room.
Covering some 35 acres, Savill Gardens was created in 1932 by Sir Eric Savill, deputy ranger, of Windsor Great Park. Today the garden is well established and is considered to be the finest of its type in the northern temperate region of the world. Renowned for its spectacular spring plants; formal rose garden and herbaceous borders.
The Garden’s new iconic visitor centre is inspired by leaf form, the building’s roof features a rarely-seen grid shell design and, at nearly 100-metres long, is the largest of its type in the UK and is manufactured from sustainably-sourced larch and green oak from Windsor Great Park.
The Savill Gardens Spring Package includes:
• Afternoon tea
• Three-course Dinner
• Full-English breakfast
• Two free tickets to Savill Gardens
The price is based on two people sharing a room, and starts from £210 for a double and £225 for a superior double room, per night.
Take a wonderful Valentine’s journey through North East England
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking
For lovers seeking a Valentine’s escape the North East provides a bewitching, enchanting and sensual experience. From romantic walks hand-in-hand down wind-swept beaches, to exceptional dinners by roaring fires, prepared with the freshest local food, to inspirational castles with intriguing ghost stories, the North East provides the perfect setting for couples looking for a memorable getaway.
This Valentine’s Day, courting couples can rediscover their romantic instincts by losing themselves in the passionate places of the North East. They can enjoy the region’s profusion of natural beauty, array of luxury accommodation and variety of sensual gastronomic delights.
Nature loving couples can surround themselves in the region’s exquisite and dramatic natural beauty, which will reawaken fiery passions. Northumberland’s breathtaking Bamburgh Beach, with its glimmering golden sands, will stimulate the senses Loving partners can also voyage back in time to the ancient and bewitching Bamburgh Castle and take comfort in each other as they sense lingering ghosts and hear dark tales of bloody mystery.
For lovers searching for idyllic isolation, Northumberland’s Holy Island of Lindisfarne, only accessible at low tide, offers a secluded setting for an escape from the trials of everyday life. Renowned for its spirituality, the island’s stunning views of the striking Northumberland coastline are best discovered on horseback; unearthing ancient tales of romance, scandal and seduction.
The North East is renowned for its culinary creativity and over Valentine’s weekend there is an abundance of the finest food to delight the senses. Valentine’s visitors can indulge in local gastronomy at the region’s most romantic locations. The Treehouse, located at the heart of Alnwick Garden entwined amid branches, is the perfect place to enjoy mouth watering cuisine and to rediscover the art of seduction by a roaring log fire. The restaurant boasts the best of regional food; fresh, local seafood and the most succulent organic meats from Northumberland’s exceptional farms.
Finally, when the day is complete, couples can retreat to some of the finest bedrooms in Britain. The red and velvet Victorian Le Boudoir suite at the Fallen Angel boutique hotel offers a quirky and provocative setting, with views of the awe-inspiring Durham Cathedral and Castle, where lovers can rediscover their sensuality this Valentine’s. Couples can also indulge themselves in the hotels special Valentine’s Day menu and be seduced by Cupid’s ice cream glory delight.
For a more traditional experience the 5 star luxury Rockliffe Hall hotel is only 20 miles from Durham, located within the picture perfect village of Hurworth, on the banks of the sparkling waters of the River Tees. Here lovers can enjoy a gentle stroll in the gorgeous rural surroundings, or get pampered in one of the UK’s largest spas.
Or for a truly indulgent treat, the world renowned Georgian Matfen Hall Hotel is complete with 21st Century spa and set in 3,00 acres of beautiful Northumberland countryside, only a short drive from Newcastle. It offers the perfect backdrop for lovers seeking pure escapism. Over the Valentine’s weekend they are offering a once in a lifetime luxury experience, including a delicious romantic meal set in the hotel’s cosy Library Restaurant.
Discover Oxford and Oxfordshire Fair
Filed under Attractions, Events
Come along and find out about all the places you can visit and things you can do in your spare time at VisitOxford’s first Discover Oxford and Oxfordshire Fair. The event is aimed at people living or working in the area who may not know about all the hidden gems in our area. The fair takes place at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, on Thursday 25th February 2010 from 10.30am until 3.30pm and entry is completely free. The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mary Clarkson is officially opening the event at 11am.
