Aerial photographer Jason Hawkes has spent a year capturing the capital in a series of photographs which have been compiled in a book called ‘London at Night’. See a selection of his spectacular photographs on The Telegraph.
Monthly Archives: March 2010
BosFest 2010
Filed under Accommodation, Events
One of North Cornwall’s most varied and successful festival seasons gets off to a cracking start next month with a huge programme of events covering everything from walking, eating, drinking and history to art, poetry and boats. The BosFest 2010 programme officially gets underway on 19th April 2010 with the launch of Walking Week. Now in its third year the festival curtain raiser has a bigger selection of walks, short, long, easy and tough than ever before and advance enquiries prove there’s no shortage of interest in North Cornwall’s spectacular coastline and scenery.
As well as circular walks for all abilities in and around Boscastle itself, there will be opportunities to enjoy more splendid and perhaps more strenuous walks around neighbouring villages like Port Isaac, Tintagel and Crackington Haven. New to the programme this year is the chance to learn about a Victorian murder mystery on Bodmin Moor, when walkers will get a step by step if not blow by blow account of a young woman’s death and a hanging that still today causes legal debate. And after the outdoor reality, the intrigue continues with a real life court room experience at Bodmin Shire Hall.
Literature lovers are equally well catered for with a walk in the footsteps of Thomas Hardy who, although more usually acquainted with his native Dorset, began his professional writing career on the Cornish coast with a chance meeting that changed the course of his life. After an absence of more than 40 years he again returned to the area on the death of the woman he met in Boscastle and produced what many regard as some of the finest poetry in the English language.
Walking Week continues from 19th to 23rd April and information and tickets for all events can be obtained from the Visitor Centre on Boscastle Harbour. The second part of BosFest 2010, Cornwall’s Real Food, Arts and Craft Festival, takes place on 2nd and 3rd October, with an opening night event on 30th September.
For the best prices on hotels, use our Boscastle hotel price comparison facility.
Rail strike in the UK
Filed under Transport
News has emerged today that there will be rail strikes in the four days after Easter (6th-9th April 2010). A statement from the National Rail website reads:
Some Network Rail staff belonging to the RMT and TSSA unions have announced that they plan to take industrial action from 06:00 Tuesday 6 April to 23:59 Friday 9 April. Rail travel during the Easter weekend will not be affected.
Negotiations are ongoing to resolve this dispute and avoid any industrial action; however if it does go ahead there is likely to be some significant disruption to train services.
Train companies are working closely with Network Rail to ensure that they can run as many trains as possible. Details of those trains which will be able to run have not yet been confirmed and you should check this page regularly for the latest updates.
Arrangements for ticket refunds or changes to travel plans are still being finalised by the train companies and will appear here as soon as possible.
Questions and answers
Q: If I make a booking and my train is then cancelled, can I get a refund?
A: Yes. A full refund can be obtained from where the ticket was bought.Q: I already have a ticket and want to change my travel plans. Is this possible?
A: Arrangements for passengers who wish to change their travel plans are still being finalised and will be provided as soon as possible.Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Information will be added to this page as soon as it becomes available and we recommend that you check back regularly for the latest updates.
Amazing Google Street View capture in Brighton
Filed under Eating & Drinking, Miscellaneous
A seagull in Brighton is creating quite a stir. One particular hungry individual was caught stealing a chip by the Google Street View camera as the Google car compiled footage for the latest roll-out of Street View in the UK which now covers approximately 96% of all UK roads. Proof that even seagulls like good ol’ British fish and chips! See the capture for yourself by clicking here.
Follow in Alice in Wonderland’s footsteps… in Cornwall
Filed under Attractions
Suspend disbelief, step out of reality and enter a world of fantasy by following in Alice’s footsteps to south-east Cornwall, the setting of Tim Burton’s recently released Alice in Wonderland movie.
Whilst the cameras have stopped rolling the adventures continue and a mystical experience awaits at the National Trust managed property of Antony House where part of the Disney movie was shot. Visit during its very special ‘Alice’ year and see the 18th Century house and its enchanted gardens transformed into a surreal setting where there is endless hours of fun to be had for little wonderers, including everything from a magical oversized garden to a Mad Hatter’s tea party every weekend (and on Bank Holidays).
And why not turn your visit into a short break? Click here for hotels in Torpoint.
How not to miss out on tickets for the London 2012 Olympics
Filed under Events
If you’d like to get your hands on tickets for the London 2012 Olympics, you need to act now even though tickets won’t be going on sale until the Spring of 2011. LOCOG, the London organising committee, has opened up a website for sports fans to register their interest and have reportedly had 10,000+ people signing up every hour. Make sure you don’t miss out by registering on the London 2012 ticketing site. It doesn’t guarantee you tickets but it does keep you in the loop for news and information. The average price of a ticket is predicted to be a little over £40 and will include public transport within zones 1 to 6 of the London transport system.
Useful links:
Hotels in London
B&Bs in London
Self-catering in London
Tourist attractions in London
Safari tents now available in the UK
Filed under Accommodation
Families with an adventurous side will love these super stylish Safari Tents, available at Holmsley, one of Eurocamp’s most popular UK campsites. Like all of the Eurocamp UK Escapes accommodation, the Safari Tents can be booked for any duration, so can cater for everyone, whether they are looking for a night away from their hectic everyday routine, or seeking a week-long family adventure.
Each tent comprises of two bedrooms, a double master room and a twin; both dressed with authentic teak furniture for the ultimate in camping comfort. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen area, leading out to a large decked terrace – perfect for enjoying the al fresco lifestyle.
The Holmsley campsite offers families the chance to explore the beautiful New Forest woodlands, and also enjoy the local attractions including the nearby gardens and local sandy beaches of Bournemouth and Christchurch. After a busy day out and about, Mum and Dad can fire-up the barbecue provided and take advantage of the fantastic outdoor living space that the Safari Tents offer.
Great activities for little ones from Haven
Filed under Accommodation
This year Haven Holidays has even more fun for under-fives on their 35 family holiday parks – all included in the price!
Little ones will love to shake, rattle and roll with ‘Tiny Mites’ sessions that use puppets and percussion instruments to encourage them to enjoy music, movement and drama. Suitable for babies from six months there’s lots of actions songs, rhymes and rhythm. And Tiny Mites Music is just one of lots of fun activities for toddlers on offer in Haven kids clubs.
Annabel’s Creative Kitchen takes place on all Haven parks throughout the year and is great way to introduce your little ones to cookie and cake decorating – whilst letting someone else deal with the mess! This exclusive activity, that includes healthy food fun as well, has been created by top children’s chef Annabel Karmel.
Wake and Shake gets the day started with early morning exercise, using lots of lively games and brightly coloured equipment that will tempt kids to join in and burn off their energy. And this year Learn2Swim lessons on Haven parks are free of charge too, with special sessions for parents and babies.
Top 5 facts about the North Pennines AONB
Filed under Attractions, Miscellaneous
We’ve collated some top facts about the beautiful North Pennines AONB. Enjoy!
1. It’s the second largest AONB in the UK behind the Cotswolds
2. It is Britain’s first UNESCO European Geopark, awarded 2003
3. 40% of the UK’s upland hay meadows are in the AONB
4. 80% of England’s Black Grouse live in the area
5. England’s biggest waterfall, High Force in Teesdale, is in the AONB
Why not give Rutland a try?
Filed under Attractions
Famously Britain’s smallest county, with its largest man-made lake as a centrepiece, Rutland offers a taste of quintessential England at its pure best. Spring is one of the finest times to enjoy the internationally-renowned outdoor activity centres, wildlife and bird-watching opportunities in the 3,100 acres of countryside around Rutland Water. And it’s no hassle to get there. If you’re dreaming of a relaxing Easter break in beautiful surroundings, jump on a train and you’ll soon breathe Rutland’s fresh air. A tiny oasis in the accessible heart of England; expect ribbons of green lanes winding around farmland and fields. Several market towns and 50 beautiful villages, typically built of local yellow ironstone, offer traditional amenities including country pubs.
The best way to enjoy the oh-so-English scenery is to hire a top-quality mountain bike from Rutland Cycling’s impressive fleet and complete some or all of the famous 23-mile Rutland Water cycle track. People come from miles around to circumnavigate Britain’s biggest reservoir in its smallest county. It’s no wonder – the route is perfect for the casual leisure cyclist, following off road tracks a stone’s throw from the water with lovely views. You’ll also enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Rutland from the top of the Rock Blok rock-climbing tower, the trampoline or while swinging from the tree-top high-ropes assault course! Rutland Water’s range of waterside activities has something for everyone from 4 year olds up to adults, including kayaking, windsurfing, fishing and birdwatching.
When Spring unfurls the buds, Rutland Water is bright with colour and alive with wildlife and birds: there are drifts of daffodils and spring wild flowers to admire, along with the vivid green of new leaves in the hedgerows and blossom in the trees around the banks. For those who like birds and wildlife, Spring is the perfect time to experience the Reservoir ride. Look out for skipping lambs, the first butterflies of the year and newly-arrived migratory birds. Nightingales arrive at Rutland in April. Get out on your bike early and look out for singing stars in the woods – catch them at their melodic best during the dawn chorus (5.30pm-7.30pm).
Rutland Water is also home to the successful Osprey project – the first Osprey chick to fledge in Central England for 150 years was hatched in 2001. Ospreys now thrive there and are regularly seen fishing over the reservoir from April to September. In April you are guaranteed to see them as they are establishing territories and nest building. Another good way of spotting them close to the water is to take an early evening cruise on the Rutland Belle boat.
At the western end of Rutland Water lies one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain, regularly holding in excess of 20,000 waterfowl. The globally important wetland RAMSAR site is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Protection Area. There are currently 27 bird hides and nature trails from two visitor centres with experts to help you with identification.
