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Monthly Archives: July 2010

More visitors forecast for Kendal in Cumbria

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Posted by kendalcottages on July 29, 2010 – 6:03 pm
Filed under Attractions

Kendal’s K Village re-opened its doors yesterday after a £100m facelift and is likely to bring huge numbers of visitors to the area.  It is thought that the riverside complex may bring as many as 1.5 million additional tourists to the area. K Village includes a mixture of shops, restaurants, cafés, housing and a Heritage Centre that tells the history of shoe-making in the town.  A good portion of the retail space is taken by the Clark’s Factory Outlet but there’s already some 20 retailers in place, including the likes of the premium women’s brand, Alexon; the leading tea, coffee and ceramics brand, Whittards; and the UK tableware company Denby.  Even Cadbury’s have a place there.

Paul Johnson is a Director at Kendal Holiday Cottages Ltd. which offers luxury self-catering accommodation between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales

Family-friendly walking breaks available during August

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Posted by Paul on July 29, 2010 – 5:56 pm
Filed under Accommodation

Families still looking for a peak season holiday should check out the selection of guided walking family-friendly breaks – based at the company’s UK country houses – which are still available during August with HF Holidays.

There’s a fantastic ‘Kids go free’ offer on the seven-night Guided Walking for Families holiday – starting 21st August 2010 – on the Isle of Arran where the company is offering one free child place – valid for children up to 17 years – per one full paying adult. Based on sharing an ensuite family room, the price per adult is £613 inclusive of accommodation at the company’s Altachorvie Country House.

The choice of guided walks each walking day – easier for younger kids and harder for active teenagers – include highlights such as the mysterious standing stones on Macrie Moor, a coastal walk to Lochranza and scrambling on Goatfell ridge.

Or, head to Exmoor on a seven-night Guided Walking for Families holiday – starting 14th August 2010 – at Holnicote House near Selworthy which, based on sharing an en-suite family room, costs £649 per adult, £324 per child (aged four-17 years and sharing with two adults) and under fours are free of charge.

Walking options include climbing Selworthy Beacon, looking for herds of red deer and wild ponies on moorland and woodland and taking in the high sea cliffs along the South West Coast Path.

All prices include full board, the programme of organised walks and social activities, transport to/from the walks, plus the services of an HF Holidays’ walks leader.

Perth celebrates 800 years of Royal Charter

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Posted by trev on July 29, 2010 – 5:03 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

The Scottish city of Perth is celebrating it’s 800th anniversary of the granting of its Royal Burgh Charter by King William the Lion of Scotland, and the city has plenty of activities and family entertainment lined up.

The official Perth council web site has all the details, but events include sporting and cultural selections in one of the Scotland’s most welcoming cities.

On a personal note – Perth is one of my favourite places in Scotland, second only to Inverness, due to the general appearance of the area, it’s location by the River Tay and the friendliness of the people.
A few useful resources for those visiting the 800th anniversary celebrations:

Hotel accommodation in Perth
Attractions in Perth
Self-catering in Perth
Perth & Kinross Council

Afternoon tea at the Mayfair or Harrods…

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Posted by trev on July 29, 2010 – 2:00 pm
Filed under Attractions

There’s nothing more quintessentially British than sitting down for the tradition of afternoon tea and scones, and it’s good to see this tradition is still very much thriving – at least in some of the more prestigious establishments in the country.

For example, does afternoon tea at the Mayfair in London sound like an interesting proposal or perhaps tea for two at Windsor Castle tickle your fancy…?

Why not endulge in a little olde worlde elegance with you and a friend and try out one of the afternoon tea venues currently available.

For a full list of venues, click here.

Useful links:
Hotels in London
B&Bs in London
Self-catering in London
Tourist attractions in London

Beamish Museum in County Durham

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Posted by trev on July 29, 2010 – 12:23 pm
Filed under Attractions

Born out of a need to preserve the unique history of the North East of England, Beamish museum first opened it’s doors in 1970 with artefacts donated from around the region.

Today the Beamish open air museum is one of the most popular attractions in North East England and features faithfully reconstructed pit cottages, shops and even a bus and tram system. All the staff are dressed in appropriate costumes to help give visitors a real idea of how the area was during the early 1800’s and  1900’s.

Many of the buildings were moved stone by stone from their original locations to the new site to prevent them being demolished, and then rebuilt along with internal features to give the museum a true sense of history.

The museum prides itself on showing everything in context rather than simply behind glass screens with hands on exhibitions to engage both adults and children. As the site is over 300 acres currently, the tram and bus services provide a welcome break from walking and give a new perspective of the buildings and open air site.

Useful links:
Beamish Official web site
Attractions in and around Beamish
Hotel accommodation in Beamish

Exciting ways to see London!

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Posted by trev on July 29, 2010 – 12:10 pm
Filed under Attractions

Whether you’re going to London for business, a day trip or a holiday there are so many things to see that it can become a little overwealming…if not rather tiring on the feet.

There are however a few ways you can enjoy the London sights and have a well deserved rest which have been detailed below.

London Eye:
One of the best ways to take in the sheer expanse of the capital city with a 40km radius view over the city and beyond, very little can possibly compare to this.

There are various options with the London eye such as the standard tickets, fast entry tickets and even romantic champagne tickets ideal for you and that special someone.

Thames River Cruises:
If you want to see many of the historic buildings, such as the Houses of Parliament, at much closer range then why not try the Thames Cruises and gently float down the river. Many include guided tours with lots of interesting historical and quirky facts.

The best value river cruise options are Adult Rover and Child Rover tickets which allow travel all day.

You can also combine this with the London Eye for a discounted price using the London Eye & River Cruise tickets.

Fly over London:
If the London eye is a little too close to the ground, why not try the ultimate way to see London – fly right over it. You can now take pleasure flights over the heart of the city including Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge and the Millennium Dome. Don’t forget your camera!

Click here for more details of fixed wing aircraft pleasure flights over London.
Click here for details of helicopter flights over Central London.

RIB Speed Boat up the Thames:
For those who prefer to take the ultimate in thrills and don’t mind getting a little wet, how about experiencing the Thames in a thrilling RIB Speed Boat! this ultimate experience lets you venture down river to the Thames Flood Barrier. Travel past wonderful historical Greenwich, on past the O2 and finally the Thames Flood Barrier in some customised and ultra-zippy boats.

Click here for more details, if you dare…!

External links:
London Eye attraction
London attractions guide
Hotels in London

Escape to Barra in style

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Posted by trev on July 29, 2010 – 10:43 am
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Miscellaneous, Transport

The Island of Barra forms part of the Outer Hebrides, a chain of islands off the north west coast of Scotland offering visitors a genuine escape from modern life without losing all the comforts of home. Barra is the most southerly of the inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides, at just five miles wide and eight miles long, and is most noted for it’s spectacular coastal scenery.

Visitors can arrive at Barra by ferry from the mainland, but the preferable way has to be to fly in and land at one of the most unusual airports in the world. Barra has no standard airport or runway, so planes land on the beach at Cockle Strand in between the tides.

On arrival, visitors can take a private charter boat trip out around the island and have a good chance of catching sight of porpoise, seals, otters and various seabirds found regularly around the Barra coastline.

For something a little more adventurous, why not try sea kayaking? This gives unique access to the coves and inlets around the coastline which are otherwise inaccessible, and even more chances to see the local wildlife.

As a destination for unwinding and experiencing nature at it’s finest, Barra is hard to beat.

Useful links:
Flying to Barra

Good value accommodation for cyclists in the UK

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Posted by Paul on July 29, 2010 – 9:37 am
Filed under Accommodation, Transport

Cyclists touring the UK seeking value accommodation will find a great selection on offer from the Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses, many of which have overnight bike storage. They generally provide self-catering facilities and are suitable for singles, couples and groups seeking friendly, clean and inexpensive accommodation without membership requirements; prices start from around £8 per night.

Amongst those with bike storage is the Yarde Orchard bunkhouse, which lies near Petersmarland on the North Devon Tarka Trail’s highest point; two of the Sustrans National Cycle Network (NCN) long distance routes also pass the gate, namely the Devon Coast-to-Coast route 27 and the West Country Way, route 3. Prices here start from £8 per night for under 18s and £12 for adults.

Puttenham eco camping barn, near Guildford, Surrey is located in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ideal for cyclists riding the North Downs Way and NCN route 22. An overnight stay is £10 for under 18s and £12 for adults but anyone arriving by bike receives a £2 ‘green’ discount.

The Dales Bike Centre is right on the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way near Fremington providing an ideal base for cycling in the area. The four-star graded hostel has a café and bike shop plus bike hire, workshop and secure storage facilities; from £24 per night for bunk bed and breakfast.

Wales is well served by the IHUK network with 65 places from which to choose. Three bunkhouses in Powys, for example, have bike storage, namely Trericket Mill, near Erwood on NCN route 8; Beili Neuadd at Rhayader and Plasnewydd, near Llanidloes, which also offers bike hire – these are from £12.50 per night. Piggery Poke, a 4-star hostel near Felinwynt, is on the Celtic Way long distance cycle route and just four miles from the challenging Lôn Teifi which links Fishguard with Aberystwyth (from £15 per night).

In Scotland Trossachs Tryst is a purpose built hostel set amidst beautiful scenery near Callander, Perthshire. It’s on the NCN route 7c and has an on-site cycling centre which also sells basic provisions; prices from £15 per night.

To help cyclists choose the hostel that’s right for them, the IHUK produce a neat, annual handbook that will fit easily into a rucksack, or large pocket. At least one page is devoted to each hostel with a full description of facilities, price guidelines, contact details and colour photographs. Copies can be purchased (£4.95 each plus £1.50 postage and packing) from their website.

Alton Towers half price offer – limited offer

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 8:00 pm
Filed under Attractions

Alton Towers is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary and with new attractions every year, the theme park is sure to keep pulling in the crowds. The newest edition to Alton Towers is the TH13TEEN ride which is the worlds first “free-fall drop rollercoaster”.

Until the 2nd August half price tickets are available for the park making entrance just £14.50 for children and £19.00 for adults!

Hurry and grab your half price Alton Towers tickets.

Useful extra links:
Alton Towers Resort hotel
Hotels near Alton Towers

Real Medieval jousting experiences in Warwick

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 7:41 pm
Filed under Attractions

This is your chance to travel back in time and be a Medieval Knight for the day in this action packed medieval thrills experience.

With expert horsemen and actors at your side you will be taught the skills used by Knights including how to use a shield and lance, horse control, how to strike targets, mounted period games and foot fights with swords and quarterstaffs.

The event concludes with the chance to dress in medieval costume and show off your skills in a mini medieval tournament.

So if you ever wanted someone to say “Arise Sir…” or perhaps you like the idea of being that knight in shining armour, this is your chance to shine.

Click here for more details or to book.

Notes: You need to be reasonably fit in order to get the most from this experience. Maximum weight is 20 stone. Minimum age is 16. Non riders are welcome although some riding experience is an advantage. Spectators are welcome at no extra cost.

Extra links:
Hotels around Warwick
Other attractions in Warwick