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Monthly Archives: May 2011

Science Museum in London goes Out of this World

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Posted by trev on May 23, 2011 – 1:49 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

Until September, the Science Museum in London is running a new exhibition to explore everything from time machines, parallel worlds and aliens in their Out of this World science fiction exploration.

The museum is tackling this subject from a very broad perspective, although don’t expect to find too many people dressed as Mr. Spock. Exhibition space is split into various categories including:

Virtual Worlds – explore the way writers have seen the world in a totally backwards and inside out manner, as Alice Through the Looking Glass and Alice in Wonderland. Normal worlds changed almost beyond recognition and how they draw us in.

Parallel Worlds – looking far back in history with time machines from HG Wells and El Anacronópete which was published in 1887 and is believed to be the earliest incarnation of a time machine. The ship envisaged would run on electricity, a new magical force that seemed limitless in its powers.

The End of the World – which doesn’t appear to have happened last Saturday, but could still occur with either manmade or natural disaster. Or of course, we could suffer from the H.G. Wells’s “The War of the Worlds” ending which frightened so many when it was originally broadcast on radio.

There’s more details on the Out of this World exhibition on Science Museum web site.

More London Links:
Visitor attractions around Kensington (next to Science Museum)
Hotels in Kensington near the Science Museum

Time once more for the Chelsea Flower Show – opens tomorrow

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Posted by trev on May 23, 2011 – 12:35 pm
Filed under Events

Possibly one of the events of the annual calendar for many, the Chelsea Flower Show will open its doors tomorrow morning for only 5 days.

Created in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea and run by the Royal Horticultural Society, the Chelsea Flower Show is the place to be seen both for the 600 exhibitors who create spectacular gardens in just a few days and those who want to sell you every gardening product you’ll ever need…plus quite a few you really don’t.

The show is a massive logistical operation with garden designers desperately trying to make sure all the plants come up at exactly the right time, and of course don’t get damaged, and then trying to get all these plants and other works into the show garden on time for the judges. Considering many exhibits require small walls and other buildings to be created this is generally quite stressful, but for one show garden the process was even more complicated.

Japanese Garden: Ishihara Kazuyuki has managed to create his garden entitled A Beautiful Paradise despite the fact that he and his team has to deal with the devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunami. With personal loss and the practical problems of getting out of Japan to find plants in Britain all looked lost for Mr Ishihara, at least until he visited the devastated region. The newly designed garden has been created in spectacularly quick time and is described as a tribute to the people of Japan.

Tickets: You can still buy tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show via their web site.

More links around Chelsea:
Hotels in Chelsea, London
Visitor attractions around Chelsea

Geopark Festival hits Devon this month…a geo-what?

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Posted by trev on May 23, 2011 – 11:45 am
Filed under Attractions

You could be well forgiven for never having heard of a Geopark, but they have existed for several years and the smallest on the South Devon Coast wants to introduce you to everything they have to offer.

A geopark is described by the UNESCO as “A territory encompassing one or more sites of scientific importance, not only for geological reasons but also by virtue of its archaeological, ecological or cultural value“.

Still confused? In essence it means a region where there are several so called “Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty” or similar designations with a wide variety of reasons for this classification, such as the wildlife, rare flowers and fossils.

The South Devon coast is well known for its fossil hunting areas and if like me you spent a lot of time searching the cliffs and fallen rocks for the smallest hint of a fossil, you’ll know just how many there are. However, the English Riviera Tourism Company (effectively the local tourism authority) want to show you that alongside the fossil hunting, there’s lots more you can do around South Devon.

From the 25th May to 5th June, visitors to the area will be able to pickup a map from any of the local tourist information centres in South Devon and explore the special connections this area has with rare wildlife, flora & fauna or just enjoy a walk in one of the sunniest areas of Britain.

You can also take part in various pre-planned activities ranging from coasteering with an experienced instructor where you are guaranteed to get wet, to bushcraft survival or perhaps a gentle walk exploring what the area was like 400 million years ago when the dinosaurs ruled the land.

There’s more information on the English Riviera Geopark web site and a video below which introduces the English Riviera Geopark.

More Resources:
Visitor attractions around Paignton
Hotels in Paignton
Paignton Holiday Cottages

Secrets, scandals and affairs unveiled at the Beaulieu Motor Museum

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Posted by trev on May 23, 2011 – 10:59 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

The Beaulieu Motor Museum might sound like a strange place to unveil one of the best kept secret affairs of the 20th Century, but the museum has created an exhibition showing how this affair created the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy, as found on almost every Rolls Royce in the world.

In a time when affairs amongst the well-healed were simply swept under the carpet and no one had even heard of a super-injunction, one married English gent by the name of John Montagu (aka. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu) became rather besotted with his assistant, the beautiful Eleanor Thornton.

Naturally this was kept very secretive by the few who knew, but such as his devotion to her that he asked a friend Charles Sykes to create a sculpture of his lover. Sykes duly did with a slim lady, one finger to her lips and a flowing nightgown which became known as The Whisperer.

About 6 months after this, John Montagu was talking to Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce, of Rolls Royce fame who mentioned they were looking for an emblem to adorn their cars. Montagu suggested Sykes, who created the world famous Spirit of Ecstasy with a striking resemblance to The Whisperer.

Tragically Eleanor Thornton died while travelling on the SS Persia during World War I, but today she is often seen gliding effortlessly down a country lane or along a motorway and whether adorning a £3 million Silver Ghost or one of the more modern Rolls Royce future classics, she never fails to turn heads. A rather fitting tribute really to someone who helped John Montagu, Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce create some of the most iconic cars in the world, the first of which appeared in May 1911.

The exhibition at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu gives even more details including very rarely seen documents, photos and sculptures from this time. The museum also has cars dating back to this period including a £3 million still running Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle – one of the first cars on which the Spirit of Ecstasy appeared.

More information on the Spirit of Ecstasy.

More Resources:
More things to see around Beaulieu
Hotels around Beaulieu (near motor museum)
Holiday cottages in Beaulieu

Finding more intimate festivals this June and July

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Posted by trev on May 20, 2011 – 1:52 pm
Filed under Events

If you want to go party at a festival this Summer, but don’t want to be in crowds of thousands, why not try one of the smaller British festivals such as those below.

You can even find inner peace at Buddhafield or just make lots of new friends in Hampshire, it’s entirely up to you.

Blissfields in Hampshire
Very much a local non-commercial festival, Blissfields is run by the local pub owner and held on a dairy farm.

From humble beginnings in 2001 with just 70 people, today the festival attracts around 5000 people every year but remains much more relaxed than festivals such as Glastonbury. You might not find many of the big bands here, but that is part of the attraction with smaller unsigned bands playing to a more appreciative crowd.

If you want to go back to what festivals such as Glastonbury used to be, Blissfields is certainly a good option.

30th June to 3rd July 2011 near Winchester.

Hotels near Winchester
Things to see and do in Winchester

 

Lounge On The Farm in Canterbury, Kent
One of the most informal festivals on the calendar where you’re just as likely to be sat on a haybale or sofa, as any corporate venue seating.

Many festivals try to have a local theme, but Lounge On The Farm takes this idea and creates an entire festival around it, with all food & drink being sourced within 20 miles of the venue and even mostly local bands playing. If ever there was an eco-festival, this might well be it.

The local countryside feel is even extended to the main dance venue called the Cow Shed…mostly because that’s the purpose when the people and flashing lights go home. Assuming of course the cows don’t have cow-fest.

8th to 10th July 2011 at Merton Farm near Canterbury.

Hotels in Canterbury
Self-catering in Canterbury
Things to see and do in Canterbury

 

Buddhafield in Taunton, Somerset
Think original Woodstock and that might be a good way to describe Buddhafield which is more about meditation and relaxation, than it is about a music festival.

The whole concept is based around Buddhism with focus on meditation and having a low carbon footprint, to the point where buses are provided from major cities to the festival. There are no big bands here and the majority of the music is created by the audience, so this is more for those who want to refresh themselves rather than see Bon Jovi.

One important aspect of Buddhafield is there is no alcohol, drugs or to a large degree dogs allowed, although why the latter we’re not completely sure.

13th to 17th July 2011.

Campsites and lodges in Taunton
Things to see and do around Taunton

Underwater Legoland attraction opens today!

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Posted by trev on May 20, 2011 – 11:10 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

Legoland Windsor today unveiled their most spectacular attraction to date – an underwater lego world with Legoland submarines.

The attraction cost £8 million to build and is created in a 1,000,000 litre water tank and includes a complete world based on the ruins of Atlantis, and this being Legoland the entire world is made from Lego bricks. The Berkshire Fire Brigade had to be brought in just to fill the underwater attraction.

Legoland Atlantis Submarine Voyage has around 100 models submerged which took the expert teams around 2,683 hours to create. These include a model of Neptune, god of the seas, which alone contains over 100,000 lego bricks.

Visitors will ride through this underwater Lego world in purpose built yellow submarines, although these aren’t made from Lego – as anyone who’s ever tried to mix Lego and water will know, it rather leaks. There is however a giant yellow Lego brick submarine which took a staggering 400,000 bricks to make.

No Atlantis would be complete without the real fish which will swim amongst the Lego world and do a little people watching at the same time.

You can now book tickets and visit this spectacular Legoland Windsor attraction – the only one in the world.

More Windsor Resources:
Tourist attractions around Windsor
Hotels in Windsor, Berkshire

Ruff Guide to dog friendly UK hotels & self-catering

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Posted by trev on May 20, 2011 – 10:10 am
Filed under Accommodation

One of the great dilemmas for dog owners is what to do about the holidays, but never fear there is plenty of dog friendly accommodation in Britain.

Whether you have a Great Dane, Labrador, Chihuahua or a 10 year old Westie called Dougal, there are lots of places which will welcome you and your beloved pooch in equal measure.

This is the Ruff Guide (sorry) to just a few of them.

1) Dog-training in Wales might not sound like much fun for your dog, but strangely with the right guideance you and your dog will be seeing eye to eye in no time. Of course if you have a Westie, you’ll know this usually means “do what the dog asks”, but we can’t have everything.

Kelford dog training courses are set in the middle of the Welsh countryside, so lots of nice scenery and all dogs and of course their human slaves, err, companions are treated to great meals made by the resident chef.

3) A dog friendly hotel in Norfolk can be found at the Titchwell Manor Hotel in the village of Titchwell close to Kings Lynn on the north Norfolk coast.

There are quite a number of hotels which will let your pet stay, but some like Titchwell Manor go the extra mile with ground floor rooms opening up into the garden and doggie blankets, drinking bowl and biscuits provided. You can even dine with your dog on the terrace.

4) Dog friendly cottages in Britain aren’t a myth. Quite a lot do say “no pets”, but there are a surprising number which will allow your four legged companion to trott along with you and sleep in the comforts of your bedroom, or on the bed with the aforementioned Westie. Some of the best places to go with your dog are the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands as there are many miles of dog friendly walks.

Hoseasons dog friendly holidays is an entire section of their self-catering site dedicated to making sure you and your dog can stay together in over 1400 self-catering properties across Britain.

Sykes Dog Friendly Holiday Cottages are a selection of the 2000 personally inspected cottages available through Sykes which offer true comforts for you and your dog. Some of the cottages allow up to 3 dogs which is unusual amongst self-catering in general.

5) Sailing on a canal boat with your poochHoseasons Boating Holidays could be the ultimate way for you all to just sit back and relax. One big advantage of a boating holiday is that there’s always lots of places to stop off and since dogs & boats have been a combination going back to the industrial revolution, many of the riverside pubs welcome them just as much as the paying customers.

Conclusion: Whatever your type of holiday, you don’t need to leave your dog(s) behind as it turns out Britain isn’t just a nation of dog lovers outside the accommodation industry.

More Accommodation Resources:
Hotels in the UK
Self-catering in the UK
Campsites in Britain
With thanks to The Sun for inspiration

Legoland Windsor – Last day of kids go free offer!

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Posted by trev on May 19, 2011 – 1:26 pm
Filed under Attractions

Today is the last day for the Legoland Windsor “Kids go free” offer where you can take a family of four with 2 kids getting in for free!

From the Legoland Windsor site:

“Prices start from £224 for a family of 4 when you stay 2 nights or more at the Holiday Inn Woking or Comfort Heathrow – and you will also get 2 days entry into the Park!”

“So you can take the kids on a fantastic break to LEGOLAND Windsor, even throughout the school holidays. Book to stay this May Half Term from just £28 per person per night!”

Details of the offer and how to book this special offer can be found here.

The calendar link on that page seems to be broken, but can be found here.

More links around Legoland Windsor:
More visitor attractions around Windsor
Hotels around Windsor

The Isle of Man – Much more than just the TT

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Posted by trev on May 19, 2011 – 12:50 pm
Filed under Attractions

The Isle of Man, situated between North West England and Ireland, seems to be one of those places everyone talks about visiting but few actually do.

Well, the above isn’t strictly true when the Isle of Man TT Races are on and 10,000s of people flock to the island pretty much doubling the population for two weeks.

After the TT is gone, does the Isle of Man just close down?

The simple answer is no – the island is open to visitors 365 days of the year and used to be one of the most popular holiday locations for anyone in northern England, aside from Blackpool.

The island did slightly lose its way and had a couple of disastrous tourism advertising campaigns, but if you forgive the errors of the past you’ll find an island bristling with history and tales of ghosts, pirates and smugglers…alongside some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK.

Smugglers: If you take a trip back in time, the tiny island was once one of the smuggling capitals of the world with goods being brought onto the island perfectly legally without payment of tax, but then smuggled into Britain at night especially alone the Cumbrian and Lancashire coastlines.

Ghosts: Goldie’s castle by day is just a ruined castle sitting high up on the island, but by night visitors are actively encouraged to search for the paranormal. They are even given crystals, dowsing rods and EMF detectors to see if anything suspicious makes itself known.

Eating out: One thing the island is really good at is offering fresh food, such as the Douglas shellfish which being so close to the sea ensures that many products were landed that day. The The Isle Of Man Creamery provides a range of dairy products, including a rather unusual chilli and cracked peppercorn cheddar cheese.

Manx Railway: This is probably one of the best reasons to visit the island as along with the trams, it has been running on the Isle of Man for over 100 years. The railway makes its way up the steep Snaefell Mountain, which offers views of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland on a clear day.

Laxey Wheel: You’ll see this on every photo and postcard from the Isle of Man, and rightly so. The waterwheel is the biggest in the world, with a diameter of 72 feet! The wheel was used to pump water from the Laxey mines and could move an amazing 250 gallons of water a minute, or 1136 litres in metric.

Government: One thing about the Isle of Man which often confuses is whether you need a passport. As long as you’re from the UK, you don’t as although the island has its own government and tax system it is still part of the British Isles (just not Great Britain).

If you want to visit somewhere a little different where there aren’t roads clogged with caravans and millions of tourists, why not try the Isle of Man this Summer?

Isle of Man Links:
Visitor attractions around the Isle of Man
Hotels on the Isle of Man

Lots of sun predicted for May/June bank holiday

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Posted by trev on May 19, 2011 – 11:40 am
Filed under Events

Weather forecasters are predicting a return to sun and very warm temperatures just in time for the end of May bank holiday.

According to various sources, the weather this coming week might not be very warm, but the following week there should be at least 2 weeks of glorious sunshine and temperatures around 29′C.

On top of this news, tourism bodies are predicting a late surge in self-catering and hotel bookings as people either head for the popular sun-drenched places around England and Wales, or for slightly cooler but equally dry areas such as Scotland.

Instead of lugging your luggage around the airport and waiting for hours to go through checkin, security, staring at the overpriced “duty free” and such….just head off to Cornwall, Norfolk, Devon or the Highlands of Scotland for a well earned rest this bank holiday.

More UK Links:
Visitor attractions right around the UK (indoor and outdoor)
UK hotels
Self-catering cottages in Britain