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Category Archives: Attractions

North Berwick – A bird watchers paradise

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 7:18 pm
Filed under Attractions

The town of North Berwick might be often overlooked due to it’s proximity to the city of Edinburgh, around an hour to the west, but the town has plenty to offer especially to anyone with an interest in ornithology (bird watching).

One of the town’s major attractions is the Scottish Seabird Centre which allows visitors to explore the fascinating world of seabirds, including puffins, via state of the art remote cameras on the nearby islands of Fidra, May and Bass Rock.

Bass Rock has become one of the most important nesting grounds for puffins, guillemots, gannets, kittiwakes, eider ducks and other marine wildlife with over 100,000 gannets breeding there each year alone. Visitors can take a boat trip out to the rock to see the birds up close.

Other attractions around North Berwick include Tantallon Castle which sits at the top of a series of cliffs on the Firth of Forth and acted as the seat of power for Douglas Earls of Angus.

Extra links:
Scottish Seabird Centre
North Berwick hotels
Attractions in North Berwick

Race around Silverstone in real sportscars!

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 6:20 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

Ever wanted to know what it feels like to hurtle round a genuine racetrack in a Formula 1 style car, or take an Audi R8 for a spin at full speed? Now you can with Silverstone experience days.

Unlike a lot of experience days, Silverstone lets you get behind the steering wheel and hurtle round the tracks with a wide range of cars from a 400bhp V8 Ferrari 360 Modena, Audi R8, Lotus Exige or Lamborghini Gallardo up to the Formula Silverstone single seater racing car where you really are in the driving seat and in total control!

So if you fancy yourself as the next Michael Shumacher or Jenson Button why not give the Silverstone days a try. Silverstone Experience Days are available through BuyaGift.com – click here for more details.

Useful links:
Premier Inn near Silverstone
Hotels near Silverstone / Towcester

The unique Falkirk Wheel

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 4:08 pm
Filed under Attractions

The Falkirk Wheel is a unique design to solve a complex problem – how to connect the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal which finishes 115ft (30m) above the level of the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Originally this was solved with a series of 11 locks slowly stepping boats down, but the locks were removed in 1933 breaking this link in the Scottish canals. With the rise in popularity of the canals, a way needed to be found to re-connect the canals, and after significant international consultation the Falkirk Wheel was conceived and constructed.

Today the wheel and surrounding park have become a tourist attraction in their own right with boat trips taking visitors between the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal via the wheel and back again.

Visitors can learn more about the wheel at the centre including how the gondola’s balance each other using the Archimedes principle of displacement – essentially the weight is equal each side so the gondola’s descend in a controlled manner.

Tours of the wheel run from March to October, although the wheel operates as long as the canal is operational. Tickets can be booked via the web site.

Other links:
Falkirk Wheel details
Falkirk hotels
Attractions in Falkirk

Excellent water quality for Channel Islands beaches

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Posted by Paul on July 28, 2010 – 3:55 pm
Filed under Attractions

The Channel Islands had the biggest increase in the MCS Recommended Beaches in this year’s Marine Conservation Society’s Good Beach Guide – 62% of beaches are MCS Recommended compared to 38% last year so a marked improvement.

For more information, see the MCS’ Good Beach Guide.

Grand Medieval Joust at Pendennis Castle

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 3:14 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

On Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th August, Pendennis Castle in Cornwall is to host one of the greatest Medieval traditions – the Grand Medieval Joust.

The fearless knights of olde will saddle up, grab their lance and fight for the pleasure and favour of the crowd, and naturally the eligible young ladies of the court, to prove who is indeed worthy of their affections.

For those not seeking their night in shining armour, there will still be plenty to keep all the family entertained during this Summer spectacular including medieval jesters, wandering minstrels and aerial displays of falconry.

Visitors can also explore Pendennis Castle’s fascinating 450 year history.

Note: Members of English Heritage can get into this and 450 other English Hertitage owned attractions for free – click here for details of joining.

Resources around Pendennis Castle:
Hotels and B&Bs in Falmouth
More attractions in Falmouth

A guide to Scotland’s majestic canals

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 1:27 pm
Filed under Attractions

When anyone mentions a canal or riverboat holiday, Scotland might not be the first destination that springs to mind. However there are some hidden gems in the Scottish waterways and equally spectacular scenery.

There are four main leisure canals in Scotland – The Caledonian Canal, Crinan Canal, The Forth & Clyde Canal and The Union Canal.

Caledonian Canal:
The majestic Caledonian Canal is 60 miles long (around 96km) of which 22 miles (35km) is man made. The canal stretches from Inverness in the east to Fort William on the west of Scotland and was originally built as a safe transport route during the Napoleonic wars.

The route was never actually used for this, but today the canal is popular with tourists with both holiday barges and yachts as it passes through the spectacular countryside of Central Scotland.

Crinan Canal:
Completed in in 1801, the Crinan Canal was designed as an alternative to voyaging around the Mull of Kintyre as it meanders through Kilmartin Glen, an area rich in history and Scottish wildlife.

The Forth & Clyde Canal:
The Forth & Clyde is one of the two major lowland Scottish canal systems and possibly the oldest anywhere in Scotland. Construction on the canal began in 1768, but the full length wasn’t completed until 1790.

The entire canal underwent a massive renovation in 2001 as part of the £78 million Millennium Link project, including obstructions, dredging, renovation of old locks, repairing banks and restoring towpaths.

Today the Forth & Clyde offers holiday makers an easy way to navigate from the west coast to the east coast through tranquil lowland Scottish countryside.

The Union Canal:
Opened around 30 years after the Forth & Clyde, the Union Canal was originally designed to take coal from Falkirk to Edinburgh for the newly emerging industries.

As part of the Millennium Link project, the Union Canal was also significantly renovated and updated and today once more runs the 31.5 miles from Edinburgh to Falkirk where it links with the Forth & Clyde Canal via the unique Falkirk Wheel.

If you would like to explore the canal holiday options in Scotland, Hoseasons offer several options on the Forth & Clyde and Union Canal’s – click here for details.

Useful resources:
Things to do around Central Scotland
Hotel accommodation in Central Scotland
Holiday cottages in Scotland
Boating Holidays in the UK

Isle of Arran – Scotland in Miniature

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 10:30 am
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Miscellaneous

The Isle of Arran nestles just off the South West coast of Scotland in the Firth of Clyde making it both easy to reach and a truly relaxing destination.

The island is often described as Scotland in Miniature as it contains all the elements of this fine land with craggy mountains, stunning beaches and a more laid back approach to life than found in much of the rest of the UK.

For those looking for a little adventure during their trip, there are a wealth of activities including climbing, horseriding and paragliding as well as sea kayaking, abseiling and mountain biking.

Cycling is probably the best way to see the island at it’s best especially through the Brodick island country park  with around 200 acres of parkland including woodland, meadows, ponds, gardens and also a castle.

Brodick Castle houses a glorious collection of furniture with some pieces dating from the 17th Century when the castle was the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton.

Arran offers something for everyone whether it be a day trip to see the castle or a long weekend. There are a number of hotels on Arran from family run B&Bs to 4 star hotels.

Useful resources:
Hotels on the Isle of Arran
More attractions on the Isle of Arran

Win a holiday in the Lake District!

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Posted by Paul on July 28, 2010 – 10:27 am
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Miscellaneous

The Mirror is offering a weekend away for a couple or a family for four, courtesy of the rather odd trio of Actimel, Enjoy England and Best Western.  All you have to do is answer a very simple question and enter your details.  Hint: Phillip Larkin and Charles Dickins (I know, I know… it should be ‘Philip Larkin’ and ‘Charles Dickens‘ – tell The Mirror, not us!) are not renowned Lake District poets.

Useful links:
Lake District Hotels
Dove Cottage (the home of… *ahem*… William Wordsorth)

Dartmouth Castle brings WWII to Devon

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Posted by trev on July 28, 2010 – 10:21 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

Dartmouth Castle in Devon has seen many historic events and played a vital role during World War II. During August the castle is hosting a series of events designed to give people of all ages an idea of how it was to live during the outbreak of war with rationing, gas masks, identity cards and the Make Do & Mend campaigns.

On certain days, re-enactors from the WWII Living History Association will present a vivid retelling of wartime life from the perspective of the different men and women who defended and attacked these shores, dressed in full authentic costumes.

Full details on the events

Note: Members of English Heritage can get into Dartmouth Castle and 450 other English Hertitage owned attractions for free – click here for details of joining.

Useful links:
Dartmouth Castle
Attractions in Dartmouth
Hotels in Dartmouth

New BBC site for the London Olympics

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Posted by Paul on July 28, 2010 – 10:15 am
Filed under Attractions, Miscellaneous

With exactly two years to go until the London 2012 Olympics, the BBC has opened its own dedicated site.  Packed with all kinds of information, it gives details on everything from volunteering (apparently 70,000 volunteers are required!) to the progress being made on various Olympic venues.