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Category Archives: Attractions

Do you have the T-Factor to work at Belfast’s £90 million attraction?

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Posted by trev on January 9, 2012 – 9:45 am
Filed under Attractions

When you spend £90 million on a permanent exhibition telling the stories of the world’s most famous ship and the people who sailed on her, you could be forgiven for being a little picky with the selection of the guides.

With this in mind, anyone wanting to work as a guide at the new Titanic visitor attraction in Belfast won’t just have to impress with a normal interview and perhaps a few Titanic related facts (hopefully not gleaned from the film), but will instead be put through a three minute audition to find those with the so called “T-Factor”.

[Their terminology not ours!]

Each hopeful will be given a script relating to part of the story, and it will be up to the interviewees to interpret that in much the same way as any actor in an audition. Getting through this doesn’t guarantee a job, but it will be a fairly crucial part of the process.

So if you think you’re the next Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet or even Gloria Stuart (100 year old Rose) then you might have a chance of a job in one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic exhibitions – see the Titanic Belfast web site.

For the rest of us, the exhibition is due to open on the 31st March 2012.

More Belfast Links:
Other visitor attractions around Belfast
Hotel accommodation in Belfast

“Fascinating” new coach tours of the M25 now on sale

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Posted by trev on January 6, 2012 – 2:48 pm
Filed under Attractions

Rather than jetting off to Spain for your weekend break or maybe popping up to Scotland for a quick skiing trip, why not spend your weekend visiting one of Britain’s newest tourist attractions – the M25 motorway?

This is the idea being proposed by the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company who are planning to run four hour coach trips around the London M25 motorway, although presumably the four hours is a guideline depending on the amount of other traffic negotiating one of the world’s most congested roads.

So why would anyone want to contemplate the M25 coach tour?

According to the organisers, the trips will show the diversity of London as the coach passes through six home counties having joined at J7. Sights along the way include Epping Forest to the north of London; Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal Five building as well as seeing the sheer number of planes which come into land at Heathrow each day and the Dartford River Crossing Bridge which does give good views across London, albeit nowhere near any major landmarks.

Describing the M25 as Britain’s route 66 might be taking things a little too far one would imagine, although perhaps the M25 is in better condition than Route 66 especially the service stations.

For more details and to book see the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company web site. The cost of tickets for this trip is around £15 per person.

More London Resources:
Visitor attractions around London (no coach involved)
Hotel accommodation in London

New for 2012: the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and The Making of Harry Potter

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Posted by admin on January 2, 2012 – 4:15 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Events

We mentioned this last year but with the opening of the the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London now only just around the corner (Spring 2012), we thought it warranted a reminder. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will be a behind-the-scenes walking tour which immerses Harry Potter fans into the world of film-making. The tour features authentic sets, costumes and props that showcase the British artistry, technology and talent that went into producing world famous and successful movies, created at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The Studio Tour will initially focus on the Harry Potter film series which has made the Studios its home for over 10 years. Book early to avoid disappointment as this is sure to be very popular. Ticket and 3-star hotel rates start from £57 per person, or £162 per family of 4.

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

Happy 2012…! The year to visit the UK!

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Posted by admin on January 1, 2012 – 12:01 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

Happy New Year, everyone!  Without doubt, 2012 is the year to be in the UK.  Of course, all eyes will be on London because of both the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, but don’t forget this is also a great opportunity to visit other parts of the British Isles.  Not all Olympic events are staged in the capital – as well as the Olympic Park being in Stratford, there’s football matches taking place in Manchester, Newcastle and Coventry, cycling in Surrey, sailing in Weymouth, mountain biking in Essex, rowing at Eton Dorney and the canoe slalom in the Lee Valley.  There’s also the torch relay prior to the Olympics that will take in many other locations.

If you are planning a trip to the UK this year, make sure you bookmark us to help with your 2012 travel plans.  You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or add us to your circles on Google+.  Happy travels!

Could a proposal to light up Stonehenge ever be welcomed?

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Posted by trev on December 24, 2011 – 10:31 am
Filed under Attractions

Stonehenge is one of the few places left in Britain where we can look at the world through the same eyes as the Neolithic peoples who built the giant structure, but a recent proposal is suggesting that the ancient stones require more “mystique” than nature provides.

One Lady Mimi Pakenham of Warminster originally proposed this concept, and it then debated on Radio 4’s influential Today Programme, so we know middle-England is now aware of it. One could look at Stonehenge and compare it to say the many castles and other monuments around Britain which are flood-lit nightly – Edinburgh Castle being a classic example.

However, somehow Stonehenge sits apart from all other monuments perhaps because of the ongoing questions surrounding its original purpose, or maybe it is simply the sheer scale of the task of building such a structure.

We can probably assume that if such an idea were to gain momentum, English Heritage – under whom Stonehenge is governed – would be a little more subtle than to install giant floodlights. But still with all the talk of the need for dark sky areas of the world and English Heritages’ seeming desire to ensure no human hand can damage the stones, there is a real risk any artificial lighting could spoil the effect of the stones looming out of the darkness on a moon-lit night.

Lighting the stones has been tried previously back in the late 1970s to be precise, but the lights were removed not because of aesthetics and mystery, but the more practical problem of drivers on the nearby A303 looking at the stones and not keeping an eye on the road.

The chances of this ever getting past a letters page in the Times newspaper are very slim, but stranger decisions have been made so perhaps by stimulating this debate, Lady P is in her own little way helping to ensure the sanctity of Stonehenge for generations to come.

You can add your say at the bottom of this page (or click the speech bubble if on the front page). Should we ever even consider lighting up Stonehenge or leave nature to do that?

More Wiltshire Resources:
Attractions around Amesbury
Woodhenge near Stonehenge
Hotel accommodation near Stonehenge
Self-catering near Stonehenge

2 for 1 at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

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Posted by admin on December 23, 2011 – 1:29 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

If you’re looking for something special to do with friends and family over Christmas, why not visit ZSL Whipsnade Zoo? Between Christmas and the New Year, they are offering 2 for 1 entry, and they have a host of daily activities running throughout December, including Christmas Crafts at the Elves’ Workshop and the daily Reindeer Rumble, to keep all the family entertained. Click here for your 2 for 1 voucher.

Brrrr… Arundel Lido to open for festive swims

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Posted by admin on December 14, 2011 – 4:25 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

Arundel Lido will be offering those who are up for a little festive swimming the opportunity to brave the elements and swim in the lido over the Christmas period. The main pool will be open 10am – 1pm on New Year’s Eve (Saturday 31st December 2011), New Year’s Day (Sunday 1st January 2012) and Bank Holiday Monday (2nd January 2012). Entry will be £4 for adults and £2 for Under 18s, but free for Under 5s and Over 80s! Entry will also be free for all swimmers who have paid for their 2012 Season Tickets by 31st December 2011.

Are you brave enough to tackle the blast of the ice cold winter rapids?

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Posted by admin on December 13, 2011 – 5:40 pm
Filed under Attractions, Miscellaneous

Lee Valley White Water Centre today unveiled a new winter and spring season, following an immensely successful summer at the only brand new London 2012 venue people can use before the Games.

The new season runs from 19th January up to 9th April 2012, welcoming adrenalin fans bold enough to brave the 300m long Olympic Standard Competition Course in the middle of winter, plus those who like the water a little warmer who can take on the rapids in March and April.

The Centre is owned and run by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority whose Chief Executive Shaun Dawson said: “The take up for our summer season was very strong, with day after day selling out, and we’ve been inundated with people desperate to get their chance to raft the rapids before the Games. We’re running up to Easter – just 16 weeks before the Games, so this is an incredible opportunity to raft or canoe this fantastic venue before the world’s best take it on.

“Rafting these world class rapids is absolutely exhilarating – thousands of people have enjoyed the experience this summer of 13,000 litres every second pumping down the outstanding course, and now there’s the added challenge of the wintery weather. Rafters and canoeists will have an unforgettable experience, and while we are starting in the middle of winter, we’ll be open through spring, so people can pick a date to tie in with the experience they want.”

The Centre, 40 minutes door to door from central London, is host venue for the London 2012 Olympic Canoe Slalom events next July and August, and has accommodated a host of top international paddlers, plus thousands of rafters from schools, family groups and sports teams to blue chip companies on corporate days out.

Led by an experienced guide, a half-day rafting session will include a safety briefing and a session to get used to paddling the raft. Starting with a calm but fast-paced descent, tougher and tougher challenges are set with each run of the course until rafters are ready for surfing, high siding, spinning and nose dunking. All the gear – super thick wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet and boots – is provided, so all that’s needed are swimmers, a towel and a willingness to take on the white water. When the rafting is over, rafters can warm up with a free bowl of hearty soup and crusty roll served at the café overlooking the course.

Prices start at £49 per person for a half-day Winter White Water Rafting Adventure.

Useful links:
Hotels near Lee Valley Whitewater Centre
Other tourist attractions in Broxbourne

3 awe-inspiring tourist treasures in Cornwall

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Posted by Jon Acourt on December 12, 2011 – 11:15 am
Filed under Attractions

For those who’ve never been there, Cornwall is just a county in the South-western tip of England. For those in the know, it is actually an exhilarating touristic treasure trove. If you are looking for relaxed holidays exploring the natural charms of Her Majesty’s land, Cornwall is a prime destination.

This article will highlight three attractions you should explore while visiting Cornwall. Make the most of your time there, and don’t be alarmed if you feel like never leaving!

Land’s End

The very southwestern-most tip of England has long been regarded as an ideal area for trekking and sight-seeing. It’ not by chance this coastal sensation is located at the intersection of the longest uninterrupted footpaths in the country. From the granite cliffs of Land’s End, you will enjoy indescribable sensations and scenes. Within the tourist complex installed in the area you will be offered respite from your travels, and a chance to see cultural exhibitions, taste delicious local food, and even indulge in a bit of shopping. But most of your time here will likely be spent communing with nature, peering out into the vast ocean, and generally being smitten with the surrounding beauty.

National Maritime Museum

A tribute to Britain’s extensive history as a nation of sea explorers, the National Maritime Museum is regarded by many as one of the leading touristic attractions in Cornwall. Located at Falmouth harbor, the museum provides visitors with a surprisingly vast and engaging experience. While exploring its fifteen galleries, you will be taken on a trip down sea-faring history, from its most primitive expressions to idealizations of what the future of maritime exploration may hold. Visiting the National Maritime Museum is highly recommended, for anyone with the slight bit of interest in sea vessels and history.

Eden Project

This gigantic agricultural complex is touted as the being home to the world’s largest greenhouse, and rightfully so. It includes a complex of biomes which have been devised to simulate specific different temperature regions, as to allow the housing of thousands of plants from all around the globe. The Eden Project features on-going cultural events aiming to educate visitors towards ecological preservation as well as agricultural principles; additionally, there is a stage for musical performances, as well as spaces for artistic exhibitions. Mere words cannot do justice to the thrills you will experience at the Eden Project, so you really need to think about going there soon, so you can see for yourself.

Jon Acourt is Managing Director UK Holiday Places.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on the UKseries.com UK Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Two giant pandas arrive in Edinburgh

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Posted by admin on December 4, 2011 – 10:11 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

You may recall a blog post we made earlier this year, outlining an agreement between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association which brought the first giant pandas to the UK for some 17 years.

Well, today that agreement came to fruition and the pandas arrived safely at Edinburgh Zoo, an attraction that is hoping to see a 50% increase in visitor numbers as a result.  The pandas won’t be on view for another two weeks yet, but are to remain at the zoo for 10 years so there will be ample time to see them.  They are held separately, except during their breeding period.  Should a baby panda arrive, that is sure to help boost visitor numbers.

In the meantime, here is some footage for you to enjoy:

Useful links:
Hotels near Edinburgh Zoo
Other attractions in Edinburgh