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Category Archives: Miscellaneous

The Outdoor Capital of the UK takes mountain biking back to the mountains

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Posted by admin on August 11, 2011 – 10:27 am
Filed under Attractions, Events, Miscellaneous, Transport

The Outdoor Capital of the UK, which encompasses Fort William and Lochaber, has long been a Mecca for mountain bikers and cyclists. With thousands of square miles of hills, glens and forests, the Outdoor Capital of the UK attracts a huge number of mountain bikers and cyclists each year and it’s easy to see why. From flat forest tracks providing great views and gentle exercise for beginners, to all day epics through remote highland glens designed for fit, experienced and skilful riders, the Outdoor Capital of the UK has got it all.

The Outdoor Capital of the UK’s fame in downhill biking circles has undoubtedly been enhanced since it began hosting the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Nevis Range ten years ago. Whilst this event is undoubtedly the pinnacle of The Outdoor Capital of the UK’s mountain bike calendar, it certainly isn’t the only highlight.

The forthcoming Tour de Ben Nevis, which takes place on 24th September 2011, is considered to be “the race that took mountain biking back to the mountains” and the ultimate MTB challenge for endurance athletes and people with a sense of adventure.

Run by the highly acclaimed and extremely passionate team at No Fuss Events, the Tour de Ben Nevis entails a 72km circumnavigation around Ben Nevis – the UK’s highest mountain. Starting out at Fort William, it is an arduous journey of discovery which travels down the spectacular south side of Kinlochleven before heading back up towards Spean Bridge over some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK.

In addition to the numerous mountain bike events that the Outdoor Capital of the UK hosts during the summer months, there are hundreds of routes for cyclists and mountain bikers to undertake at their own pace.

At the centre of mountain biking in the Outdoor Capital of the UK is the Nevis Range, the venue for the annual UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, one of the best mountain bike trail centres in the country and the only course in the UK with gondola access. Given that the downhill course is designed to challenge the world’s best mountain bikers, it goes without saying that Nevis Range’s downhill course is a testing one. With a vertical drop of 525m and a length of 2.66km, it is regarded as an expert level track which fast riders can complete in four to five minutes.

Meanwhile, the Glencoe Mountain Resort, which is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on Rannoch Moor, is also fast becoming a high profile cycling destination and is soon to host the Scottish Downhill Series (13th and 14th August 2011), proving its position within the cycling world.  Glencoe Mountain Resort’s black graded downhill track has quickly built up a reputation as one of the toughest, steepest and most technical tracks in the UK. Yet, in a similar fashion to the Nevis Range, the Glencoe Mountain Resort also offers riders access to a variety of trails for those with a higher sense of self preservation!

Whilst the area certainly has some outstanding mountain biking credentials, it isn’t just about the longest downhill or the most challenging cross country. Within the Outdoor Capital of the UK, there is easy access to a variety of trails for those with a higher sense of self preservation!

Both the aforementioned Nevis Range and the Glencoe Mountain Resort offer a variety of beginner, intermediate, advanced and family trails in addition to their downhill routes. There are also gentle, flat trails along the Caledonian Canal; cycle trails around Glen Nevis, which follow the base of Britain’s highest mountain; family friendly routes that pass through friendly crofting townships; lengthier ones which travel out to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and many more.

Useful links:
Fort William hotels
Fort William B&Bs
Fort William cottages
Fort William attractions

Rioters strike in Edinburgh [video footage]

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Posted by admin on August 10, 2011 – 10:30 pm
Filed under Events, Miscellaneous

It’s hard to make sense of the needless violence and disgrace behaviour of certain individuals across some cities in England over the past few days. Hopefully we have seen the last of it now and there will not be lasting effects upon the tourist industry. Not only will the cities involved bounce back fairly quickly, I’m sure, but it should perhaps also be remembered that vast swathes of the UK have thankfully experienced no bother whatsoever. In short, there really is no reason not to visit.

The video below has only had a few hundred views at the time of writing but we have a suspicion that this footage from Edinburgh could be one of those videos that goes viral. Enjoy.

Useful links:
Edinburgh hotels
Edinburgh B&Bs
Edinburgh self-catering
Edinburgh tourist attractions

Bristol iPhone app is now free

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Posted by admin on August 9, 2011 – 6:16 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

Following the successful launch of Bristol’s official visitor iPhone app in the Spring, city tourism body Destination Bristol is welcoming visitors this Summer by making the app free to download.

The iPhone app serves as an official guide to Bristol, highlighting a comprehensive directory of the best sights, attractions, events, accommodation, food, drink, and shopping, offering inspiration as visitors explore the historic city. The app also allows users to search the directory and plots all business listings directly onto a Google map, making travel easier for those visiting Bristol.

Each business listing in the iPhone app includes directions and a map with GPS integration so that users can easily find their way around Bristol. Visitors can also browse places nearby and save favourite items into a personal itinerary. The business listings offer quick links to websites and enable visitors to email the business with questions.

To download the free iPhone app, click here.

Useful links:
Bristol hotels
Bristol B&Bs
Bristol self-catering
Bristol attractions

An extra 4 million to holiday in Britain to avoid airports

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Posted by trev on August 5, 2011 – 1:56 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

According to a survey by “life assistance company” CPP around an extra 4 million Brits who would have travelled abroad this year won’t be doing so due to the stress of British airports.

It seems the great British fly-away to the Costa-del-Sunshine might be a little smaller than before as people are discovering airports with all their extra security checks and addon prices for luggage etc., are simply too stressful for what is meant to be the one really relaxing part of the year – the annual Summer holiday.

Of course if you’re anything like me, you’ll already know that it’s so much simpler to stay in the UK for your holidays as we have pretty much everything here you’ll ever need, but without worrying about the Euro’s.

Costa-del-Sol alternative – why not head either for the English Riviera which seems to stretch from Cornwall to Weymouth in Dorset. Or if you really want the sunshine, how about Pembrokeshire in west Wales which some has more sunny days than Devon!

Cultural alternatives – forget Venice and head for Birmingham if you want canals as our second city actually has more miles of canals than the famous Italian destination and if you’re selective, some of the best architecture in Europe. Plus there are few places on the planet with a wider range of foods to sample alongside the famous curry of course.

Remote locations – need I say more than the Highlands of Scotland which must qualify as one of the greatest wildlife and get-away-from-it destinations in the world, and certainly in Europe. If you need the company of people, perhaps to show your photos of Red Deer to, then there’s always the towns of Inverness, Fort William and Oban which are all highly recommended.

Having covered only a tiny fraction of Britain, perhaps its time for more people to abandon the stresses of the airport, jump in the car or on the train and explore this fantastic location we’re lucky enough to call “home”.

If we’ve inspired you to head for the highlands, please don’t all go to Fort William as I’ll need to be able to find a parking space when on holiday there next week…

More UK Resources:
Hotels around Britain
Things to see and do in the UK
Self-catering cottages in Britain
Campsites in Britain and Northern Ireland

Camping on the Jurassic Coast

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Posted by Jackie Ireland on August 3, 2011 – 12:51 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Miscellaneous

The Jurassic Coast is the name given to an area of 95 miles of UK coastline stretching from Exmouth in Devon to Swanage in Dorset. It was awarded World Heritage Site Status in 2001, in recognition of its iconic natural landmarks and its unique history and geography.

The name ‘Jurassic Coast’ is a reference to the area’s incredible geological make-up, with beaches, cliffs and rock formations dating back to the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods – almost 200 million years of natural history in one little area of coastline!

The diversity of the Jurassic Coast is one of the reasons why it is considered so special, from the red cliffs of East Devon to the unique pebble formations of Chesil Beach. There are just so many great locations you won’t want to miss out on, so deciding where to begin on a Jurassic Coast holiday can be a real challenge.

The coast is well served by its gateway towns and villages, which have museums and visitor centres full of useful information to help you have a productive and enjoyable trip. These gateway towns include Lyme Regis, Beer, Swanage, Weymouth and Charmouth.

Each part of the coast has its own distinctive claim to fame. Charmouth and Lyme Regis are recognised as some of the best places in the entire UK for finding fossils, which are still emerging in astonishing numbers each year from the cliffs and beaches around the two towns.  Lulworth has its beautiful crescent-shaped cove, formed over millions of years since the age of the dinosaurs. A little further down the coast is Weymouth, favourite resort of King George III, with its long, golden beaches and wonderfully warm climate.

With many people wanting to see as much of the coast as possible and not be tied to one place, camping has become an increasingly popular option for visitors to the Jurassic Coast area in the summer months.

With your own caravan or tourer, you can travel at your own pace and stop in at the many top class holiday parks dotted along the Jurassic Coast. These parks also have a wide range of pre-existing accommodation on offer for those without their own campers and caravans, all fully-fitted and priced to suit a range of budgets.

The advantage of camping in a holiday park is the freedom and sense of adventure you get, while at the same time having all the facilities and amenities you need close to hand. This makes it an ideal option for families with small children. A fun, comfortable family trip on the stunning Jurassic Coast, all at an affordable price – what’s not to like?

Jackie Ireland is Owner of Newlands Holiday Park.

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.

Useful links:
Camping in Dorset
Tourist attractions in Dorset

Lake District boating advice from National Park Authority

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Posted by trev on July 22, 2011 – 12:37 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

For all ye budding Swallows and Amazon fans out there, the Lake District National Park authority is offering a few tip-bits of advice on safe use of boats, especially dinghy’s in the English Lake District.

Luckily, unlike many such organisations the authority have realised that most of us are fairly sensible so instead of saying “do not” all the time, they’ve come up with 3 simple guidelines to help everyone enjoy their time messing about on the popular lakes.

1) Choose an approved dinghy.
2) Always wear an approved buoyancy aid
3) Secure a dinghy to a tree with a 50 metre rope.

While we’re not completely sure what an “approved dinghy” is, the rest of them seem pretty sensible and common sense.

LDNPA Park Management Ranger Sara Spicer said “Treated with sensible caution our lakes are wonderful places for all the family to enjoy, but there are dangers lurking if people drop their guard or ignore these vital safety procedures“.

Could we add a number 4 to this list – always remember to pack the Horlicks and sandwiches as it can get pretty chilly out on those lakes.

Lake District Links:
Visitor attractions around the Lake District
Hotels in the Lake District
Lake District self-catering accommodation
Camping & caravan sites in Cumbria & Lake District

Essential iPhone apps for getting around London

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Posted by trev on July 19, 2011 – 10:30 am
Filed under Miscellaneous

As the Apple iPhone seems to be getting more popular in the capital than ever before, there are certain apps that really can help even the most experienced Londoner get around this huge city.

A few of these might also be available on other platforms and we would expect the number of Android apps for London (and further afield) to increase drastically in the coming years, but with the market share Apple has, it seems most developers are sticking with the fruit based version for now.

1) Barclays Bikes app finder does exactly what it says, by pointing you to the nearest Boris Bike station and crucially telling you whether there are currently any bikes available. The data comes from Transport for London and is updated every few minutes so in theory should be relatively accurate.

2) London Taxi Meter app is for those who prefer to let the engine take the strain and gives an approximate calculation for how much a journey from X to Y should cost. We assume it doesn’t include extra costs for going south of the river at night or getting stuck in roadworks, but at least in theory the London cabbie should be able to entertain you en-route around such problems.

3) Nearest Tube app will help you compromise between the eco-friendly bikes and the rather drier taxi by pointing you towards all the nearest tube stations. The display appears via the camera and imprints various arrows onto the screen with distances and line details. Now if only it could tell you that the line between Camden Town and Hampstead was shut due to signalling problems, it would be a god-send for most Londoners.

4) Toiluxe app is one of many apps which aim to tell you where the nearest “public convenience” is although it is a little lacking in directions, but most loos do have information about where to basically find them especially those within department stores and similar. Very handy for the tourist and local to have.

5) National Gallery Love Art app is probably most useful if you’re sitting around either in a hotel room or back of a taxi stuck in traffic as it’ll let you browse over 250 works of art from the National Gallery in London. There is even information about various pieces included, so now you can sit there with your little white earphones and no one will realise you’re being intellectual…perhaps that will be fixed in v2.

All can be downloaded from the iPhone app store or via your phone itself. The Barclay’s Bikes app is also available from the Android Marketplace.

More Links around London:
Thanks to the Evening Standard London Apps.
London hotel resources
Tourist attractions in London
Self-catering apartments in London

How to avoid wasps on a Summer’s day in the UK

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Posted by admin on July 8, 2011 – 1:44 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

When the weather heats up families across the UK pack up their picnic hampers, slap on their suncream and head out to enjoy the sunshine. But a day out at the seaside or a BBQ in the park can be ruined by just a handful of annoying buzzing gatecrashers…

Pest control experts Rentokil have received a 21% increase is wasp complaints so far this year, and with the weather expected to warm up again in the next few weeks, we could be in for a very wasp-filled summer.

There’s nothing that will put you off your icecream more than being hounded by insects, and for people with allergies to wasp stings that worry is even greater. So UKWaspWatch is asking for your help to track wasp sightings across the UK in the effort to get a better understanding of wasp activity and to pin down any wasp-riddled hotspots.

Using a special online map the sightings are rated between 1-10, or can even be posted from Twitter using the hashtag #ukwaspwatch using the postcode of the wasp location. In logging all your wasp sightings, you are not only helping track wasp locations, but for every post logged on the map 20p is donated to the Anaphylaxis Campaign, the UK charity that supports people with severe allergies.

Useful links:
Hotels in the UK
B&Bs in the UK
Cottages in the UK
Camping in the UK
Tourist attractions in the UK

Beautiful UK family holiday destinations

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Posted by Fraiser Edwards on July 5, 2011 – 1:24 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

It’s holiday time again and, if you’re looking for beautiful scenery and somewhere to relax with the children, the UK has some perfect places to go, so let’s have a look.

Boating

If you’re into boats, then a boating holiday would be perfect for you. There are many boats to choose from to suit your needs. You’ll be thrilled at the idea of sampling life on the water with your loved ones. There are many places to go boating around the UK so you can pick a destination to suit you. Try Acle which is in the Norfolk Broads; the little market town sits on the River Bure – it’s truly magical and beautiful.

If you want to go further up North why not try boating in the Scottish lochs. Being on your own private boat is the best way to experience the lochs, as you will be amazed by the beautiful views, such as Fort William, Inverness and of course the enchanting Loch Ness; all this and the ability to do things in style in your boat.

Cottages

If you’re not a big fan of the water, why not try a holiday cottage? There are many places around the UK to experience life in a cottage. Go to a place which is different – why not try Kirkcudbrightshire, situated in the South West of Scotland? As the name suggests this is a unique and delightful area to visit; this part of Scotland is rocky and unspoilt and as you move inland you will see the natural extreme and intense beauty of the land. If you want to see what Scotland was like in past times, then this is the best place to visit.

You can also try Yorkshire; once you’ve been to Yorkshire, it will be difficult to find many treasures to match. Two of the biggest National Parks are situated there – the Dales and the Moors – and not only that, you will find the welcoming nature of Yorkshire people is what will keep you coming back for more.

Lodges

Derbyshire has many lodges to choose from and it’s a great place to be part of, as it’s known as the Heart of England. Derbyshire is known for its Peak District National Park, and its breathtaking views that will have you not wanting to leave. If you want to see historic buildings, abbeys, stately homes and witness where the Romans would have lived years ago, then this is the perfect place.

If you’re looking for a majestically natured place, why not try Carmarthenshire, Wales. This is a place full of culture, myth and legend and the history here is ancient. Take a trip to the Dolaucothi Gold Mines and the Dan-yr-Ogof Caves as this will really open your eyes.

Fraiser Edwards is Founder of holiday365.

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.

Useful links:
Hotels in the UK
B&Bs in the UK
Cottages in the UK
Camping in the UK
Tourist attractions in the UK

5 reasons to spend your holiday in the UK

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Posted by Kirsty Peters on July 5, 2011 – 1:11 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

Many of us are contemplating spending more of our holiday time in the UK these days. Although in many cases we end up doing it mainly because we’re motivated by cost, for many people it ends up being a real eye-opener in terms of the great visitor destinations we have in this country.

Less costly and less hassle

Choosing a holiday in the UK does put you in a better position to economise. There are no unexpected costs when you spend holiday time in your own country, so you know exactly how to allocate your available budget. Travelling by air is becoming so much hassle these days that many of us simply can’t be bothered with the stress. By holidaying in the UK, you don’t have to worry about getting the entire family through security checks, placing liquids in bottles or getting searched. You also avoid the hassle of airport delays caused by volcanic ash!

The UK is four different countries

It’s easy to forget, but the UK is made up of different nations, each with their own distinct cultural character. In fact, the country is so varied that even within England there is an enormous amount of variation in cultural terms. The unique history of this little island (or group of islands to be more exact) makes for some incredible heritage sights and lively centres today, across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Great natural places

The UK is home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery you’ll see anywhere in the world. When you live somewhere it’s easy to take it for granted, but in Britain, both coastal and inland, the natural places are truly amazing. The mountains, lochs, rivers and forests of both Scotland and Wales are like something straight out of a storybook, and remain unchanged for many generations. In England, the Lake and Peak districts plus the Yorkshire Moors combine with the coast to create some seriously dramatic sights.

Great urban centres

The UK’s cities are all vibrant centres for culture, industry, sport and much more besides. It goes without saying that London is one of the great world cities, absolutely jam-packed with galleries, museums, parks, shops and many more visitor destinations. Further north, the cities of Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool provide a flavour for northern life, while further north again you have the wonderful Scottish cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh being just the tip of the iceberg. Cardiff and Belfast join the party representing Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.

Different holiday types

You can have lots of different holiday types in the UK. Couples on the hunt for secluded romance can enjoy a city break or a bit or rural respite in a holiday lodge or cottage. For families there are an ample supply of excellent hotels, caravans and seaside resorts to choose from. If you want to keep active, there are many outdoor pursuits on land and water, including climbing, boating, cycling and riding to name but a few.

Kirsty Peters is Founder of Best Holiday Parks.

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.

Useful links:
Hotels in the UK
B&Bs in the UK
Cottages in the UK
Camping in the UK
Tourist attractions in the UK