Posts Tagged ‘United Kingdom’

Vacations In Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is famed for its seaside resorts that include quirky postcards, stag and hen parties, fish and chips and kiss-me-quick hats. In the last few decades just the resorts of Blackpool and Brighton have retained their popularity as an increasing number of  British folks travel to warmer destinations to spend their yearly vacation. Nevertheless a few resorts in Great Britain appear to be trying to to regain their position in British tourism. In the following article I take a look at Scarborough an increasingly popular seaside resort in North Yorkshire.

Scarborough is definitely the oldest seaside resort in Great Britain having been mentioned in a book which was written around the 1660s, which spoke of the health advantages of a nearby spa. The spa is still in existence and is situated in South Bay. Now named the Scarborough Spa Complex it, like many other, similar, places, has reinvented itself and today gives quite a lot of entertainment facilities and also offering facilities for corporate functions and weddings.

In many ways the town has managed to show itself as a superb blend of the new and the old. Keeping a lot of its Victorian seaside charm the town currently advertises  itself as a creative arts and digital industries centre. More and more buildings are being modernised and brought into the twenty first century and, for example, an old museum is now a specifically designed space for artists. Further enhancing this modern strategy to tourism you can now have free access to a wi-fi Web connection along the harbour’s promenade.

Altogether this bold approach has created a beautiful place for a family vacation with plenty of attractions which are family friendly including a number of superb museums and galleries, parks and gardens, theme parks and a good number of historic buildings. With a gorgeous coastline and fantastic countryside it is little surprise that the seaside resort additionally presents plenty of opportunities for sports and the sport of surfing is rapidly rising in popularity.

Art galleries and museums in, or near to, Scarborough include the following galleries, Scarborough Art Gallery, South Street Gallery, Crescents Arts and Grosmont Gallery & Jazz Cafe plus the following museums, The Rotunda Museum, Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum, Millenium and Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life.

Parks, gardens and places of natural beauty well worth a visit include; Hazelhead Lake, The Walled Garden at Scampston, The Bridestones and The Crosscliff Estate plus Peasholm Park and Peasholm Island. Places of historical interest include Scampston Hall, Scarborough Castle, Peak Alum Works and Ebberston Hall. You might also find the following interesting, The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Church of St-Martin-on-the-Hill, All Saints Church and Church of St Mary.

Probably the favourite family visitor attraction in Scarborough is the spectacular Sea Life Centre but other family tourist attractions well worth visiting include; Terror Tower, Kinderland, Atlantis and Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo but also many other animal and wildlife tourist attractions for example, Grainary Wildlife Farm, Moorland Trout Farms and Betton Farm.

Obviously the above article is only a short introduction to the countless attractions in the town but if following reading my article above you would like to take a short vacation at this super resort and you are looking for bed & breakfast in Scarborough then please think about taking a look at our comprehensive listings of discount hotels in Scarborough.

Things To See And Do In Cambridgeshire

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Cambridgeshire is a county in the east midlands part of England landlocked by the counties of Northamptonshire, Rutland, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire. Cambridgeshire might not have a coastline but there is a diverse range of places to visit which make this an amazing place to take a vacation.  In the article below I  explain why tourists should consider a trip to this most beautiful part of the British Isles.

The English county of Cambridgeshire has exciting waterways, prestigious stately homes, breathtaking countryside, outstanding cathedrals, busy market towns and the fascinating city of Cambridge. The city of Cambridge is a highly popular Cambridgeshire attraction which is highly suitable for vacations throughout the year.

Attractions in this intensely photogenic university town include The Backs, The Folk Museum, The Round Church, The Fitzwilliam Museum, The Orchard Tea Garden and Denny Abbey, but the majority of tourists arrive in Cambridge to look at the sights associated with some of the thirty one colleges such as King’s College & King’s College Chapel and Cambridge University Botanic Garden. It can take a very long time to take in all of the university colleges however the finest buildings to meander around are those belonging to Corpus Christi, Magdalene College, Trinity College and St John’s College.

The Cambridgeshire Fens

The Cambridgeshire Fenlands are an extremely marshy district almost at the level of the sea. There have been many attempts at draining the ground some dating back to the Romans. It wasn’t until the 17th Century that sustained efforts were made. Sadly these attempts were a failure and it wasn’t until the Eighteenth Century that the land was drained successfully and the land was turned over to farming.

In modern times the intriguing landscape of fresh and salt water marshes provide an excellent environment for leisure and wildlife. Cambridgeshire features some of the least congested waterways in the British Isles, ideal for narrow boat vacations.

If you want to discover more about the fascinating Fenlands then you will find that the towns of March, Whittlesey, Wisbech and Chatteris are home to an excellent local museum.

The Historic Market Towns

Across the district are sited picturesque little market towns, which, long ago were virtually islands. March grew up as a port in the Tudor era and has a fascinating history. Other island communities included Whittlesey, Chatteris, Littleport and Ramsey. These market towns feature quaint architecture spanning several centuries such as Whittlesey’s 17th century Butter Cross. Many hours can be pleasantly passed searching the many shops, stalls and independent businesses.

Other Tourist Attractions In Cambridgeshire

The list of local visitor attractions is huge. Heritage railways include the Wisbech and March Bramley Line and the Nene Valley Railway and there a handful of fascinating buildings to visit including Lode Watermill, Houghton Mill, Great Gransden Post Mill and Down Field Windmill.

The county has a small selection of historic religious buildings such as the abbeys of Denny, Anglesey, Spinney and Ramsey, Ely Cathedral and Peterborough Cathedral as well as Duxford Chapel and the Old Vicarage at Grantchester. The list of castles, stately homes and historic houses is simply so  large that there is insufficient space to add it here, it is the same with the list of museums and art galleries.

If you are currently thinking about a Cambridgeshire vacation and are booking hotel accommodation in Cambridge please take a look at our comprehensive bed & breakfast accommodation in Cambridge

Useful Info On Vacations In Vibrant Bristol

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a most marvelous vacation destination. It is hugely popular with diverse people ranging from mountain climbers, ramblers, hill-walkers, hikers and other folk who enjoy vacations of this ilk to folk who enjoy such things as stately homes, historical buildings, castles and fortified houses. Another thing attracting tourists is that the destination features exquisite countryside with a marvelous selection of awesome spots as well as a marvelous amount of top class attractions. In the article below I discuss the amazingly popular English vacation destination, the city of Bristol.

Spending Time In Bristol, England and Facts You Should Know

The city of Bristol has a fascinating and richly varied history, making it the ideal city in which to spend some time.  At one time the City of Bristol was included amongst the top three medieval towns after London. The City of Bristol was one of the most important trading ports in the country of England, and during the 14C, the port handled most of the trade with the Irish. In 1373 Bristol became an English county, and it was during this time that the city became the hub of manufacturing and shipbuilding. It is Bristol’s rich cultural history which helps make it one of the most exciting cities in the country today. Fortunately, those wanting to have a short break in Bristol will find that there is a wealth of Bristol bed & breakfast available to book online, making it amazingly easy to books rooms.

The city of Bristol has an amazingly diverse arts scene with Bristol bringing forth a number of very talented and reasonably successful artists in the past and, most probably, the future too. Did you know  that Wallace & Grommit started life in Bristol, and that Cary Grant also came from Bristol. The famous modern artist known as Banksy sprayed some of his most widely recognised works of art in  Bristol. The City Museum & Art Gallery is a free entry tourist attraction well worth a visit and shows a widely varied selection of superb pieces of art, natural history, ancient artefacts, archaeology  and a continually changing selection of exhibitions and events. If you are looking for a truly unique arts centre experience then a visit Spike Island could be the answer. The arts centre concentrates upon the exhibition and production of contemporary visual arts, which include various aspects of printmaking, multimedia projects, working with moving images, painting and more. If you would much prefer a visit to a more traditional art gallery, then The Royal West of England Academy should be more than agreeable. The Royal West of England Academy was the city’s very first art gallery and it now has more than twelve hundred works of art dating from the nineteenth century right up to the present day.

You will discover a reasonable selection of visitor attractions in Bristol. A great place to visit is Bristol Zoo Gardens which houses more than 450 different types of creature. The zoo is involved in the conservation of endangered mammals, amphibians and insects. from around the planet.

If equine matters interest you then a trip to Horseworld would be perfect for you for your family and you. A day out at Horseworld will allow you to meet ponies, horses and donkeys which have been rescued from dire situations. If you wish Horseworld allow you to take part in the hands on feeding of the creatures. Another 2 tourist attractions of a similar nature are Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park and the Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, which both provide all of the essentials you will need for an exciting family day out.

If my article has enticed you to such an amount that you and your family are currently considering spending a few weeks in Bristol it is crucial that you book your  accommodation at your first opportunity because, unfortunately guest houses and hotels in Bristol tend to be surprisingly busy and are often fully booked months in advance. If you are a large group you might find that serviced apartments in Bristol are a less expensive alternative than paying for your entire family to stay in one of the many Bristol hotels, guest houses or other accommodation..

Short Breaks in Plymouth and Tourist Attractions to Visit

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

Vacations in the UK appear to be immensely popular this year, most probably due to the economic downturn and the weak pound. The United Kingdom has a large number of top class tourist destinations including London (the capital of England) and other fascinating cities plus a fine selection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Margate, Great Yarmouth and Bognor Regis. One seaside town often overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.

At first glance Plymouth appears a little bland and fairly modern, but delving a little bit deeper and you will soon find that the city has a fascinating history and a long relationship with the sea. As long ago as the 16th century Plymouth has been an important port. In 1588 Francis Drake embarked from the port at Plymouth to successfully defend the English from the Spanish Armada. A further moment in history occurred in sixteen twenty when the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for North America.

It is possible to have low cost Plymouth weekend city breaks by booking rooms in bed and breakfast in Plymouth rather than making a reservation in a costly hotel. A quick search on Google will reveal that it is possible to book a room for a little as £29 a night and many establishments offer dinners at a very reasonable rate, commonly equal to, or less expensive than local restaurants.

Places To Visit In Plymouth

There are a great many places of interest in the town which are worth a visit. Popular tourist attractions include; Merchant’s House Museum, the National Marine Aquarium, the Mayflower Steps and St Andrew’s church. A cruise around the waters of the port is a superb way to spend some time but if you find that you have more time why not take a day out to other places near to Plymouth, for example; Mount Edgcumbe, Saltram House or Buckland Abbey.

Saltram House is a fine Tudor Mansion which is found two miles from the town, Mount Edgcumbe is another fine example of a Tudor house with coastal paths, landscaped gardens and parklands, and Buckland Abbey, about six miles from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was once owned by Sir Francis Drake and was later renovated as a family home.

If you and your family are currently considering taking a trip to Plymouth it is incredibly important that you reserve your  rooms at the earliest opportunity because, sadly Plymouth hotel and guest house accommodation tend to be amazingly busy and are often fully booked for a long period in advance. If you are travelling in a group you may find that apartments in Plymouth prove to be reasonable option to Plymouth bed and breakfast. If you are visiting England from overseas then why not consider booking a room for a few days in London hotels to take in the attractions of the English capital too.

Sheffield Weekend City Breaks and Tourist Attractions Well Worth Seeing

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Today Vacations in Britain are more popular than ever. The numerous reasons are complex but the majority agree that the main factor is the current economic climate and the increasing requirement to minimize costs, especially in relation to family vacations. Another influencing fact is the low value of the English currency which traveling abroad rather expensive for the British but travel into the United Kingdom is cheap. England has many top vacation destinations including a fine selection of seaside resorts, however increasing numbers of folk are deciding to book hotels in cities instead. Popular cities include; Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol but there are many other cities in Great Britain in which to have a short vacation for example Sheffield. With rooms from as low as twenty pounds a night, Sheffield bed and breakfast makes for a low cost city vacation destination.

Visitors Attractions In Sheffield

For a city with a history associated with industry primarily in the steel and cutlery industry, Sheffield is home to a wide variety of art galleries. The most well known are the Ruskin Gallery, Millennium Galleries and Metalworks Gallery. The Millennium Galleries are free to enter and feature visiting exhibitions (entry is for a few £. The Ruskin Gallery is founded upon a collection donated by John Ruskin for the improvement of the working people of Sheffield and features watercolors, paintings, casts, minerals, sketches and a selection of classic nineteenth century texts.

Tourist will find that Sheffield has a small number of museums but the City Museum is on the outskirts of the city center as is the Kelham Island Museum which houses all manner of items associated with the industrial past of the city and old machinery. Even though Sheffield was bombed heavily during WWII several superb examples of Victorian and older architecture still survive and the center of the city is incredibly easy to navigate on foot. Attempt to allow time to visit the city’s Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul which dates back to the fifteenth century.

Staying In Sheffield

Because the city has a University the bars, clubs and cafes can become surprisingly busy at the weekends, when students enjoy to the most their free time. While lots of people enjoy the lively night scene others prefer a more sedate place in which to stay, such folk should make a reservation in a hotel away from the center of the city.

If a Sheffield vacation is not your kind of thing why not discuss booking a couple of weeks in a bed and breakfast in London, England’s capital? Alternatively why not ponder upon booking a couple of weeks in a hotel in Liverpool,  which was the European Capital of Culture in 2008 and benefits from a fantastic selection of first class visitor attractions.

Britain has a great deal to offer the tourist and the countless incredibly interesting, and incredibly diverse, cities frequently offer more than the many seaside resorts.