Friday 17 August 2012

Caravan fan completes 5,000-mile tour of UK campsites


A remarkable explorer has shown exactly what can be achieved by those who own a touring caravan and have access to UK campsites.

Rachel Kershaw has completed a 70-day road trip around the country as part of the Fan in a Van campaign devised by VisitEngland, reports the Caravan Times. Her mission was to raise the profile of some of the UK's most famous tourist destinations.

She left Land's End in Cornwall in her touring caravan in May and went on to stay at a total of 48 UK campsites. Eventually, she pitched up in London on July 27th to bring her journey to an end.

In the process, Ms Kershaw drove more than 5,000 miles in a bid to uncover every inch of beauty and culture the country has to offer. Her trip might provide inspiration to those who are thinking of investing in a touring caravan and heading for regular UK breaks, as they now know what is available to them.

"I've always loved England, but it's got so much more to offer than I realised before embarking on this trip. I've travelled from north to south, east to west and have been welcomed warmly all along the way," Ms Kershaw stated.

Her route is said to have taken in coastal resorts, heritage sites, rolling hills and city lights, while she also tucked in to a huge range of traditional English dishes and visited several wildlife reserves and nature spots.

She is now adamant that plenty of other people should follow her example and get outdoors in England in order to enjoy everything it has to offer.

Perhaps the best way is to splash out on a touring caravan with all the latest mod-cons and get plenty of stays at UK campsites into the diary as soon as possible.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Explore 'gold medal county' on holidays in Yorkshire

People who book holidays in Yorkshire will have the chance to visit the homes of some of Team GB's greatest Olympians.

Welcome to Yorkshire has published a new map to recognise the achievements of its athletes at London 2012, with several having already struck gold in their respective events.

Indeed, Yorkshire alone has more gold medals than a large number of countries, including Japan and Canada.

To mark the county's incredible achievement, the tourism body has published a map with details of its native heroes and where visitors can expect to find the gold postbox in their honour.

Among the highlights for those on holidays in Yorkshire will be the home of Jessica Ennis, cyclist Ed Clancy, rowers Katherine Copeland and Andy Triggs Hodge and triathlon star Alistair Brownlee, all of whom are from the county.

There are also details about Yorkshire's 37 athletes who have not yet secured a gold medal at the Games.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Monday 13 August 2012

Park Resorts Launches its First Eco Caravan

The remarkable ABI Pure caravan offers customers a greener, friendlier holidaying option

Park Resorts, leading providers of UK caravan holidays, has teamed up with ABI to launch their first ever environmentally friendly caravan holiday home. The ABI Pure will become part of Park Resorts' caravan sales, available to buy across 39 coastal holiday parks in the UK from just £30,995.

The ABI Pure comes with added insulation in the walls, roof and floor to reduce energy loss. In addition, the eco caravan offers dual flush in the toilet cisterns to reduce water costs, low energy spotlights throughout, double glazing and central heating.

"No other operator is currently offering the ABI Pure and we have 40 on order, enabling us to offer our customers the opportunity to buy this unique eco caravan," Says Michael Clark, Sales and Operations Director at Park Resorts.

"We are constantly looking at ways of offering our customers greener options and the ABI Pure gives owners that flexibility. At Park Resorts, we feel that we have a responsibility to care for the planet."

The ABI Pure's energy efficient bulbs last several times longer than their inefficient counterparts and the dual-flush toilets save an average of 26 per cent more water than single-flush toilets. Thicker insulation helps to reduce the energy used to heat the caravan, lowers heating bills and with extra insulation in the roof reduces the hot air flowing out. The ABI Pure is available in two or three bed layouts.

Park Resorts offer caravan holidays and caravan ownership across the UK coastline, including in Essex, Yorkshire, Kent, Sussex and Scotland. Whether looking for a family, couple or large group of friends, there's the perfect caravan for everyone. Both caravans for sale and holiday accommodation (from bronze, silver and gold) are available to suit all age groups and price limits, with a real emphasis on catering for the family.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Friday 10 August 2012

Touring caravan users urged to remind insurance firms of holidays

Heading out into the beautiful British countryside with a touring caravan this summer is sure to be a hugely popular and rewarding activity, but it does not come without some responsibilities.

Tim Shallcross, head of policy at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said it is vital that you alert your insurance provider of any trips you plan to take in a vehicle that is towing a caravan to UK campsites.

There are no shortcuts around this, as you might find your policy is invalid if you do not follow the correct guidelines. Insurance companies need to know about your touring caravan activities as they will look to ensure you have all the right mirrors on your car and an adequate towbar.

"It is also a very good idea to get the caravan itself insured. There is a registration scheme for caravans that has been in existence for some time now. Make sure the caravan that you’re buying is on that scheme, make sure that it is registered and registered with you being the keeper and take out insurance for the caravan itself," Mr Shallcross stated.

Once you have completed all the formalities and ensured your car and caravan are in the required condition to hit the road, you will be in a position to explore UK campsites in pursuit of a comfortable, fun and affordable break.

Of course, the advantage of owning a touring caravan is that you can take breaks whenever you wish, so holidays in Devon, Sussex, Yorkshire, Wales and a host of other destinations are available on tap. We are perhaps now at the time of the year when you will want to make use of that.

However, remember it is not worth risking a financial calamity by failing to ensure you have adequate cover in place for your mobile holiday home and the vehicle that is towing it.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Thursday 9 August 2012

Scotland holidays picked out as sailing dream

Sailing is an activity that you should try at least once in your life - and there is a good chance that once you have done so you will be desperate to hit the waves plenty more times.

Sailor John MacKay has been speaking about the pursuit and just how enjoyable can be. If he is to be believed, it seems you might be best booking a holiday in Scotland, as he suggested the west coast of the country is the finest place of all for the sport.

In particular, he picked out the Hebrides and Malin regions as the best of all, noting it is not difficult to charter a boat in either of these spots. All that you need is one person who has some sailing experience in order to take control and ensure safety regulations are met.
That alone is enough for at least half a dozen others to be able to enjoy themselves on board a yacht  on the ocean.

"You will have the time of your life. Sailing is just a fantastic thing to do. On the west coast there is so much happening - fabulous foods, castles, scenery - it is indescribable. It is just so beautiful," Mr MacKay stated.
Sailing has shot to prominence in the UK in recent days as Ben Ainslie won a gold medal in the sport at the Olympic Games. His success, making him the country's most successful sailor of all time, could persuade many of you to give it a try.

And if you decide to do just that, heading for holidays in Scotland is a great idea, as Mr MacKay suggested the area is one of the country's "hidden gems". Even if you find sailing is not to your liking there will be so much more on offer.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Grand UK New Themed Breaks

Grand UK Holidays have a new selection of themed breaks departing in September and October, below is a small selection of some of thier best, including their annual reunion holiday!

Wonderful Gardens of Wales
3rd September 2012 – Price From £277
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is the first botanic garden to be created in nearly 200 years, and it forms the focal point of this excellent gardens tour. Our packed itinerary also features four more gardens too, from historic Singleton Park, with its own botanical gardens, to the Museum of Welsh Life which offers a unique insight into social history through its fascinating garden displays.

Secrets of Ancient Wessex
1st October 2012 – Price From £277
Once the ancient kingdom of King Alfred, and synonymous with the writings of Thomas Hardy, the historic land of Wessex is a region of idyllic villages, tranquil countryside and spectacular coastlines. Look a little deeper and you’ll also find some of England’s finest country gardens, thriving in the mild climate, and historic settlements that helped shape England’s rich history.

Blackpool Cabaret and The ‘Singing City’ and The Illuminations
24th September & 8th October – Price From £287
Magnificent sandy beaches, three fine piers and a promenade packed with traditional seaside attractions have long made Blackpool the UK’s best-known and best-loved holiday destinations. This new tour adds all the fun of Blackpool to the musical history of Liverpool; home to the Beatles, Cilla Black and Gerry & The Pacemakers – to name but a few. Discover the living beat of the city with our magical musical history tour, and take a ‘ferry cross the Mersey’ to complete the experience! By night, sit back and relax with your resident cabaret acts – and during the Illuminations season we also include an evening drive to enjoy the full colour and magic of the famous lights!

Annual Holiday Reunion
11th February 2013 – Price From £172
Enjoy five days of great food, fun and friendship as we return to an old Grand UK favourite, the revitalised Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Hayling Island. Our ever popular Grand UK Reunions create the perfect opportunity to meet-up with old friends from previous holidays and you’ll also get the chance to meet a host of your favourite Tour Managers and Drivers, together with a number of Directors, Managers and staff from our Head Office. In addition you will experience a packed programme of activities by day or perhaps choose from a host of interesting excursions to explore the south coast.

Then by night, sit back and relax as Mill Rythe’s new entertainment team dazzle you with show-stopping nightly performances from cabaret to floorshow, from song to laughter. We’ve got some great competitions lined up – with free holidays to be won – and a whole host of special holiday offers for our Reunion guests. As usual it’s going to be a lot of fun, for five fun-packed days away, it’s the perfect answer to shake off those winter blues. We look forward to seeing you there!

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Sunday 5 August 2012

Summer bargains by the Sea!

Make the most of lazy summer days and escape to the coast! If you're looking for relaxation, a break with friends or fun for the whole family then Park Resorts has something for you.

With 39 beautiful coastal locations to choose from you'll be spoilt for choice. Free use of the on-park facilities is included in the price of your holiday, whether you fancy a dip in the pool or some evening entertainment in our showbars!

Summer Madness - 3 &4 nts from £199 per family


Whether you’re new to Park Resorts, or are an avid lover of the Great British holiday, the best thing about our 39 UK coastal Parks is the freedom they give you to choose how you spend your time.

You can stay in a great choice of self catering accommodation, or opt for a touring or tent pitch. Whichever you choose, a safe, secure environment awaits you, with free facilities at your fingertips and the amazingly varied and beautiful coastline of Britain right on your doorstep.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Friday 3 August 2012

Explore England's Horrible Histories

England is a country world-renowned for its history. Our ancient lineage of Kings and Queens, revered historic architecture and deep-seated traditions bring visitors from near and far. But the country’s history is also peppered with tales of smuggling and witchcraft, piracy and ghostly hauntings, which lend a more sinister side to many of England’s popular destinations.

Have a look at some of the country’s darker tourist attractions:

On the trail of witches
2012 marks the 400th anniversary of the Lancashire Witch trials.In August 1612 ten people were executed on the moors above Lancaster, having been found guilty of witchcraft at Lancaster Castle. Today, visitors can take a guided tour of the imposing castle, the setting for the imprisonment and the trial. See the dungeons and the grand Jury Room and Courts and learn of the witches’ plight before making up your own mind. Were the Pendle Witches malevolent people possessed by supernatural powers, or innocent victims of a time obsessed with the pursuit and punishment of witchcraft?

Legend has it that during the Dark Ages, an old woman lived alone deep in the caverns of the Wookey caves in Somerset. She was branded a witch and all local mishaps and problems were blamed on her. Eventually, a Holy Clerk of Glastonbury exorcised the witch and turned her to stone. Her frozen figure remains in this cavern – known as The Witch’s Kitchen – to this day. Visit the Witch’s Castle and Kitchen in the Wookey Hole Caves and take your chances in the Magical Mirror Maze. You can also visit Wookey witch’s original skeleton, on display at Somerset’s Wells & Mendip Museum.

Down in the dungeons
The newly-opened Blackpool Tower Dungeons bring an interactive experience that tells some of the more gruesome tales from 1,000 years of Blackpool history. Discover the torture instruments of forgotten times, escape the mirror maze of horrors and get sentenced to death on the Extremis drop ride. The Blackpool Tower Dungeons are the latest to open of a dungeons series that includes York, Warwick Castle and London.

Nottingham’s Galleries of Justice tell some of the sinister stories behind the city’s own outlaws, which are brought to life in the very building where they were judged, imprisoned and executed. The setting for this historic visitor attraction is Nottingham’s old courthouse and gaol, voted ‘the most haunted building in the UK’ by paranormal investigators Fright Nights. Take a Ghost Tour to hear tales of the Shire Hall’s dark and sinister past and be led around the haunted corridors, cells and dungeons.

Who dunnit?
2013 marks 125 years since the streets of East London were at the mercy of Jack the Ripper, the unidentified serial killer whose legend remains a subject of fascination. Visitors with a brave disposition can try a Jack the Ripper walking tour of Spitalfields and Petticoat Lane in East London. Inspect the murder sites, sift through the gory evidence and get to grips with the main suspects. After the tour, you can steady your nerves in The Ten Bells, the pub where the victims themselves - perhaps under the threatening gaze of the Ripper himself – sought solace from the waking nightmare.

Step back in time on a journey from London on a Murder Mystery tour aboard the impeccably restored carriages of the British Pullman. The year is 1933 and there has been a murder on the train. Love and intrigue are in the air as you meet a series of suspicious characters all embroiled in the plot. Travel through the beautiful Kent countryside and indulge in a five course lunch as you pull together clues to solve the murder.

Do you believe in ghosts?
The historic city of Chester is a ghosthunter's heaven. Join a night-time ghost hunt around the eerie haunts of the city’s mysterious and murky past. Tour the ancient, walled city after dark, visit well-known spooky and scary places, and hear spine-chilling tales of ghosts, spectres, and things that go bump in the night.

The renowned York Ghost Walk Experience tour winds through the city’s honeycomb maze of ancient buildings, narrow cobbled streets and dark alleyways. The after-dark experience combines storytelling from those in the know with authentic re-enactments of characters such as York’s Headless Earl and The Gray Lady. The latter is the much-seen ghost of a nun buried alive in the old Hospital of St Leonard – now part of the Georgian Theatre Royal. But beware – the city of York is a ghostly one. Even if you don’t meet the city’s spectres, they will almost certainly be watching you.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.

Thursday 2 August 2012

Park Holidays UK announce extended opening season at Beauport

Visitors on their caravan holidays will now be able to take advantage of their fantastic facilities throughout eleven months of the year.

There’s some great news for anyone who enjoys staying at the picturesque and well-equipped Beauport Holiday Park near Hastings in Sussex, as Park Holidays UK have announced an extension of the resort’s opening season.

"We are very happy to reveal that, after our application to the local authorities was accepted, this popular destination will now only be closed during February, meaning that visitors here on their caravan holidays will be able to take advantage of our fantastic facilities throughout eleven months of the year."

And, what’s more, this longer opening comes into effect immediately, so low cost winter breaks can be booked right now, up until January 31st 2013! Surrounded by dense woodland, beautiful flowers and all manner of wildlife, including deer and badgers, you will find Beauport the perfect place to unwind and relax all year round.

Situated in one of the UK’s most desirable getaway locations, we believe that the Beauport Holiday Park is among the best of our 25 sites when it comes to purchasing one of the fine caravans for sale. As well as the newly unveiled extended season, this East Sussex resort has also recently invested in a number of improvements, so it really is at the cutting edge in terms of offering top quality family holidays.

Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.