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.
Showing posts with label UK Day Trips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK Day Trips. Show all posts
Friday, 3 August 2012
Monday, 30 July 2012
Schools Out For Summer - Witches and Wizards Academy
Need to brush up on your broom making skills? Pot some medicinal plants for your potions? Or just learn more about how to look after and handle owls, then this is the place for you.
Witches and Wizards Academy - Scarborough Art Gallery, Scarborough
Each day children can learn a new skill that will help them to become the perfect witch or wizard. Regularly throughout the School Summer Holidays - Daily 11am - 4pm - see the web-site for more information www.scarboroughartgallery.org.uk
Cost
FREE to Under 18's
Adults £2.00
Concession £1.80
Scarborough Art Gallery, situated in Scarborough's Regency Crescent just off the town centre, houses the Borough's fine art collection. Our Gallery spaces tell the story of the town and its various influences over the years through the wonderful paintings which feature seascapes and views of Scarborough. Learn about the influence of the sea, Scarborough's early history as a holiday resort and how fashion spoke volumes about your status and position in society.
The Gallery has a lively temporary exhibition programme that features contemporary work by professional artists. Events for all the family are featured throughout the year and especially over the school holiday period.
Fears, Foes & Faeries is the 2012 feature exhibition running from 23 March to 30 Sept.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Witches and Wizards Academy - Scarborough Art Gallery, Scarborough
Each day children can learn a new skill that will help them to become the perfect witch or wizard. Regularly throughout the School Summer Holidays - Daily 11am - 4pm - see the web-site for more information www.scarboroughartgallery.org.uk
Cost
FREE to Under 18's
Adults £2.00
Concession £1.80
Scarborough Art Gallery, situated in Scarborough's Regency Crescent just off the town centre, houses the Borough's fine art collection. Our Gallery spaces tell the story of the town and its various influences over the years through the wonderful paintings which feature seascapes and views of Scarborough. Learn about the influence of the sea, Scarborough's early history as a holiday resort and how fashion spoke volumes about your status and position in society.
The Gallery has a lively temporary exhibition programme that features contemporary work by professional artists. Events for all the family are featured throughout the year and especially over the school holiday period.
Fears, Foes & Faeries is the 2012 feature exhibition running from 23 March to 30 Sept.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Thursday, 19 July 2012
England's longest zip wire to open at the Eden Project
The longest zip wire in England – measuring 660 metres – has been unveiled at the Eden Project.
Visitors to the popular Cornish attraction, which is best known for its giant “biomes” that house a variety of exotic plants, will be able to ride the zip wire from Saturday.
They must pay £5 in addition to their general admission ticket, while those not wishing to explore the rest of the site must pay £10 to ride the zip wire, which crosses the entire 35-acre site. The ride lasts around a minute.
Gaynor Coley, the Eden Project’s chief executive, was one of the first to use it during an inauguration ceremony today. She was joined by circus performer Marco Fiera, who took to the zip wire on a Penny Farthing bicycle.
Riders must weigh between 40kg and 120kg, and must be at least 1m20 in height. Those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by someone over the age of 16, and those under the age of 18 require parental permission. See www.edenproject.com for more information.
The longest zip wire in Britain was previously found at Adrenaline Quarry, also in Cornwall, and measures 490m in length.
Meanwhile, a temporary zip wire is due to open at Wembley Stadium next month. The 200-metre wire will be open from August 16-22. See www.wembleystadium.com/tours
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Visitors to the popular Cornish attraction, which is best known for its giant “biomes” that house a variety of exotic plants, will be able to ride the zip wire from Saturday.
They must pay £5 in addition to their general admission ticket, while those not wishing to explore the rest of the site must pay £10 to ride the zip wire, which crosses the entire 35-acre site. The ride lasts around a minute.
Gaynor Coley, the Eden Project’s chief executive, was one of the first to use it during an inauguration ceremony today. She was joined by circus performer Marco Fiera, who took to the zip wire on a Penny Farthing bicycle.
Riders must weigh between 40kg and 120kg, and must be at least 1m20 in height. Those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by someone over the age of 16, and those under the age of 18 require parental permission. See www.edenproject.com for more information.
The longest zip wire in Britain was previously found at Adrenaline Quarry, also in Cornwall, and measures 490m in length.
Meanwhile, a temporary zip wire is due to open at Wembley Stadium next month. The 200-metre wire will be open from August 16-22. See www.wembleystadium.com/tours
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Enjoy "beautiful" English countryside on UK breaks
Britons who take UK breaks have been urged to dedicate more of their time to exploring and enjoying the magnificent countryside that can be found across so much of the country.
Expert psychologist Dr David Lewis has spoken about exactly what the English countryside has to offer and he suggested it is a shame that many people do not spend more time there. Indeed, it is not uncommon for people to take holidays in Devon, Sussex, Northumberland and other spots with a huge amount of scenic green spaces and fail to make the most of it.
He said he believes rural parts of the UK are "neglected", despite the fact there is clearly "so much the country has to offer".
"I think it would be nice if people explore some of the things that the English countryside has got to offer. There are so many beautiful places around of which we know very little about," Dr Lewis explained.
Spending time in the countryside is not all about taking in the fresh air and amazing panoramas. In fact, trips to green locations can be packed with activities, such as hiking, cycling, rafting, climbing and orienteering.
The countryside certainly has all the credentials to make for a wonderful UK holiday and should be discovered in more detail by many of the tourists who take trips to it.
Britons who are planning to enjoy a vacation in the country this summer might be wise to include a visit to one of the country's national parks in their itinerary. Spots such as Devon boast two national parks - Exmoor and Dartmoor - while other places such as Yorkshire offer easy access to several.
Walkers could be wise to prioritise a holiday in Sussex, home to the popular South Downs Way. The 100-mile route through the Hampshire and Sussex countryside can be completed over several days and allows people to enjoy an authentic experience of life in this part of the world.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Expert psychologist Dr David Lewis has spoken about exactly what the English countryside has to offer and he suggested it is a shame that many people do not spend more time there. Indeed, it is not uncommon for people to take holidays in Devon, Sussex, Northumberland and other spots with a huge amount of scenic green spaces and fail to make the most of it.
He said he believes rural parts of the UK are "neglected", despite the fact there is clearly "so much the country has to offer".
"I think it would be nice if people explore some of the things that the English countryside has got to offer. There are so many beautiful places around of which we know very little about," Dr Lewis explained.
Spending time in the countryside is not all about taking in the fresh air and amazing panoramas. In fact, trips to green locations can be packed with activities, such as hiking, cycling, rafting, climbing and orienteering.
The countryside certainly has all the credentials to make for a wonderful UK holiday and should be discovered in more detail by many of the tourists who take trips to it.
Britons who are planning to enjoy a vacation in the country this summer might be wise to include a visit to one of the country's national parks in their itinerary. Spots such as Devon boast two national parks - Exmoor and Dartmoor - while other places such as Yorkshire offer easy access to several.
Walkers could be wise to prioritise a holiday in Sussex, home to the popular South Downs Way. The 100-mile route through the Hampshire and Sussex countryside can be completed over several days and allows people to enjoy an authentic experience of life in this part of the world.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Monday, 16 July 2012
London 2012 Olympics journey planner
Transport for London will operate a range of new social media platforms to assist and inform commuters before and during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
With approximately one million more people than usual expected to be in the capital during the forthcoming Olympic Games, London commuters and incoming visitors are being warned that the city’s transport network will be under unprecedented strain. Today TfL has announced the full list of social media platforms and planning tools it is making available to those who will be travelling through the city during Games time.
In addition to TfL’s permanent Twitter account (@TfLOfficial) a number of Transport for London Twitter accounts will be providing additional advice on how services and roads are operating during the Games period. They are @TfLTrafficNews, @TfLTraveAlerts and @GAOTG. Individual Twitter accounts also exist for each of London Underground’s Tube lines, the DLR, London Overground and the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme. You can find a complete list of TfL’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts here.
Transport for London is warning commuters that each day of the Games will be different, with certain stations and interchanges set to be exceptionally busy when important events are held nearby. The website www.getaheadofthegames.com has been set up to give commuters notice of how busy their journeys are likely to be and is recommended reading for travellers looking to plan their journeys through London in advance of their arrival. Already the service has been used by 1.5 million people. Londoners will also be able to sign up for email alerts to help them plan their commute during the Games at www.tfl.gov.uk/gamesemails while ticket holders are advised to use the Spectator Journey Planner to plan their journey to Olympics venues. Wi-Fi is now available in a number of London Tube stations and will be complimentary during the Games period so commuters will be able to access updates on the move.
The social media accounts and travel mailing lists introduced by TfL are supplemented by a number of other online travel platforms. This week Concentra launched an interactive graphic detailing which Tube stations are likely to face the most severe disruptions on any given day of the Olympics; Google maps, meanwhile, is now offering cycling directions which should be of use to Londoners who are planning on cycling to work during the Games.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
With approximately one million more people than usual expected to be in the capital during the forthcoming Olympic Games, London commuters and incoming visitors are being warned that the city’s transport network will be under unprecedented strain. Today TfL has announced the full list of social media platforms and planning tools it is making available to those who will be travelling through the city during Games time.
In addition to TfL’s permanent Twitter account (@TfLOfficial) a number of Transport for London Twitter accounts will be providing additional advice on how services and roads are operating during the Games period. They are @TfLTrafficNews, @TfLTraveAlerts and @GAOTG. Individual Twitter accounts also exist for each of London Underground’s Tube lines, the DLR, London Overground and the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme. You can find a complete list of TfL’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts here.
Transport for London is warning commuters that each day of the Games will be different, with certain stations and interchanges set to be exceptionally busy when important events are held nearby. The website www.getaheadofthegames.com has been set up to give commuters notice of how busy their journeys are likely to be and is recommended reading for travellers looking to plan their journeys through London in advance of their arrival. Already the service has been used by 1.5 million people. Londoners will also be able to sign up for email alerts to help them plan their commute during the Games at www.tfl.gov.uk/gamesemails while ticket holders are advised to use the Spectator Journey Planner to plan their journey to Olympics venues. Wi-Fi is now available in a number of London Tube stations and will be complimentary during the Games period so commuters will be able to access updates on the move.
The social media accounts and travel mailing lists introduced by TfL are supplemented by a number of other online travel platforms. This week Concentra launched an interactive graphic detailing which Tube stations are likely to face the most severe disruptions on any given day of the Olympics; Google maps, meanwhile, is now offering cycling directions which should be of use to Londoners who are planning on cycling to work during the Games.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Weymouth, Dorset: the jewel of the south for the 2012 Olympics
Visitors to Weymouth for the sailing at the 2012 Olympics will be won over by its wonderful beaches, wild coastal walks and rich history.
When it comes to seaside holidays it is location that counts; and Weymouth, wrapped around by Dorset’s Jurassic Coast – England’s first and only natural World Heritage Site – basks in a setting unmatched by any other south coast resort.
Visitors have been flocking to its golden sands ever since 1789, when Mad King George III took his first royal dip in the briny, using a newfangled bathing machine – a kind of beach hut on wheels. Although he didn’t know it, as he emerged from the waves while a band played God Save the King he had put Weymouth on the map, and turned sea bathing into a national pastime.
With its elegant Georgian seafront, best sandcastle beach ever and a harbour deep enough for Channel Island ferries, Weymouth is no run-of-the-mill seaside resort. Radipole Lake – an RSPB reserve of whispering reeds and flights of wildfowl – reaches into the heart of the town, and at Portland Harbour is the National Sailing Academy, where the main Olympic events will be staged.
All 4,600 tickets for the main viewpoint at the Nothe Gardens were snapped up long ago. You could watch from the Smugglers’ Inn at Osmington Mills or Furzy Cliffs at Bowleaze Cove, but all you will see are small white triangles.
Far better to head for the two giant screens on the beach, which have an accompanying commentary so you will know exactly what is going on. There’s enough room for 15,000 people and it is free, although you will be clicked in through the turnstiles to avoid overcrowding.
Rising behind the Olympic village is England’s Gibraltar – the Isle of Portland. An island in name only, this four-mile slab of solid limestone is joined to the mainland by Chesil Beach. It’s a weird place, bleak and windswept, with a prison at one end and a lighthouse at the other. Half of London, including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Banqueting House in Whitehall, was dug from its quarries.
Peregrine falcons patrol its cliffs and the tidal race streaming south from Portland Bill is one of the most powerful in Europe, flinging up steep, confused waves that come at you from every direction. From the New Ground car park near the Portland Heights Hotel you can follow an eight-mile coastal walk right around the island with glorious views.
Westward lies Chesil Beach, one of the geological wonders of the world, a giant bank of sea-heaped pebbles connecting Portland to the mainland at Wyke Regis and then sweeping away in an unbroken curve with hardly so much as a beach hut to spoil its tawny symmetry.
Events
Olympic torch relay in Dorset: July 12-14
Olympic sailing: July 29-Aug 11
Paralympic sailing: September 1-6
Spirit of the Sea: Weymouth & Portland Maritime Festival, June 30 to July 15. Two weeks of sport, cultural events and a spectacular carnival procession coinciding with the Dorset Seafood Festival (01305 208714; spiritofthesea.org.uk).
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
When it comes to seaside holidays it is location that counts; and Weymouth, wrapped around by Dorset’s Jurassic Coast – England’s first and only natural World Heritage Site – basks in a setting unmatched by any other south coast resort.
Visitors have been flocking to its golden sands ever since 1789, when Mad King George III took his first royal dip in the briny, using a newfangled bathing machine – a kind of beach hut on wheels. Although he didn’t know it, as he emerged from the waves while a band played God Save the King he had put Weymouth on the map, and turned sea bathing into a national pastime.
With its elegant Georgian seafront, best sandcastle beach ever and a harbour deep enough for Channel Island ferries, Weymouth is no run-of-the-mill seaside resort. Radipole Lake – an RSPB reserve of whispering reeds and flights of wildfowl – reaches into the heart of the town, and at Portland Harbour is the National Sailing Academy, where the main Olympic events will be staged.
All 4,600 tickets for the main viewpoint at the Nothe Gardens were snapped up long ago. You could watch from the Smugglers’ Inn at Osmington Mills or Furzy Cliffs at Bowleaze Cove, but all you will see are small white triangles.
Far better to head for the two giant screens on the beach, which have an accompanying commentary so you will know exactly what is going on. There’s enough room for 15,000 people and it is free, although you will be clicked in through the turnstiles to avoid overcrowding.
Rising behind the Olympic village is England’s Gibraltar – the Isle of Portland. An island in name only, this four-mile slab of solid limestone is joined to the mainland by Chesil Beach. It’s a weird place, bleak and windswept, with a prison at one end and a lighthouse at the other. Half of London, including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Banqueting House in Whitehall, was dug from its quarries.
Peregrine falcons patrol its cliffs and the tidal race streaming south from Portland Bill is one of the most powerful in Europe, flinging up steep, confused waves that come at you from every direction. From the New Ground car park near the Portland Heights Hotel you can follow an eight-mile coastal walk right around the island with glorious views.
Westward lies Chesil Beach, one of the geological wonders of the world, a giant bank of sea-heaped pebbles connecting Portland to the mainland at Wyke Regis and then sweeping away in an unbroken curve with hardly so much as a beach hut to spoil its tawny symmetry.
Events
Olympic torch relay in Dorset: July 12-14
Olympic sailing: July 29-Aug 11
Paralympic sailing: September 1-6
Spirit of the Sea: Weymouth & Portland Maritime Festival, June 30 to July 15. Two weeks of sport, cultural events and a spectacular carnival procession coinciding with the Dorset Seafood Festival (01305 208714; spiritofthesea.org.uk).
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Where to spend your 4-day Jubilee weekend?
With the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holidays leading into the half-term break, holidaymakers are rubbing their hands at the prospect of a four-day weekend from Saturday, June 2, to Tuesday, June 5.
That means you can get away with nine days off work while only using up three days of annual leave.
So if you’re planning a regal British getaway to celebrate, our list of the top deals around might help.
TEA-RIFFIC: Butlins are getting busy with the bunting this June to commemorate the Queen and Prince Philip’s 1963 visit.
Jubilee afternoon teas, Best Of British garden parties, souvenir mugs and mini hampers are being served up at all three Butlins resorts — Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness.
And why not check out the new £25million Wave Hotel opening at the Bognor Regis resort this summer, with 29 apartments and 215 family bedrooms. Prices for Jubilee and half-term breaks include three nights for a family of four at Skegness from June 1 from £413, four nights from June 4 at Minehead from £743, and three nights at Minehead from June 8 from £312.
BUCKING’S THE TREND: Try a little luxury a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.
Three nights’ B&B at the three-star Royal National Hotel in central London — including three-course dinners, welcome cocktail, celebration BBQ and packed lunch on Sunday June 3 — will help you make the most of the Jubilee weekend.
Monday, June 4, is free for you to soak up the atmosphere in the capital and on Tuesday, June 5, you can enjoy the Queen’s carriage procession through London.
Price is from £193 per person, based on two sharing, arriving Saturday, June 2. via superbreak.com.
Or toast the Queen in true British style with the new Jubilee martini at the Dukes St James’ Hotel.
Nightly rates start from £308 plus VAT, including champagne afternoon tea and a Jubilee martini. Call 020 7491 4840 or visit dukeshotel.com.
ROYAL INDULGENCE: Champneys health resort is offering four nights for the price of two to mark the occasion. Their Diamond Jubilee Weekend Package — available at all Champneys locations — includes all meals, one massage, one facial and one “thalassotherapy” pool session.
There will be a Friday drinks reception followed by an evening of British films, a Saturday screening of the Epsom Derby and a lavish garden party on the Monday.
The Queen’s Jubilee concert will be screened live from Buckingham Palace and guests will have use of the croquet lawns, tennis courts and spa facilities. Plus there will be a small Diamond Jubilee souvenir to take home.
The Diamond Jubilee Weekend Package starts from £369.95 per person. via champneys.com.
ROYAL FOREST: Oakdene Forest Park in Hampshire is set in 55 acres bordering the Avon Forest and off-site activities include jet-skiing, flying lessons and snowboarding.
A three-night break for a family of four over the Jubilee weekend (from Friday, June 1) is from £261.75 for a self-catering Wimborne Caravan.
Jubilee-themed fun for kids includes a royal decoration session creating crowns and tiaras, flags and posters.
There will also be races and challenges and a Brit Pop Show family disco in the evening. visit shorefield.co.uk or call 01590 648 331.
SANDRINGHAM ESCAPE: Inglethorpe Hall in Norfolk, a refurbished Georgian country house set in 30 acres, sleeps 15 people, and even hosted three real queens in the 1920s.
Queen Mary (George V’s wife), Queen Alexandra (wife of Edward VII) and Queen Maud of Norway (Queen Victoria’s granddaughter) all sipped Earl Grey while on visits from the neighbouring Sandringham Estate.
This June, royal pursuits will include croquet, horse riding and clay pigeon shooting.
The price is from £227 per person for three nights’ self-catering over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend — June 1-4. Visit statelyescapes.co.uk or call 0845 389 9582.
A RIGHT ROYAL HOO-HA: The Queen and Prince Philip spent part of their honeymoon, and subsequent wedding anniversaries, at Luton Hoo hotel in Bedfordshire.
The rooms in which they stayed now form part of the Queen Elizabeth State Suite.
A Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend package at Luton Hoo is from £410 per person for four nights — June 1 to June 5 — including celebration dinners.
Children stay free when sharing with adults. visit lutonhoo.co.uk or call 01582 734437.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
That means you can get away with nine days off work while only using up three days of annual leave.
So if you’re planning a regal British getaway to celebrate, our list of the top deals around might help.
TEA-RIFFIC: Butlins are getting busy with the bunting this June to commemorate the Queen and Prince Philip’s 1963 visit.
Jubilee afternoon teas, Best Of British garden parties, souvenir mugs and mini hampers are being served up at all three Butlins resorts — Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness.
And why not check out the new £25million Wave Hotel opening at the Bognor Regis resort this summer, with 29 apartments and 215 family bedrooms. Prices for Jubilee and half-term breaks include three nights for a family of four at Skegness from June 1 from £413, four nights from June 4 at Minehead from £743, and three nights at Minehead from June 8 from £312.
BUCKING’S THE TREND: Try a little luxury a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.
Three nights’ B&B at the three-star Royal National Hotel in central London — including three-course dinners, welcome cocktail, celebration BBQ and packed lunch on Sunday June 3 — will help you make the most of the Jubilee weekend.
Monday, June 4, is free for you to soak up the atmosphere in the capital and on Tuesday, June 5, you can enjoy the Queen’s carriage procession through London.
Price is from £193 per person, based on two sharing, arriving Saturday, June 2. via superbreak.com.
Or toast the Queen in true British style with the new Jubilee martini at the Dukes St James’ Hotel.
Nightly rates start from £308 plus VAT, including champagne afternoon tea and a Jubilee martini. Call 020 7491 4840 or visit dukeshotel.com.
ROYAL INDULGENCE: Champneys health resort is offering four nights for the price of two to mark the occasion. Their Diamond Jubilee Weekend Package — available at all Champneys locations — includes all meals, one massage, one facial and one “thalassotherapy” pool session.
There will be a Friday drinks reception followed by an evening of British films, a Saturday screening of the Epsom Derby and a lavish garden party on the Monday.
The Queen’s Jubilee concert will be screened live from Buckingham Palace and guests will have use of the croquet lawns, tennis courts and spa facilities. Plus there will be a small Diamond Jubilee souvenir to take home.
The Diamond Jubilee Weekend Package starts from £369.95 per person. via champneys.com.
ROYAL FOREST: Oakdene Forest Park in Hampshire is set in 55 acres bordering the Avon Forest and off-site activities include jet-skiing, flying lessons and snowboarding.
A three-night break for a family of four over the Jubilee weekend (from Friday, June 1) is from £261.75 for a self-catering Wimborne Caravan.
Jubilee-themed fun for kids includes a royal decoration session creating crowns and tiaras, flags and posters.
There will also be races and challenges and a Brit Pop Show family disco in the evening. visit shorefield.co.uk or call 01590 648 331.
SANDRINGHAM ESCAPE: Inglethorpe Hall in Norfolk, a refurbished Georgian country house set in 30 acres, sleeps 15 people, and even hosted three real queens in the 1920s.
Queen Mary (George V’s wife), Queen Alexandra (wife of Edward VII) and Queen Maud of Norway (Queen Victoria’s granddaughter) all sipped Earl Grey while on visits from the neighbouring Sandringham Estate.
This June, royal pursuits will include croquet, horse riding and clay pigeon shooting.
The price is from £227 per person for three nights’ self-catering over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend — June 1-4. Visit statelyescapes.co.uk or call 0845 389 9582.
A RIGHT ROYAL HOO-HA: The Queen and Prince Philip spent part of their honeymoon, and subsequent wedding anniversaries, at Luton Hoo hotel in Bedfordshire.
The rooms in which they stayed now form part of the Queen Elizabeth State Suite.
A Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend package at Luton Hoo is from £410 per person for four nights — June 1 to June 5 — including celebration dinners.
Children stay free when sharing with adults. visit lutonhoo.co.uk or call 01582 734437.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Friday, 18 May 2012
Britain’s first ‘Wiki-town’
Tourism boost for Wales as Britain’s first ‘Wiki-town’ is launched in historic Monmouth.
The small Welsh town where King Henry V was born in 1387 is about to make history again by becoming the world's first ‘Wikipedia town.’
From tomorrow, visitors to Monmouth, in south-east Wales, will be able to scan barcodes at points of interest, instantly bringing up a Wikipedia page about the landmark on their phones. Hundreds of articles about the life and history of Monmouth will be available online in more than 26 languages, from Hindi to Hungarian.
Around 1,000 different barcodes, plaques and stickers are now displayed on the town’s schools, museums, historical sites and even pubs have signed up, highlighting the history of their establishments.
And while the project is geared at capturing ‘every notable place, person, artefact, flora and fauna’ in the town, some less-historically notable - but equally welcome - articles have been added.
Local businesses such as bakeries have been involved, placing barcodes in their windows linked to articles about the history of baking.
The project - dubbed ‘Monmouthpedia’ - has been developed by Wikimedia UK over the last six months, helped by the local council's installation of town-wide free Wi-Fi.
Local residents and businesses have created and edited articles about the town, while other volunteers have been translating them.
More than 450 new articles about Monmouth have been added to Wikipedia and nearly 150 existing articles have been improved in the past six months.
Czech speakers can now learn about Monmouth Castle in their native tongue, while Fijian Hindi speakers can check out articles on the Monmouth Cricket Club, Methodist Church or the local Kings Head Hotel.
Scholars of lesser-known languages such as Esperanto or Latin will also have their pick of Monmouth-related articles.
Monmouthshire County Council's chief officer for regeneration and culture, Kellie Beirne, said the project had already boosted tourism.
The town was chosen for its rich cultural history, says Wikimedia UK's communications organiser Stevie Benton.
He said: ‘It's really captured people's imaginations in ways we hadn't expected.'
‘If everyone shares the stories of their local area, we'll have a much clearer understanding of the world we live in and that's a powerful thing.'
Roger Bamkin, a director of Wikimedia UK, said, 'We're delighted that Monmouth is becoming the world's first Wikipedia town.
‘Both the quality and quantity of the new Monmouth Wikipedia content is outstanding, reflecting the rich cultural, historical and natural heritage of the town.
'At last foreign visitors can not only read information in their own language, but they can edit it too.’
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said he was looking forward to seeing other towns following suit.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
The small Welsh town where King Henry V was born in 1387 is about to make history again by becoming the world's first ‘Wikipedia town.’
From tomorrow, visitors to Monmouth, in south-east Wales, will be able to scan barcodes at points of interest, instantly bringing up a Wikipedia page about the landmark on their phones. Hundreds of articles about the life and history of Monmouth will be available online in more than 26 languages, from Hindi to Hungarian.
Around 1,000 different barcodes, plaques and stickers are now displayed on the town’s schools, museums, historical sites and even pubs have signed up, highlighting the history of their establishments.
And while the project is geared at capturing ‘every notable place, person, artefact, flora and fauna’ in the town, some less-historically notable - but equally welcome - articles have been added.
Local businesses such as bakeries have been involved, placing barcodes in their windows linked to articles about the history of baking.
The project - dubbed ‘Monmouthpedia’ - has been developed by Wikimedia UK over the last six months, helped by the local council's installation of town-wide free Wi-Fi.
Local residents and businesses have created and edited articles about the town, while other volunteers have been translating them.
More than 450 new articles about Monmouth have been added to Wikipedia and nearly 150 existing articles have been improved in the past six months.
Czech speakers can now learn about Monmouth Castle in their native tongue, while Fijian Hindi speakers can check out articles on the Monmouth Cricket Club, Methodist Church or the local Kings Head Hotel.
Scholars of lesser-known languages such as Esperanto or Latin will also have their pick of Monmouth-related articles.
Monmouthshire County Council's chief officer for regeneration and culture, Kellie Beirne, said the project had already boosted tourism.
The town was chosen for its rich cultural history, says Wikimedia UK's communications organiser Stevie Benton.
He said: ‘It's really captured people's imaginations in ways we hadn't expected.'
‘If everyone shares the stories of their local area, we'll have a much clearer understanding of the world we live in and that's a powerful thing.'
Roger Bamkin, a director of Wikimedia UK, said, 'We're delighted that Monmouth is becoming the world's first Wikipedia town.
‘Both the quality and quantity of the new Monmouth Wikipedia content is outstanding, reflecting the rich cultural, historical and natural heritage of the town.
'At last foreign visitors can not only read information in their own language, but they can edit it too.’
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said he was looking forward to seeing other towns following suit.
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Return of the Staycation
A leading UK tour operator has revealed that the 'staycation' could be making a comeback. The latest figures from the tour operator have shown that sales of UK breaks have increased by approximately 9% compared to the same period last year. This has been put down to the UK being under the spotlight during 2012.
There are a variety of factors causing this resurgence in UK breaks with the main one being the UK playing host to some top events during 2012 such as the Queens Diamond Jubilee, The Olympics, the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic and the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens birth. Other popular events drawing in the crowds are the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Wimbledon Tennis Championships, the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot Ladies Day.
It's not just events that are proving to be a hit for people choosing to take their break in the UK in 2012, VisitEngland have recently launched a campaign showcasing the advantages of taking a 'staycation' instead of heading abroad. The campaign draws on the benefits of avoiding the hassle of passport control, lengthy queues to check-in at airports, poor exchange rates and the risk that travellers' suitcases may not arrive at their destination - which happened to many when London Gatwick suffered a power failure earlier this month and the baggage conveyors did not work. The 2012 campaign has got thousands of fantastic offers to make holidaying at home more affordable than ever this year.
With all the focus pointing towards London during 2012, short breaks to the UK's capital city remain popular with holidaymakers. Latest figures from Door2Tour.com have shown a 63% rise in sales for London city breaks and this does not include sales of London theatre breaks that have also risen in popularity. Many believe that the 'Royal Effect' has also had a positive impact on the popularity of UK breaks and coach holidays in England with interest in the Royal Family reaching new heights after The Royal Wedding. Sales for Door2Tour coach holidays to Buckingham Palace, its gardens and of course Windsor Castle have risen steadily in popularity. Traditional seaside favourites are also making a comeback with resorts such as Blackpool, Bognor Regis, Scarborough and Great Yarmouth all seeing a rise in hotel bookings.
A spokesperson for Door2Tour.com commented: "Our figures have shown that although the credit crunch is still affecting many of our customers, it has not dampened their spirits where holidays are concerned. It just means that for 2012, most will be shopping around for the best deal for their money. Europe is still a temptation for holidaymakers simply because of its guarantee of sun, sea and sand. In 2011, many people who chose to have a 'staycation' were probably let down because of the typical British weather and are more determined than ever to seek out that summer sunshine in 2012. Let's hope that with all the focus on the UK and the possibility of a beautiful summer, people will be persuaded that holidaying at home is the far better option this year."
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
There are a variety of factors causing this resurgence in UK breaks with the main one being the UK playing host to some top events during 2012 such as the Queens Diamond Jubilee, The Olympics, the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic and the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens birth. Other popular events drawing in the crowds are the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Wimbledon Tennis Championships, the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot Ladies Day.
It's not just events that are proving to be a hit for people choosing to take their break in the UK in 2012, VisitEngland have recently launched a campaign showcasing the advantages of taking a 'staycation' instead of heading abroad. The campaign draws on the benefits of avoiding the hassle of passport control, lengthy queues to check-in at airports, poor exchange rates and the risk that travellers' suitcases may not arrive at their destination - which happened to many when London Gatwick suffered a power failure earlier this month and the baggage conveyors did not work. The 2012 campaign has got thousands of fantastic offers to make holidaying at home more affordable than ever this year.
With all the focus pointing towards London during 2012, short breaks to the UK's capital city remain popular with holidaymakers. Latest figures from Door2Tour.com have shown a 63% rise in sales for London city breaks and this does not include sales of London theatre breaks that have also risen in popularity. Many believe that the 'Royal Effect' has also had a positive impact on the popularity of UK breaks and coach holidays in England with interest in the Royal Family reaching new heights after The Royal Wedding. Sales for Door2Tour coach holidays to Buckingham Palace, its gardens and of course Windsor Castle have risen steadily in popularity. Traditional seaside favourites are also making a comeback with resorts such as Blackpool, Bognor Regis, Scarborough and Great Yarmouth all seeing a rise in hotel bookings.
A spokesperson for Door2Tour.com commented: "Our figures have shown that although the credit crunch is still affecting many of our customers, it has not dampened their spirits where holidays are concerned. It just means that for 2012, most will be shopping around for the best deal for their money. Europe is still a temptation for holidaymakers simply because of its guarantee of sun, sea and sand. In 2011, many people who chose to have a 'staycation' were probably let down because of the typical British weather and are more determined than ever to seek out that summer sunshine in 2012. Let's hope that with all the focus on the UK and the possibility of a beautiful summer, people will be persuaded that holidaying at home is the far better option this year."
Looking for the latest FABUKBreaks offers on a wide range of UK Holiday Holiday ideas let FABTHINGS2do help you.
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