Holiday Cottages Blog

Network Rail faces threat of Easter strike

Mar 10

Posted by elisa in News, Transport | No Comments

Network Rail are facing the possibility of strike action by 20,000 workers over the Easter period. The possible strike is down to rows over job cuts, working policies and pay. The RMT union is balloting maintenance and signalling workers at the moment, the results should be announced by the end of the week.

Network Rail are currently working on contingency plans for if the strike goes ahead. It’s operations director, Robin Gisby said that he believed that trains could be kept running if they draft in managers and supervisors to help.

An official statement on the Network Rail website about the proposed changes states “this is the digital age not the steam age so we need to change so we can deliver the railway Britain needs in the 21st century.”

For those of you who are also following the similar strike action threat by British Airways cabin crew can follow the regularly updated stories at our sister blog Villaseek. We hope that the Network Rail situation does not continue in the same vein as BA and Unite talks (which recently broke down again) as undoubtedly even with contingency plans in place there will be the possibility of disruption to rail journeys.

The Shambles in York voted Britain’s most picturesque street

Mar 9

Posted by elisa in News, Surveys, Tourist Board, Yorkshire | No Comments

<p>Britain's most picturesque street</p> <b>The Shambles, York</b><br> <p>Ian Addyman, Owner of Past Images photography shop on The Shambles said: "The Shambles is a timeless street full of historic charm and whatever time of year you come here, there is something different to see. There is a real feeling of community amongst shop owners and I think we all feel privileged to work in such a beautiful place. The shops here are all strikingly different and unique. Most people say that if you visit York, then at some point you will walk down The Shambles. It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why."</p>

The Shambles picture http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/google-street-view-awards-shambles-voted-britains-prettiest-street-1918208.html?action=Popup

The Shambles in York has been voted as Britain’s most picturesque street in the Google Street View Awards based on votes by more than 11,000 people.

Stockbridge high street in Hampshire was best foodie street, while Milsom Street in Bath was rated as the best fashion street.

The three winning streets were running against 48 other streets from across the UK, shortlisted by a panel of experts.

The nationwide poll was supported by VisitBritain, Lonely Planet and Harden’s Guide.

The awards were created ahead of further imagery being added to Google’s Street View tool, which allows users to view and navigate 360 degree street-level imagery in 25 British towns. Street View is being expanded to cover additional streets around the UK from this week.

Google will work with the winners to offer a special guide of the streets.

TOP 5 ‘MOST PICTURESQUE’:

1. The Shambles, York

2. Royal Crescent, Bath

3. Grey Street, Newcastle

4. New College Lane, Oxford

5. Pen Cei, Aberaeron

TOP 5 ‘BEST FASHION’:

1. Milsom Street, Bath

2. Stonegate, York

3. Kings Road, London

4. Mathew Street, Liverpool

5. Buchanon Street, Glasgow

TOP 5 ‘BEST FOODIE’:

1. Stockbridge high street, Hampshire

2. The Shore, Edinburgh

3. Fossgate, York

4. Osbourne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle

5. Hope Street, Liverpool

Carlisle Citadel station gets revamp

Feb 22

Posted by elisa in Cumbria, News, Tourist Board | No Comments

Carlisle Station image at http://www.visitcumbria.com/carlset/carlstn.htm

The home furnishing company Homebase has revamped the historic Carlisle Citadel station after Virgin Groupfounder Sir Richard Branson identified the Gothic style station as in particular need of some TLC and has this week received a makeover that includes the waiting room being changed into a lounge, a platform being changed into a garden and installing a kitchen.

The Homebase/Virgin tie up effectively allows the retailer some great PR and calls attention to Branson’s call for train operators to get more freedom to invest in stations. Branson would also like to smarten up Preston and Crewe.

Station manager at Carlisle for Virgin Trains Ann Turner said: “We’re very proud of our station, which looks amazing. The station is full of history and we love it. What has happened has really transformed it and shows what can be done.”

She added: “Response from the local community has been great. We’ve noticed passengers arriving a little bit earlier to allow extra time to enjoy the station and take it all in.”

New Yorkshire Pass to save money on attractions

Feb 18

Posted by elisa in Cottages Search, Tourist Board, Yorkshire, shopping and culture | No Comments

Yorkshire picture by Flickr User yaaaay

Welcome to Yorkshire has launched the UK’s first regional sightseeing pass. The Yorkshire Pass, which is being sold by Expedia, Superbreak, Lastminute.com and Viator, allows entry to 75 leading attractionsin the county including World Heritage sites, national museums and stately homes. York Minster, Fountains Abbey, Studley Royal, The Deep, Castle Howard and Coinsborough Castle are all included on the pass.

Welcome to Yorkshire and its six tourism partnerships Visit York, Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate, Yorkshire Moors and Coast, West Yorkshire, Visit Hull and East Yorkshire and Yorkshire South will promote the pass in their domestic and international marketing campaigns. It is hoped the pass will encourage people to extend their stays in Yorkshire.

Chief executive at Welcome to Yorkshire Gary Verity said: “The Yorkshire Pass gives people access to some of the county’s crown jewel attractions and the more it is used, the more savings are made, so people can explore more of Yorkshire for less. It is the first time, anywhere in Britain, that a regional sightseeing pass has been introduced so once again Yorkshire is leading the way in putting tourists first.”

If you fancy taking advantage of all Yorkshire has to offer, with or without the pass, visit our main website to search for Holiday Cottages.

Flybe operate only scheduled service from Kent

Feb 17

Posted by elisa in Flights, Kent, Scotland, Transport | No Comments

Flybe aircraft picture by Flickr User Ingy the Wingy

Flybe is to operate the only scheduled service from Kent to Edinburgh in May. The 80-minute daily service will be operated by Flybe’s 78-seat Bomberdier Q-400 turboprop aircraft.

Flybe’s chief commercial officer Mike Rutter said: “We’re delighted to be adding this new service to the South-East from Edinburgh and also to being the first carrier to offer Kent travellers a scheduled service out of Kent International. It also reflects our commitment to continued growth from our Edinburgh base and also to our development into new regions.”

Chief executive of Kent International Airport Matt Clarke added: “I’m sure this route will be hugely popular with people in Kent because Edinburgh is such a great place to visit. Flying to Kent International is a hassle-free way to arrive in south-east England. Our airport is easy to get to, easy to find your way around and allows passengers to enjoy flying the way it’s meant to be – boarding an aircraft merely metres from where you have parked your car.”

Kent International Airport is in East Kent close to the seaside towns of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate with easy access to Canterbury and Dover.

Holiday “Snacks”

Feb 15

Posted by elisa in Cottages Search, Surveys | No Comments

Brits are taking more holiday “snacks” and less vacation three course meals, according to a YouGov poll.

YouGov surveyed 2361 adults online and ask them about their holiday plans for 2010. It found some 30% indicated they are more likely to go on a short break in the UK in 2010 compared to last year.

It appears that the current media focus on staycation holidays, along with programmes emphasising the beauty of all Britain has to offer, such as the BBC’s Coast and Rivers series has inspired people to explore their own country before booking holidays abroad.

If you are in the mood for a holiday “snack”, visit our main website here.

Eurostar Snow Chaos Official Review Released

Feb 14

Posted by elisa in News, Surveys, Transport | No Comments

A French newspaper has released a report that claims that the Eurostar snow chaos in December was down to old and badly-maintained trains.

Seven days before Christmas passengers were trapped in the Channel Tunnel for up to 16 hours when the trains broke down. Some were left in darkness and they were given little to eat or drink in that time it has been reported. Air-conditioning and toilets on the train also broke down, with one carriage being designated as an “open toilet” area conditions were so bad.

At the time Eurostar said excessively fine powdery snow that managed to get into the trains’ engine was to blame. Eurostar suggested it was the tunnel’s operator, Eurotunnel’s fault that passengers were not rescued more quickly. But the report in Le Parisien claims that the blame lies with Eurostar, adding that improved procedures should be in place to stop snow entering the engines and calls for “winterisation” of trains, preparing them for cold weather.

The official report into the breakdown is damning, claiming that contingency plans to aid the rescue of passengers and for those unable to travel were “insufficient” and train crew were also criticised for “going into hiding” during the power failures.

The review’s joint chairmen Christopher Garnett and Claude Gressier have set out three core recommendations for Eurostar:

1) Train reliability – engineering improvements which will enhance the reliability of its trains

2) Evacuation and rescue – improvements should be made to tunnel evacuation and rescue procedures which will ensure passengers can be transported from the tunnel quickly and effectively

3) Managing disruption and improving communication – improvements to assist passengers better and provide more effective communication in times of disruption.

Eurostar have claimed that they will invest more than £30 million into implementing these recommendations stating in an apologetic article on their website that “Eurostar is fully committed to ensuring that the disruption our travellers experienced before Christmas never happens again and that we win back your confidence and trust in our service.”

You can view Eurostar’s full response to the official review here.

Sustrans publish national book of cycle paths

Feb 10

Posted by admin in Coast, Cycling, Devon, eco-tourism | No Comments

: Image by Joe Dunckley via Flickr

The Sustrans National Cycle Network stretches right across the UK, and is a a great way to get out and see the surrounding countryside when on a cottage holiday. Many of the 12,000 miles of cycle routes are traffic free.

Back in 2004 I tested out North Devon’s Tarka Trail cycle route. Now, it’s pretty tricky to mess the navigation up on that one – because it winds its way mainly along the coast, and is very well signposted. But some of the other parts of the national cycle route can be a bit trickier.

To this end, Sustrans have compiled info about all the routes into an illustrated guide – complete with descriptions and maps. You can get your hands on a copy here.

Tom K

Tags: National Cycle Network, Tarka Trail

Rail fares not good value survey reveals

Feb 9

Posted by elisa in Surveys, Transport | No Comments

A recent survey of rail passengers in the UK by independent watchdog, Passenger Focus, has found that 55% of travellers believe that the price they pay for tickets are not good value for money for the standard of service they receive. However, rather conflictingly the number of passengers that reported that they were satisfied with their journeys rose to an all time high of 83%.

“The message from passengers is clear – investment does pay off,” said Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith.

For some of the busiest commuter routes in the south-east, 82% were fairly satisfied overall with these services.

This survey was completed before the snow disruption at the end of 2009, whereby many travellers complained that they were left in the dark for updates and information as train operators did not update their websites quickly enough or at all about affected journeys. Perhaps if this survey was carried out now the results would be rather different in light of the recent travel chaos down to the weather. What do readers of this blog think? Are you happy with your rail travel? Are ticket prices too high?

Personally, I think that there can be some brilliantly cheap train tickets if you plan quite far in advance (about 3 weeks before the date you travel is a good bet), are flexible with when you travel, buy a ticket for a specific train and of course, use a railcard if you have one. The downsides of rail travel I have found is that if you want to be a little more spontaneous with your travel (especially longer distance travel) then ticket prices can rise up to hundreds of pounds, which is rather restrictive and off-putting.

I’ve found ‘Best Fare Finder’ on Virgin Trains is rather good for booking in advance and have found tickets from Manchester to London for about £11 each way. If you are lucky enough to have an NUS card, then some routes from Cross Country Trains give a 10% discount, which is quite a decent saving on longer journeys. However, if you want a really cheap journey and don’t mind a longer journey, then the coach is a good alternative. Some journeys from Megabus start from £1 one way with a 50p booking charge, or National Express appear to be having a seat sale at the moment with some seats starting at £5 one way.

If anyone else has any handy travelling tips and deals for trains or coaches, please post them up on the blog!

High speed rail should be priority over airport expansion new survey shows

Feb 3

Posted by elisa in Surveys, Transport | No Comments

Most UK business travellers favour investment in high speed rail over expansion of airports, a new study shows. A poll of 1,240 corporate travellers found that 70% feel a high speed rail network should be the priority for government investment over expansion of capacity at UK airports.

Sixty six per cent of business travellers indicated that they would switch from flying if the trip was faster by rail. More than half (56%) said they would switch if there was a direct route and 55% if rail was cheaper than the alternative.

The Guild of Travel Management Companies’ survey showed that around half of business travel is in economy class on scheduled airlines, with 20% using no frills carriers.

I would imagine that the results from this survey not only reflect business travellers but anyone who travels around the UK. I think that being able to travel from one end of the country to the other in a matter of a couple of hours would encourage even more people to holiday at home in the UK and increase the recent trend for the ’staycation’ giving it more longevity than purely over the recession period.