Archive for category Exhibitions

Durham Lumiere

Nov 23

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, art, Articles, Availability, Coast, Cottages Search, Durham, Events, Exhibitions, family days out, Festivals, Fun, Group holidays, Holiday advice, shopping and culture, Tips, Uncategorized, Walking | No Comments

Cedric Le Borgne 'Les Voyageurs'

Deadgood Studio 'Rainbow'

Jaques Rival 'I Love Durham'

This weekend I went to the Lumiere festival in Durham. It was a wonderful event which showed off this beautiful city to its best advantage. Light art illuminated prominent parts of this historic place, such as Kingsgate bridge transformed into a huge illuminated waterfall entitled ‘Splash’ by artist Peter Lewis and engineered by Water Sculptures. Martin Warren lit up three more of Durham’s bridges, Cedric Le Borgne suspended brightly illuminated sculptures of men above a particularly narrow cobbled street giving a magical essence to the walk. These, along with many more made for a really enjoyable experience and would also encourage me to visit again, even without the festival.

A small drive away in Northallerton are these 4 cottages which sleep 2-4. These former farm buildings have been imaginatively converted into 4 well equipped and attractive holiday cottages. Original beams have been retained and there is central heating for year round appeal. All the cottages have TV with Freeview, video and radio cassette/CD player, fully equipped kitchens with washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and microwave, cots and highchairs. The cottages are set in peaceful countryside and have magnificent views. They are perfect if you want to combine a visit to Durham, with great walks and even a drive over to the seaside with Whitby within easy reach.

Londonderry announce City of Culture development plans

Nov 8

Posted by elisa in art, Events, Exhibitions, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, Group holidays, Holiday advice, News, Tourist Board | No Comments

Londonderry picture by Flickr user ifyr

Londonderry is to become a City of Culture in 2013 and has announced plans to upgrade its rail services, improve cultural venues and build six new hotels in preparation.

It has unveiled a programme of events throughout the year, including a music and dance festival, contemporary visual art events, theatre productions, and a comedy festival. The famous Turner Prize and the Stirling Awards will be held in the city, and it is also set to hold WOMAD (World of Music and Dance) and FLEADH, Ireland’s biggest Irish and Celtic music festival.

Martin Bradley, chair for the City of Culture, said: “It will tell a new story and completely regenerate the city. We can celebrate the history and give young people a whole new outlook.”

Last month a bomb was left outside the City of Culture offices, however he reassured visitors about the safety level of the city: ”Unfortunately there was one small incident, but because events are so seldom here they make the headlines. It is an extremely safe city. We have a very low crime rate compared to other UK cities.”

Royal Cornwall Show 9th-11th June

Jun 6

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Events, Exhibitions, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, Holiday advice, West Country | No Comments

This Thursday to Saturday is the Royal Cornwall Show 2011, with Airborne motocross, sporty camels & parachutists. The main ring entertainment is mounted on a grand scale and the traditional steam fair is a colourful extravaganza; there are stages full of music, song and dance, a brilliant weekend for the family.

Why not keep your feet on the ground at this Helpful Holidays property in Bisland, North Cornwall, which sleeps up to 7 people. This delightful property has big rooms, good and comfortable furniture (including antiques), good pictures, and superb views. With its own terrace/patio, good-sized lawn divided from fields by ha-ha, it’s all very secluded. Inside there is an elegant living room with woodburner, fine grandfather clock, TV/DVD, good books and games for cold nights in or if the weather is not too favourable. There are four large and light bedrooms, a well-equipped fitted kitchen/diner with dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier, microwave, fridge-freezer; dining table overlooking the terrace and garden.

Devon’s big day out!

May 9

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Articles, Availability, Cottages Search, Devon, Events, Exhibitions, Festivals, Food and Drink, Somerset, Tips, Walking, West Country, wildlife | No Comments

From the 19th – 21st May is the Devon County Show in Exeter. Enjoy three full days of West Country food and drink, the very best horses, goats, sheep, bunnies and cows, including the famous Devon cattle known as Red Rubies. Kids can plant seeds, bake bread, milk Daisy the model cow, weave willow wands, see chicks hatch and pet gentle farm animals. For those of you interested in craft there are lace-makers, quilters, weavers, spinners and dyers. Look out for demonstrations and take the chance to talk to these skilled crafts’ people to get practical advice on anything you may be working on at home. For a nibble, check out the BIG Devon cream tea marquee, with scones made by Richard Hunt, Executive Chef of the Grand Hotel, thick clotted cream and lashings of jam. There is such a huge list of things to do, it’s probably best to go to the website for full details. If that’s not tempting enough, then kids go free on Saturday!

After all this excitement, why not go back to nearby Ottery St Mary (of flaming barrel running fame) to this gorgeous little cottage from Helpful Holidays that sleeps 4. A long, elegant hall leads to L-shaped living/dining/kitchen with TV/DVD and beautifully fitted kitchen area (dishwasher, washer-drier, microwave, fridge-freezer, gas hob) with small breakfast table (larger table/chairs kept folded in hall for more formal dining). French windows open to small patio area (table/chairs) immediately to the front of the house.. Oak stairs to first floor and two bedrooms – a double, and a single; very luxurious bathroom. On the second floor, a double bedroom under the eaves with smart en suite shower-room (suite) and 2 steps up to French windows to a small and very private roof terrace (table/chairs) with fine views over the town.

Tags: Cottages, Devon County Show, Helpful Holidays

Du Maurier Festival 12th – 21st May

May 6

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, art, Availability, Cottages Search, Events, Exhibitions, films, Food and Drink, Fun, West Country | No Comments

The Cornish town of Fowey is to host the Daphne Du Maurier Festival this May. There is a great line up of national and international writers and performers including Robert Hanbury-Tenison, Ann Widdecombe, Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends and Rory McGrath.

There are a selection of ticketed and free events. Of the free events you can get ‘Lost in Flowers’ with the Lostwithiel and District Floral Art Group at St Bartholomew’s; or watch Truro’s Amateur Operatic Society, go to a Book Sale and Coffee Morning or watch the Gallowglass traditional folk music, amongst many other activities!

Of ticketed events ranging from around 50p to £29 you could have a Gallery Meal, watch Hitchcock film ‘The Birds’, go for a Du Maurier ‘Rebecca’ guided coastline walk or watch ‘Waiting for Godot’, again, amongst many other events and activities, so check out the website for more details.

If you didn’t want to stay in Fowey for a full holiday, why not go to the festival as a day trip and chill out at this Helpful Holidays cottage in Polperro.This 16th century, detached stone farmhouse sleeps up to 6, it has a comfortable living room (woodburner, TV/DVD, CD player); kitchen/dining room (microwave, fridge-freezer) with huge ornamental fireplace with bread oven, leading to ‘snug’ (armchair, oil-fired Aga – switched off during June, July and August, pine dresser with pretty plates); from kitchen/dining room, door to utility room (washing machine), shower-room (suite), conservatory, and garden. Steepish stairs up to three bedrooms – two double (one with pine four-poster bed), one twin room; bathroom (suite); and door to patio and garden.

Tags: cottage search, Festival, literature

New look, new treasures

May 4

Posted by jason in art, Cottages Search, Exhibitions, Fun, Online Magazine, reports, Scotland, shopping and culture | 1 Comment

One of the largest-ever museum redevelopments in the UK will be opened on 29 July when the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh reveals its spectacularly redeveloped Victorian galleries.

The aim is to take visitors on an inspiring journey through cultures across the world, the wonders of nature and the excitement of science and discovery. Displays include 8,000 newly selected objects from the museum’s extensive collections.

The Museum was founded in the mid-19th century and has its roots in the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment. When it opened its first bespoke buildings in 1866, it reflected Victorian ideals of education and sought to show the world under one roof.

Visitors to the new museum begin their journey in the atmospheric new street level vaulted entrance hall, then progress to the stunning Grand Gallery atrium, which has a range of spectacular large objects at floor level, including a marble statue of engineer James Watt and a lighthouse optic designed by the Stevenson dynasty.

The museum’s single largest installation is the Window on the World, a soaring display of over 800 objects which rises up over four storeys. It gives a foretaste of the inspiring themes in the galleries beyond; from the jaws of a spermwhale inscribed with the largest ‘scrimshaw’ carving in the world to the Pembridge helm, one of only four surviving 13th century knight’s helmets.

The Discoveries gallery tells the story of pioneering Scots who have revolutionised the modern world, including Sir Alexander Fleming, James Watt, Charles Darwin and John Logie Baird.

In the galleries of the natural world hundreds of zoological and geological specimens are displayed, ranging from a 4.5 billion year old meteorite from Mars that has been extensively researched for signs of life, to a breathtaking wildlife panorama suspended in mid air, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a great white shark.

Finally, the world cultures galleries give an insight into the lives and cultures of people across the world. They display internationally important artefacts and outline some of the stories behind the early collections.

The redesign is the work of award-winning practice Gareth Hoskins Architects and international exhibition designer Ralph Appelbaum.

Tags: Charles Darwin, Edinburgh, Gareth Hoskins Architects, James Watt, John Logie Baird, National Museum of Scotland, Ralph Appelbaum, Scottish Enlightenment, Sir Alexander Fleming

Review of 2010

Jan 5

Posted by elisa in art, Articles, Coast, Cottages Search, Devon, Events, Exhibitions, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, Group holidays, Holiday advice, News, North West, Rail, shopping and culture, Surveys, Tips, Tourist Board, Transport, Wales, Walking, Weather, West Country, Yorkshire | 1 Comment

2010 was a year jam-packed with travel related news stories, festivals and events. I’ve taken the liberty of collating some of Holiday Cottages’ best blog posts over the year to give an overall review so you don’t have to go searching for them yourself!

January started with testing out my culinary skills at the Ashburton Cookery School in Devon.

A survey in February showed high speed rail was more important to people than airport expansions.

The Shambles in York was voted most picturesque street in March. There was also trouble on the railways with a Network Rail threatened strike.

Easter was a staycation preference in April.

There were many family fun festivals between May and August.

Even before the Royal wedding announcement we found out how the Royals are key to UK tourism.

27 West Country beaches were awarded blue flags in August, showing that the West Country is a great place to visit!

We were given tips on how to give tourists a better welcome during the Olympics.

Taxing times for holiday rental businesses.

The famous Exmoor Food Festival was in October, tickling visitor’s taste buds!

Bonfire Night had many events to travel to, including the flaming barrel run in Ottery St. Mary’s!

It got very cold in November and December as part of the big freeze.

The year ended with a little early Christmas cheer for the travel industry!

So there’s a pick of the Holiday Cottages blog coverage of events and news over the year. For travel news pertaining to outbound travel don’t forget to check out our sister site’s blog, Villaseek. There will be a run down of the year’s news on there very soon also!

Sculpture parks

Nov 15

Posted by elisa in art, Cumbria, East England, Exhibitions, family days out, Fun, Walking, West Country, Yorkshire | 1 Comment

Yorkshire Sculpture Park picture by Flickr User chris-rice

I was talking to a friend about the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) today. We agreed that it is a brilliant place to visit on a weekend and should go soon. We live close enough to drive to the Park from Manchester in around an hour as it lies close to Wakefield in West Yorkshire, and as it’s only £4 to park and free to roam about in then it isn’t a day trip that will break the bank.

The park is around 500 acres in size and holds some of the most highly regarded sculptors’ work such as Antony Gormley, Barbara Hepworth, Andy Goldsworthy and Elisabeth Fink. It also has four galleries for days when the weather is less than accommodating. Recently opened is ‘MADE’ at the Park’s shop which will be selling work from some of the UK’s top recent craft and design graduates. The main park is also hosting a special autumn exhibition of over 200 pieces of work by artist David Nash.

The UK is actually full of wonderful sculpture parks, so if you can’t get to the YSP, how about trying some of these:

Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland - a 27-mile forest trail around a lake with many wonderful sculptures scattered around is great for keen walkers and art lovers alike. Free admission.

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Gloucestershire – this is one of the oldest trails in Britain, it is 3.5 miles long but follows a circular pattern and can take up to three hours to complete, make sure to stick to the path however, as the surrounding forest is huge! Free admission.

Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park, Surrey – with around 180 sculptures in a fairly small area the longest walk is around two hours long. Adults £6, children £3, under-5s free.

Another Place, Crosby Beach, Merseyside- this is Antony Gormley’s work of around 100 cast-iron figures scattered around the beach and staring out towards the sea. I went to this a few weeks ago, it was brilliant but very, very cold and windy at this time of year so I’d advise wrapping up warm! Free.

So, I hope that my friend and I will visit the YSP soon and I also hope this list may have inspired some of you to consider visiting a sculpture park either near you, or as a day trip on your holiday.

Art galleries and museums popular destinations

Aug 23

Posted by elisa in Exhibitions, shopping and culture, Surveys, Tourist Board | No Comments

Among the 30 million inbound visits in 2009, 4.2 million included visits to art galleries and 7.7 million to museums, earning the country a combined income of £1 billion in revenue from overseas tourists.

The statistics come from the International Passenger Survey in which VisitBritain sponsored questions on a range of activities visitors may have undertaken during their stay.

The French proved the top museum fans just ahead of American, Germans and Spanish tourists. Americans topped the list for art galleries with well over 500,000 visits.

Sandie Dawe, chief executive, VisitBritain said: “This survey showcases the international appeal of Britain’s culture and heritage – where else could you see Grand Masters next to cutting edge installations, a Spitfire hanging next to a Dali?

“We are fortunate in the authenticity of what we have to promote and the connections that our rich culture makes across the world.”

Time to visit England as awards for excellence 2010 announced

Apr 27

Posted by elisa in Events, Exhibitions, Food and Drink, Fun, Last minute breaks, News, Tourist Board | No Comments

As flight costs abroad are set to soar in order to claw back the billions of pounds lost in the ash cloud fiasco (see Villaseek Blog for full story), it’s nice to know that there are some wonderful places to visit here as the cream of English tourism was marked by the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010 in Brighton on St George’s Day.

A total of 46 gold and silver winners were selected from more than 100 regional winners submitted by the nine regions in England. These were assessed by independent assessors and a team of judges to make it through to the national final.

The National Trust won the VisitEngland’s Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award for its role as the bastion of some of England’s most beautiful and outstanding attractions.

VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford said: “The fantastic diversity and quality of tourism product across the length and breadth of England means we can compete confidently on the international stage, making this country a must visit destination for Brits and overseas visitors.”

Brian Richardson, executive secretary of The Caravan Club, headline sponsor of the awards, said: “We know these award winners will be beacons of inspiration for many other tourism companies to follow.”

The gold winners were:

Access for All Tourism Award – imago at Burleigh Court, Loughborough, Leicestershire (East Midlands)

Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation – The Old School, Alnwick, Northumberland (North East)

Best Tourism Experience – Livingstone Lodge Overnight Safari, near Hythe, Kent (South East)

Business Tourism Award – ExCeL London (London)

Caravan Holiday Park – Trethem Mill Touring Park, Truro, Cornwall (South West)

Large Hotel (Over 35 bedrooms) – Thurlestone Hotel, Kingsbridge, Devon (South West)

Large Visitor Attraction (Over 100,000 visitors) – RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey (South East)

Outstanding Customer Service – Christina Dixon, Jurys Inn Hotel, Liverpool (North West)

Self Catering Holiday of the Year – Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages, Winster, Derbyshire (East Midlands)

Small Hotel of the Year (Under 50 Bedrooms) – Gilpin Lodge Country House, Windermere, The Lake District (North West)

Small Visitor Attraction (Under 50,000) – Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham (The Heart of England)

Sustainable Tourism Award – Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough (Yorkshire)

Taste of England Award – The Bildeston Crown, Bildeston, Suffolk (East of England)

Tourism Event – Blackpool Illuminations, Blackpool (North West)

Tourist Information Service – Nottingham Tourism Centre, Nottingham (East Midlands)

Also voted for were the quirkiest events in England, a selection of those that are coming soon are below:

Worcestershire Asparagus Festival – between April 23 – May 31 in Evesham, Worcestershire

World Egg Throwing Championships – 27 June at Swaton Vintage Day near Sleaford in Lincolnshire

Annual World Nettle Eating Contest – 12 June in Marshwood in Dorset

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