Archive for category Fun

Are you one of the 12% driven abroad when the Olympics start?

Jan 31

Posted by elisa in Events, family days out, Fun, London, Olympics, reports, Surveys | No Comments

The clock is ticking! Picture by Flickr User Ben Sutherland

Over 1 in 10 Brits will be going abroad on holiday specifically to avoid the London 2012 Olympics. 12% of the 2,018 adults asked in the ABTA commissioned poll, said they would b going overseas between 27th July and 12th August to get away from the games. Whereas 9% said they were looking for a holidays in the UK that was Olympics free.

Of those who were staying put, 30% said that they ignore the Games completely, whereas 11% are planning to take time off to watch the Games on TV, and 5% will take time off to attend events. 31% said that although they will not take time off during the events, they are excited about them nonetheless.

ABTA head of communications Victoria Bacon said: “With only six months to go until one of the biggest sporting events in our country’s history, it’s clear that hundreds of thousands, especially the young, will be taking time off to enjoy London 2012. However, for those who don’t love sports or want to escape the crowds, going abroad will provide a welcome alternative.”

The research was conducted by Arkenford Ltd, which specialises in tourism and leisure market research.

So, will you be staying for the Olympics, going away, or ignoring them? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

7 Fun Things to do in Norfolk

Dec 7

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Articles, Christmas, Coast, Cottages Search, family days out, Food and Drink, Fun, Group holidays, Holiday advice, Norfolk, shopping and culture | No Comments

Below is a guest post from Kett Country Cottages in Norfolk. Let us know what you think — it’s always interesting to get a different point of view, and we’re hoping to do more of these in future. Looking for more ideas? You can read our Norfolk holiday guide on the main Holiday Cottages site.

We all enjoy the traditional Christmas feast with our family, but what else is there to do if you decide to go on holiday in Norfolk this festive season? Going on holiday to this part of England can add some extra excitement to your family Christmas, so go out and have an adventure this year!

Going for a Christmas swim. In Norfolk, the glory of the North Sea is there for all to enjoy, with a number of hardy folk jumping into the sea over Christmas time. There are 3 on consecutive days, so you can go to one or all of them, depending on your tolerance for cold.
- Hunstanton Round Table Christmas Day Swim (Hunstanton, 25^th December at 11am)
- Cromer Boxing Day Swim (Cromer, 26^th December at 10am)
- Overstrand Boxing Day Swim (Overstrand, 26^th December at 11am)
Enjoy a Christmas Spectacular. In Thursford, you have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most popular Christmas shows, which features carols, dancers, beautiful costumes and wonderful music. It’s an event the whole family can enjoy. (Shows every day at 2pm and 7pm until the 23^rd December)
Take a trip on a heritage railway. A number of different lines throughout Norfolk, including the Poppy Line, are running festive services where you can enjoy a train journey to see Santa, travelling through the countryside while munching on mince pies.
Visit a Norwich Christmas Market. There are a large number of special Christmas Markets happening throughout Norwich, which each offer a unique range of little gifts and treats for the whole family to enjoy when you return to your Christmas holiday cottage. In the Mall, you can find the Norwich Christmas Craft Fair (From 9am every day until 24^th December)
Attend the Pantomime. This year Sleeping Beauty is playing at the Norwich Theatre Royal until the 14^th of January, so you can take the whole family to enjoy the fun and laughter of a panto featuring well-known actors, and songs that everyone can sing along to.
Take a guided walk or tour. Some of the most interesting sights in Norfolk can only seen if you know where to look and a guide can help you find them. There are a number of different guided tours happening, including:
- Victorian Ghosts, a walk hosted by the Man in Black, who will tell you the unusual stories that aren’t told on most ghost walks. You can also finish off in the festive spirit with some mulled wine (Adam & Eve Pub, Norwich, 22^nd December at 7pm)
- The Boxing Day walk at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, will allow you to get a guided tour around this beautiful garden from its head gardener, ending with mince pies and mulled wines (South Walsham, 26^th December at 11am)
Watch Morris Dancing. This traditional English dancing is being performed by the Kemps Men of Norwich, including their Mummers Dance. This is a fun event that the whole family can watch and enjoy. (Banningham Crown Pub, 26^th December at 12 noon)

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.”

Half Term holidays in the West Country

Oct 12

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, art, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Devon, family days out, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fun, Group holidays, Walking, West Country | No Comments

With half term fast approaching you may still be scratching your head about what to do and where to go. Well, ponder no more with our list of things going on in the West Country!

24th – 28th October is spooky time at Pecorama in Beer. There are shows such as Ben the Juggler, A Wizard Called Ozz and Dan the Hat. Alongside these are face painting, special dishes in the Garden Room Restaurant and free spooky treats for children as part of the fancy dress party!

27th October sees a return to nature with the Mortonhampstead Family Bush Craft Day with Dan Thompson-Mills. Learn the skills of wild fire-making, making shelters in the woods, collecting and eating wild foods, and other outdoor skills. Also, learn how to read the language of the birds and develop a deeper connection to nature. The best thing is that children under 15yrs go free with a paying adult.

22nd – 30th October allows visitors of Lanhydrock in Bodmin to join a spooky garden trail for just £1.50 a ticket. Or you could learn how to make a lantern with local artist Liz Tyrell for £5 a ticket.

22nd – 30th October Celebrate Halloween at the Eden Project on their beautiful and unique wintry rink, which has a new design for 2011. Halloween activities and events include: ice skating, pumpkin carving demonstrations, wand making and potion mixing.

If any of these take your fancy, look at Helpful Holidays for accommodation down in the beautiful West Country.

Reach for the sun lotion!

Sep 26

Posted by elisa in Cottages Search, Cycling, Events, family days out, Food and Drink, Fun, Walking, Weather, West Country, wildlife | No Comments

Quick, take a few days off work this week if you can to enjoy the Indian summer we’re having! It looks as if this sunny weather, with temperatures reaching 27C (80F) in some parts of the UK, is only set to last one week as the country is bathed in warm weather blowing in from the continent. After one of the worst summers for 20 years, we will be able to appreciate a little of what it could have been, if only for this week.

So, this has inspired me to write a top ten list of things that you can easily do on a whim while the sun is shining!

1. Have a picnic in your local park

2. Play tennis

3. Visit an outdoor pool

4. Make your own mini kite (very easy with some tissue paper and string) and fly it in the park or your garden

5. Go for a bike ride

6. Gather your friends for a water fight

7. Have a BBQ

8. Head to a theme park, such as Alton Towers

9. Laze in your garden with a good book and a cool drink.

10. Book a last minute holiday cottage with Holiday Cottages!

There are many other things you could do of course, so if you have any other ideas, please leave them as a comment below as we’d love to hear them!

Scottish bargain for over-55s

Jun 24

Posted by jason in Fun, Group holidays, Rail, Scotland | No Comments

Anyone over the age of 55 can travel anywhere in Scotland by rail for just £18 return in a special Club 55 promotion – but you’ll have to hurry as the offer closes on 30 June (return leg by 31 July).

Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed stations in England are also included, so train fans in this age group – who should all be old enough to remember steam trains – could put together some spectacular trips. Top of these has to be Glasgow to Mallaig on the West Highland line. Reckoned one of the great rail journeys of the world, this 5-hour trip would normally cost at least £52 return. Or you could walk to John o’Groats by getting the train from Berwick to Thurso (normally £102 return) and walking the last few miles along the spectacular Pentland Firth coast.

Tickets can be bought at any staffed station as long as you have proof of age. And if you have a Senior Railcard, you can even get a further £2 discount. Seems there are some advantages to getting old, after all…

Tags: club 55, Glasgow, Mallaig, West Highland line

Teddy Bear Festival!

Jun 16

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Events, family days out, Fun, West Country | No Comments

Now I love teddy bears. It’s not something that you might expect as I don’t have a big collection sitting in my flat or anything, but I have a select few which sit back at my parents house from when I was younger that I still love dearly. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in my teddy nostalgia, so thought I’d write about the Cornwall Summer Bear Fair on 26th June at Lostwithiel Community Centre.

There are over 45 stands and hundreds of teddies, new and old, designer and antique. You can even take your teddy for free valuations and restoration advice. There’s also a teddy bear hospital and bear-making demonstrations, kits, patterns, materials and accessories. Enter the Champagne Competition for ‛Best Own Bear Creation’ with a ‛summer/beach’ theme – dressed or undressed!

It’s a shame I can’t get down to Cornwall that weekend, but links to pictures from anyone who does go would be appreciated!

If you fancy tying in your visit with a holiday, why not try this recently built, ‘upside down’ detached house with stunning long rural views in Pensilva. It and the owners’ house stand in 24 acres of private woods and paddocks, full of birdsong and wildlife and over which you are welcome to walk. There are ponies, sheep and a very friendly spaniel. A paradise for those who appreciate the natural environment and a lovely setting for your newly acquired teddy.

This Helpful Holidays property has a neat, enclosed patio with table/chairs, door to large hall/utility room with slate floor, washing machine, freezer, drying rack (for coats/boots); two bedrooms – a double (5’ bed), and a twin, both with lovely views; bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Stairs up to open-plan living/dining/fitted kitchen (dishwasher, microwave) with TV/DVD, electric ‘living flame’ fire, lots of sunlight through two French windows (both with closed balconies) and those fantastic views. A very romantic spot and an excellent base for walking. Good equestrian centre (trekking, cross-country), 10 minutes away.

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival!

Jun 9

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Events, family days out, Festivals, Fun, West Country | No Comments

Fancy singing some sea shanties? Well the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival sounds like the festival for you! This 17th, 18th and 19th June brings the best sea shanty singers around to Falmouth for this delightful festival.

The Opening Ceremony will be at 6.30pm on Custom House Quay and the singing programme will begin at 7pm on two of the three main stages (Custom House Quay and Events Square) until 10pm, and at several other venues in town until late!

Saturday’s main programme will begin at 11.00am, with the Moor Piazza main stage opening its programme alongside the other two main stages and again several venues in town. This year, there are special events starting at 10.30am with singing on board the historic replica, the Matthew and Trelissick Gardens (both of these events will carry a charge).

Check out more details at the main website.

And as a base, try the East Wing of this fine neo-classical Georgian house with extensive views over the Fal Estuary. Private gardens (patio, table/chairs) to enjoy, as well as the National Trust parkland and gardens of Trelissick Estate which stretch down to the sea and along woodland, riverside and coastal walks. Trelissick East is private from visitors to the gardens, although the National Trust restaurant and shop are within easy walking distance. Tours of the Copeland China collection are available (by arrangement), and the owner’s family live in the main house and are on hand if needed.

Trelissick East (Ref: S231), from Helpful Holidays is self-contained with large, light, beautifully furnished rooms and south-facing views over parkland and out to sea from most windows. On the first floor there is a large living room with TV/DVD, CD player and wonderful views; 5 steps up to an elegant dining room, well-equipped kitchen and large double bedroom with four-poster bed and garden views; bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Separate stairs lead to two more bedrooms: a double (6’ bed) with sea views from two big windows and en suite bathroom (suite), and a twin, also with sea views. On the top floor, another twin bedroom. Beautiful!

photo of Holiday cottage in Feock, Cornwall's Med with 5 stars, sleeps 8

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.

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