Archive for category Tips

Google Maps to show train travel details

Jan 23

Posted by elisa in News, Rail, Tips, Tourist Board, Transport, Tube | No Comments

Courtesy of thetrainline.com Google Maps has now launched information and timetables for mainland Britain. Now train travellers are able to search to journeys across the country here with more than 2,500 stations and 170,000 trips nationwide at their fingertips, in addition 8,000 bus stops and over 250 tube stations. The website also gives users full information on walking directions and some bus timetables for connections, as well as the opportunity to click through to thetrainline.com to book tickets.

Searching for travel information across Greater London was already possible but now internet and mobile users have access to timetables and train information for routes across the whole country.

Richard Rowson, Product Development Director at thetrainline.com said: “We’re delighted to be providing train travel information through Google Maps for the first time. We want to make sure that consumers are always able to consider rail options when making a journey and this innovation will help train travellers nationwide to do that by planning their route more easily. This is a fantastic partnership and demonstrates what two market leading brands working together can achieve.”

Ed Parsons, Google UK’s geospatial technologist, said: “Google Maps seeks to provide a wide range of relevant local information, and public transport station and schedule information is definitely a part of that. It is great to be able to partner with companies like thetrainline.com and have their schedule information available in Google Maps for the whole of Britain. This means we can reach and help a larger number of people with useful national rail train information.”

Google Maps is available in over 50 languages, so as London gets set for the 2012 Olympics and an even bigger influx of tourists, it is hoped that this technology will help them to find their way around the city and country.

Christopher Rodrigues, VisitBritain Chairman said: “We want to encourage visitors to explore the whole of Britain. With the Olympics less than 200 days away Google’s new initiative is exciting news. Millions of visitors plan their itinerary using Google maps and this additional information will act as a catalyst and inspire them to discover all that is wonderful about our great country.”

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.

Wales the best region

Oct 31

Posted by elisa in News, Tips, Wales | No Comments

Three Cliffs Bay picture by Flickr User Thomas Guest

According to the Metro, the travel experts at Lonely Planet have voted Wales’ coastline as the world’s greatest region in it’s best-in-travel 2012 guide!

The All Wales Coast Path is due to be completed next year and will spread 870 miles, so will be a wonderful way to enjoy what Wales has to offer. The guide said of the path: “What a wonderful thing. How better to truly appreciate the shape and soul – of a nation?”

The town of Porthmeirion is even described as “part Italian Riviera, part wedding cake, part surreal spy thriller.”

I visited Wales a lot when I was younger and have to say I loved the coastline in particular, it was always magical and quite beautiful, so I’m not surprised at this declaration from the Lonely Planet at all, it’s merely made me want to go back and visit once more!

Vote for Helpful Holidays!

Sep 17

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cornwall, Cottages Search, Devon, News, Tips, West Country | No Comments

We’ve been working with Helpful Holidays for quite some time and we think that they are a brilliant company with some outstanding cottages! Their standing as a great company has now been officially recognised as they are nominated for the first time in the British Travel Awards!

They’ve been nominated for the ‘Best UK Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company (UK Properties)’ and are in the running with 12 other companies in this category. Most of the other companies are big national players, so Helpful Holidays will need your help to be in with a chance of winning!

Please support them by clicking here or going to https://britishtravelawards.com/vote_form_secure.php before the closing date of 30th September.

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

Helpful Holidays celebrate National Pet Month

Apr 19

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Availability, Cottages Search, Romantic breaks, Tips, West Country | 1 Comment

Check out Helpful Holidays when booking cottages during National Pet Month (2nd April to 2nd May) as dogs stay free at all their pet friendly cottages during 2011 when booked during this month. They have properties with enclosed gardens and farms to wander and also properties near dog-friendly beaches or just a gentle stroll from really relaxed pubs that welcome dogs too. Many at Helpful Holidays are dog owners, so they welcome calls for tips on properties and places best suited to a doggy holiday. Up to two dogs can stay free of charge as part of the promotion (from 2nd April to 2nd May).

2 miles from North Bovey in a lovely setting is Bovey Castle, built in 1907 as a country seat for the heir to the WH Smith empire and now a renowned hotel. Carefully hidden in the grounds are 14 private, granite-built lodges of which Helpful Holidays offer 6. They are smart, stylish and comfy and overlook the Edwardian gardens, lake and tennis courts. All the hotel facilities are yours to enjoy, including indoor heated swimming pool (65’ x 19’6″ x 4’6″ deep), gym, steam room, sauna, spa (beauty treatments), restaurants and bistro. Outside are hard and grass tennis courts (lessons available), croquet lawn (seasonal) and cricket nets (late May to mid-September). If you don’t feel like cooking, order a restaurant meal or pizza to be delivered to your lodge, or for a special occasion, book a table at the hotel’s restaurant or bistro.

Mixed reaction to Government’s May Day Bank Holiday plans

Mar 24

Posted by elisa in Bank Holiday, News, Surveys, Tips | No Comments

A poll of over 4,000 Brits has found a mixed reaction to the Government’s announcement that the May Day Bank Holiday could be replaced:

43% would like the May Day bank holiday left as it is

36% support replacing it with a Trafalgar Day in October

18% support replacing it with a St. George’s Day public holiday in April.

Emma O’Boyle, a TripAdvisor spokesperson said: “May Day has been a popular British holiday for over 30 years and many people plan holidays and family days out around this. It is understandable why some may oppose the change, but replacing it with a Trafalgar Day in October would certainly help extend the British tourist season and break up the long period between the August bank holiday and Christmas.”

The Government’s proposal is intended to lengthen the tourist season into the autumn and it approved could come into affect in 2013.

Large properties with Helpful Holidays

Feb 21

Posted by elisa in Advertisers, Cottages Search, Romantic breaks, Tips, Wedding, West Country | No Comments

Helpful Holidays have a range of properties for larger parties of people to stay in, some even to have weddings in!

This Grade I listed Cadhay (G100) was shortlisted by Country Life for their ‘Finest manor house’ award. Sitting close to Ottery St Mary the property is mostly Tudor as it was built around 1550. Full of character, but with modern comfort, Cadhay is a beautiful and welcoming place sleeping 22 in 12 bedrooms – and you can get married there!

The magnificent 3 acre garden, described in a magazine article as ‘understated, gracious and beautiful’, fades via a ha-ha into countryside and has fine trees, cedars, fountains and walkways, herbaceous borders and huge lawns to enjoy (croquet available). There is also a walled garden with well-tended allotments and 50 acres of farmland around the house. Inside there are wonderful rooms, fine fireplaces, leaded windows, granite mullions, stucco ceilings, designer curtains, beautiful furniture, paintings.

Alternatively, how about Francis Drake’s shooting lodge. Originally a medieval hall house and the shooting lodge of Sir Francis Drake’s Yarcombe estate, Sheafhayne Manor (G1) is a superbly positioned, Grade II* listed, Elizabethan manor house sleeping 24 and likened by the Sunday Times to ‘a full-sized game of Cluedo’. There’s trout fishing on the river Yarty on the estate.

A wild garden/orchard with mown paths is at the end of a pergola walk with wisteria and a perfectly placed seat; nearby, a stream (unfenced). On the other side of the huge lawn (croquet) is a shallow rill (unfenced). Huge games room (air hockey, table tennis, table football) in the garden. In front of the house is a flagstoned and paved terrace with sundial and, through a stone arch with wrought iron gate, a sunken garden, very sheltered and peaceful. Inside all the bedrooms are en suite except two which share one large shower-room (suite). Some of the rooms have interconnecting doors; however, all can be bolted and individually accessed. Some have lovely panelling, others exceptional views; some, very wide floorboards; most have Hamstone or cast iron fireplaces (ornamental).

For more large properties go to our main website or direct to Helpful Holidays.

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!

Winter driving advice

Dec 18

Posted by elisa in News, Tips, Transport, Weather | 1 Comment

This weekend is the busiest for last minute Christmas shopping trips and for people travelling home for the festive holiday; but as a fresh blanket of snow covers the UK there are fears of travel chaos and an increased risk of collisions on the roads.

Yesterday’s blizzards already brought in 331 insurance claims for the AA, a 10% increase overall. Of all claimants, 51% in Scotland and 34% in Wales say their collision was because of snow or ice.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance advises on how to limit your risk on the roads: “If the police in your area are advising drivers not to travel then it is sensible to heed that advice and monitor the situation locally. During the run-up to Christmas, plan your journey to take account of the latest local forecasts and try to stick to main roads, which are more likely to be gritted.

“If the road surface is icy, our advice is to try to keep a gap of 10 seconds between yourself and the vehicle in front to minimise the risk of you sliding in to the car in front.”

He points out that tail-end crashes, especially at road junctions and roundabouts, are the most common type of winter claim, followed by collisions with parked cars. He adds that cars fitted with winter tyres are less likely to lose traction on snow and ice.

Winter tyres are made from a rubber compound that performs better at temperatures below plus 7 decrees C and tests show that cars fitted with them stop in a much shorter distance on snow and ice than those with conventional tyres. If such tyres are to be used, it is vital that all four wheels are so fitted.

So the message of the moment is to monitor the weather locally, to plan your journeys in advance, try to use main roads, and take it easy on the roads – rushing in such weather will not do anyone any favours!

Holiday Cottages Blog

Articles and info on holidays and cottages in the UK and Ireland