Archive for category Tourist Board

Take a walk down the Turner Trails

Jun 21

Posted by elisa in Tourist Board, Walking, Yorkshire | 2 Comments

Aysgarth Falls picture by Flickr User ahisgett

Welcome to Yorkshire has just launched the new Turner Trails which cover 70 sites across Yorkshire which inspired the famous painter, Joseph Turner.

Turner toured Yorkshire in the early 19th century and produced more than 800 sketches and paintings. Among the places he visited was Castle Bolton, near Leyburn, Aysgarth Falls, near Richmond, and Whitby Abbey.

Benches are strategically placed so that you can see the same views that inspired some of Turner’s most wonderful paintings. Find out more information regarding specific sites to visit here.

Tourism Industry urged to take notice of travellers with disabilities

Jun 16

Posted by elisa in Articles, Surveys, Tourist Board | 1 Comment

A recent report by VisitEngland has revealed that over £2bn was generated for the English domestic visitor economy in 2009 by overnight trips made by people who either have or are accompanied by someone with a health condition or impairment. VisitEngland are using this report to highlight to the tourism industry that catering for travellers with disabilities or health conditions is essential.

Over 11 million of these overnight trips were made last year, equating to 11% of the total volume of domestic overnight tourism in England.

VisitEngland said trips by this group tend to be longer than average and as a result their spend per trip is higher.

“Tourism businesses should view accessibility in its broadest sense, as fundamentally it is about understanding and catering for the individual needs of all visitors and in doing so providing a high quality and memorable experience which in turn will generate repeat bookings and visitor loyalty,” said James Berresford, VisitEngland chief executive.

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

One minute of English loveliness

Apr 10

Posted by elisa in Fun, Tourist Board | No Comments

VisitEngland is launching a competition to encourage people to post a one minute video of their favourite moments enjoying living in England. The creator of the best clip, as voted by the public, will win a free holiday. The best clips posted will also be included in the September marketing campaign.

“Although most Brits are aware that there are great things to see and do in England, over half of us admit to not making the most of our free time,” said head of marketing for VisitEngland Amanda Smyth. “We’re hoping to inspire people to get out and about in England and discover the hundreds of experiences you can have in this country from sailing on a pirate ship near Brixham to a horse riding adventure in the New Forest.”

Clips can be posted on www.enjoyengland.com/minute. We’d be interested to find out if any of the readers of this blog enter and what your minute of enjoying England is. Perhaps if you’re already going away then that would be a perfect opportunity to make your film!

Egg Hunts and Easter Treasure Trails!

Apr 3

Posted by elisa in Kent, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Tourist Board, Warwickshire | No Comments

Large Divine Milk Chocolate Easter Egg With Marc De Champange Truffles Disrobed by Chocolate Reviews.

Easter Egg picture by Flickr User Chocolate Reviews

The Easter weekend is here! Some of you may already have plans but for those of you who have woken up with the spirit of adventure but no idea what to do then below are some eggselent suggestions:

Chastleton (Oxfordshire) 3rd April 1-5pm - Indoor egg hunt

A good one for if the weather isn’t too good. Visit the National Trust website for full details, normal entry fees apply plus £1.50 to enter into the egg hunt.

Scotney Castle (Kent) 2nd – 5th April 11am-4pm - Easter Trail

Not one, but two houses where Elizabethan and Medieval styles meet. There’s a moat, some beautiful gardens and wonderful countryside to explore. Normal charges apply plus £2 to join the trail, visit the National Trust website as above for full details.

Upton House and Gardens (Warwickshire) – 2nd-5th April 12-4pm – Easter Trail

Walk around the 1930s styled gardens with lush lawns, terraces and water gardens. Normal charges apply but there is no additional charge for the trail. Again, got to the National Trust website for full details.

Burghley (Lincolnshire) – 4th April – Easter Egg Hunt

Hunt for chocolate eggs in the Sculpture Garden and Garden of Surprises and in the afternoon treat yourself to lunch at the Orangery Restaurant. Visit the website for full details. Easter Egg hunt included in the ticket price.

Clumber Park (Nottinghamshire) – 2nd-5th April 11am-2pm – Easter Egg Trail

Sniff out some chocolate eggs aroundthe beautiful grounds. But if you aren’t quite lucky enough to find any then each entrant gets a Cadburys Easter Egg prize. Normal admission charges apply plus £2 for the trail. Visit the National Trust website for full details.

I hope this has inspired some of you and you all have a wonderful Easter!

90% of people going on holiday over Easter choose to stay in UK

Apr 2

Posted by elisa in News, Surveys, Tourist Board | 2 Comments

Almost 10.5 million people have packed their bags to go on holiday this Easter, with 90% of them taking a break in England.

The estimates – which come as ABTA said two million people would be travelling on Easter holidays (see our Villaseek blog for this information here) - come from VisitEngland’s Easter Holiday Trip Tracker. The annual survey shows that 26% of British adults plan at least one overnight trip away from home over the next two weeks which includes Easter.

Twenty one per cent plan a trip in Britain; of those who plan to take an overnight trip in the next couple of weeks, 46% intend to visit friends and family while 40% intend to go for a holiday. Forty per cent of those going on holiday plan to take their trip to a city or town, 30% plan to visit the countryside or a village and 29% are planning a visit to the seaside.

VisitEngland chairman Lady Cobham said: “It’s great to see that England is the destination of choice for those Brits planning a holiday in the UK this Easter time. England is fast becoming an intrinsic part of the UK holidaymaker’s annual holiday mix.

“Sixty seven per cent of Brits feel they don’t make the best use of their spare time. With so much on offer from stunning coastline to buzzing cities, and great festivals and events across the country there’s every opportunity to get out and about and enjoy every minute that England has to offer.”

Become a part of Blackpool: The Movie

Mar 17

Posted by elisa in Fun, North West, Tourist Board, film locations, films | No Comments

Blackpool tower picture by Flickr User llamnudds

An interactive online film has been created to allow visitors to star in their own film in Blackpool and share it online with their friends and family. The move is to encourage more visitors to the seaside resort. Users can upload their favourite pictures to The Movie’s microsite www.blackpoolthemovie.com and automatically share their virtual adventure with friends and family online.

Blackpool: The Movie has been designed by Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board to encourage potential holidaymakers to visit the resort and to maximize internet chatter on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Youtube.

The trailer provides a tour of Blackpool’s top attractions accompanied by a voiceover by the X Factor’s Peter Dickson. By entering their family name and home town, users will see their personal details become an integral part of the trailer, appearing on billboards, posters and lighting up the sky alongside a pyrotechnic firework display.

All entries will be entered into a prize draw and for one family to win annual passes to Blackpool attractions.

Mike Wilkinson of Lancashire Tourist Board said: “Blackpool has made a name for itself as a destination which uses leading-edge technology to encourage tourists to visit Blackpool and Blackpool: The Movie marks an exciting venture into the new world of virtual tourism.”

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.

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